Was this att.i.tude he had toward his own mother acceptable? What audacity Yan Zhiqing had to blame her for this!

Yan Beicheng pulled a long face. Both of them stayed silent as the ward suddenly became dead silent. The atmosphere in the room was so tense that it was borderline oppressive.

"Do you want me to call the police for an investigation?" Yan Beicheng asked coldly.

Jiang Changdai instantly stiffened. Yan Beicheng pursed his lips tightly before saying, "The person lying on the bed is your daughter! She's currently unconscious and the doctor doesn't know when she'll wake up. Her whole body is covered with injuries and they don't even know what her condition will be like when she wakes up. Yet you're just sitting there blankly without even saying a single word?"

Jiang Changdai clenched her fist tightly. She took a glance at Yan Zhiqing's pale face and immediately averted her gaze. She did not dare to look at him any longer.

"I thought you were only indifferent toward me. Zhiqing's been living with you since she was a child. Even if she was not your real daughter and was merely adopted by you, it'd be hard to tear apart an eighteen-year relations.h.i.+p. What more, she's actually your daughter, your own flesh and blood, who is now lying on a hospital bed. Yet, you still refuse to speak?" Yan Beicheng snarled. This was one of the rare occasions where he felt infuriated by Jiang Changdai. 

This anger toward Jiang Changdai had been building up inside him ever since Yan Huaiyuan pa.s.sed away. Henceforth, whenever he faced Jiang Changdai, he no longer felt any more emotional ups and downs. It was the first time in twenty years that he was baring his fangs in front of Jiang Changdai. 

For so many years, Yan Beicheng had been able to tolerate Jiang Changdai because she treated Yan Zhiqing decently. Even though Yan Zhiqing's personality was a little rotten due to her upbringing, at least Jiang Changdai carried out her duty as a mother toward Yan Zhiqing, rather than only focusing on the Lu Family siblings.

At least she did not shun Yan Zhiqing, who also shared the blood of Yan Huaiyuan, as she did to him. 

It was not the same as he was a man and needed to toughen himself up. Moreover, for the first fifteen years of his life, even though he had never felt maternal love, he still had a great father who set a good example for him and always supported him. 

However, by the time Yan Zhiqing was born, Yan Huaiyan had already pa.s.sed away. He did not want Yan Zhiqing to grow up without a father or a mother. Therefore, so long as Jiang Changdai was good toward Yan Zhiqing, he would be able to tolerate her.

"I don't know!" Jiang Changdai finally opened her mouth after being provoked. Yet, she would rather sacrifice Yan Zhiqing's wellbeing, owing to her relations.h.i.+p with Lu Zhenghang, than reveal the plot. She was unwilling to tell Yan Beicheng the truth. 

"She dashed out of the house and took the stairs instead of the elevator. How would I know what happened then?" Jiang Changdai said.

"If nothing had happened, then why'd she dashed out of the house and not use the elevator? Your house is on the eighth floor!" Yan Beicheng asked.

"Yan Beicheng, watch your att.i.tude! Even if you don't treat me as a mother, I'm still the one that gave birth to you! Why are you questioning me in such a manner? I don't know what Zhiqing was thinking. Her way of thinking had always differed from the norm and she rarely listens to others. Don't tell me you weren't aware of her att.i.tude!" Jiang Changdai got up from the chair as she spoke.

Even though Yan Zhiqing was lying unconscious on the hospital bed, Jiang Changdai still had the audacity to complain about her. 

If not for Yan Zhiqing's inability to listen to reason and desire to blow things out of proportion, then she would not be unconscious and lying on the hospital bed now. Why was she the one who was being questioned so rudely by Yan Beicheng?

"Lu Zhenghang was there as well." Yan Beicheng said darkly.

The tone that Yan Beicheng had used was merely to state the facts. However, Jiang Changdai was already feeling guilty and immediately retaliated. "I was the one that had an argument with Zhiqing. It had nothing to do with Zhenghang!"

Yan Beicheng mockingly sneered at her. Even Lin Chu whom Yan Beicheng had told not to move about and was sitting on the sofa could not help but sneer along with him.

Did Yan Beicheng accuse him of anything? Her hasty response in trying to protect Lu Zhenghang only served to make him seem more suspicious.

