Chapter 98: How About We Work Together?

Of course not. Song Qinglan quickly shook her head.

At first, she had thought the fire had been set by Wu Huixian, and the Wu family had used that to threaten her.

But after she learned that Wu Huixian was her younger sister, on the next time she came back, she had accidentally heard from another neighbor that the blaze had started because the younger son of the Xu family had, in a daze, knocked over an oil lamp.

“Didn’t the entire Xu family die? How would that neighbor know?” Lin Jingyue asked.

“They did all die, but the Xu family’s youngest son died a few days later. When the fire broke out, he ran desperately to the doorway. He was rescued, but the burns were too severe, and he still died. It was he who said it himself.”

“So after you learned the truth, why were you still being threatened by the Wu family?”

“Because Old Madam Wu found out that I had accidentally killed Xu the Eldest.” Song Qinglan gave a cold laugh.

“That damned old hag!”

From that day on, Old Madam Wu kept using it to threaten her.

She had not dared come back, and the situation in the capital had also been a complete mess, so the matter was delayed for so many years.

“Jingyue, your mother’s death, I…” Song Qinglan looked at Lin Jingyue in shame.

She had not deliberately refused to return; she simply could not return.

“For all these years, that woman watched me very closely. I never dared contact your mother. The year your mother had her accident, I was transferred for work to the far northwest, and it was only three years later that I came back. By then, everything had already…”

“Your mother was already dead. I suspected her death was not simple, so I investigated while trying to find a way to bring you to the capital. But that woman was too vicious. I had not yet gained my footing, so I did not dare confront her head-on, nor did I dare come close to you, for fear she would turn her eyes on you. These years I have been tying her down in the capital. Who would have thought that after you went down to the countryside, she would suddenly make a move? I simply could not bear it any longer and found a way to transfer back.”

She looked at Lin Jingyue with worry, but Lin Jingyue felt that something was not right.

Perhaps everything Song Qinglan had said was true, but why had her mother never mentioned Song Qinglan?

Even if it was for her safety, she had been very young back then; that could barely be explained.

But regarding the Xu family, she always felt it was not that simple.

What kind of words were easiest to make people believe? Three parts false, seven parts true. For now, she could not find any flaw in Song Qinglan, but that did not mean she would stop being guarded.

Outside, Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan were preparing the meal.

Zhou Yan started and stopped several times, until Jiang Xun finally said, exasperated, “Why are you so nosy?”

“Don’t you know curiosity killed the cat?” Zhou Yan rolled his eyes. “This itchy, clawing feeling is driving me crazy.”

“Go wash the spare ribs already. You just have too much free time.” Jiang Xun tossed him a few ribs.

“…”

An hour later, the door to Lin Jingyue’s room opened, and she and Song Qinglan came out together.

Neither of them looked as though anything had happened.

“Then I’ll be going. Jingyue, if the money on hand is not enough, write to me, or call my office. Auntie will send more.” Song Qinglan touched her head.

Lin Jingyue smiled. “All right, I know.”

Song Qinglan then looked toward Jiang Xun by the stove. “Jiang Xun, please take good care of my Jingyue here. Thank you.”

“I’m looking after my own girl. That’s only natural.” Jiang Xun said lightly.

Who needed to answer for his girl?

Song Qinglan gave a soft laugh and said nothing more.

Lin Jingyue also did not keep her for dinner. She saw her off to the middle of the village, where her car and driver were waiting.

Watching the car drive away from the production brigade, Lin Jingyue’s eyes dimmed slightly.

“You suspect her?” Jiang Xun came to her side and followed the direction of her gaze.

“Yes. I keep feeling something is off, especially with the Xu family matter. Most of what she said was true, but if she lied in a few places, it would be hard to verify.” Lin Jingyue narrowed her eyes slightly.

“If you’re worried, we can keep investigating.”

“All right.” Lin Jingyue suddenly smiled. “She gave me two hundred yuan.”

“No point letting it go to waste.” Jiang Xun also smiled.

Song Qinglan had not only given money, but also brought many bundles and packages of gifts. Everyone who saw them was envious.

Lin Jingyue walked back with Jiang Xun at her side and said, “I suppose she really does have some sincerity toward me.”

She could sense it.

Song Qinglan’s gaze when looking at her had not been fake.

“I understand what you mean.” Jiang Xun nodded. Sincerity often came mixed with other things as well.

“But it doesn’t matter. If she comes, we’ll receive her; if she brings her feelings, we’ll accept them. If she doesn’t come, there’s no need to force it. We should keep our guard up when necessary. Everyone has a purpose. If she makes a move, we strike back. We’re not afraid of anyone.”

Lin Jingyue turned to look at Jiang Xun in surprise. He truly understood her.

What was the point of thinking so much? Being happy was the real business. In any case, they were not afraid of Song Qinglan having a purpose.

Jiang Xun made potato stew with spare ribs, and Lin Jingyue’s appetite was not affected in the slightest.

Knowing that she was the granddaughter of the Song family did not move her at all.

She was only herself, only Lin Jingyue.

To her, the Song family meant nothing.

In the county town, Song Qinglan personally made a trip to the hospital and met with Wu Zhenhua.

No one knew what they talked about, but the very next day, Wu Zhenhua was discharged and returned to Anshi.

Lin Jingyue’s life also settled back into calm. The cured meat in the cave had dried sufficiently, and she took about a hundred jin of it, then went into the city with Jiang Xun.

“Fifty jin should be about enough.” Jiang Xun looked at the bulging sack of cured meat with a pained expression.

So much meat would probably frighten his parents half to death.

“Your aunt sent me so many things. How could fifty jin possibly be enough?” Lin Jingyue would not agree.

Only a hundred jin could properly express her gratitude.

Jiang Xun had no choice but to tie the meat onto the bicycle.

After entering the city, they first went to the post office to mail the meat and her manuscript. After greeting Zhou Mingxue, Lin Jingyue and Jiang Xun went to the waste collection station.

They did not see Old Master Huo, but they did run into Song Shiyun.

Seeing the two of them arrive together, he did not seem surprised. He lifted a brow and smiled like a fox. “Jiang Xun, tell me, should I call you Senior Brother from now on? Or cousin?”

He knew.

Lin Jingyue and Jiang Xun exchanged a glance, ignored him completely, and sat down.

“Have you not woken up yet?” Jiang Xun gave him a sidelong look.

This dog always wore the expression of someone who had everything in hand. He was so infuriating.

“Heh. You’ll bow your head sooner or later.” Song Shiyun smiled faintly.

“Is that so?” Lin Jingyue took up the words. “If I don’t acknowledge you, then you’re nothing.”

“…”

“Where is my master?” She placed emphasis on the word my, reminding Song Shiyun that Old Master Huo was her master, and only Song Shiyun’s teacher.

She had never seen anyone so truly merciless.

Song Shiyun’s mouth twitched. “Your master, and you’re asking me?”

Quite the little thing.

Looking at the curve of Song Shiyun’s lips, Lin Jingyue also felt speechless. “Forget it.”

She shook her head, then suddenly fixed him with a burning gaze. That look made Song Shiyun instinctively feel something was wrong.

Sure enough, Lin Jingyue spoke.

“Since ancient times, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? How about we work together?”

“Not how about it.”