The owner of the eyes stared at him with a calm tone, a nonchalant expression and mocking looks. Jiang Xing'an opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be stuck by something and he couldn't utter a single word.
Zhou Xiang twitched his lips slightly and turned around, "Ling Ran, let's go!"
Ling Ran stood up, hugged his lover, and walked out of the study.
Zhou Xiang added, "Don't call us again until the last moment."
Looking at the figures leaving together, Jiang Xing'an's hopes turned into bubbles. He thought that since his granddaughter agreed to see him so readily, there was still room for saving the relationship between him and her. He even wanted to apologize to his granddaughter on behalf of his eldest son.
But his granddaughter's words made him speechless. From the beginning to the end, his granddaughter hated him. That's right, everything started with his greed.
Jiang Weihua stood up and took down the family photo hanging on the wall. He didn't think so before, but after Zhou Xiang said that, he felt that hanging this family photo there was a complete joke.
"Dad, put it away." He put the photo frame on the desk and left the study to see his mother. Zhou Xiang was right. He should cherish the people in front of him. His father had been wrong all his life. He couldn't follow his father's old path. No matter how much his mother nagged, he should listen to her.
After hearing what her son said, Ding Fengqin hugged her son and cried bitterly, venting all the frustration and guilt in her heart, and felt much better.
"After Jiang Yi's summer vacation, you can bring him and A-Lian back to live with you for a while! A-Lian is a good woman. It's Mom who places too much importance on external reputation. Zhou Xiang is someone who truly cares about your own good. You must also protect her well. She has had it so hard."
"Mom?" Jiang Weihua was surprised. How come his mother suddenly thought so clearly?
Ding Fengqin raised her hand and wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. "At first, when I heard that Zhou Xiang was missing, I was happy and wanted to buy firecrackers to celebrate. When Zhou Xiang disappeared for more than two years, those who were looking for her did not give up and were sure that she must be alive, living in a corner. This firm belief made me unconvinced.
I secretly went to the market town and quietly talked to the townspeople about Zhou Xiang. Although they were worried about her, they also firmly believed that she was still alive and they were waiting for her to come back.
During this trip to the market town, I learned everything about Zhou Xiang's childhood, including the oppression the Zhou family suffered in the market town. Under such circumstances, if it were me, I would definitely not be able to get out of the predicament.
In the past year, I have carefully analyzed Zhou Xiang's attitude and feelings towards you. I found that no matter whether she calls you senior or uncle, it is all sincere. She has two feelings for you.
She especially likes to call you senior. It should be because you helped her as a senior when she took the most difficult step. She has both respect for you as a fellow student and dependence on you as a blood relative.
After understanding her feelings for you, I also understand why she tried so hard to match you with A-Lian. She wanted to give you a simple home. After you knew I was the third party, you had a big change in your mentality, which made her feel guilty about you again.
Actually, just now, I wanted to meet her, but I didn't dare to because I was afraid she would scold me.
When she said your father should cherish the people around him more, she wasn't really speaking up for me; she was mocking your father. But, it was these words that made me feel a little distressed, and I couldn't help crying. After crying, I want to live happily, live for myself and you. Let your father live with regret alone!
Back in Mianhua Hutong, Jiang Weihua naturally told his niece about his mother's self-analysis.
Zhou Xiang just smiled indifferently. She really didn't feel sorry for Comrade Ding. She really didn't mean to sow discord between the couple and make them become complete strangers. She just couldn't stand Comrade Jiang's repeated betrayal, so she took the opportunity to block what Comrade Jiang might say.
People are forgetful. In the past four years, except for a few people who still remember me, the rest of my influence must have been small. Even if the dried fish is still circulating in the upper circles, the effect will certainly not be as good as before. Comrade Jiang is an egoist, and I don't want to be his tool for profit.
"Senior Jiang, do you know the real reason why your father came to see me?"
"I can guess," Jiang Weihua said calmly, not waiting for Zhou to ask further questions. "There's been a major change in the leadership team, and several old leaders have retired. He probably has two purposes. One is to ask you to provide liquid medicine and dried fruit, like before, to win over leaders like Mr. Hong. The second is to ask you to disclose Professor Huan's identity to increase bargaining chips. You and I will work together. No, I should ask you to help me climb up."
As soon as she got back, Zhou Xiang was busy celebrating the New Year, dealing with family matters, and complaining about the four years she had wasted. She honestly didn't realize her old boss had retired. She looked at Jiang Weihua and said, "Do you want it?"
Jiang Weihua quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, I just like doing research. I don't have any thoughts about being an official. That's a brain-burning thing. If I had that much time, I'd rather do more research."
Seeing that he was trying to avoid her, Zhou Xiang smiled. "I have to wait until I get home to dry the fish, the dried fruit in the fall, and the pork needs to be raised this spring and fed until winter. As for my status, I've already got enough trouble. Ask him if he wants to force me to death. He's buried up to his neck in the earth, why is he still thinking about power?"
"He was speechless after being confronted by you. I guess he won't and dare not have any more greed."
Having said that, Jiang Weihua felt it necessary to warn his father privately.
In the afternoon, Jiang Weihua received a call from Hao Heng, saying that he would visit with Cao Xiaosong in the evening. Seeing that his niece nodded, Jiang Weihua invited them to come for dinner.
How could Zhou Xiang not know that these two people were coming for her? As for their purpose, Zhou Xiang had some vague guesses in his mind.
At half past five, Hao Heng arrived on time. "No need to wait, let's eat first. Xiaosong can come after dinner."
After dinner, Hao Heng returned to the living room and sat down. He then asked Xiang Zhouxiang with concern, "You look fine physically, but why do you seem to be in a bad mood?"
This careful observation made Ling Ran alert. Hao Heng was already in his forties, had always been single, and had no scandals. Furthermore, when he was working with Zhou Niao, he had had many interactions with Xiang Xiang. Now, he had contracted the commercial street at Xiang Shi Zi School...
"I'm fine," Zhou Xiang shook his head. "Maybe it's because I've been isolated for four years that I can't catch up mentally. Tell me why you came?"
"If I say that I intend to play the role of a good host and treat you to food, drinks and entertainment, would you believe me?" Hao Heng said this while glancing at Ling Ran out of the corner of his eye. Don't think he didn't notice the tenseness of his body just now.
After hearing this, Ling Ran relaxed his body. He was too suspicious. If he really liked someone like Hao Heng, he would not have kept it secret all this time.
"I don't believe it," Zhou Xiang said, "In the capital, with Senior Jiang here, there's no need for you to follow me around. If you have something to say, just talk about it."
"Then I'll be frank," Hao Heng smiled, "Actually, I want to..."
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