Divorced at fifty, I embarked on my path to success.

Qin Chu returned very late, and Mei Yusheng had left him some food.

"Sister, has Yue Guangzhi asked you for help?" Qin Chu asked while eating heartily. "As the actual person in charge of the foundation, he can't escape responsibility, but I will try my best to reduce his punishment."

Mei Yusheng bit her lip and said resolutely, "No! He should be sentenced according to the punishment he deserves. He is too opportunistic. I hope he understands this time that he has to pay the price for his actions. He can't take chances, and he shouldn't think that someone will always cover for him. Otherwise, he will become more and more reckless."

Qin Chu paused for a moment, scrutinizing Mei Yusheng's expression: "Okay, I understand."

"Why is Yuejiang Pavilion alright?" Mei Yusheng asked curiously.

“He doesn’t hold any position in the foundation, so we can’t convict him based on this,” Qin Chu said regretfully. “We originally wanted to use the ledgers you stole as evidence to arrest all the corrupt officials, and Yue Jiangting, as the bribe giver, wouldn’t be able to escape either. Who knew he would have a stroke? Even if he is convicted, he can only serve his sentence outside of prison.”

"Just because he's sick, we're letting him go?" Mei Yusheng said, somewhat unwillingly.

Qin Chu smiled suddenly: "Although it is somewhat cruel and inhumane, we cannot let those parasites go unpunished. Yue Jiangting will inevitably be implicated as well. Execution outside of prison is still execution; it all depends on his psychological resilience."

Mei Yusheng immediately understood. Although she had returned the account book to Yue Jiangting, Qin Zhan had kept a copy with her consent, and it had finally come in handy this time.

"The bribery will all fall on Yuejiangting's shoulders," Qin Chu said.

Mei Yu made it clear that Yue Guangzhi would not be implicated and his sentence would not be extended.

She looked at the dark circles under Qin Chu's eyes and felt a pang of heartache: "Get a good night's sleep after you finish eating. You've been working too hard these past few days. Don't worry, I'm fine."

Qin Chu looked at her and chuckled: "Alright. If it weren't for Sun Chengzhi's matter, it would have dragged on for a while longer. Once all this is over, I will no longer interfere in my second uncle's affairs and will focus on writing my book."

Mei Yusheng had always longed for peaceful and ordinary days. With Qin Chu promising not to take any more risks, she finally felt relieved.

She understands that some things have to be done by someone, but when it comes to her loved ones, she would rather they live ordinary lives.

After cleaning up the dishes, Qin Chu went to check on the sleeping Youyou before returning to his own room.

Mei Yusheng returned to her study, her mind in turmoil, unable to write a single word.

After the New Year, life always seems to present an unpredictable and turbulent side.

Before Ji Meiyun's verdict was handed down, Chen Yue got into trouble. Fortunately, Qin Chu helped him escape imprisonment.

Following this, Sun Chengzhi and Yue Guangzhi were arrested, and their trial will be inevitable.

Xu Yanping died, Mei Zi jumped off a building and became disabled, Han Caiyu was in a car accident and fell into a coma, and Yuejiang Pavilion suffered a stroke.

It was like opening Pandora's box; one thing after another followed.

Mei Yusheng felt that these events were like boomerangs, returning to hurt the people who had thrown them.

I couldn't help but sigh deeply.

The next morning, Mei Yusheng made breakfast and delivered it to Mei Zi.

Mei Zichen called: "Sis, Xiaozhi got arrested? He called me last night asking for my help, but it was too late and I didn't want you to worry, so I didn't tell you."

“I knew it all along.” Mei Yusheng’s lips curled up slightly. “Don’t pay any attention to him. Why didn’t he think of the consequences when he did it? This is his lesson.”

“Yes, I understand,” Mei Zichen hesitated slightly, then asked, “Sun Chengzhi is in there too. This was all Qin Chu’s scheme, wasn’t it? Sigh, if Mei Zi hadn’t gotten into trouble, they wouldn’t have rushed to close the net.”