"You guys were perfectly fine before. What's with the sudden row? How serious was the argument that Zhiqing had to use the staircase? Moreover, Lu Zhenghang was coincidentally beside you at the time." Yan Beicheng squinted his eyes. He folded one of his arms behind his back as he twirled his thumb around his index finger, trying to figure out the reason.

Yan Zhiqing and Jiang Changdai had always shared a good relations.h.i.+p. Normally if the two elders tried to berate Jiang Changdai, Yan Zhiqing would be the one to step in and protect her. She was also close with the Lu Family siblings, even more so than she was with him. This was because of Jiang Changdai as well.

What could possibly make her argue so viciously with Jiang Changdai? What was Lu Zhenghang's role in all of this?

Jiang Changdai began to feel stifled, yet she did her best to appear fierce and hide her guilt. "It was a normal argument. Even if we're a family, it's impossible to not have the occasional squabble, right? Zhiqing wasn't being thoughtful and I merely scolded her for this, after which, she was dissatisfied and rushed out of the house. I've loved her ever since she was a child, so it was natural that I did not let her go out when she's upset. I chased after her, and when she saw me approaching her, the elevator hadn't yet reached our floor. She so badly did not want me to catch up that she used the stairs. Since she was wearing thin high heels as she was running, she was not careful enough and sprained her ankle in her haste and accidentally tumbled down the stairwell."

The story Jiang Changdai told them was, in fact, the truth - at least most of it was anyway.

Yan Beicheng glanced at Jiang Changdai coldly for a while before leaving to give Huang Changxian a call.

By the time he hung up the phone, the nurse that had been sent over by Chu Zhaoyang had also arrived to look after Yan Zhiqing. As for Jiang Changdai, even Chu Zhaoyang did not trust her, let alone Yan Beicheng. 

Jiang Changdai was feeling quite broken-hearted when she heard Yan Beicheng say that they did not know when Yan Zhiqing would wake up, but at the same time, she was also a bit relieved. There would be no hindrance to Lu Zhenghang's plan so long as Yan Zhiqing was unconscious.

Jiang Changdai had not left Yan Zhiqing's side ever since she exited the operating room and was wheeled into the ward. She was constantly beside her, not even leaving to go over to ask the doctor about her condition.

However, it was not because she was worried about Yan Zhiqing. She was afraid that Yan Zhiqing would wake up at any moment and inform someone of Lu Zhenghang's plan. 

She was even more afraid to leave now that Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu were both there.

She looked over as Yan Beicheng picked up his phone to call the two elders. He told them about Yan Zhiqing's situation. "The details are unknown yet, she refuses to talk about it."

The two elders immediately decided to come over to visit Yan Zhiqing. 

Jiang Changdai heard that the two elders were coming and suddenly felt anxious. The two elders had been the ones who held power over her for the longest time now. Even though she had just had a discussion with Lu Zhenghang about scheming against them, she still felt terrified whenever the two elders were mentioned.

Nevertheless, she was worried that Yan Zhiqing would wake up when she was not around and thus, did not dare to leave.

The two elders were on their way over when the old princ.i.p.al and Dai Huimin both called Lin Chu separately to ask about Yan Zhiqing's condition.

After she had roughly explained the situation to the two and hung up the phone, the two elders hurriedly rushed inside. 

Aunt Chen and Yu Zi were supporting Old Lady Yan, and one could see the pale and anxious expression on Old Lady Yan's face as she entered. Although she usually reprimanded Yan Zhiqing, it was only for her own good. Yan Zhiqing was someone that was not very careful with her words or actions. It made the two elders feel somewhat resentful toward her for failing to meet their expectations and they were impatient to see her improve. This was why they were always las.h.i.+ng out at her.

When they first entered the ward, they barely noticed Jiang Changdai, who had shrunk herself into the corner. They went straight to the hospital bed to look at Yan Zhiqing.

Meanwhile, Yan Huaian, Yu Zi, and Yan Ningbai had all returned to the Family Mansion today. Thus, they had also rushed over upon hearing the news.

Yu Zi was holding on to Yan Ningdai's hand as they walked in. Yan Ningbai was never a fan of Yan as, back before Yan Beicheng had gotten together with Lin Chu, Yan Zhiqing would come back to B City every year. When she did, she was always impolite to him. Afterward, when Lin Chu started coming around, Yan Zhiqing would constantly say hurtful things. 

