No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

Before leaving, Professor Guo made a special instruction to them not to touch the things inside. "Put the good things back yourself. If you don't understand anything, remember to talk to Jiang Hua. No one can compare to her in this regard."

They all agreed. Xue Ruyao then informed the studio and gave them a time. Soon after, Xue Ruyao and Xiaoyu messaged Song Qingran. Knowing that she was at Xiangweiju, the two of them took a taxi from the school gate and rushed over.

Given Madam Bai's connections in the capital city, it's not surprising that she was able to contact Elder Jiang. The banquet held at Xiangweiju today was specially prepared according to Elder Jiang's tastes, with a table full of dishes.

"This is my first time meeting Elder Jiang. I wonder how Elder Jiang's health is now? I have some top-quality bird's nest and thousand-year-old ginseng here. If Elder Jiang has urgent business, I will have someone deliver them to your residence in a while."

Song Qingran sat to the side, but her mind was on something else. She couldn't forget the embarrassing situation she had been caught in that morning, but when she thought about the most important thing today, which was to get Old Master Jiang's signature, she quickly adjusted her mood.

"No need for gifts. I'm only here because we're old acquaintances. Just say what you need to say, stop beating around the bush."

Jiang He, who is over eighty years old, has a full head of silver hair. He is dressed in a simple Zhongshan suit, and his hair is neatly combed. His whole demeanor exudes an air of quiet authority.

Xia He: "It's like this, I know a young girl who, at such a young age, started a jewelry restoration studio with her classmates. It was through your resources that we found a good mentor for their studio to help these young girls build their careers. Before... we were short of some of the materials needed to establish the association, and there were also changes in the member list, so it took a while, and we were unable to submit the materials."

"Knowing that you happen to be in the capital today, I thought I'd take advantage of your presence to get things settled first."

“If possible…” Xia He smiled and looked at Song Qingran, “Qingran, you know these things better. Why don’t you tell Old Jiang what you think?”

Xia He turned the conversation to Song Qingran, simply to connect her with Old Jiang and give the two of them a chance to talk.

Having worked at the company for so long, Song Qingran had attended numerous business meetings and social events, and was familiar with interpersonal relationships. She stood up and poured Jiang He a cup of tea. "President Jiang, may I call you Grandpa Jiang?"

Song Qingran observed Jiang He's expression and saw that he didn't seem to have much emotion in his eyes. She figured he probably didn't dislike her. She smiled and continued, "This tea is from my hometown of Qingcheng. It's the Thousand Mountains Mist Snow that just came out this year. I don't know if you'll like it."

“You…look a lot like my grandfather. My mother left me with my grandfather when I was little to support me, so he raised me single-handedly. But a few years ago…he passed away. I don’t know why, but when I saw you, I felt a sense of closeness.”

Old Jiang didn't say much, but simply picked up his teacup and took a sip. It was initially astringent, then sweet, leaving a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth, with only a slight bitterness. "Not bad."

"I'm glad Grandpa Jiang is happy. Actually, when I founded this association, I wanted Grandpa Jiang to serve as the president of the Jewelry Restoration Association. With you here, I think more people will join us. Although we are just getting started, I believe that what we do from now on will not disappoint you."

Please, you absolutely must agree.

Jiang He asked in confusion, "Didn't you submit it once before?"

"This..." Song Qingran had just finished speaking when Xia He grabbed his hand and interrupted him, "The previous personnel list was only modified because of a small mistake. This is the revised version. Elder Jiang is still worried about important matters, so we can take another look at the specifics."

Jiang He pondered for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before finally asking, "How many people at Imperial University are applying to join the Jewelry Restoration Association?"

After thinking carefully, Song Qingran said, "Among us, there are also senior female students who have joined the association."

"Jewelry restoration is not an easy task. Without one or two years of foundational knowledge, you can't do this job well, let alone establish yourself in it. You need to understand the knowledge; what you're learning now is just the tip of the iceberg. Think carefully before you start this association..."