"Chen Yue is in the hospital, so you don't need to bring them food, lest Zizi start arguing with you again."

“It’s alright, I also want to go see her,” Mei Yusheng said thoughtfully. “I’m worried about Chen Yue being there; it might have a negative impact on Mei Zi.”

Mei Zichen sighed helplessly: "I know, but she is Zizi's mother after all, and I have no reason to stop her."

"Just make sure you and Su Wei aren't affected," Mei Yusheng instructed. Mei Zichen and Su Wei rented a place to live and started living together.

"Don't worry, sis, it won't happen." Mei Zichen's voice was filled with joy and satisfaction.

When Mei Yusheng arrived at the hospital, Chen Yue had already bought breakfast, but Mei Zi complained that it wasn't tasty and was pouting and throwing a tantrum. When she saw Mei Yusheng bring in the lunchbox, her eyes lit up: "Auntie! What delicious food did you make?"

"If I hadn't come, would you have gone hungry?" Mei Yusheng placed the lunchbox on the bedside table, and as soon as she opened it, an enticing aroma wafted out.

Mei Zi took a deep breath: "Is it chicken soup wontons? Auntie's cooking is still the best."

Chen Yue stood to the side, smiling awkwardly yet ingratiatingly: "Sister, thank you for thinking of us."

"No, it's Mei Zi!" Mei Yusheng corrected her bluntly, her expression cold. "Do you know how you got out?"

Chen Yue was startled and hurriedly asked, "Sister, you helped me?"

"I only bailed you out for Mei Zi's sake and hired a lawyer to help you with the case. You should know what's going on. Take good care of Mei Zi and don't cause any more trouble," Mei Yusheng warned. She didn't mention Qin Chu's name, afraid that Mei Zi would think of something useless again.

"Thank you, sister, thank you, sister!" Chen Yue's eyes glistened with gratitude. Thinking back on the ten days she spent in fear and anxiety in the detention center, she never wanted to experience that feeling again. "Zizi is my daughter. I will definitely take good care of her. Don't worry, sister."

"Remember this lesson, and don't cause trouble again, or you might not be able to bear the consequences." Mei Yusheng put the wontons in a small porcelain bowl, placed a spoon in it, and handed it to Chen Yue so that she could feed Mei Zi.

Chen Yue accepted it respectfully and assured her, "Sister, I understand. I won't dare to cause any more trouble. I will definitely behave myself."

"And don't feed Mei Zi any more nonsense," Mei Yusheng admonished again.

Chen Yue nodded in agreement.

Mei Yu chuckled inwardly. This was the first time Chen Yue had been so obedient, unlike before when he would always argue unreasonably.

Nothing was wrong, and Mei Yusheng was about to leave when Chen Yue stopped her: "Sister, wait a moment, I'll see you off and ask you something."

Mei Yusheng guessed that it was probably about Mei Zi's injury and sighed.

Chen Yue saw her out, and in the hospital corridor, he asked with concern in his eyes, "Is Zizi's injury very serious?"

"Didn't you ask the doctor?" Mei Yusheng retorted.

"I...I dare not," Chen Yue nervously rubbed the corner of his clothes. "Sister, you will have follow-up treatment arrangements, right?"

When Chen Yue heard the news that Mei Zi might be paralyzed for life, he covered his mouth and cried.

She suppressed her sobs, her body trembling. Mei Yusheng patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't cry. After you're discharged, find out if there are any good doctors elsewhere and treat her. She'll get better eventually."

Chen Yue slowly stopped crying, his eyes bloodshot: "Sister, I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I always taught her to value money and status, but never to consider character. Back then, Zichen tried his best to stop her, but I stirred things up and encouraged her, which is why Zizi is in this mess..."

"I was the same way. If I hadn't been greedy, I wouldn't have stopped you from getting a divorce, and I wouldn't have fallen out with Zichen." Chen Yue said in a hoarse voice, reflecting, "Marrying Zhao Fusheng was the same. If I hadn't been greedy, I wouldn't have been schemed against. Sister, I really know I was wrong, sob sob..."