Chapter 611 - 214: Still Making a Fuss Before Leaving (Part 2)

The saying ’suffering a loss is a blessing’ was nothing more than self-consolation. Jie Jinghun wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what.

’Should he tell his sister to get a divorce? Setting aside her feelings for her husband, would a divorce really be good for her?’

"Alright, don’t worry about my affairs. You have work tomorrow, so go back to your room and get some sleep." Jie Jingling patted Jie Jinghun’s shoulder.

"Sis, I’ll take you to the train station tomorrow," Jie Jinghun said.

"No, don’t. I don’t like goodbyes," Jie Jingling refused.

"Sis," Jie Jinghun persisted.

"You’re such a nag." Jie Jingling pushed him toward the door. As she opened it, she saw Mr. Xie had returned. She quickly looked away, pretending not to notice him, and said to Jie Jinghun, "Third Brother, I’ll say it again: if you want to fulfill your filial duties to Granny, I won’t stop you."

Hearing Jie Jingling’s words, Mr. Xie reflexively ducked behind a tree in the courtyard. In the daytime, he would have been spotted instantly, but now, at night and with no lights on, he was completely hidden.

Jie Jinghun’s eyes grew cold. He stared at Jie Jingling and enunciated every word. "If I fulfill my duty to Granny, I’m afraid our mother wouldn’t be able to rest in peace."

Jie Jingling had expected this. She darted a glance toward the figure hiding behind the tree and said with a grave expression, "She’s Dad’s mother, after all. Our Granny. If you don’t fulfill your duty to her, Dad will be upset."

’Once I’m back with the Sun Family, I’ll be too far away for him to control. The most Dad could do is call me when Granny dies. If I’m in a good mood, I’ll come back for the funeral. If not, I’ll just offer my condolences over the phone: "Dad, I’m sorry for your loss."’

’Marrying so far away had its perks. When it came to the matter of fulfilling her duty to Granny, she was in a much better position.’

’Jie Jinghun was in a different situation. They were all in Shijiu City, and he lived with Dad. Forget when Granny died—if she were even on her deathbed, Dad would probably drag him to her side to perform his filial duties. Afterward, he’d be forced to keep vigil at the wake.’

’Take today, for example. Jing Wu finished eating, dropped his bowl, and bolted. Dad couldn’t get Jing Si to do anything, and Jing Er is the golden boy. So he told Jing San to drive someone. As unwilling as Jing San was, he had no choice but to do as Dad said.’

"Hmph!" Jie Jinghun snorted. "Who cares if he’s happy? If he pushes me too far, I’ll just officially marry into the Shen Family. I won’t just change Xiao Duo’s surname—I’ll change mine too. Sis, be honest. Which sounds better: Jie Jinghun or Shen Jinghui?"

’Jie Jingling sighed to herself. ’Oh, Third Brother, you don’t have to go to such an extreme as changing your name.’’

’Jie Jingling’s original intention was to prove her own innocence—to let her father know that she wasn’t the one egging Jing San on to neglect his duties to Granny. She never expected Jie Jinghun to say something like that. The situation was getting out of control.’

"Third Brother, don’t wake everyone up. Go back to your room and sleep," Jie Jingling said, pushing Jie Jinghun out and shutting the door behind him.

「The next day」

Qin Mei was up unusually early, but Jie Jingling was already up and busy in the kitchen. Qin Mei sighed. ’She’s fated for a life of hard work. It’s one thing to be so diligent at her in-laws’ home, but she’s the same way back at her own family’s house.’

"Sis, being too diligent isn’t a good thing. You just enable everyone else and make yourself miserable," Qin Mei advised.

"Amie, you’re awake," Jie Jingling said with a smile.

"Sis, I’m going to miss you." Qin Mei hugged Jie Jingling, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"I’m going to miss you, too," Jie Jingling said, her heart aching.

"Sis, please take what I said to heart." Qin Mei hesitated for a moment before adding, "Even if it’s just for Tongtong’s sake."

"Mm," Jie Jingling nodded.

"Jing Ling." Mrs. Xie entered the kitchen. Seeing the two of them hugging, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. ’Xiao Mei and Jing Ling are so close.’

"Mom." Qin Mei released Jie Jingling and quietly stepped aside.

"Aunt Qiao," Jie Jingling said, smiling at Mrs. Xie.

"Jing Ling, I have to go to work, so I can’t see you off. Here, this is for you." Mrs. Xie took out a bankbook and handed it to Jie Jingling.

Jie Jingling was surprised and quickly tried to refuse. "Aunt Qiao, I can’t take this."

"Don’t be so formal with me. Take it, quickly. And don’t let that mother-in-law and sister-in-law of yours see it." Ignoring Jie Jingling’s protests, Mrs. Xie forcefully stuffed the bankbook into the pocket of her dress.

"Aunt Qiao, I really can’t take this." Jie Jingling reached into her pocket, trying to pull the bankbook back out.

"Jing Ling." Mrs. Xie’s expression turned stern. She pressed her hand over Jie Jingling’s pocket, preventing her from taking out the bankbook. "Jing Ling, when you were sent to the countryside, you refused my money. The money I mailed you, you mailed right back. I can’t give you anything else... only money."

"Aunt Qiao, please don’t say that. You’ve already been so good to us. If it weren’t for you, we..." Jie Jingling trailed off, unable to continue. ’Some memories were too painful. Granny favored boys over girls, and her own mother could barely protect herself, let alone her daughter.’

’Her mother had died saving Aunt Qiao, but that tragedy had also been her escape from a life of misery. She would never forget that debt of gratitude. Even though Aunt Qiao was wealthy, she couldn’t take advantage of that debt and ask for whatever she wanted without a second thought.’