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

Chapter 299 She's not qualified, but am I?

"Huahua, this is a matter for the Shen family."

Jiang Hua glanced at him casually, "Song Qingran's mother was sick and hospitalized, and it cost millions in a year. I see you've been quite eager to give her money."

"What, is it my turn to fail?"

"I'll make you do whatever I ask. If you don't want to do something, there are plenty of people who can help me. I don't need you."

"And... it's none of your business to interfere in my affairs."

Pei Zhanlai also walked right into the line of fire. Jiang Hua's words were barbed, and no matter how uncomfortable Pei Zhanlai felt, he had to bear it. He was the one who came to her and asked for a scolding.

If he can't stand her temper, he can leave; Jiang Hua won't stop him.

There are plenty of women outside who want to be nice to him, who are obedient to him, and who speak softly and gently. If you want to be nice to him in front of her, he can go outside and find the type of woman he likes...

"What are you still doing here? Get out. I get annoyed just seeing you."

When the servant brought the food, he could smell the tension between the two of them, so he put it down and left immediately.

A faint smoke filled the study. Having been by Huo Tingshan's side for many years, Kagel had long since learned to read people's expressions. Now, standing beside him, he could already sense the lingering gloomy aura emanating from him. He knew without a doubt that every time he acted this way, it was related to the young mistress.

"Did the young master and young mistress have another argument?"

Pei Zhan tapped the ash in his hand, having only smoked half a cigarette, before extinguishing it in the ashtray and exhaling a puff of white smoke. "Every time I try to sit down and have a proper talk with her, she always comes across as prickly."

"Based on my observations of the young mistress, she is someone who can chat well with anyone other than the young master, even strangers. The young mistress's attitude towards you now is actually the same as when the young master did not truly understand his own feelings. The young mistress is just returning the attitude you had towards her to you."

"However, your treatment of the young mistress is rarely verbal; it is more often manifested in your indifference towards her."

"Your affair with Miss Song Qingran is an irreparable and irreparable betrayal of your feelings for the young mistress. It is probably impossible to erase these things and make the young mistress never mention them again."

"Because, as far as the young mistress is concerned, you... have completely lost her trust."

"The relationship between the two is that the young mistress feels that you are only of use to the Jiang family, so... she has not divorced you until now."

"I have two suggestions, young master, you may listen to them."

Pei Zhan put one hand in his pocket, turned around and looked at him. The view outside the French window was pitch black. Behind the man was the endless night. A crescent moon hung in the night sky, emitting a faint silver moonlight that reflected on the man. Through the window behind him, Pei Zhan's figure was tall and slender, exuding an aura of indifference and detachment.

Pei Zhan: "Tell me about it."

Kagel's voice was devoid of warmth, yet his analysis was calm and objective: "The Huo family and the Jiang family are of vastly different statuses. You have signed these unequal agreements with the Jiang family for a period of thirty years, and the young master has undergone a vasectomy. This matter is still being kept from the master and madam. Once it is discovered, the master will definitely suppress the Jiang family, and the Huo family will absolutely not allow it. No one will be allowed to challenge the authority of the Huo family head."

"Not to mention, just like in Jinsha Shallow Bay, the young mistress can speak rudely to you and ride on your head."

"Therefore, my suggestion is that Young Master stays in the Jiang family for the same reason as before, and does what he should do for the Jiang family. Young Madam no longer has a place for Young Master in her heart. You are only staying in the Jiang family because you have some value to us."

"Young Master's continued stay in the Jiang family in the hope that he could win over Young Madam and return to the way things were before, but that's just wishful thinking on his part."

"Instead of hesitating like this, staying in the capital is just a waste of time. Without the young mistress, the young master has more options."

"Young Master has already wasted too much time outside..."

“Once the master returns to the capital and learns about the young master’s situation, things won’t be so easy to talk to.”

"Secondly, the young master revealed his identity this morning and confessed everything to the young mistress. I think no one would refuse to sit in the position of the matriarch of the Huo family. As long as the young master is happy, regardless of whether the young mistress is willing to stay by your side or not, as long as you hold the Jiang family in your hands, the young mistress will not easily divorce you."

"However, your situation and that of the young mistress will remain no different from what it is now."

"There is one last option: divorce. Young Master can go back to wherever he wants... Let Young Madam stay in the capital alone. As long as Young Master doesn't see her, he will forget about her after a while."

When Jiang Hua returned to the master bedroom, she saw that the sliding door to the study next door was open and the light was off. Pei Zhan usually handled his business in the next room, so Jiang Hua didn't pay any attention to him when he wasn't there. She just got into bed and fell asleep on her own.

At two o'clock in the morning, Jiang Hua was awakened by a nightmare. "Ji Liangchuan!" She woke up in a panic, her forehead covered in cold sweat. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw the heavy curtain hanging to the floor by the bed.

It turned out to be just a nightmare. In her dream, she saw Ji Liangchuan being engulfed in a fire. Jiang Hua wanted to save him, but there seemed to be a barrier between them that she couldn't get past no matter what she did.