"Unless you have exceptional talent, you have to put in 100% effort. If you're just playing around, there's no need to waste your time on it."

Song Qingran hurriedly explained, "No, I've already made a decision with my partners about this. Once we decide to do something, we won't turn back. No matter how difficult it is, we will persevere. We will never give up."

"The senior student Jiang, whom the school found, has been helping us day and night, and we are all working hard to study."

“We also have videos, and I want to film the people in the videos, people you know…”

Song Qingran took out her phone, opened the video, and after watching a video, Jiang He saw the person on the screen. His eyes flashed with intense emotion; his sharp, piercing gaze revealed grief and sorrow…

"Where did you get this video?" Old Jiang's voice trembled slightly.

Outside Xiangweiju, Jiang Hua had learned of Jiang He's whereabouts from Shen Yebai, so she rushed here, wanting to demand an explanation from him—why…her application was rejected.

Just as she was about to get into the car, Jiang Hua suddenly received a phone call from Shen Bao'er.

As soon as she answered the phone, she heard Shen Bao'er crying, "Huahua, can you come to my house..." She sobbed.

"Bao'er, why are you crying? What happened?" Shen Bao'er spoke cautiously on the phone, very softly as if she were calling secretly. In addition, you could hear the familiar cursing.

"Huahua, could you come to my house? My aunt... she's about to be beaten to death..."

Jiang Hua glanced at the gilded plaque of Xiangweiju and said without much thought, "Okay, I'll be right there. Don't worry, I'll be there soon."

Jiang Hua temporarily put aside her own affairs, had the driver turn around, and hurriedly went to the Shen family's old house.

For Jiang Hua, the Shen family's old house was almost like going to a ghost house. The Shen family's old house was inhabited by people with feudal and outdated ideas. It's no wonder that Shen Yebai grew up in that kind of environment, which shaped his cold and indifferent personality.

The ancestral tablets of the Shen family are also enshrined there.

Every time Jiang Hua went there, she could feel a solemn and eerie atmosphere, and a chill permeated her whole body.

If she goes, she'll probably get a lot of scolding from those old fogies.

When Jiang Hua arrived at the Shen family's old house, Shen Bao'er's eyes were red and swollen from crying. She ran over and saw Jiang Hua, and tears immediately fell down her face.

Jiang Hua wiped away her tears, "Okay, okay, don't cry, tell me what happened."

Where is Ye Bai?

Shen Bao'er: "Brother has already gone in."

"Huahua, come with me."

Shen Bao'er took Jiang Hua's hand and led her into the courtyard of the classical garden. Stepping over the threshold, they saw a scene resembling a grand trial in the hall not far away. An elderly man in a long black robe was forcefully striking a woman with a stick. This woman was Shen Wanrou, Shen Bao'er's younger sister, born of the same mother. However, according to Jiang Hua's understanding of this aunt, she was an anomaly in the Shen family. While Shen Bao'er's father had an immoral private life and other affairs, Wanrou was even worse. Her chaotic private life was one thing, but she was also a gambler and alcoholic…

However, she is not a bad person; she treats Bao'er and Ye Bai quite well.

Back when Yue Lianyi was divorcing Shen Jianghai and abandoned her young son Shen Yebai, it was Chen Wanrou who took care of the siblings. The mistress outside wanted to make herself official and used underhanded methods on the two siblings. Several times, she was taught a lesson by Shen Wanrou. After using the same method, the mistress did not dare to cause trouble again and obediently raised Shen Jianghai's illegitimate son outside.

Then, a scolding voice came from the hall, "These are jewels passed down from generation to generation by my mother's ancestors. You pawned them to pay off your gambling debts, and Ye Bai redeemed them for you in the end. The first time, Ye Bai, as the head of the family, pleaded for you and didn't pursue the matter. You didn't cherish them and didn't know how to change, and you actually... smashed them all because of your momentary anger, and you even thought about selling them to continue your debauchery outside?"