Who said that children were not sensible?

Yan Ningbai remembered everything just by looking at her from the side.

He remembered who treated him well and clearly remembered when Yan Zhiqing had gazed at him indifferently. 

Even so, as he looked on at Yan Zhiqing lying on the hospital bed, Yan Ningbai was willing to let go of the past. Even though he was not particularly fond of her, he still hoped that his niece would be strong and healthy enough to continue quarreling with him in the future.

Yan Beicheng explained once more to the two elders what the doctor had told him without missing a single word. At the same time, Jiang Changdai listened in from the side.

"What happened? How did Zhiqing tumble down the stairs?" Old Master Yan asked. His eyes glanced over at Jiang Changdai who was hiding in the corner.

Old Master Yan's gaze grew cold as he silently groaned to himself. Did she think she had become invisible just because she shrunk herself into the corner?

Then, Yan Beicheng unconvincingly explained the pretext that Jiang Changdai had told him earlier. The two elders obviously did not believe it either. 

Yan Beicheng would be the one investigating the actual details of the incident. Nevertheless, he was not going to say it out loud when Jiang Changdai was around so as to not inadvertently alert the enemy.

The two elders understood this and did not ask further.

After this, Old Lady Yan walked over to the other side of the hospital bed where Jiang Changdai was. Then, she raised her hand and suddenly slapped Jiang Changdai across the face.

"Savage!" Old Lady Yan scolded.

"You… What are you doing?" Jiang Changdai covered her cheeks as she looked at Old Lady Yan in shock.

Old Lady Yan could not help but lay her hand on her on the day of Yan Huaiyuan's pa.s.sing. Afterward, she had turned a blind eye to her and refused to allow her to enter their home.

Today was her second time hitting her.

Yu Zi was afraid that Old Lady Yan would get caught up in mishap, so Yan Huaian and Yu Zi quickly held on to Old Lady Yan from both sides. 

"You're asking me what I'm doing? Why is Zhiqing lying here? Why did she tumble down the stairs? We don't know the details but you're well aware of the situation. Yet, you refuse to tell us. What on earth are you guilty about? That's your daughter!" Old Lady Yan pointed at Yan Zhiqing lying on the hospital bed. "Open your eyes and look closely. She's completely messed up and they don't even know when she'll regain consciousness. That's the daughter you were pregnant with for ten months! Don't you have an ounce of conscience! Are you really worthy of her? You don't treat Beicheng as a son, but Zhiqing's the one who's been by your side all these years. She'd only come to visit us once a year, and even then, would only stay for a couple of days. Our relations.h.i.+p with her is not as deep as yours. Look inside yourself and ask, are you actually worthy of her?! Since Lu Zhenghang was there as well, I refuse to believe that the Lu Family had nothing to do with this situation. Yet, you still refuse to tell us the truth?"

Jiang Changdai trembled and did not have the heart to look at Yan Zhiqing. She lowered her head as she covered her face and clenched her teeth, then she replied, "I've told you the truth, but you people refuse to believe me! Why do you have to see me in such a bad light? It was a normal everyday squabble between me and Zhiqing. Zhiqing's a stubborn child and you guys are aware of her temper. She'd go crazy from the littlest thing, it's just that you people have to think that there's more than meets the day. It was just a coincidence that Zhenghang came over to visit me today. Meanwhile, my own son refuses to acknowledge me and never takes the initiative to drop by. Now you disallow other people to come over and be filial——"

She had not finished her speech when Old Lady landed another slap across her face. 

"I'm not here to hear you twist your words and lie. I'm just here to say that even though Zhiqing is lying right there, yet not even worried about her. You still have the gall to defend Lu Zhenghang from this matter. Jiang Changdai, you're fantastic!" Old Lady Yan was furious. She felt the disgust in her stomach start to bubble up, making her feel sick. 

Jiang Changdai did not only do her best to absolve Lu Zhenghang. She also did not forget to defame Yan Zhiqing and had pushed all the blame on to Yan Zhiqing.

Yu Zi hurriedly backed up Old Lady Yan. "Eldest Sister-in-law, stop getting angry over this type of person. You'll ruin your health. Is she even worthy of that? She's not worth your sweat!"

