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

Chapter 292 You can't have your cake and eat it too.

"You're on par with him in terms of ability, but in terms of education... did you even finish elementary school?"

“I recognized Lu Yuanzhou’s name before, and then I remembered that he was a top student in the law department of Imperial University. In that respect, it seems like you guys are far behind!”

What Jiang Hua said upstairs might not be clearly heard by those downstairs.

"Judging from Mrs. Pei's tone, she seems to regret that the first person she met wasn't Lu Yuanzhou?"

Jiang Hua nodded firmly, “...If he had shown up first, it would have been hard to say.”

"I'm sorry to disappoint Mrs. Pei!"

Suddenly, a bodyguard handed an invitation to Old Master Jiang. This invitation was the same one that Lu Yuanzhou had.

Jiang Huai's expression subtly changed upon seeing the invitation in his hand. "I didn't expect you to have an invitation from the Huo family. For the sake of the Huo family, you are a guest, so please join us at the banquet."

When the Huo family was mentioned, the voices of everyone present became chaotic.

"The Huo family? Is Jiang Huai familiar with the Huo family? I seem to remember that the Huo family left the capital a long time ago. Why are they back? And what is Lu Yuanzhou's relationship with them?"

Pei Zhan stood behind Jiang Hua, glancing at her slightly to observe her reaction.

Jiang Hua let out a disdainful sneer, "The Huo family summoned Lu Yuanzhou to support Song Qingran?"

"As expected, the Huo family is no good either."

Pei Zhan: "If you don't want to see them, just have the bodyguards escort them out. There's no need to get so angry."

Jiang Hua stood up and faced the man in front of her, a malicious smile playing on her lips: "I'm the kind of person who can't stand seeing others do well." As she spoke, she reached out and patted Pei Zhan's face again, emphasizing each word, "Including your little lover."

...

Just then, Lu Yuanzhou looked down at Song Qingran beside him and asked softly, "Do you want to stay?"

Song Qingran: "I'm sorry, Chairman Jiang, Chairman Jiang, for causing you trouble."

"Mrs. Bai, we have something to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."

Lu Yuanzhou's previous words must have offended many people unintentionally. If he stays any longer, the situation will only become more tense.

"Since you're already here, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Are you afraid someone might be here?" Jiang Hua slowly walked down the stairs, and everyone was drawn to her voice. Today, Jiang Hua was wearing a gorgeous red dress and no jewelry, except for a vintage ring on her ring finger. Even as she walked up to the crowd, her appearance was so stunning that it seemed to steal the show and amaze everyone. Even her long, black, and shiny curly hair, which cascaded down her back, looked like it had been pampered and that every single strand of it was priceless.

Jiang Hua subtly noticed that Song Qingran's gaze wasn't on her, but on Pei Zhan behind her. The moment she saw Pei Zhan, Jiang Hua watched as Song Qingran released Lu Yuanzhou's hand, her eyes filled with panic as if she were hastily trying to clear herself of something.

"What Attorney Lu just said was very good. Public opinion can indeed devour people, but that doesn't mean it can become a sharp sword in your hand to pierce everyone. If that's the case, I don't believe that Attorney Lu is so noble and virtuous, living such a long life with a clean record and never making a single mistake."

Jiang Hua slowly stepped forward to confront him, "Attorney Lu, be careful not to play with fire and get burned."

"Be careful... what you say today might become the subject of unwanted public opinion one day."

"Leave room for maneuver in your actions. Some words and deeds will be returned to you. Besides, to put it bluntly, there are many lawyers in the capital city who are more capable than you. Even they are not qualified to enter here. The reason you were able to enter today is only because of the Huo family."

"All I can say is that the Huo family... has a terrible eye for people!"

“Tasteless!”

This Miss Jiang really knows how to talk... She's not afraid to offend anyone and dares to say anything. It's fortunate that the Huo family wasn't present today, but it does feel satisfying.

Lu Yuanzhou: "Who are you?"

"You're not worthy to know." As Jiang Hua was about to leave, she stopped beside Song Qingran. "No matter what, we're classmates. Song, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm not going to eat you."

"Or are you saying you're not afraid of me?"

"Then who are you afraid of?"

Song Qingran: "I'm not afraid of anyone anymore, Senior Jiang has misunderstood."

"Brother Yuanzhou, let's go..."

