Through mutual honesty, Jiang Yi continued accompanying Jiang Sixian through her treatment. Soon it was Mid-Autumn Festival, and at the summons of Jiang Qionghua and Ning Wenying, the two returned home together.
On the way home, Jiang Sixian tugged at Jiang Yi’s sleeve and asked softly, “Jiang Yi, now that you’ve remembered everything, do you want to tell Qionghua Auntie about this?”
Jiang Yi turned her head, looking at her strangely. “Why would I tell her?”
Jiang Sixian pursed her lips and whispered, “I just think… if she knew, she’d be very happy.”
Jiang Yi paused, gripping the steering wheel as she looked ahead. “But Jiang Sixian, I don’t think it’s necessary. Since she believes I lost my memory, I have valid reasons for refusing her gifts.”
“Besides, I originally planned to leave the Jiang family at twenty when I came of age. I don’t want to return now, nor is it appropriate.”
“We have no mother-daughter fate. Things are better this way—her thinking I’ve lost my memory makes our relationship smoother.”
This was between mother and daughter, so Jiang Sixian couldn’t interfere. She nodded, understanding Jiang Yi’s choice.
Jiang Yi smiled, reaching over to grasp Jiang Sixian’s hand and giving it a firm squeeze. “That woman has always seen you as her daughter. If I told her I remember, who knows how conflicted she’d feel.”
“Her personality is a bit odd—my amnesia is actually good for her. At least in her eyes, I don’t consider myself her daughter, so she’ll feel less moral guilt.”
Jiang Yi chuckled, turning to Jiang Sixian. “I think I’m better suited to be her son-in-law than her daughter.”
Jiang Sixian had to admit this pleased her. She interlaced their fingers, smiling. “So you’re saying you want to be my mother’s son-in-law, not her daughter?”
Jiang Yi nodded. “Mhm, that’s how it is now.”
“Oh~ ‘Now.’ What about before? Did you ever think about my mother becoming yours?”
Jiang Yi tilted her head at Jiang Sixian’s mischievous expression and snorted. “Before… I didn’t think about it much, though occasionally I did want to be her son-in-law.”
Jiang Sixian was so happy she couldn’t resist bringing Jiang Yi’s hand to her lips for a kiss.
They soon arrived at the Jiang family villa, where Ning Wenying and Jiang Qionghua had prepared a feast.
Holding hands as they entered, they drew surprised looks from Ning Wenying on the sofa. Last time these two seemed off, but now they were sweet as honey—had they made up?
This thought flashed through Ning Wenying’s mind before she stood to usher them to the table for a joyful family meal.
At dinner, Jiang Qionghua was her usual self, piling their plates with food. Between bites, she asked about Jiang Sixian’s recent work and brought up some projects.
Jiang Yi didn’t understand, so she focused on eating. But Ning Wenying intervened, “No business at the dinner table. It’s a holiday—can’t this wait?”
Jiang Qionghua obediently fell silent and concentrated on her meal.
After dinner, Ning Wenying gathered everyone for a post-meal activity—mahjong.
Tonight, Jiang Yi aimed to please, losing intentionally to Ning Wenying’s delight.
But Jiang Qionghua lacked tact, laughing at Jiang Yi’s losses. “Your skills are terrible! You should visit more to practice.”
Ning Wenying shot her a despairing look and sighed.
The game lasted until past eleven when a sleepy Ning Wenying retired to wash up.
Then Jiang Qionghua beckoned Jiang Yi. “Come here, I need to talk.”
Jiang Yi glanced at Jiang Sixian, who tactfully said, “I’ll head to bed first.”
Left alone, Jiang Yi resigned herself. “Alright, what is it?”
Jiang Qionghua hesitated, leading her to the study. Inside, Jiang Yi sat on the sofa, watching her fidget. “Well?”
“If this is about the inheritance, I still don’t want it.”
Jiang Qionghua wrung her hands. “I know you refuse my money… you always did. But what’s yours should be yours.”
“At sixteen I gave you a villa and commercial property—you must accept those. And for every birthday, I’ll give you fifty million in liquid assets. Do whatever you want with it.”
Jiang Yi’s scalp prickled.
Here we go again—every visit, Jiang Qionghua found new ways to shower her with money. The offers grew more tempting, testing even Jiang Yi’s resolve.
She sighed inwardly. Did this woman know how hard it was to refuse, especially when broke?
Jiang Yi exhaled. “Without my memories and not under your household register, accepting would leave me uneasy forever.”
Even as her birth mother, Jiang Yi couldn’t take what wasn’t rightfully hers. Had it been from her mother Jiang Wenying, she’d have gladly accepted. But she and Jiang Qionghua weren’t that close.
Jiang Qionghua sighed. “Jiang Yi, you deserve this. Seeing you reject everything to remain a bodyguard hurts me—I worry you’re struggling.”
Jiang Yi’s lips trembled. “Nothing in life is ‘deserved.’ I’m an adult—not your responsibility. You don’t owe me anything.”
Stunned, Jiang Qionghua huffed. “Why must you be so stubborn?” Why can’t you just covet my wealth like anyone else?
She bit back the last part.
Jiang Yi smiled. “I just want a clear conscience.” She paused. “But don’t worry—I won’t be a bodyguard forever. I have plans.”
“I might even need to borrow from you.”
Jiang Qionghua brightened. “What plans?”
Jiang Yi considered. “Don’t laugh, but compared to medicine, real estate, or those CEO assistant jobs you suggested, I prefer agricultural production.”
“My military service gave me relevant experience and knowledge. I just lack startup funds.”
Thrilled, Jiang Qionghua said, “Having goals is wonderful! What exactly? I’ll fund it all!”
Jiang Yi smiled. “My comrade’s hometown is semi-touristic, ideal for farming. I want to partner with local government on orchards, fish ponds, goose farms, chicken coops—sustainable agriculture. With enough capital, maybe a large-scale agritourism resort.”
She added, “I’ll draft a proposal for your review. If viable, would you invest?”
Overjoyed, Jiang Qionghua agreed eagerly. “Yes! Show me your plan!”
“Maybe you could advise me then?”
“Of course!”
With that settled, the inheritance topic dropped. Relieved, Jiang Yi stood. “If that’s all, I’ll turn in?”
Jiang Qionghua winced at “Auntie” but hesitated. “One more thing.”
“What?”
She glanced at Jiang Yi. “You and Sixian… what’s your situation now?”
Jiang Yi replied, “Like I said—we’re dating.”
Jiang Qionghua sighed. “I know that, but… how serious is it?”
How serious? They’d done everything.
Seeing Jiang Yi’s confusion, she clarified, “Are you considering marriage?”
“Jiang Yi, you’re almost twenty-four. They say ‘start a family, then a career.’ Since you’re planning your career, why not settle down first?”
Jiang Yi eyed her oddly. “That’s quite traditional. And why the change? Didn’t you find our relationship awkward?”
Jiang Qionghua looked pained. “What’s done is done. Sixian clearly adores you—what objections could I have?”
“Besides, ‘keep blessings within the family.’ If you won’t acknowledge me as your mother, marrying Sixian still makes you call me ‘Mom,’ doesn’t it?”
She’d realized this marriage could benefit them both.
Touched, Jiang Yi studied her before saying softly, “You don’t have to think that way… Mom.”
Jiang Qionghua muttered, “Why shouldn’t I—” then froze. Her eyes widened, lips trembling. “What did you just call me?”
Jiang Yi gazed at her gently. “Didn’t you want me as your son-in-law? What’s wrong with calling you ‘Mom’ a little early?”
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