My mother's eyes held no hesitation. "Wanwan, I don't want to let your Uncle Rong down again. I softened my heart once before. I wanted to accept my fate as Jiang Qing's wife, give birth to this child, and live a good life as a family. Time would dilute my love for Huaixu, and I would fall in love with him. But then I heard the news that Lin Hui was pregnant. Wanwan, I gave Jiang Qing a chance."
She closed her eyes, her fragile eyelashes fluttering. "From that day on, my heart was dead. This time, I want to give myself a chance, to live for myself."
"Okay, Mom, whatever you decide, I'll help you. Yanchen has hired a lawyer to collect evidence. Wait a little longer. Now's not the right time to file for divorce."
"Okay."
I comforted my mother and sighed deeply.
That afternoon, Jiang Qing's secretary and lawyer arrived, and they indeed brought the share transfer agreement.
In addition to the share transfer, Jiang Qing also transferred some real estate and other properties to my name.
It made me wonder if he had also been reborn. He seemed genuinely prepared to start over with Mom, unaware that Mom's heart had long been sealed off over the years.
Now all we're waiting for is to successfully transfer Grandma so she can have peace of mind.
The assistant handed the share transfer agreement to me and Mom.
Without a second thought, I signed my name.
This property originally belonged to Jiang Wanwan. I couldn't refuse it.
I'm not that foolish. If that pair of lotus fairies snatched it away in the future, I'd cry my heart out.
These are Jiang Qing's attempts to make amends to Jiang Wanwan. No matter what the agreement is, I'll accept it.
Only Mom didn't sign.
I understand her feelings. She doesn't want the money or the shares.
If she wants a divorce, she should draw a line between herself and Jiang Qing instead of getting involved further and further.
This will prevent the complicated division of property in the future.
The assistant looked at Mom with confusion. To them, this was pie in the sky. Who would pass up such a good opportunity? Little did they know that Heaven had already placed a price on every gift.
The freer something is, the greater the price it costs.
My mother wasn't one to care about material things.
"Madam, do you have any questions?"
"No."
I smiled at the assistant. "Leave this agreement with Mom for now. She'll sign it herself when she figures it out."
The assistant, knowing the situation at the boss's home, didn't want to elaborate.
I nodded. "Yes, Miss, we'll be leaving now. I'll contact you about the notarization process."
"Okay, thank you."
After sending the assistant away, I advised, "Leave it there for now. Don't let him get suspicious. Getting Grandma out is the priority."
My mother nodded. She'd become sleepier since her pregnancy and curled up on the soft sofa. I draped a blanket over her. It felt as if our identities had been swapped.
But Jiang Qing also reminded me that I was now the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.
Although I could enter the Lu family, I longed to return and reclaim everything that belonged to Jiang Wanwan. I asked Lu Yanchen to transfer my student status to a university in Syracuse. With just one more year, I could get my diploma.
Fourth-year college students are mostly focused on internships and final projects. I could easily finish my diploma while interning at the Jiang family's company.
I can do without my father, but I can't do without the company.
That night, I brought this up at the dinner table. Jiang Qing looked me up and down. "You want to intern at the company?"
I knew that in his eyes, I wasn't even as good as Jiang Zhi. "Well, I won't make things difficult for you. You can just transfer me to a sales or basic position. I'll be able to achieve results on my own. Since you want to shift your focus to China, I can help you."
"Can you do it?"
"I'll know if I can, just give it a try."
Jiang Qing rarely refrained from mocking me. He said calmly, "Okay, I'll send your resume to HR next year. As for whether you pass the interview and what position you get, it all depends on your ability."
"Okay."
"Also, don't dress so strangely for the dinner. You're the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, don't look unpresentable."
"Got it."
Although his tone was complaining, the meaning had changed.
He no longer indulged the mistress's family like he used to. Even though he still distrusted me, he began to respect my status.
But he didn't realize that the person standing next to him wasn't some depressed Jiang Wanwan, but a seasoned veteran who had worked hard in the workplace for years.
The Su family assumed I would eventually marry into the Lu family, so they never allowed me to join the family business. My position in the Lu family was actually quite awkward. The old man wanted me to be a good wife, not the one in charge.
So my position at Lu was awkward. I did a lot for Lu Shiyan, but in the end, all the credit went to him.
Back then, I was too naive, thinking we'd eventually become a family, and I didn't care.
In this life, I will never sacrifice myself for others again!
I will take everything that belongs to Jiang Wanwan and me from the Jiang family.
No one knows Xuecheng's resources and connections better than me.
I'm just interacting with them through a different guise now. Next year, Jiang Qing will know what foolish things he's done in the past.
The next morning, my assistant specially delivered decent dresses to my mother and me.
See, how could Jiang Qing be so unkind? He clearly knows how to please a woman.
He always waited for my mother to make advances, but what he hadn't gotten before, he feared he wouldn't get in the future.
My mother didn't want to go, but seeing my eagerness, she changed into her dress as well. Our dresses were the same silver, though hers was more elegant and graceful, while mine was off-the-shoulder, adding a touch of sexiness.
After finishing my look, I took my mother's arm and got into the car to head to the banquet at a five-star hotel owned by the Jiang family in this city.
The moment my mother and I appeared at the banquet venue, wearing high heels, everyone's breath caught. Jiang Wanwan's looks were already superior to mine, and with her youth and the cinnabar mole between her eyebrows, she looked even more transcendent.
Among the countless glances, I saw the astonishment, reluctance, and guilt in Lu Shiyan's eyes.
The moment my gaze met his, I looked away, finally landing on Lu Yanchen.
I said something to my mother, then, skirt in hand, hurried towards him.
"Brother Yan..."
Before he could say anything, Lu Shiyan, beside me, excitedly asked, "What did you call him?"