Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 55

Ji Tanyuan received a call from Ji Qing around four in the afternoon.

“Come down.”

Hearing the low voice on the other end of the line, Ji Tanyuan exclaimed in surprise, “Dad?”

“I’m downstairs at Yini Apartments. Get dressed and come down.” Ji Qing’s voice was accompanied by the sound of the wind.

“Huanghuang, your mother and I are both here.”

When Ji Tanyuan reached the ground floor and saw her parents waiting by the car door, her eyes instantly reddened.

Sheng Wan stepped forward to smooth Ji Tanyuan’s hair. “Our Huanghuang has suffered, haven’t you?”

Sheng Wan was frail, and even with makeup, her face appeared pale. Yet, she carried herself with an air of elegance and grace, dressed in refined and dignified attire.

This was only the third time she and Ji Qing had appeared together in front of Ji Tanyuan. The first was at her coming-of-age ceremony, the second at her wedding. Usually, even when they had to attend business banquets together, they made sure to avoid Ji Tanyuan, afraid that their tempers might flare up and upset her.

Choking back tears, Ji Tanyuan said, “I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Ji Qing ruffled her hair. “Silly, you’re not an orphan. How could we not come for something this big?”

Ji Tanyuan lowered her head. “I’m sorry, but I was just so angry. He went too far.”

Puppy was very important to her.

Sheng Wan gently wiped her tears away, her gaze tender. “It’s fine. He deserved it.”

Ji Qing frowned and warned, “Sheng Wan.”

Sheng Wan glanced at him indifferently, her expression devoid of emotion.

Ji Qing met his wife’s gaze. “Be careful. Don’t forget what I told you in the car.”

He meant not to embarrass their daughter in front of her in-laws and to take another sedative if she couldn’t control herself.

Then he turned to Ji Tanyuan. “Come with us to the hospital. Not to apologize, of course, but since the old man is unconscious, it’s only right that we pay a visit.”

He wasn’t comfortable with it either. The last time Ji Tanyuan had cried and said she felt wronged, he had been so guilt-ridden he couldn’t sleep. But sometimes, swallowing one’s pride was necessary.

Now, however, with Ji Tanyuan being treated so harshly, staying silent any longer would only betray his daughter.

“Come on, your mother and I are here.”

Ji Tanyuan understood. She wasn’t the one apologizing, but her parents were. That made her even more unwilling. “I’m not going.”

Sheng Wan immediately guessed what Ji Tanyuan was thinking. “It’s fine. Your dad deserves this. It’s what he owes you for arranging that marriage alliance.”

Ji Tanyuan: “…”

“I agreed to it at the time.”

Sheng Wan replied calmly, “How old were you then? Twenty-three. What did you know? A bunch of people took advantage of your innocence and lack of hardship.”

“Your limited work experience doesn’t apply to scoundrels. Matters like these should be handled scoundrel to scoundrel. Let us handle it.”

Ji Tanyuan squeezed her mother’s hand, holding her back before her emotions spiraled out of control. “Mom.”

In the end, the three of them went to the hospital together.

As soon as Ji Tanyuan entered the hospital, she noticed the redness on Zhong Yan’s face, but she quickly averted her gaze.

Ji Qing stepped forward and shook hands with Zhong Fangqi, apologizing first. “We’ve raised Huanghuang with too much indulgence since she was young. She’s never learned to hold back her temper or endure hardship. We’ve truly caused you trouble.”

Zhong Fangqi chuckled. Was he implying that the Zhong family had made her suffer, which was why she couldn’t hold back her temper?

But still, how could she harm the old man over a dog?

Sheng Wan’s smile was gentle and refined, even softer than Ji Tanyuan’s. Dressed in a gray coat with pearl earrings, her makeup was impeccable and her well-maintained appearance truly reflected a life of privilege and ease. Her dignified elegance surpassed everyone present, largely attributed to her mental state and the luxuries money could afford.

“Yes, in-law, you might not know this, but she usually has a very good temper. However, she’s not without her limits, so this time she might have acted impulsively due to her youth. Please be magnanimous and understanding.”

Sheng Wan’s voice was soft, yet her words carried an underlying meaning.

“How about this: let the two young ones sit outside while we go in to talk. My husband and I would like to personally apologize on behalf of our child.”

In the end, the four adults went inside, leaving Zhong Jing and Wen Yi’an, along with Zhong Yan and Ji Tanyuan, outside.

Zhong Yan and Ji Tanyuan each sat at opposite ends of the sofa.

Mainly, Ji Tanyuan was intentionally keeping her distance from Zhong Yan. Whenever he moved closer, she would shift away.

Zhong Yan sighed, “Why are you avoiding me? I haven’t done anything.”

Ji Tanyuan lowered her head, focused on her phone, and refused to speak.

Zhong Jing spoke up, “Tanyuan, how is the pet sitter doing?”

Ji Tanyuan replied, “It’s been taken care of.”

Zhong Jing nodded.

Zhong Yan shot his brother a subtle, disapproving glance. Did he really need to make small talk?

Taking advantage of Ji Tanyuan’s absorption in her phone, Zhong Yan sat beside her and pressed his hand on her leg to stop her from standing up. “Let’s talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Zhong Yan sighed again, “No matter what Grandpa said to you, don’t believe any of it.”

Ji Tanyuan gave a forced smile, “Not believe him, but believe you?”

Zhong Yan chuckled, “You can.”

There was still a faint redness on Zhong Yan’s face, clearly from the slap, which hadn’t been light. She stared at it blankly.

Zhong Yan took her hand and placed it on his cheek. “Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Ji Tanyuan snapped out of her daze and immediately pulled her hand back.

Wen Yi’an stood up, “There’s no one at home, and Grandma still needs care. I should head back.”

Zhong Jing frowned, “Aren’t there servants? Let’s go home first.”

Wen Yi’an refused, “I’m just not at ease.”

Zhong Yan’s smile faded, “Sister-in-law, Grandma is old and can’t handle any more stress. You know that, right?”

Wen Yi’an paused in her movement to leave, then smiled and said, “Of course.”

Zhong Jing also left, figuring that since the in-laws of the second son were inside, they probably wouldn’t be getting a divorce anytime soon, but they had certainly reached an impasse.