“Dad! It’s all his fault. He… If he hadn’t brought other women home and done those dirty things while I was away, and even worn the jewelry my mother gave me and flaunted it in front of me, I wouldn’t have been angry and would have done this.”

"I just can't take it anymore..."

“I want a divorce. You all say I’m disgracing the family and ruining its reputation, and that I should uphold traditional female virtues and be a good wife and mother… I’ve been married to him for thirty years, and I’ve done that, but what about him? He’s been having one affair after another in front of other women. How can I possibly tolerate this!”

"Every time, I wish I could kill those two scoundrels!"

A servant handed the broken jewelry, which was in a box, to Shen Yebai. "Young Master, everything is here."

Shen Yebai nodded and walked out.

She disliked such a scene and dared not enter.

Shen Yebai had no choice but to go out and look for her.

Jiang Hua was horrified when she saw the bloody and brutal scene. The rules of the Shen family were ridiculously numerous. Jiang Hua, who had grown up in the Jiang family where there were no rules, naturally could not accept them.

In a quiet place, Shen Yebai handed her the items in his hands, "Can these be repaired?"

"This is the first time I've ever seen such exquisite imperial green. The color is noble and profound. Among jadeite, imperial green is one of the most precious colors. It's obviously very valuable." Jiang Hua picked up a broken piece of gemstone and looked at it. "It's such a pity. How could something so good end up like this?"

Shen Bao'er: "It's all because of my uncle, who brought a woman home to provoke my aunt. That wicked woman was even wearing the jewelry that my grandmother passed down to my aunt, which provoked my aunt to smash all of them."

"Later, when my grandfather and several great-grandfathers found out, they punished my aunt with family discipline. If they continued to beat her like that, my aunt would soon die."

Jiang Hua laughed and said without any hesitation, "The Shen family is really strange. The man cheated, so he is at fault. It's one thing for the Shen family not to stand against outsiders, but now they are punishing their own family members. What kind of logic is that?"

"These old bastards who can't distinguish right from wrong and don't understand things."

Shen Bao'er glanced sheepishly at Jiang Hua, then secretly looked at Shen Yebai beside her. "Hua Hua, you can only curse in secret. You mustn't let them hear you. Otherwise... I'm afraid you'll get punished too."

"I..." Jiang Hua couldn't utter a single word. Who knew that the Shen family's rules would also apply to Jiang Hua?

When she was little, she stole the offerings from the Shen family ancestral hall and even spilled them. Shen Yebai was punished by kneeling for a whole night, and then he forced her to stay and copy the Shen family rules!

She will remember this for the rest of her life.

No matter how strict the family rules are, they can't govern someone from another family, right?

But she was the unlucky one. She had to copy the family rules while crying, and Shen Yebai had to kneel down and help her copy them.

How could she not have a shadow in her heart? She even felt scared when she looked at those old men.

"It can be repaired. Your aunt is really lucky. My family happens to have the last piece of this imperial green jadeite. I saw a similar size in a bank safe last time. It should be raw material cut from a rough stone. However, it will take some time. But this one has cracks and can't be used anymore. It can be cut into a pair of earrings."

"It's good that it can be repaired. There's no rush as long as it can be fixed."

Shen Bao'er immediately hugged Jiang Hua, "Huahua...you're so good to us, what would we do without you!"

In front of the lobby.

Upon hearing the news that it could be repaired, the old man's dark face returned to normal. He sat in his armchair, leaning on his cane, his eyes sharp and piercing. "The Shen family is a centuries-old clan. The women of the family only marry into the family, never marrying out. This set of jewelry was meant to be your dowry, passed down through generations for hundreds of years. It survived without being destroyed in anyone else's hands, yet it was destroyed in yours. I'm teaching you a lesson today so you'll remember it, restrain your temper, and stop being so arrogant and reckless."

