Pampered by My Ex's Cousin-Chapter 74 Reluctant Cohabitation (Part 19)

From then on, that beautiful island became a deserted island.

Now, Grandfather actually wanted Mom to live on that island. He mentioned "for a while" without setting a specific time limit.

What had Mom done recently to anger Grandfather?

Ever since Grandfather had her attend the Cultural Bureau’s event last time, she had felt that Grandfather was critical of her.

"Dad."

Yang Yufang’s face turned deathly pale, her eyes, shimmering with confusion, grievance, and reluctance.

It seemed she also did not understand what she had done wrong to anger the old man.

Ji Zhengdao looked deeply at Yang Yufang, his lips tight and cold, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Nobody dared to speak, including Yang Yufang, who intended to struggle.

"Next month will be Weisong’s death anniversary."

Ji Zhengdao finally spoke.

His eyes, following those words, turned weathered, filled with boundless sorrow.

The lines on his face seemed especially distinct.

Shedding his imperial, authoritarian shell, he was, after all, just a regular septuagenarian, with wrinkles and white hair as one should at his age.

His descendants filled the hall, but not all could gather under his roof, accompany him through his twilight years, and share familial joy.

Tormented by the agony of a parent burying a child.

Perhaps this was also one of the reasons he was especially fond of Ji Chicheng.

The atmosphere became solemn and heavy.

Even Lin Yanqin lowered her gaze, leaning on the stair’s handrail, her eyes reddening.

"I understand." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Yang Yufang put away her doubts and grievances, gently nodded, then she lowered her gaze.

After the old man left, she leaned against the handrail, slowly squatting down with its support.

"Grandpa..."

Ji Xiangting went upstairs following Ji Zhengdao.

"Yang Yufang, you should have gone to the island to be with Weisong long ago." Lin Yanqin bowed her head, glaring fiercely at Yang Yufang.

Then she grabbed Ji Ruoqian’s hand and led her upstairs.

"Mom."

Ji Anning quickly went over, squatting beside Yang Yufang, and gently held her arm.

Not knowing how to comfort her, she just squatted beside her, keeping her company.

"Anning, Mom has tried so hard for so many years, why?" Yang Yufang slowly leaned into Ji Anning’s embrace, her brow furrowed in reluctance yet laced with helplessness.

A kind of helplessness that left no room for struggle.

Ji Anning looked down as she held her mother’s hand, "To wear the crown, one must bear its weight."

Since she wanted it, sometimes when striving for something, one must also consider whether one can bear it.

Having it but unable to manage it would result in even more reluctance.

"Yes," Yang Yufang nodded her head, then she suddenly turned around, her face filled with guilt as she grasped Ji Anning’s hands, "Anning, I’m sorry, Mom has failed to protect you."

Ji Anning gently shook her head, "Not at all, from childhood till now, you have treated me as your own daughter, I am truly grateful."

As she spoke, she helped Yang Yufang to her feet.

"I’ll take you back to your room to rest."

Yang Yufang, with tear-rimmed eyes, looked at Ji Anning, hesitated to speak, and when they reached her room’s door, she suddenly pushed Ji Anning away, entered the room, and immediately closed the door behind her.

Ji Anning stared at the closed door, stunned for a moment, then she dropped her gaze in resignation.

Turning around, she went to get a broom and cloth, first swept away the glass shards, then she knelt on the steps, from the top downwards, wiping each step with the cloth.