Meng Yuxin spent the entire night at the police station, terrified and unable to sleep.
The following morning, Mrs Zhang from the Chu family went to the police station and admitted to stealing the package, stating that Meng Yuxin was completely unaware of the situation.
As a result, the police had no choice but to release Meng Yuxin.
Later, the police announced on their official blog that the case involving the stolen Yi Xuecheng badges had been resolved, and the suspect had confessed to the crime.
Regarding Mrs. Zhang's sudden decision to turn herself in at the police station, the Chu family chose not to comment, as if nothing significant had occurred.
When Mr. Chu heard the old housekeeper discuss the matter, he simply said, "Let them go."
He didn't concern himself with the details. As long as the issue was resolved, he didn't care about the method used to achieve it.
Meng Yuxin returned to the Chu family home with dark circles under her eyes and bloodshot eyes, which made Meng Qingyan feel very distressed.
Meng Yuxin threw herself into Meng Qingyan's arms and cried for a long time. While sobbing, she kept saying:
"Aunt, I was really careless. I didn't mean to. I didn't steal anything."
Meng Yuxin cried like a child, the first time in all these years that her tears flowed so freely. This heart-wrenching scene made Meng Qingyan, who had raised Meng Yuxin as her own daughter, feel as if a thousand nails were piercing her heart.
"It's okay, it's okay," Meng Qingyan comforted her gently. "Auntie understands. It's not your fault. Please be good and stop crying."
After a long while of comforting, Meng Yuxin finally calmed down.
Once she had stopped crying, Meng Qingyan said, "Yuxin, let's not dwell on this matter anymore. Please don't be angry with your cousin. Although Ah Ci may have a bad temper, she is still my own flesh and blood. You both are like daughters to me. Auntie truly doesn't want to see you two at odds. So, can you please be a bit more understanding towards your cousin for my sake?"
Meng Yuxin choked up and nodded. "Auntie, I understand. My cousin hasn't had an easy time over the years, and I've been enjoying the love that should have belonged to her for so long. I am already very satisfied. It was indeed my fault this time, and my cousin has every right to be angry. I won't hold a grudge against her."
"Good girl," her aunt replied, relieved. "You are you, and your cousin is your cousin. Even though your cousin is back, you are still my dear girl, and I will continue to love you just as much."
Meng Qingyan felt a sense of relief.
At lunch, Meng Qingyan asked the kitchen to prepare a table full of dishes that Meng Yuxin loved.
Though Meng Yuxin didn't cry, she appeared cautious, as if she had been wronged, which made Meng Qingyan feel distressed.
At dinner time, the Chu family gathered together. It was a rare occasion for Mr. Chu to get up from the hospital bed and join everyone downstairs for a meal.
Along with the third master of the Chu family, Chu Muping, and his wife, it was uncommon for so many members of the Chu family to eat together at the same time.
This once-deserted villa finally had some life in it.
Chu Ci sat at the table as usual. She faced Meng Yuxin directly. Although she was there, Chu Ci appeared calm and untroubled, as if she had expected her presence and was not concerned about any potential trouble.
Meng Yuxin forced a smile, trying to hide her unhappiness, but tears welled up in her eyes, making her look fragile.
Seeing this, Meng Qingyan felt a sharp pain in her heart.