Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Thatâs a Human Life_1 Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Thatâs a Human Life_1 âLetâs discuss this later.â With a look at the hopeful gaze in Old Master Anâs eyes, the refusal that had been on her lips softened somewhat, leaving room for negotiation.
Old Master An nodded reluctantly and said again, âWeâre back in Beijing now. Why not move back to the old mansion for a while? Just to keep this old man company, okay?â
The old man lowered his voice, his eyes filled with a careful plea.
At this moment, he was just an ordinary old manâa man who simply hoped his great-granddaughter would call him âgreat-grandfatherâ.
Jian Qing laughed mockingly, âDo you think the people in the An family will welcome me living here?â
If she lived here, some people would likely lose sleep over it!
Old Master An understood the meaning behind her words, waved his hand and said, âI donât care about them. If you donât like seeing them, Iâll make them move out.â
Jian Qing knew, from his sincere tone, that as long as she spoke up, Old Master An would definitely send the An family members away from the mansion.
But then, wouldnât she miss out on all the fun? This wouldnât do.
âEven if I come back and destroy the An family, you still want me to live here?â Jian Qing smiled, asking in a manner that was half serious, half joking.
Old Master An was taken aback, but let out a long sigh and waved his hand, saying, âDo as you please, as long as it pleases you. After all, the An family owes you.â
Jian Qing lightly laughed. She turned to Uncle Qiu who was standing by the pavilion and said, âUncle Qiu, please help me arrange a room.â
At her words, joy spread across Old Master Anâs face and Uncle Qiu agreed with a smile.
âMiss Jian Qing, thank you.â Old Master Anâs face was wreathed with joy.
Jian Qing looked into the distance. Her voice was distant and light. âIâm afraid you wonât be saying this in the future.â
If she destroyed the An family, he probably wouldnât thank her then.
Old Master An swallowed, but then said thickly, âMiss Jian Qing, no matter what you do, I wonât stop you, but could you⊠could you spare them?â
âThat was a life!â Jian Qingâs voice grew cold, interrupting Old Master Anâs unfinished plea.
It was the most important and closest person to her. How could they compensate her?
Old Master An opened his mouth to speak, but in the end said nothing, bowing his head in silence.
Uncle Qiu sighed at the tense atmosphere between the two of them and shook his head helplessly.
âŠ
At dinner, Old Master An asked Jian Qing to stay and eat. He also called the rest of the An family members home. Even Xiang Cheng came.
Since waking up in the hospital, Xiang Cheng had become aware that there might be no hope for his injured hand. For the first few days, he vented his anger in the hospital every day. Eventually, he was given a sedative to calm down. Later, An Man and her husband actively contacted famous doctors around the world, but every doctor came to the same conclusion: the hope for a cure was slim.
Each doctor they consulted had the same suggestion: find the Ghost Doctor, âJueâ. But where could they find this elusive Ghost Doctor? The only information they could find was the name âJueâ and some of his achievements. They found nothing else about him.
Unable to stay in the hospital, Xiang Cheng insisted on being discharged. An Man and her husband arranged for his discharge. Now, all he had to do was go to the hospital regularly for check-ups and medication.
After returning home, Xiang Cheng had lost a significant amount of weight and his complexion was far from being the arrogant and bossy person he used to be. Even An Yun and the others who visited him were taken aback.
At the dining table, Old Master An sat at the head of the table, An Zhonghui was to his right, and to his left sat Jian Qing. Such an arrangement displeased the An family members, but they didnât dare complain in front of Old Master An.
Yang Xiang glared at Jian Qing venomously. Because she had been scolded by Yang Lin previously, she didnât dare to openly confront Jian Qing now.
Jealousy towards Jian Qing wasnât just limited to her, An Yu looked at Jian Qing, who sat next to Old Master An, her fingertips digging into the palm of her hands.
She hadnât even sat in that position before. What did Jian Qing, an illegitimate daughter, have the right to?
Xiang Cheng was unexpectedly quiet today. He didnât yell or make trouble with Jian Qing as he had done before. He just quietly lowered his head to look at the bowls and chopsticks in front of him, a gloomy aura surrounding him.
Jian Qing sat calmly, accepting the unfriendly stares from around the room. She enjoyed the looks of displeasure on their faces.
Zhao Xuan glanced at her husband. He was staring at Jian Qing as if he saw someone else through her.
The thought chilled her countenance.
Damn it, couldnât that damned woman leave them in peace even in death?
Old Master An cleared his throat and said, âNow that everyone is here, Iâd like to make an announcement. From now on, Jian Qing will be staying in the mansion.â
His words exploded in their ears.
âWhat?â Yang Xiang blurted out, looking at Jian Qing incredulously.
Have Jian Qing live in the mansion?
What was this, some sort of joke?
The faces of the others were equally unpleased.
An Zhonghui was initially startled, but he quickly regained his composure. He glanced at Jian Qing, but didnât say anything.
âGreat-grandfather, youâŠâ Yang Xiang said with dissatisfaction in her voice.
âWhat, are you not satisfied with my decision? Or do you think I canât make decisions about this mansion anymore?â Old Master An retorted sharply.
Faced with Old Master Anâs penetrating gaze, Yang Xiang choked and backed down.
âGreat-grandfather, how about this? Let Yang Xiang and the others live in the mansion for a while too. They are around the same age as Jian Qing. Having more girls in the house would make it lively. What do you think?â Zhao Xuan suggested with a soft smile. Anyone who didnât know better would have thought she was quite magnanimous for accommodating her husbandâs illegitimate daughter.
Jian Qing looked at her, her expression unreadable.
âYes, great-grandfather, my second sister-in-law makes a good point. Jian Qing just arrived and isnât familiar with the mansion. It would be perfect to have Xiangxiang and the others show her around,â agreed An Man. This was surprising, especially since Jian Qing was the one who had ruined Xiang Chengâs hand. It was unbelievable she was even speaking on Jian Qingâs behalf.
Old Master An didnât immediately agree. Instead, he looked at Jian Qing as if he wouldnât agree to let Yang Xiang and the others stay if she didnât approve.
The others all looked at her, their thoughts varying.
âDo as you please, I donât care one way or the other,â Jian Qing responded casually with a smile.
It seemed that her days ahead were going to be quite interesting.