My Little Sweet Wife

Jiang Ruolan sighed softly. "It's my fault. I rarely take the time to visit her. Although I usually look like I'm not afraid of heaven's punishment, there are many times I realize that there are too many people and things I can't deal with. By that, I will instinctively dodge and run away from facing the problem."

Senior Zhou sipped his tea calmly. Hearing Jiang Ruolan's words, he raised his eyes and looked at her, then smiled, "It's just that you suffered too many injuries during your childhood. Not being able to face it doesn't mean you don't dare to face it. No one will force you to do anything, like…" Senior Zhou paused before sighing. "If you don't want to acknowledge me as your grandfather, I also know that I can't force you. After all, this has led to your and Xiaoling's tragic lives. While it's not my fault, it also can be considered due to me."

"The person who should say this is not you, Senior Zhou, but Jiang Guanyu." Jiang Ruolan cut him gently, "Senior Zhou, for the past two years, it's not like I haven't seen how you treated me. No one is stone-hearted; I always avoid contact with you because I don't know if my mother can accept you as her father. After all, some of the tragedies back then were caused by you."

Senior Zhou put down his cup of tea and stood up. He slowly walked towards her and looked at her with his old but eager eyes. "Ruolan, I know you're a sensible child."

Jiang Ruolan, however, just smiled. She didn't take Senior Zhou's words seriously but turned to see Zhou Qingling, who was sleeping. "Actually, a lot of things don't matter anymore. I don't understand. It's been so long. Why did she go to see Jiang Guanyu?"

"Hasn't she suffered enough?" Jiang Ruolan rubbed her forehead while sighing. Her face was full of pain and helplessness.

"Ruolan." As Jiang Ruolan stared at Zhou Qingling's pale and sleepy face, she heard Xian Zihao calling her. She then turned around, only to see Xian Zihao walking in.

"My mother is sleeping." Jiang Ruolan said.

Xian Zihao patted her shoulder and said in a low voice, "I just asked someone to check the number. Jiang Guanyu is still in jail now, so it's impossible for him to call your mother. He might be asking for someone's help, but from the information I get, the person who specifically sent your mother to visit the prison should not be him."

Jiang Ruolan's eyes were calm. "Could it be…"

"It's Zhan Lian." Senior Zhou said from the side. "Indeed, she is a despicable woman who still won't stop even after she goes there. Knowing that Jiang Residence is now under Xiaoling's name, she found an opportunity to contact her friends outside and let Xiaoling visit them. According to the housekeeper, Xiaoling just wanted to see how they were doing that day, but who knows what Zhan Lian is still trying to do, and maybe, she said something that happened that year to provoke her."

"My mother is not a muddle-headed person. Zhan Lian was able to snatch Jiang Guanyu from her many years ago because she used her power to oppress others. My mother was already wary of them. How could she let them affect her like that? There must be another reason." Jiang Ruolan said.

"Don't worry, I'll go investigate. You can stay here with her." Xian Zihao caressed her shoulder gently.

Jiang Ruolan nodded and thought for a moment before saying, "Maybe letting her stay here is not a good thing. When she asked to stay here, I shouldn't have agreed to her request, nor should I agreed to let the Xian Family move the house to her name. She often said that she had let Jiang Guanyu go, but she never really did. I heard that Senior Huang always comes to visit her, but my mother..."

Jiang Ruolan didn't say anything else.

No matter how good Senior Huang was, humans always had personality. The unavailable, always the best. Maybe, even if you know that it's not the best, you can't let go of it. 

That was human nature. Even though Zhou Qingling was over fifty years old, she still can't fully understand it in terms of relationships.

Why the hate, and where did this hatred come from if it was not because of love?

If it wasn't for love, why did she insist on living in this big house?

"Ruolan, I want to bring Xiaoling to the United States." Senior Zhou walked over and said this.

Before Jiang Ruolan could say anything, Xian Zihao interrupted her, "I'm afraid this move is inappropriate."

"Oh? Zihao have any other thoughts?" Senior Zhou asked with a smile.

Xian Zihao pondered for a moment before replying, "United States is not the right place for her. No matter how large the country is, that country has brought back many bad memories of her. She may not want to live there."

"Secondly, Ruolan is her daughter. Once she goes there, she will be far away from her daughter and grandchildren."

"But I can give her the best mental therapy and life care. After all, I'm her father." Senior Zhou frowned

"But would she be willing to recognize this so-called father?" Jiang Ruolan said softly.

Senior Zhou remained silent as he heard her words. However, his brows were furrowed as if he was unwilling to back down from this matter.

At this moment, Zhou Qingling, who was in a deep sleep, frowned slightly.

Jiang Ruolan lowered her head. Seeing that Zhou Qingling had woken up, she exchanged glances with Xian Zihao and Senior Zhou, who also noticed her movements. 

Jiang Ruolan immediately sat on the bed and whispered, "Mom?"

Zhou Qingling opened her eyes. First, there was a blurred look in her eyes, but then she looked doubtful. When she saw that it was Jiang Ruolan, her lips moved, but it was like she didn't know what to say.

"Mom, are you feeling better?" Although Jiang Ruolan had often met her mother over the last year, she had always been polite. Jiang Ruolan's concerned face and tone eased some of the tension on Zhou Qingling's face.

"Lan." Zhou Qingling sat up slowly. She looked at her with a calm expression.

Seeing her getting up, Jiang Ruolan quickly took the coat on the nearby chair and placed it on her (Zhou Qingling) shoulder. "You're unwell. Don't let yourself catch a cold."

Zhou Qingling smiled faintly and as her gaze slowly shifted to Xian Zihao, she was stunned for a moment before a frown appeared on her forehead. "Why is he here?"

"Mom." Xian Zihao acted as if he didn't see the vague rejection in Zhou Qingling's eyes and just politely called out to her.

Zhou Qingling couldn't say anything because of the way he had called her. She didn't even spare a glance at Senior Zhou, who was standing behind them. Instead, she turned her gaze to Jiang Ruolan. She then took her hands and said happily, "Lan, you finally came to see me."

"Hmm. I'm really sorry because I haven't visited you. Due to hectic work, I was busy until I didn't have time to come to G City. Usually, Chiahao and An Na will accompany me, but this time, Zihao also came together with us. Mom, if you want to go back to H City, we can go back together."

"I am not going." Zhou Qingling, who was nervously staring at Jiang Ruolan, immediately calmed down. She turned her face away and frowned.

Senior Zhou approached and was about to speak when Zhou Qingling suddenly raised her head and looked at him without expression, "When did you come? Who gave you permission to be here? Get out!"

Zhou Qingling coldly looked at Senior Zhou, whose expression immediately stiffened. She mercilessly pointed towards the door and ordered him to leave.

"Mom, these two days, you are not in a good mental state. Didn't Senior Zhou come here two days ago? He took care of you, have you forgotten?" Jiang Ruolan gently pressed Zhou Qingling's hand down as she tried to persuade her in a soft voice, but her (Jiang Ruolan) eyes were filled with anxiety.

Looks like Zhou Qingling's mental illness still had some aftereffects. She was actually unable to remember all of the events that just happened.

"I let him in?" Zhou Qingling was stunned and looked hesitantly at her.