A pond full of blooming flowers, an ultimate addiction.

"I will do my best to make it up to her."

Chi Ruiche didn't want to explain, so he lit another cigarette to calm himself down.

"Xiao Che, is your smoking habit getting worse?"

Jiang Yang noticed that Chi Ruiche had already lit his second cigarette after only saying a few words; Chi Ruiche hadn't smoked this frequently before.

Chi Ruiche leaned back in his rattan chair, looking at the sky. "Sometimes it's like cigarettes, you can't quit."

Jiang Yang couldn't get any information out of him. He wanted to stand up for Jiang Yi, but Chi Ruiche was hesitant. He had too much on his mind and too many plans in his head.

After Chi Ruiche and the others left, Grandpa Chi and the others said something. After they finished talking, Chi Xinghua accompanied Grandpa Jiang to the study to let him take a rest, while Grandpa Chi asked the butler to call Chi Ruiche.

"Xiao Yang, your grandpa's alcohol tolerance isn't as good as mine. He'll have to sleep here for a while tonight," Grandpa Chi said proudly.

"Grandpa always says you have a high alcohol tolerance, and that Grandpa can't compare to you."

Jiang Yang knew that the elderly were like children and needed to be coaxed; going along with them would make them happy.

"You're all here. Let's talk."

Unexpectedly, Grandpa Chi also let Jiang Yang stay. Grandpa Chi slowly said, "Xiao Yang, after this matter is discussed, I don't want it to affect the relationship between our two families."

"Okay." Jiang Yang, being such a perceptive person, already understood.

"As you know, the Chi and Jiang families are closely connected because of your aunt's marriage to Xiao Che's third uncle. However, your aunt's death in a car accident has become a pain for both of our families. Although it hasn't affected either family, your grandfather hasn't visited the Chi family in a long time. And I know why he came this time."

Grandpa Chi told them both simply and clearly, but he was mainly saying this to Jiang Yang.

“Xiaoyang, it’s our Chi family that has let you down. We failed to protect Qiaoqiao. We can’t let this tragedy happen again. For so many years, we haven’t found the person behind it all. I even thought I was overthinking it and that it was just an accident. But then Xiaoche and Xiaoyi were in a car accident. Although they only suffered minor injuries, I’m sure it wasn’t an accident.”

Jiang Yang knew these reasons were for Jiang Yi's good, but... this wasn't what Jiang Yi wanted.

Grandpa Chi sighed and glanced at Chi Ruiche: "Of course I hope Xiao Yi will become my granddaughter-in-law."

Grandpa Chi sat down. “Xiao Yi is too young and has been protected too much. This will become Xiao Che’s weakness, which is the last thing we want to see.”

Jiang Yang understood. The first sentence affirmed Jiang Yi's feelings, while the second sentence revealed the Chi family's stance: Chi Ruiche's bride could be anyone but Jiang Yi. Was Chi Ruiche persuaded by this reasoning?

“Xiaoyang, I’ve already talked to your grandfather about this today. We don’t expect you to understand.”

Grandpa Chi apologized.

Chi Ruiche continued smoking. His grandfather's words were meant for him. He was the heir groomed by the Chi family, and everything about him was being monitored.

"Grandpa Chi, what secrets do you and Grandpa have that we don't know?"

Jiang Yang knew that people in this circle were two-faced, but the large families maintained a superficial balance. Moreover, the people in the large families considered themselves superior and despised such methods of harming people's lives.

Grandpa Chi's eyes flashed with shock, followed by admiration. He suddenly realized that Jiang Yang did indeed have some extraordinary qualities. "No."

Jiang Yang simply didn't believe that a car accident alone could make Chi Ruiche let go. He didn't believe it, at least he believed that Chi Ruiche wouldn't.