“Once he enters the Shen family, he should abide by the Shen family’s rules. Since he blatantly allows women from outside to enter the house, we should do what we should do.”

"You will be taught a lesson you deserve, without exception. Do you accept today's family rules?"

Shen Wanrou: "I admit it, I admit it!"

"I only beg you, sir, to make those two scoundrels pay a terrible price, so that my suffering of such humiliation will not have been in vain."

Every time he did something wrong, he would kneel down and beg for forgiveness. Shen Wanrou knew that if the Shen family's rules were known, he would definitely lose half his life. So she kept those things from him out of kindness. Who knew that not only did he not know how to restrain himself, but he also wanted her dead and wanted to take everything from her.

Only then did she realize that she could no longer tolerate it.

Shen Bao'er quickly stepped forward to help her up: "Auntie, please get up."

Shen Bao'er is one of the few girls in the Shen family. She is the sweetest and most innocent, and everyone likes her. The Shen family members are quite indulgent towards her and don't say much about her behavior.

"The Jiang family's child is here, why doesn't he come in?"

The next moment, Jiang Hua crossed her arms and strode confidently across the threshold, saying, "I never thought that after all these years, my great-grandfather would still remember me!"

"Unfortunately, the offerings you spilled and stole ten years ago were from my old woman," the old man snorted.

Jiang Hua: "..."

She was speechless.

"You have to take responsibility for what you say! Will that fix anything?"

Jiang Hua: "Okay. But I find something strange. I noticed a few things are off about this damaged jewelry. Normally, the imperial green jade used in jewelry making should all be made from the same batch of raw materials. But when I looked at the other jade pieces used as embellishments, although the colors were similar, the feel and texture were completely different. Was it switched out... or was a piece stolen and sold?"

Even a small embellishment, made of rare and precious imperial green, is worth nearly a million dollars according to current market prices.

Not to mention the complete set that Shen Wanrou had.

"What? They actually dared to tamper with my things?"

"Those damned bastards!"

"How brave!"

Jiang Hua looked at Shen Wanrou and asked, "Them?"

Shen Wanrou said angrily, "I learned from a lady that someone knew how to repair jewelry and said they could restore it to its original state. They even charged me a commission of 500,000 yuan. Who knew that after waiting for more than half a month, what they gave me was not only not exactly the same as the original, but it was also poorly made and weighed several times less than the original."

“I was wearing it to a banquet today when I bumped into a waitress and my jewelry fell to the ground. I was so embarrassed and became the laughingstock of everyone. I haven’t even had a chance to settle the score with them yet.”

"I paid over a million yuan as payment to repair this set of jewelry."

More than a million?

Jiang Hua also made the most money, earning 100,000 from them. After all, it was too easy for her. If she took more, she would feel like she was making money through dishonest means.

If it were the initial damage, Jiang Hua would only need less than a day. Now that it's been damaged a second time, it will only take her two days. For ordinary people, finding jade raw materials is simply a pipe dream. Even if they spend their whole lives, they would never find them.

But Jiang Hua is different. The Jiang family's assets are in a bank insurance policy, containing all sorts of rare and hard-to-find gemstones from around the world, such as jade, etc.

Most of the banks in the capital city were originally owned by the old lady of the Shen family after she married into the family. After the old lady passed away, it is said that she gave all the remaining assets to Bao'er as her dowry when she got married. Now, Ye Bai is keeping them safe for her.

All of the Jiang family's money is in banks under the Shen family's name. Whether it's cash or all the funds in the account, they can be used by the bank for other business transactions. The interests of the Shen and Jiang families are too many. As long as the Shen family doesn't fall, the Jiang family will always have a foothold in the capital... Not to mention, the Jiang family is now under Pei Zhan's control, and the industrial projects involved generate astonishingly high profits.

To this day, Jiang Hua still doesn't know exactly how much money is in her family's bank account...