Yu Zi also felt sick to her stomach upon seeing Jiang Changdai's behavior. She had entirely forgotten to consider Yan Beicheng's feelings.

Once Old Lady Yan had finished talking and calmed herself down, she suddenly remembered that Yan Beicheng was there as well. She hurriedly turned around and saw Yan Beicheng looking indifferently at Jiang Changdai. That cold expression he wore showed just a glimpse of disgust.

Yan Beicheng felt that it was not the right time for him to speak out. So, Yan Huaian said, "If she was sensible enough to be persuaded, it would've already happened. Things wouldn't have turned out this way."

Yan Ningbai walked his little tummy over in front of Old Lady Yan. Then, he opened up his arms wide as if he wanted to protect Old Lady Yan.

"Eldest Auntie, we're a family and we'll be the ones that take care of Big Niece. There's no need for her to be around." Yan Ningbai said in his tender and crisp voice with a face that looked like a small bun.

Yu Zi could not help but smile and rub the little fellow's head. She felt that her son had done well.

At home, Yan Ningbai was very afraid of his mother. Now that he had received silent praise from his mother, he immediately grinned from ear to ear. That round belly of his tucked inward as he straightened up.

Old Lady Yan's expression grew warmer as well. She also began to rub Yan Ningbai's little head. "Ningbai is right."

Then, she said to Jiang Changdai coldly, "Since you don't seem to care about Zhiqing's current condition. We don't need you to stick around anymore. Get lost this instant!"

Old Lady Yan did not do this impulsively. Ever since she first noticed Jiang Changdai's behavior in the ward she had been pondering about how to kick her out.

She had similar thoughts as Yan Beicheng and Old Master Yan, in that she got the hunch that Jiang Changdai was not speaking the truth. Since Jiang Changdai did not have the guts to tell them how Yan Zhiqing had actually fallen, the reason was undoubtedly shameful, especially since Lu Zhenghang was there as well. 

They would use psychology to get inside Jiang Changdai's head. They could continuously tell her that she was clearly indifferent toward Yan Zhiqing's condition and use it as a reason to prevent her from staying there with her. 

Sure enough, Jiang Changdai's expression changed dramatically. It became tenser than when she had first found out about the extent of Yan Zhiqing's injury. It was almost as if this was the main event of the day, not when Yan Zhiqing had gotten hurt and lost consciousness. For her, this was way more serious than the condition Yan Zhiqing would be in when she woke up.

Old Lady Yan's heart grew colder by the minute and her mouth began to sneer.

Then, they heard Jiang Changdai say, "No way! I'll be right here keeping an eye her! I'm very worried about Zhiqing and I'll be right here until she wakes up! I'm her mother and I want to look after her. None of you have the right to tell me to leave!"

Old Lady Yan squinted and looked at Jiang Changdai for quite a while before mumbling, "What are you so afraid of?"

Jiang Changdai averted her gaze and raised her voice even more. "I'm not afraid, why would I be afraid? I'm just worried about my daughter and want to be here for her. Why does that mean that I'm afraid of something?"

Jiang Changdai began to despise the old woman that was standing in front of her more with each pa.s.sing second; this old cow was always so impolite toward her. Jiang Changdai was just itching for Lu Zhenghang to act and retaliate against these two old things. It would be great if they just walked into their coffins!

"I know you don't like me. But you can't just stop me from seeing my own daughter! Obviously, there's nothing going on, yet you insist on distorting the truth. You push groundless accusations as if I'm always plotting and scheming against you. You can choose to not believe me, but eventually, the truth will speak for itself!" Jiang Changdai said as she lifted her chin up.

Old Lady Yan could not care less. Then, she turned around and said to Aunt Chen. "Xiao Chen, before Zhiqing wakes up, stay here and look after her." 

"Alright." Aunt Chen nodded.

Then, Yan Beicheng said, "Zhaoyang has sent a trustworthy nurse over as well. So, you don't have to do much, Aunt Chen. The nurse will also turn Zhiqing's body over from time to time. You just have to stay here and keep an eye on her."

It was obvious who they were asking Aunt Chen to keep an eye on.

Jiang Changdai became even bolder and confident as her guilt increased. "What are you implying? Are you trying to prevent me from seeing her? I'm Zhiqing's mother!"

