Ninghai City, Yu Family Estate.
Yu Mengzhi felt rather uneasy; the atmosphere at home struck her as strange.
Initially, she expected a severe scolding from her grandfather. However, that wasn't the case. Instead, Yu Lingxiao showed her even more concern, making her feel as if she had returned to the past.
It seemed as though nothing had changed.
After dinner, Yu Lingxiao, his eyes still red, clutched her hand and said, "Mengzhi, it was Grandpa's fault before. Grandpa shouldn't have interfered with your freedom. From now on, whatever you want to pursue, go for it. Grandpa won't stop you anymore."
Yu Mengzhi was flattered and felt a pang of guilt.
It was at that moment that Yu Mengzhi realized her grandfather had truly aged. His stooped posture as he walked lacked his former vigor.
Perhaps—
The matter of her eldest brother, Yu Shenxing, had hit him too hard.
The thought of those incriminating documents being handed over to Tao Qiyue from her own hands brought an indescribable discomfort to Yu Mengzhi.
Had she done something wrong?
Yu Mengzhi wanted to chat with her grandfather longer, but Yu Lingxiao's spirits were low. After nine o'clock, he yawned repeatedly and had to retire to his room.
All these things combined made Yu Mengzhi feel miserable.
So, she decided to stay at home for the night, to accompany Yu Lingxiao. It was only after she returned to her room that a heated argument erupted in the living room, the sounds even reaching Yu Mengzhi's room.
Yu Mengzhi had no intention of listening, but she vaguely heard her name.
In the living room.
"Eldest Brother, calm down!" Yu Zhengzhi roared.
Yu Botao's face flushed red, his eyes burning with fury. "How do you expect me to calm down? It's not your son facing the death penalty; it's my own flesh and blood! How could you understand this feeling?"
"Get out of my way!"
"I'm going to seek justice from Yu Mengzhi. If she hadn't invited trouble in, how could this have happened? Now Shenxing is likely to be sentenced to death, and Grandpa's health has collapsed!"
"This is all Yu Mengzhi's fault!"
Yu Zhengzhi blocked Yu Botao's path. "Brother, calm down! It's already happened. What we need to do now is treat Grandpa as quickly as possible, not fight amongst ourselves. Also, can you lower your voice? If Grandpa hears this, how will he endure it?"
Yu Botao cast a deep gaze at the door of Yu Mengzhi's room.
Finally.
The tension in his body eased, and he said dejectedly, "You're right. I was indeed rash just now."
As they were talking,
Yu Mengzhi emerged from her room and appeared before them.
Yu Botao and Yu Zhengzhi exchanged glances and sat silently on the sofa. Yu Mengzhi frowned and asked, "Uncle, Second Uncle, what exactly is wrong with Grandpa?"
From the moment she returned home, she felt that something was not quite right with the old man.
At first, she simply thought he was just suffering from the grief of losing a grandson, but after hearing their conversation, she realized the seriousness of the situation. Yu Zhengzhi avoided her gaze and said, "Grandpa is fine. What could happen when we are here?"
Yu Botao remained silent, not looking at Yu Mengzhi, clearly still harboring anger.
Yu Mengzhi felt even more that something was wrong. "Second Uncle, if you don't tell me, I'll go ask Grandpa myself right now!"
"That's enough!" Yu Botao suddenly roared, startling Yu Mengzhi.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble for this family? It all started with your security guard boyfriend. If not for him, Grandpa wouldn't be like this! Ever since your eldest brother was arrested, Grandpa's spirits have been completely down. We took him to the hospital for a check-up, and the results showed that after the shock, he has developed Alzheimer's disease, or senile dementia!"
Yu Mengzhi's face turned ashen, her lips trembling.
This disease was terrifying. In the end, her grandfather would forget all his relatives, even himself.
Her thoughts were in disarray, her pupils contracted.
"How could this happen, how could this happen..."
Yu Zhengzhi couldn't help but also reprimand Yu Mengzhi. "Alas, if you hadn't gotten together with that security guard back then, none of this would have happened. I'm not saying that security guard is bad, but you also need to consider the family's interests. Is this the outcome you truly wanted?"
"I'm going to ask Grandpa." Yu Mengzhi felt her heart was on the verge of collapse.
Yu Botao stood up and blocked her path, glaring fiercely at her and shaking his head. "Are you trying to cause more trouble? Grandpa specifically warned you not to let you know about this, and even now he's still thinking of you. Yu Mengzhi, do you have any conscience? Do you really think Grandpa was trying to harm you by arranging for you to marry Qin Fengwu? The Qin family in Yanjing are noble families, their leaders have always been highly respected, and Qin Fengwu himself has the opportunity to ascend to the throne in the future. If you were to marry him, you would soar like a phoenix. What's so bad about that?"
"Eldest Brother, that's enough."
"Grandpa also said not to force Mengzhi. Young people have their own ideas. Our Yu family doesn't live by the Qin family's grace. If Mengzhi truly doesn't want to marry into the Qin family, then let it be," Yu Zhengzhi said.
These words came from his sincere heart.
After all, his eldest son was going to marry into the Tao family. If another powerful family like the Qin family entered the picture, how could he maintain his position?
It was true that it was good to have a strong backing.
But if the backing was too strong, one might never see the sun their entire life. How tragic would that be!
Yu Botao wanted to say more but eventually gave up.
Yu Zhengzhi patted Yu Mengzhi's shoulder and said gently, "Mengzhi, don't overthink it. Medical science is very advanced now. If it's really necessary, we can take Grandpa abroad for treatment. You should go back and get some rest."
"And don't mention tonight's events to Grandpa, understand?"
Yu Mengzhi returned to her room in a daze.
She sat by the window, lost in thought, memories of her childhood with her grandfather flashing through her mind. Although she was somewhat restricted then, she was generally happy. Her family was harmonious, without conflict.
Now it had become like this...
Perhaps she had truly made a mistake?
A very real dilemma now faced Yu Mengzhi: fate was forcing her to choose between Chen Jinzhao and the Yu family.
Previously, Yu Mengzhi had wanted to have both.
Now, it seemed, there was a touch of naivety in that wish.
This caused Yu Mengzhi's eyes to gradually dim. Her clenched fist finally loosened, unable to maintain its grip.
Her hands were too small to hold onto both sides.
In Yu Lingxiao's room.
He was now full of vigor, showing no trace of weakness. His medical records and demeanor were all fabricated. To make the charade more convincing, he had even kept it a secret from Yu Botao and the others.
Otherwise.
He couldn't trust the acting skills of his sons. Only with genuine emotion could a good performance be staged.
Only he knew the truth.
He had already heard the argument outside. Things were developing according to his plan. His worries of many days had vanished, marking a resounding victory for Yu Lingxiao.
Strategizing and manipulating human nature were Yu Lingxiao's true strengths.
"Mengzhi, Grandpa apologizes to you."
"For the sake of the Yu family's eternal prosperity, I can only sacrifice your individual interests. As for that security guard, I will no longer pursue any responsibility from him. In fact, I will secretly provide him with some compensation."