Chapter 856: Chapter 729: Endless Troubles

In the living room, Old Mrs. Cheng took the tea brought by Aunt Chen, sipped lightly, and looked hesitantly at Zhou Jiao and her son.

Zhou Jiao found it strange: "Auntie, what else can’t you tell me directly?"

The old lady smiled and shook her head.

"Is there something at home?"

"No. Do you plan to visit Old Lin before the new year?"

Zhou Jiao frowned slightly, even her aunt felt sympathetic? Could it be that she’s being too harsh? But she didn’t feel that way at all.

"Jiao Jiao, as someone in politics, you shouldn’t give others a handle against you. This is something you should think about when you have time. Especially Xiao Wu, he shouldn’t give others a hold on him either."

Zhou Jiao glanced at her thoughtfully: "Did someone say something in front of you? Or did Mr. Lin say something outside?"

The old lady looked at her admiringly and smiled: "Once that Miao boy appeared, naturally people started gossiping. Regardless of their motives, as time passes, everyone will nostalgically remember Old Lin’s good side. Some feel sympathy for the unfortunate, while other factors come into play."

Zhou Jiao gently patted her son in her arms and gazed absently outside.

"With Gu Ruyi taking all the blame, in the eyes of the world, Old Lin appears innocent. As the Lin Family declines, while your family thrives, some people recall how he pampered and protected your mother in the past."

Zhou Jiao understood that this was merely jealousy kicking in. Recently, she had received commendation for fighting off criminals and had been mingling with bigwigs, making some restless.

"Gratitude for birth and gratitude for raising can both be argued. Morality and public opinion are double-edged swords, so it’s vital to watch your words and actions."

As Old Mrs. Cheng said this, she patted her comfortingly. Knowing the child’s nature, she guessed she’d be unwilling. Being too straightforward or too rigid isn’t good, this temperament is just like her elder sister, always refusing intimidation, never wanting to bow to others.

"Especially Xiao Wu should still visit Old Lin. Regardless of his motives, Old Lin has treated Xiao Wu very well on the surface over the years."

Zhou Jiao understood the implication perfectly: weren’t people starting to hint that Zhang Guoqing was ungrateful? Unfortunately, she couldn’t confront them openly. Otherwise, she’d really like to ask how much her husband had benefited.

All of this couldn’t be separated from Mr. Lin’s secret urging. She really couldn’t understand how visiting him would reconcile the two families?

Recalling the face resembling Grandpa Zhang, a fiery anger surged within Zhou Jiao. Thinking about Zhang Guoqing’s character, perhaps he might actually be caught off guard.

Old Mrs. Cheng couldn’t discern her thoughts from her unchanged expression. She could only talk about the profound topic of human relations.

"It’s said after your mother visited him that day, he ate two bowls of rice and boasted to old acquaintances about how wonderful his eldest daughter was. Recently, he often mentions how smart you are, even betting with others on whose granddaughter would be more successful."

Zhou Jiao laughed bitterly to herself: she was being offered up in plain sight. If she appeared before him, his words would become fact, but if she didn’t, he’d seem even more pitiable, leaving her damned either way.

She didn’t believe Mr. Lin had much affection for her. Could someone who would abandon his own granddaughter care about a granddaughter with no blood relation? Ridiculous!

Even if people understood the reasoning here, they’d still fan the flames. Was she to walk right into his trap?

With this thought, Zhou Jiao squinted her eyes. Was she living for the sake of some idle gossip and laughable human relations?

Zhou Jiao harshly scolded herself internally—it almost shook her stance! Just because he makes a move, she should respond? Who made that rule!

"Mommy?"

Zhou Jiao glanced at the children running into the yard, smiled, and patted him: "Go on, ask Grandma Chen to help you. Don’t fight with your friends, and if you’re missing anything, have Grandma Chen help out."

Little Ping’an nodded with a smile, greeted the old lady, and dashed out of the living room.

Zhou Jiao watched him run off and shook her head with a smile.

"Child, what are you thinking? Do you want to discuss it with your dad?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head again: "My dad is extremely busy. These little matters shouldn’t bother him. Didn’t my mom already go see him last time?"

The old lady thought back, nodded in agreement: "Indeed, your dad has enough on his plate with work. When do you plan to go? Do you want me to help prepare something?"

Zhou Jiao chuckled looking at the old lady: "Auntie, did I ever say I was going?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think I’d be at someone else’s mercy? If Old Lin weren’t up to so many tricks, I’d visit a hero even if he were a stranger. But as things stand now..." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Zhou Jiao stated firmly: "I don’t want to! Nor am I willing! Let people outside say whatever they want, dare to face me and try saying an extra word."

The old lady was taken aback by her assertive words. This child really resembled her grandmother!

"If politics means such submissive compromises, I won’t walk this path. If sentiments replace rules and laws, then what’s the point of having laws? To be led by the nose by Mr. Lin, and then what?"

Zhou Jiao asked calmly: "Both families reconcile according to his wishes? Then who addresses my parents’ grievances? Who gives the Zhou Family an explanation now? No matter the kindness the Lin Family showed my mom, I, Zhou Jiao, received no favors, and have a clear conscience!"

Having opened up, Zhou Jiao didn’t hold back: "I don’t trust Mr. Lin. Initially, I might have had some belief, but as each incident unfolded, my disappointment in him grew significantly."

Mrs. Cheng knew the conversation had reached an impasse. She didn’t want her child to feel wronged either and thought about spreading some words outside.

Zhou Jiao understood her concern perfectly.

She gently advised: "Let the Lin Family matters pass by, just ignore them. If someone asks, act unreadable, and if cornered, just retort with, ’Did we of the Zhou Family block his path?’"

The old lady chuckled: "Aren’t you afraid he might actually show up?"

"If he does, he does. Must we roll out the carpet? Just pointless fussing."

"You cheeky child..."

Zhou Jiao smiled and stood up: "I’ll cook some dishes tonight that Uncle loves to go with his drink."

"No need, the aunt at home must have already cooked." Mrs. Cheng stood up, preparing to head home, sensing nothing more to discuss.

Zhou Jiao escorted her to the door, quipping: "I won’t keep you then. I’ll send over the dish later, take your time dining."

"Don’t trouble yourself, save something for the child. Walking on the cold road is troublesome, and it’d be a shame if it fell."

Zhou Jiao didn’t argue, intending to send things over herself later. She saw her to the road, watched her leave, then headed back home.

On the way, she greeted a few old ladies, noticing nothing unusual in their outing, suspecting Mrs. Cheng’s words might have been spurred by the Jiang Family elders!

But unfortunately, she guessed wrongly this time...

When Old Mrs. Cheng returned home, Mr. Cheng had already arrived home from work, observing her expression, hoping to discern some clues.

Waiting for the housekeeper to return to the kitchen, the old lady shook her head: "No luck! You guessed it."

"Hmm. As long as she knows about it, the outcome doesn’t matter. The child is just starting to walk her path openly, and being aware of some things she’ll not panic when encountering them."

The couple, having been together for decades, didn’t need words to communicate, just shared a knowing smile.