"You still had the nerve to call yourself that!" Old Lady Yan spat out.

The two elders sat there for a while. Since Jiang Changdai had thrown caution to the wind, now she did not dare leave Yan Zhiqing's side.

However, the two elders were old, and after a single row, they were already somewhat exhausted.

Therefore, Yan Beicheng proceeded to say, "Grandpa, Granny, why don't we go back. After all, we don't even know when Zhiqing will wake up."

Aunt Chen said, "That's right. I'll be here to keep an eye on her. When Young Miss wakes up, I'll immediately let you guys know."

"Grandpa, Granny, why don't you guys return to Sheng Town with us and wait for Zhiqing to wake up there. Aunt Chen will be here so there will be no one at home with you guys. Even if you hire a new helper, it wouldn't be someone you're familiar with so we won't be at ease." Lin Chu said as she got up.

When she got up Jiang Changdai was quite a distance away from her, so Yan Beicheng did not stop her.

Yan Beicheng nodded. "I was thinking the same. There's only the two of us at home. The house is big and it feels a little empty. When we were living in the Family Mansion, we got used to the liveliness, so we're still not used to living in Sheng Town yet."

Lin Chu smiled and nodded as she rubbed her belly. Her stomach had begun to bulge out a little. It seemed like after three months into the pregnancy, she could see her stomach get bigger by the day. There was a distinct change every time she looked in the mirror.

"That's right!" Lin Chu nodded again. "Just come live with us for the time being. You'll also be able to watch the baby's growth. Moreover, you'll be able to make a lot of new acquaintances."

Lin Chu's last sentence struck a chord in the two elder's hearts.

They had run out places to flaunt at the Family Mansion. Even Old Lady Nan had lost the will to argue with her, nowadays she just listened on absent-mindedly. When Old Lady Yan went over to chat with Old Lady Nan, Old Lady Nan would sit there with a blank expression whilst letting out a "Hmm" or a "Yeah" from time to time. This way, she was able to fully cope with Old Lady Yan's flaunting. There was no interest at all!

Just wait until Lin Chu gave birth, then there would be a whole new wave of things to flaunt about!

Hence, the two elders smiled and agreed.

Jiang Changdai gritted her teeth in the corner as she thought, 'They didn't even let me know that they had moved to Sheng Town. Moreover, they're talking about how big the house is and how it's empty with just the two of them. Then, why not invite me to live with them?"

They were just going to leave her to live alone in such an ordinary district.

Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu soon left with the two elders. Yan Huaian and the others left with them as well, leaving Aunt Chen to watch Jiang Changdai attentively. The care worker also stayed in the ward to care for Yan Zhiqing.

Jiang Changdai had never taken care of anyone before. She had never endured hards.h.i.+p either. Because of this, she was unable to stay in the hospital for such a long time and struggled to endure the boredom. However, she did not dare leave either. She could only ask the hospital for a folding bed before placing it next to the sofa and proceeding to sleep on it.

When Lin Chu and Yan Beicheng returned home, Lin Chu wanted to clean up the house with Aunt Zhuang for the two elders. However, Old Lady Yan stopped her and instead asked her to rest. Aunt Zhuang stopped her as well, so Lin Chu had no choice but to give up.

Yan Beicheng had gone to make a phone call to ask people to investigate the matter regarding Jiang Changdai and Lu Zhenghang. Since Jiang Changdai had refused to open her mouth, they did not have many clues. This would no doubt make the investigation harder.

"I've asked the two neighbors that were there during Miss Yan's accident. They said that they actually heard some people quarreling outside. I went over to Ms. Jiang's residence as well and saw that the stairwell is beside the balcony next to the elevator. It's about two or three meters from the residents' place. However, because the argument was so loud, they were able to hear it. Moreover, their distance from it, as well as the echoes of the stairwell, made it so that they could hear them quarreling but could not tell what they were quarreling about. You know that people these days prefer to mind their own business anyway, so even though they were curious, they didn't leave their house to take a look. It was not until they heard Ms. Jiang's scream that they felt something was wrong. Only then did they go out to investigate, which is when they saw that Miss Yan had already fallen down the stairs and lost her consciousness." Huang Changxian said over the phone.