Although Luo Yingzi wanted Jiang Qiaoqiao to go with her, she also knew that given Jiang Qiaoqiao's current relationship with the Jiang family, her return would cause her a lot of unnecessary trouble.

"Sister-in-law, it's not necessary. It's not convenient for you to go to the Jiang family right now. I'll think of something later."

Jiang Qiaoqiao smiled and said, "It's okay. Even if I don't want to go to the Jiang family tomorrow, they'll probably find a way to make me go. Rather than being forced to go, I might as well take the initiative and go along with their wishes."

Moved, Luo Yingzi hugged Jiang Qiaoqiao's arm. "Sister-in-law, you're so kind! Thank you so much!"

Jiang Qiaoqiao patted the top of her head, "Go to sleep!"

"Um!"

Jiang Qiaoqiao and Luo Yingzi fell asleep quickly.

But Huo Beixiao, who was inside, tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.

During this period, he was able to sleep with his sweet and soft wife every night.

Now that the sweet and soft girl in his arms is suddenly gone, he feels like a huge piece of his heart is missing.

Several times he wanted to sneak out to the outer room and bring his wife back, but then he remembered that Luo Yingzi and his wife slept in the same bed.

It was simply inconvenient for him to hug his wife, so he had no choice but to endure it.

That night, however, he, who usually slept very well, barely slept at all.

The next morning, before there was any commotion outside, he couldn't go out, so he dressed properly and sat inside waiting.

After Jiang Qiaoqiao got up and tidied herself up, she waited until Luo Yingzi was also ready before going into the inner room to wake Huo Beixiao up.

As soon as she entered the inner room, she met the man's aggrieved gaze.

Jiang Qiaoqiao looked at the man sitting upright, yet looking like a wronged dog, and couldn't help but find it amusing. "What's wrong with you? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

She had barely finished speaking when the man's strong arms grabbed her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

The man sat with his head buried in her stomach. "Hmm, I can't sleep if my wife doesn't sleep with me."

Jiang Qiaoqiao's face instantly turned red all the way to the roots of her neck.

She quickly and forcefully pulled the man away, giving him a reproachful look. "Stop it! Yingzi is still in our house! How can you let that young lady see us like this?"

After saying that, fearing that the man would grab her back and hug her again, she quickly ran a few steps toward the door before shouting, "Get up and go out and buy some steamed buns, fried dough sticks, spring rolls or something. I'll cook a pot of porridge."

Seeing his wife blushing and trying to cover up her embarrassment, Huo Beixiao couldn't help but smile in his dark, deep eyes. "Okay, I'll go right away."

After the three finished breakfast, they went to the hospital together; Jiang Jiahua's injury needed to be addressed.

When they arrived at the hospital, the doctor, after observing Jiang Jiahua overnight, determined that there were no problems with her health and she could be discharged.

Jiang Qiaoqiao entered Jiang Jiahua's ward and went straight to the point: "The doctor said there's nothing wrong with your health. To express our gratitude, in addition to the medical expenses, we will also reimburse you for a sum of money. Just name your amount. As long as it's within a reasonable range, I'll give it to you."

As Jiang Qiaoqiao finished speaking, Jiang Jiahua looked at her with a sorrowful expression. "Qiaoqiao, Dad knows that I was wrong before and broke your heart. Dad doesn't want your compensation now, and I have no other requests."

"I just want you to come home and have one more meal with Dad. That would be enough to fulfill our father-daughter bond in this lifetime, okay?"

As Jiang Jiahua spoke, tears streamed down the wrinkles on his face.

Just last night, Jiang Qiaoqiao thought that she had long since given up on the Jiang family and on blood ties.

But at this moment, her heart still ached faintly.

She knew that Jiang Jiahua was still acting and deceiving her.

But she wanted to hug her past self tightly. If Jiang Jiahua could have said those words to her in her past life, even if it was a lie, she would have been happy to accept it.

But……

Her throat felt a little sore.

Huo Beixiao took her hand and gently squeezed it.

Just then, a nurse walked into the ward and called out, "Jiang Qiaoqiao, who is Jiang Qiaoqiao? Someone is calling you. Go to the doctor's office to answer the phone."

*

"Qiaoqiao, it's me, Second Brother."

When Jiang Qiaoqiao answered the phone and heard those words, she felt a mix of emotions.

She never expected Jiang Yongchang to call her.

In her past life, whether she was poor or rich, her relationship with Jiang Yongchang was very distant, so distant that if no one mentioned it to her, she wouldn't even remember that she had a second brother named Jiang Yongchang.

I suspect Jiang Yongchang feels the same way; unless someone mentions it, he wouldn't even remember he has a younger sister.

Although she was surprised that Jiang Yongchang would call her, she also guessed that Jiang Yongchang would most likely not contact her on his own initiative.

This phone call was most likely made by Jiang Yongchang at the behest of Jiang Jiahua or Peng Cuiying.

She spoke calmly, "Yes, is there something you need?"

Jiang Yongchang was silent for a moment before saying, "Qiaoqiao, I've heard about what's been happening at home lately."

My dad called me last night and we talked for a long time. He said he has deeply realized his mistakes, and although he wants to repair our father-daughter relationship, he also knows he has no right to ask for your forgiveness.

So all I ask is that you agree to come home for one more meal.

"So, you called me to act as a mediator?" Jiang Qiaoqiao asked calmly.

“No,” Jiang Yongchang answered decisively. “I just want to tell you that what your parents did to you is unacceptable to anyone.”

Since your parents initiated the public notice to sever ties, you don't need to feel guilty if you don't want any further contact with them.

Hearing Jiang Yongchang's words, Jiang Qiaoqiao was puzzled. "You didn't come here as a mediator, so why did you call me...?"

Jiang Yongchang remained silent for a while before speaking, "No matter what your relationship with your family is like, as long as you're willing, I will always be your second brother."

The moment those words, carried by electromagnetic waves, entered Jiang Qiaoqiao's ears, she felt a strange, aching ache in her heart, as if a wad of cotton had been stuffed inside.

After a long silence, she finally calmed down. "As long as you treat me like a sister, you will always be my brother."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Qiaoqiao returned to the ward.

She met Jiang Jiahua's pleading gaze again, "Qiaoqiao, how about we go home for another meal?"

Jiang Qiaoqiao stared at Jiang Jiahua with her clear black and white eyes for a long while before finally nodding and saying, "Okay, I agree. But let me make it clear beforehand that this meal has nothing to do with our relationship. Since you and I have already severed ties, that's it."

Jiang Jiahua looked at Jiang Qiaoqiao with a loving and gratified expression. "Yes, Dad understands."

Anyway, as long as Jiang Qiaoqiao softens and goes back for dinner, he can tell everyone that he and his daughter have made up.

Then we can slowly break down Jiang Qiaoqiao's psychological defenses and proceed gradually.

Jiang Qiaoqiao glanced at the scheming glint in Jiang Jiahua's eyes and chuckled inwardly. She knew she had no kinship with the Jiang family after all.

She was content to have an older brother at least in this life.

As for the rest of the Jiang family...