Putting aside the touching scene of mother and daughter, it was still quite satisfying to see Qi Yanxu and Gu Yiming angrily confront Jiang Shiwan, and Jiang Shiwan looking furious. Jiang Hua was very smug, and she once again mocked her sister for having no one to stand up for her.

Seeing Jiang Hua bullying her like this, and being speechless, Jiang Shiwan was furious. She glared at Jiang Hua fiercely, her mouth slightly open, but no sound came out.

Seeing her daughter being bullied like this, the stepmother's calm demeanor turned sour. She raised her foot to slap Jiang Hua to vent her anger, but Jiang Shiwan stopped her. Seeing Jiang Shiwan's tearful eyes, the stepmother stopped and did not retaliate.

Jiang Zhaolin was somewhat puzzled. He still didn't understand the situation or why his eldest daughter had argued with Jiang Hua. Since he couldn't figure it out, he decided not to get involved. This was his usual approach; he wouldn't concern himself with the trivial matters between women as long as they didn't involve him. He always believed that women were like that—if you left them alone, they would resolve themselves in a while. He shouldn't get involved, otherwise it would only make things more complicated.

Gu Yiming had already exhausted himself and didn't want to linger any longer. He turned Jiang Hua's face away with his hand, ordered her in a firm tone to stop nagging, and then pulled her away from the port.

Jiang Hua was being held by Gu Yiming. Gu Yiming's hands were fair and slender, the kind of hands that many women liked. Jiang Hua's hands were completely enveloped by his large hands, and she could feel the warmth coming from his hands.

Although Jiang Hua had high hopes, everything ended the moment she was thrown into the car. Gu Yiming showed no tenderness whatsoever. As Jiang Hua sat in the car, she saw the reality clearly, because her buttocks were sore from being sat on.

After closing Jiang Hua's car door, Gu Yiming got out of the car from the other side. Apart from the moment Jiang Hua's face showed a slight pain when she got in the car, she remained silent and sat obediently without saying a word.

Gu Yiming was puzzled. Where did Jiang Hua, who was so powerful just now, go?

Although puzzled, Gu Yiming wisely refrained from disturbing the quiet Jiang Hua.

Jiang Hua was indeed preoccupied with her own thoughts. Her eyes were fixed on the scenery rushing past the window, but her heart was heavy with sorrow for her family's troubles. She felt helpless about the mess. She couldn't believe that she had managed to get out on her own and even got her father's money. She could have left proudly amidst their envious gazes, but unexpectedly, Qi Yanxu came.

She gave a wry smile, looked at her reflection in the window, and forced herself to calm down; she wouldn't look good when she was angry.

Jiang Hua thought about her life over the years. Although she had lost her mother, she was very strong-willed and never accepted her fate passively. So she lived a pretty good life and never lacked food or clothing. She silently thought to herself, "Jiang Zhaolin, it is my misfortune to be your daughter in this life. Similarly, I believe you are not happy to have me as your daughter!"

Thinking about her stepmother and Jiang Shiwan again, Jiang Hua laughed out loud, thinking to herself, "Over the years, I haven't caused you any trouble. My good life is the biggest punishment for you. Actually, I'm not the kind of person who likes to cause trouble. It's all your own fault. You treat me like a thorn in your side. If none of this had happened, although I still can't consider you family, it wouldn't have come to this."

Jiang Hua turned her head and saw Gu Yiming also tilting his head to look out the window. She could only see a third of his profile, but even so, she could still feel his handsomeness. She had to admit that her older sister had excellent taste; if she could be with this man, she would probably be very happy.

"But after this incident, I don't think you two can pretend nothing happened!" Thinking this, Jiang Hua felt quite smug.

In fact, Gu Yiming had been observing Jiang Hua the whole time. He didn't know what kind of intuition it was, but when Jiang Hua looked at him, he turned his head away in advance, causing Jiang Hua to think that Gu Yiming was not looking at her.

Gu Yiming watched her almost the entire way. Jiang Hua would sometimes frown and sometimes smile, which was a bit unsettling. Gu Yiming guessed that she was thinking about her family. Anyone with eyes could see what her family situation was like. Seeing her like this, Gu Yiming felt a little sorry for her, but he remained silent and didn't say anything to comfort her. He knew that Jiang Hua didn't need it. She was fine as she was, quietly. She seemed indifferent to everything, but she was actually very thoughtful. It was best not to disturb her when she was thinking.

Sure enough, after a while, Jiang Hua figured it out and finally let go, her attitude towards those people turning disdainful again. Her pride wouldn't allow her to be too lenient; leniency wasn't in her vocabulary. Forgiveness meant having her things taken away, it meant being weak. That might be a bit arbitrary, but that's the reality: the strong will never pity the weak, and Jiang Hua had already done very well.

Jiang Hua had remained silent for so long, so Gu Yiming couldn't help but ask, "Where should I take you?"

Jiang Hua mentioned xx, and then the two fell silent again.

Gu Yiming felt something was off. Jiang Hua had been so enthusiastic towards him at the port before, even kissing him in front of everyone. Why was she so quiet now? Was Jiang Hua angry about the conditions he had set? But then he thought it was impossible. With her intelligence, would she care about that? Would she not know that there's no such thing as a free lunch?

Gu Yiming looked at Jiang Hua again. Jiang Hua's expression relaxed, and she even pulled the window down a little to let the wind blow on her face.

Gu Yiming suddenly felt a pang of heartache. The woman in front of him appeared strong on the outside, but inside she was like a little girl, yearning for love. Gu Yiming suddenly touched his face in embarrassment, inwardly scolding himself, "What's wrong with me? Why am I so concerned about Jiang Hua? Do I really like her?" He touched his face, which felt a little hot, and secretly glanced at Jiang Hua. Jiang Hua didn't seem to care about him, and sighed softly.

After Jiang Hua had figured out some things about family, her mind relaxed. She didn't care that Gu Yiming was still beside her. The wind blew across her face, as if it were blowing into her heart. Jiang Hua felt incredibly free. She closed her eyes and felt like she was walking on clouds, comfortable and free.

The silence in the carriage continued until Jiang Hua was almost at her destination. Gu Yiming felt very strange; the two of them hadn't even been able to say a word to each other.