A pond full of blooming flowers, an ultimate addiction.

Youjun accompanied Grandpa Jiang and others at the Chi family's old house. Holding a cup of hot tea brewed by a maid, he gently blew on the tea to release its aroma, his gaze passing through the courtyard wall and extending into the endless distance.

"This courtyard records the children's growth."

Grandpa Jiang's mind was as if he were flipping through an old photo album, recording past laughter and tears.

"So, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Grandpa Chi walked over with steady steps and shook his hand.

"Old squad leader."

Over the years, the two of them hadn't had a deep conversation, and although neither of them spoke of it, their daughter's death had created some distance between them.

"So, how is Xiao Yi doing?" Grandpa Chi brewed another cup of tea and handed it to Grandpa Jiang.

"You're mostly recovered; just rest and recuperate for a while."

"You came today because of Xiao Yi, right? I've watched this girl grow up." Grandpa Chi glanced at her, then silently looked away.

"Old squad leader, to be honest, I was originally unwilling for Xiao Yi to marry Xiao Che, but as long as the two children are doing well, I have no objection."

Grandpa Jiang hopes that Xiao Yi can marry the person she loves, then she will be very happy.

Grandpa Chi took a sip of tea, and the water in the small teapot boiled again. "But aren't you worried that Xiao Yi will repeat the same mistakes, just like Lao San and Qiao Qiao?"

When Grandpa Jiang heard his daughter's name, his hand holding the teacup paused for a moment. This was the thing he couldn't let go of all these years.

He was the one who came to ask the old squad leader for help that day. No one knows what method the old squad leader used in the end, but Qiaoqiao got engaged to Chi San as she wished.

"Therefore, there is something I didn't want to say, but now I feel you need to know. Xiao Yi was in a car accident that day. If it weren't for the young master of the Lü family, the consequences would have been unimaginable. The children didn't tell you because they were afraid you would worry."

Grandpa Chi coughed lightly, "With the marriage between the Chi and Jiang families, Xiao Yi has become the target of everyone's criticism, and it's impossible to guard against it."

Grandpa Jiang remained silent; he genuinely knew nothing about this matter.

"Jiang Yi is too young and has been protected by you too much. She is not capable of fulfilling her role as the mistress of the Chi family. Keeping her away from everything is the best choice."

Grandpa Chi poured the unfinished tea into a small pot of orchids on the tea table, poured himself a fresh cup, took a sip, and looked quite pleased with himself.

"Old squad leader..."

Grandpa Jiang looked at his old friend, and at that moment he felt as if he had never known this person before. His words seemed to be for the sake of the Jiang family, but there was only the planning for the Chi family in them. His cloudy eyes shone brightly, and he gripped the teacup in his hand even tighter.

"Is Xiao Che the person you finally chose?"

Grandpa Chi slowly placed the teacup in his hand on the tea table, his eyes full of shrewdness.

"That's all I have to say. There's no point in continuing. In short, I never intended to be your enemy. As for Xiao Yi, wouldn't it be better for her to live a simple and happy life?"

What if the two children insist on being together?

"Therefore, we have been through thick and thin together, and our relationship has long surpassed that of ordinary friends."

"You never truly wanted them to get engaged. Your intention was to completely turn against Jiang Chi. It was only because Xiao Che made you realize that he was no longer a pawn that you could easily control."

"Could it be that Qiaoqiao is also...?"

Grandpa Jiang should have guessed long ago that his comrade-in-arms, who had gone through thick and thin with him, had long since gone further and further down this path, or perhaps he had planned it from the very beginning.

Grandpa Chi saw Grandpa Jiang's sudden realization. He was already half-dead, and there was no need to hide anything anymore. As his only remaining old friend, it was time for him to know his plans.

He's your grandson!

"Others may not know, so do you not understand me? I've put in so much effort to get the Chi family to where it is today. Everyone says I'm relying on Qiu Ping, but I'm determined to prove myself."

"Old squad leader, we're getting old. Holding onto some obsessions will only make us suffer."

Grandpa Jiang put down his teacup. "Chi Chengting is too cunning. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals and is willing to sacrifice his own brothers. Such a person will only ruin the Chi family."

“This is what a qualified head of the family should be, not swayed by personal feelings.”

Grandpa Chi remained stubborn, his expression turning ferocious and terrifying. "Everything I have will be given to my child with Fengxian."

“I will stand behind the children. As for Xiao Che, the Jiang family will always be his way out.”

Grandpa Jiang's words carried power, each syllable resounding and firm.

Their conversation abruptly ended with the crackling of the wood burning in the hearth; their gray hair and the rings of time spoke of the passage of years.

"My third brother and Qiaoqiao are also my pain."

As Grandpa Chi gazed at his old friend's hunched back, his steps slowed, and a hint of emotion flickered in his deep eyes behind his sunglasses.

Grandpa Jiang didn't turn around; he just gripped the exquisitely carved cane tightly, with an indescribable determination.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

Today, after sixty years of knowing each other, they have reached the end of their journey and will never see each other again.