She shifted her body and felt a hand on her waist. Jiang Hua didn't know what time Pei Zhan had gotten into bed. She was thirsty and wanted a drink, so she didn't care about disturbing the people around her. She simply removed his hand, got up, put on a shawl, and quietly went downstairs.

The moment the door closed, Pei Zhan, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them.

Under the pillow where she had slept, a worn-out metal watch chain with peeling paint was visible.

Jiang Hua found it hard to fall back asleep after waking up, so she sat on the sofa downstairs for a while. Thinking she was too lazy to go upstairs, she simply lay down on the sofa, covered herself with a blanket, and there was a glass of water and her heart medication on the tea table... After a while, her heart gradually calmed down.

When she opened her eyes again, she didn't know when, but Jiang Hua was already lying in the master bedroom, and it was already dawn outside.

Looking at his phone, he saw a text message from Pei Zhan: "I have to go on a business trip to France for the next three months. Wait for me to come back."

I will have someone investigate Duan Qingfeng's matter and send the information to your email address.

Jiang Hua didn't reply. She simply tossed her phone aside, threw off the covers, and got out of bed. Whether he was really leaving because of his business trip or because of what she said yesterday, and felt that she was difficult to get along with, she didn't care.

It's only been three months. In their previous life, they were married for so many years, and Jiang Hua lived alone for eight years.

By testing him by leaving, she also wanted him to understand that she... wasn't indispensable to him.

She didn't only have him as a choice. Jiang Hua chose him simply because he happened to appear, and she just happened to think he was suitable.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, a car drove up from not far away and stopped steadily in the yard. When he saw the person returning, Jiang Weiguo did not seem surprised. He simply said, "I knew Pei Zhan was going on a business trip. You would definitely come back. Come and try the tea that Dad brewed."

Jiang Hua walked over and sat down to the side. Smelling the faint aroma of tea, she took a sip. Besides the refreshing fragrance, there was a slight bitterness, followed by a slightly sweet aftertaste. However, it was still bitter for Jiang Hua, and she wasn't used to drinking it. She put it down after only a little.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Jiang Weiguo continued, "Did you have a fight with your grandfather yesterday?"

Jiang Hua said, "It wasn't really an argument, just a minor disagreement, but it doesn't have any impact."

"Shen Xinglang and Mu Shiyue are getting engaged."

Jiang Hua: "I know it's his own choice. After all, it's also the Shen family's own business, and we can't interfere."

Hearing Jiang Hua's words, Jiang Weiguo felt that she had become much more sensible. If it were her old temper, she probably would have rushed forward to stop the engagement banquet.

"I just don't understand why my brother agreed to get engaged to Mu Shiyue. Even if he's not in good health, and considering what happened to her before, and the scandal that broke out, no matter how much my brother wants to settle down, it shouldn't be Mu Shiyue." Before, Mu Shiyue had a relationship with another man, and the next day, that man suddenly had an accident. It's obvious that it's related to the Mu family, but there's no evidence to prove that the Mu family was behind it.

Jiang Weiguo also told her what he knew, "The political landscape is unpredictable and ever-changing. None of us can guess what these two families are planning. The engagement is set for next week. It won't be a big event, and the guests will all be people who have good relations with the Shen family. This invitation was sent in a hurry. You can go to the wedding on Jiang Hua's behalf."

Jiang Hua was filled with mixed emotions when she saw the red and gold-embossed invitation card placed beside her. In this life, although Mu Shiyue did not marry Shen Yebai, she married Shen Xinglang. She still could not break free from the Shen family.

She thought the matter between the Shen and Mu families was completely resolved, but unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn and she was still involved.

This made Jiang Hua feel uneasy again; she was afraid that no matter how things changed, the same mistakes would still happen again…

More than a week has passed in the blink of an eye. Jiang Hua has been busy with the publication of the jewelry restoration book. After a week of revisions, the book has finally been finalized.

During this week, Jiang Hua had no contact with Pei Zhan. He seemed to have disappeared. Even her father asked her if she had any news about Pei Zhan over there. Jiang Hua truthfully said she didn't know. As for company matters, unless it was a document that required Pei Zhan's signature, if they couldn't contact him, the secretary would send it to the Jiang family for her father to sign.

Jiang Hua has been going to the publishing house and the library every now and then, and she also goes to see Professor Guo from time to time. In her busy schedule, Jiang Hua rarely does anything else. She just brought back the books from the publishing house and is about to confirm with Professor Guo the number of people who want to buy them.

Jiang Hua glanced furtively at the person who had been following her for several days. After getting out of the car, she walked down another road, pretending not to see him, and continued towards the experimental building in the west district.

However, at that moment, Jiang Hua, who was standing not far downstairs, heard a group of people gathered there, and at the same time, Shen Bao'er's angry voice rang out, "Qingfeng, I told you I didn't do it. She orchestrated this whole thing herself. Who would want to target her for no reason?"