Jiang Hua didn't forget to add insult to injury to Song Qingran, crossing her arms and pointing her index finger at her arm, "Song Qingran, you can't be greedy. You're a role model for students, so you need to be careful. Be careful that one day... your reputation will be ruined."

Song Qingran understood the threat in those words, and she took Lu Yuanzhou and left.

Bai Wenjing's gaze fell upon the familiar ring on Jiang Hua's ring finger. This... wasn't this... the betrothal gift Huo Tingshan gave to Jiang Qingcheng when the Huo and Jiang families formed a marriage alliance? He... actually gave it to Jiang Hua!

When Bai Wenjing looked at Pei Zhan, she saw that Pei Zhan had no reaction to Song Qingran's matter at all. She was worried that Lu Yuanzhou's return would cause him to lose control in such a situation, and that he would expose his identity. However, none of the things she was worried about happened.

Just as I expected, the relationship between Song Qingran and Pei Zhan was just a misunderstanding, or perhaps there was some other hidden story, but it definitely wasn't because he had feelings for Song Qingran!

"You're here, where else are you going!" These were the words Jiang Huai said to Jiang Hua's departing figure.

Jiang Hua, with her back to Jiang Huai, said, "Stay here and see if you're feeling troubled."

"I forgot, I accidentally scolded your own granddaughter. You'll have to go back and coax her properly and call her back."

Jiang Huai: "Stop right there!"

Jiang Hua didn't listen to a single word and left without looking back.

Old Master Shen was also gloating, "You brought this upon yourself, and now look what's happened. You're abandoned by everyone, and even your own granddaughter doesn't want to look at you anymore. Jiang Huai... if you die, how will you face Qingcheng in the afterlife?"

These words caused Jiang Huai a sharp pain in his chest. Suddenly, everyone saw him clutching his chest, feeling a sudden tightness in his chest, and without any warning, he fainted.

In an instant, everyone panicked and rushed to pay...

"Old Jiang!"

"President..."

Just as Jiang Hua was about to leave, she heard the voices of everyone behind her, and her heart skipped a beat. When she turned around and saw the person lying on the ground, Jiang Hua didn't think much and quickly ran over.

No matter how angry they were, he was still one of the few relatives in the Jiang family.

In fact, they both knew that their grandfather still cared about her and wanted to take her back, but they were both very similar in temperament and neither of them was willing to back down.

In his past life... Jiang Huai held on until his deathbed just so he could see her one last time before he could close his eyes peacefully.

On the day he died, Jiang Hua attended his funeral alone. She didn't shed a single tear that day, probably because she didn't have much family affection. It wasn't until many years after his death that Jiang Hua understood why he had to hold on until he closed his eyes when she appeared.

Because when people die, they all hope to see one last time the person they can't let go of in their hearts.

What should have been a joyous birthday celebration turned into chaos.

In the hotel room, Jiang Weiguo dismissed the other guests. The others who hadn't left stood outside the door, waiting for news. Only Jiang Hua stayed by Jiang Huai's side, watching the entire treatment process.

Jiang Hua forced herself to suppress the bitterness in her heart. In truth, she felt helpless at this moment. She didn't know what she could do to help. In order not to cause trouble for the doctor, she could only stand quietly in the corner, motionless, until Jiang Huai woke up wearing a breathing mask.

At that moment, Jiang Hua's gaze never left the person on the bed.

After a long time, the doctor walked up to Jiang Hua and said, "Mr. Jiang is fine. He was just overworked recently and had some internal heat, which caused him to faint suddenly. He has already been given an IV drip of nutrients. He just needs to rest in bed for a while and he will be fine."

Jiang Hua: "Thank you for your help."

After the doctor left, Jiang Huai's secretary saw him off.

Jiang Huai: "You go out too, and tell the people outside not to come in yet. I have something to say to her."

"Yes, President."

When only Jiang Hua and he were left in the room, Jiang Hua stood silently to the side. She didn't seem too guilty, but you could feel a heavy pressure on her chest.

Seeing that he was about to get up, Jiang Hua stepped forward to help him up and placed a pillow behind him.

"Are you still angry with me because of the association? I know, it's my fault for not doing my research beforehand and for misunderstanding you, which is why I gave the position of vice president of the association to an outsider."

