The housekeeper stood meekly with her head down, offering no comment on what the old lady had said.
She was an old servant who had served the Jiang family for many years. She was also like a half - elder to the Jiang family members, and was always invited to important family dinners.
That evening, she left early on purpose to come and report to the old lady about her work at the villa during this period.
"Xiuxiang, you've served our family for so many years," the old lady said, looking at the wrinkled face and gray - haired old age of the housekeeper.
She let out a long sigh. "Come back to me. Let's keep each other company and enjoy our twilight years. If your daughter hadn't passed away, her child would be about the same age as Beihuai by now."
Hearing the old lady's words, the housekeeper looked up in surprise, but immediately lowered her eyes and refused. "Let me stay with the young master for a while longer."
"You know I've lost my daughter and have no descendants. I raised the old master since he was a child, and then he suddenly passed away... Seeing the young master being brought back from outside, I was overjoyed."
The old lady saw the tears welling up in the housekeeper's eyes and felt sorry for her. "I'm just afraid your body won't be able to take it. If you're willing to stay with Beihuai and spend your remaining years there, just don't overwork yourself."
"I know. I'm getting old, and I'll do things within my capacity," the housekeeper said. She knew Bai Wenxi had a patient and kind - hearted personality, but she didn't expect the young master to be able to swallow his anger.
"The eldest daughter of the Bai family is really the most gentle - tempered and well - behaved rich girl I've ever met," the housekeeper praised Bai Wenxi's character repeatedly. After observing this new young mistress for some time, she found that there was nothing to fault in terms of her appearance and conduct.
"To be honest, I originally wanted to form an alliance with the Bai family because I took a fancy to her mother," the old lady said. Her eyes drifted into the distance, and a gentle smile appeared on her aged face.
She even let out a few laughs from time to time, as if recalling many interesting memories. "She worked in advertising at Jiang Corporation back then. She was capable and beautiful. She was the kind of girl everyone liked."
The housekeeper forced a smile, but failed to show it. Her dry and gnarled fingers were intertwined. She tilted her head and stole a glance at the old lady, hiding the flash of pain in her eyes.
"Grandma, it's Beihuai. Can we come in?" Jiang Beihuai asked politely at the door, following the rules. "I've brought Wenxi to see you."
Bai Wenxi glanced at her husband in surprise. She had never seen him so obedient and was a bit unaccustomed to it.
The door creaked open, and the serious - faced housekeeper poked her head out. "Young master and young mistress, you're here?"
The two walked into the bedroom step by step. Bai Wenxi spoke up carefully first. "Grandma, I should have come to visit you earlier..."
"Don't be so polite with me," the old lady said, getting up with the help of the housekeeper. "I'm old. I'm going to gradually hand over the affairs of the group to Beihuai. You don't have to come and bother me often. Just let me live in peace."
Jiang Beihuai wasn't raised in the Jiang family since childhood, so he wasn't very close to the old lady. He didn't say a word when he heard his grandma's self - deprecating joke.
Only Bai Wenxi felt the awkward atmosphere. She smiled sweetly to ease the situation. "Grandma is as energetic as ever! People outside all say you're the backbone of Jiang Corporation."
The old lady's plump and noble face broke into a smile like a blooming flower. "The waves behind drive on those before. No matter how capable I am, I still have to make room for you young people."
The group walked towards the dining room and happened to meet the second aunt who came to invite the old lady to the table.
"Beihuai is really filial, rushing straight to grandma's room," Jiang Jialan rolled her eyes so hard that it seemed they would pop out. "It makes us, her children, look insincere, just sitting around chatting."
"Jialan, if you can't speak properly, you can say less," the old lady scolded sharply. "Today is a time for the family to get together. Don't cause any trouble."
"Mom, you always take sides with that little bastard!" Jiang Jialan stamped her feet angrily. "You don't even trust your own daughters, but you trust an outsider, a poor boy?"
Jiang Beihuai wasn't one to back down. In this family, he only respected his grandma and didn't tolerate anyone else. "Who asked you to only care about money? Besides, I'm Dad's own son. You're just a married - out daughter. What right do you have to talk here?"
Jiang Jialan was so irritated by the arrogant attitude of this brat that her heart skipped a beat. "You, you! Is that how you talk to your second aunt?"
Jiang Beihuai was about to retort when Bai Wenxi quickly poked him in the waist. She bit her lip and shook her head, signaling him not to defy his elder in front of grandma.
Originally, Jiang Beihuai had a lot to say to refute his second aunt, but thinking that Bai Wenxi was a new bride and it was her first time having dinner at the Jiang family mansion, he didn't want to make the situation too embarrassing.
His handsome face twitched slightly, and his thin lips tightened. In the end, he didn't say anything more.
Jiang Jialan knew that this illegitimate nephew had a straightforward and hot - tempered personality. She originally wanted to provoke Jiang Beihuai's anger and have a big fight with him in front of the old lady.
She hoped to ruin tonight's family dinner, but unexpectedly, the wife this brat married was a smart one, and she managed to make him hold back his anger.
Since her elaborate plan couldn't be carried out, she also started to hate Bai Wenxi. Everyone who stood in the way of her dividing up the Jiang family's property was a thorn in her side, and she wished she could get rid of them.
Jiang Jialan rolled her eyes and immediately came up with another vicious plan. "Forget it, forget it. Today we're all here to have a happy dinner together. I won't talk about these useless things with you."
"Mom, I'll take my niece - in - law to the kitchen. Big sister said they're short - handed there," Jiang Jialan grabbed Bai Wenxi's hand and walked out. "I thought I could show her around the house on the way."
Her reason was so legitimate that Bai Wenxi couldn't refuse. She had no choice but to follow her and leave Jiang Beihuai's side.
Jiang Jialan dragged Bai Wenxi all the way to a deserted corner before throwing her hand away. "You don't think you'll just be a young mistress enjoying a life of luxury after marrying into the Jiang family, do you?"
Bai Wenxi rubbed her wrist, which was painful from being grabbed. She was full of confusion. "Second aunt, I don't understand what you mean."
"Don't play dumb. Why is that stinky brat Jiang Beihuai so gentle with you?" Jiang Jialan put her hands on her hips and said provocatively with a smug look. "You don't think he likes you and listens to you just because of that, do you?"
"You stupid fool!"
Jiang Jialan sneered and attacked Bai Wenxi fiercely. "It's just because of your face! You're young and beautiful, so he's willing to be patient with you and play around with you."
"Let me tell you, he's a murderer!"
Bai Wenxi's wrist, which had been forcefully pulled, was already red and swollen. She pulled her sleeve down to cover the bruised skin.
"Beihuai and I are husband and wife. It's only natural for us to respect each other," she said calmly, refuting Jiang Jialan's mockery point by point. "He has feelings for me because of a man's responsibility."
"I don't care at all whether he's after my youth and beauty. I married into the Jiang family because the old lady chose me."