"Enough, Shen Bao'er! I know your Shen family is powerful and influential, and no one can afford to offend you, but that's no excuse for you to bully Shishi." Duan Qingfeng helped Mu Shishi, who had fallen down the stairs and whose arms, knees, and forehead were scraped and bleeding, to her side. She looked weak and cried sweetly in Duan Qingfeng's arms. "Shen Bao'er, I know we've never gotten along, and I know you like Qingfeng. Considering my sister married into the Shen family, I've already given Qingfeng to you. What more do you want from me?"

“Bao’er, all I’m asking you to do is apologize to her, is that so hard? Have you forgotten what you promised me?” Duan Qingfeng shook his head at Bao’er with some disappointment. “I thought you could change for the better, but I didn’t expect that you were still just like they said at school, bullying others because of your power.”

"I admit you've sacrificed a lot for me during this time. Haven't I been good enough to you?"

"Bao'er, why can't you control your temper!"

Just then, another familiar voice rang out, "This isn't the first or second time she's bullied people. If it weren't for her powerful backing, she would have been expelled from school long ago." The speaker was none other than Xue Ruyao.

With onlookers all around, Song Qingran quickly pulled her aside, saying, "Ayao, stop talking."

"Restrain? Why should she restrain her nature for someone who is blind to both sight and thought?"

Upon hearing the voice, everyone looked in a certain direction and saw Jiang Hua, who hadn't been to school for a long time, appear here. After such a long time apart, seeing Jiang Hua again, everyone was still amazed by her temperament and appearance. Every step she took revealed her calm and confident demeanor. She wore a light blue dress that reached below her knees and carried several books in her hands.

"You're Duan Qingfeng?" Jiang Hua stood next to Bao'er, scrutinizing the man in front of her, who was dressed in a white shirt and suit pants, with delicate features and a slender figure. "He's not that great-looking, not even half as good-looking as... Shen Bulu."

"Mu Shishi, isn't your sister's fate enough of a lesson for you?"

"Using such despicable methods, don't you feel dirty?"

Seeing Jiang Hua, this formidable woman, Mu Shishi felt a pang of panic. "Stop talking nonsense, Jiang Hua... I'm telling you, stop spreading rumors here. If you keep talking nonsense, you'll regret it..."

Jiang Hua sneered dismissively, "Be careful of what?"

"Do you dare to touch me?"

Mu Shishi: "You!"

She didn't dare. Shen Bao'er could still be kept in check by Duan Qingfeng, but Jiang Hua was someone that neither she nor her sister dared to act rashly. This was not only because of Shen Yebai behind Jiang Hua, but also because Jiang Hua's relationship with Chairman Jiang had improved.

Jiang Hua gave her a warning look, then turned to look at Shen Bao'er behind her, who was crying and sobbing. She reached out to wipe away her tears, "What's so good about him?"

"You don't even listen to your own brother."

"Look how protective he is of others. If he really liked you, he wouldn't let anyone change their temper."

"His approach to you wasn't because he liked you. If he truly liked you, he wouldn't have embarrassed you in front of so many people, especially by hugging another woman in front of you!"

Upon hearing these words, Duan Qingfeng belatedly realized what was happening and immediately let go of Mu Shishi's hand.

Mu Shishi lost her balance and fell to the ground.

Duan Qingfeng said, "Forget it, Bao'er. I won't pursue today's matter with you. As long as you don't do such willful and reckless things again and don't use your power to oppress others, I will reconsider our relationship and won't break up with you."

Shen Bao'er glanced blankly at Duan Qingfeng behind her, then at Jiang Hua in front of her.

"Bao'er, don't listen to him. Duan Qingfeng is a cunning and scheming man. He wants to use your brother's identity to pave his own way into officialdom. He may seem honest and upright, but deep down he just wants to take your brother's place!"

Shen Bao'er's pupils suddenly widened.

Duan Qingfeng panicked. "I don't know who you are. I'm warning you, some things can't be said carelessly. I've always been upright and honest, and I would never stoop to such power-grabbing and wealth-seeking behavior. I've gotten to where I am today entirely on my own."

To prevent her from being further affected, Jiang Hua pulled Bao'er behind her: "Really?"

"You were secretly having sex with Mu Shishi while simultaneously using Bao'er as a stepping stone to climb the social ladder, behaving like a servant to her..."

Her gaze was fixed on Mu Shishi beside her, her eyes narrowed, revealing a sharp edge. "You've got some skills."

"Just because I don't go out normally doesn't mean I'm unaware of what's been happening lately."

"You even dare to scheme against Bao'er? Are you tired of living?"

Mu Shishi: "Jiang Hua, stop trying to scare me. Do you think you're any better than me? You still rely on the Shen family. If it weren't for the Shen family, you wouldn't even have the right to talk to me."

Jiang Hua raised an eyebrow, crossed her arms, and looked at the person who was a head shorter than her. "The last person who dared to talk to me like that almost drowned me."

"Why don't you give it a try?"

Wang Zhu, who was hiding to the side, still felt a lingering fear upon reflection!

Wang Zhu: "She's not qualified, but am I?"