Jiang Huai pretended to be relaxed and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter who does it, it's your decision, and I can't interfere with you. Besides... people call you Grandpa Jiang, and you've produced a smart and capable granddaughter, what's wrong with that?"

"Even if you want to acknowledge me, you'll only be able to suffer in front of me."

Jiang Huai removed her breathing mask. She tried to stop him, but he said, "Don't worry, I'm in great health. I won't die for the next three to five years."

"It's just because I haven't been getting enough rest lately."

Jiang Hua had noticed it long ago. Old Master Shen was over eighty years old and still had a head of black hair, while Jiang Huai was only seventy years old but already had a full head of white hair and was not as energetic as before.

"I just found out too. Because of the association, you don't even want to go back to school."

"No matter what, you still have to keep studying."

If it were the old Jiang Hua, she would definitely get angry with him and retort, "What does my business have to do with you..." before leaving with a hurtful remark and turning away.

But Jiang Hua has changed. Not only has her mindset changed, but her temper has also changed. The impulsiveness in her heart has long been worn away and disappeared without a trace.

“I know. Jewelry restoration is already very familiar to me and it’s not too difficult for me. Now I just want to continue the tradition in another way. It can’t end with me in the future.”

“I’ve been at home for a while now, reorganizing… the materials my mother left behind, publishing and distributing them in her name to all the university libraries. There’s so much to organize, it will take another six months to finish.”

When Jiang Huai heard his granddaughter say so much for the first time, he understood that she was not as ignorant and incompetent as the outside world claimed. On the contrary, what she wanted to do was exactly the same thing that Qingcheng would have done when she was still alive.

"I understand."

"You can take over the position of vice president of the association anytime you want."

Jiang Hua toned down her arrogance and didn't say anything.

However, Jiang Huai could tell at a glance that Jiang Hua was still dissatisfied with what had happened earlier. "Never mind, you have your own ideas, I won't force you."

"Go back to the Jiang family's old house and get me some things. I've put the key in the drawer in the study."

Jiang Hua had only visited the old house a few times when she was a child, but after being humiliated and bullied by the Wang family behind their backs, she never went back again and didn't have many memories of it.

What do you want to take?

"When you go, Uncle Lan will tell you."

Uncle Lan is the housekeeper of the Jiang family's old house.

Before leaving, Jiang Hua heard his weak voice and was still a little worried. The others outside the room rushed over.

How is your grandfather?

Jiang Hua: "It's alright. He... asked me to go to the old house to get some things. Dad, could you urge the ambulance to come when it arrives? I'll come to the hospital to find you then."

Jiang Weiguo: "Okay, I'll have Pei Zhan drive you there."

"Be careful on the road."

Pei Zhan was driving when he noticed that Jiang Hua seemed distracted as she got into the car. He leaned over and helped her fasten her seatbelt. Only then did Jiang Hua realize what was happening. The warm breath on her face made her feel a little uncomfortable.

“Mrs. Pei can let her guard down in front of me. If she wants to cry, no one here will see her except me.”

Jiang Hua: "Enough with the nonsense, hurry up and drive."

When Jiang Hua arrived at the Jiang family's old house, all she saw was a clean, empty house devoid of human presence, with only one person busy tending to the weeds in the yard.

Jiang Hua pushed open the bright red door and walked in… The people who were busy stopped what they were doing and stood up. “Young Miss, you’re back?!”

Jiang Hua: "I've come to pick up some things."

“I didn’t know what to get. He just said that if I came over, I would know.”

As he spoke, Uncle Lan trembled as he took a key out of his pocket and handed it to her. "This is the key to the attic upstairs. What Miss wants is upstairs."

"This gentleman may come along."

Jiang Hua didn't know what Jiang Huai had asked her to come back for. Jiang Hua took the key from his hand and stepped into the hall. Apart from the coldness and simplicity, she couldn't feel anything else. She saw that there were still three dishes on the table that looked like they hadn't been finished. They were covered by a curtain. The surrounding environment was also dim. Compared to the old Shen family mansion, this place... felt like a house in the mountains, without any trace of human warmth.

"It's so dark around here, why don't you turn on the lights?"

Uncle Lan: "This light is already broken, and hardly anyone comes here on weekdays, so the gentleman said he might as well not fix it."

Jiang Hua: "This dish looks like it's been sitting out for a long time. It's better to eat less leftover food."

"Why don't I see anyone else in this house?"