Wu Xuerou, due to her mild nature, had always been suppressed by Zhao Yanxia. The stark contrast made the old lady favor her even more.
Tears fell precisely where they should. She clutched her handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes, crying silently, unable to utter a word.
"It was a misunderstanding," Di Mingjue interjected.
A misunderstanding?
Jiang Ziyu knew the truth of the matter all too well.
However, with Di Mingjue stepping in, continuing to press the issue without evidence would only validate the ulterior motives of Wu Xuerou.
Jiang Ziyu picked up Qianqian and faced the crowd, saying, "Qianqian was frightened today. I'll take her upstairs first."
After they left, the remaining people in the hall also went upstairs.
Back in the room, Jiang Ziyu went to the walk-in closet to select a change of clothes for Qianqian.
"Hmm?"
Qianqian held a white piece of paper in one hand and tugged at Jiang Ziyu's sleeve with the other.
[Second Aunt said Mommy will be arrested by the police.]
Glancing at the black characters on the white paper, Jiang Ziyu's mind conjured the image of Wu Xuerou's cowardly face.
Hmph, playing the innocent act to deceive others?
Jiang Ziyu crouched down. "Qianqian, don't be scared. Mommy hasn't done anything wrong, and the police won't arrest me."
Her small hand gripped a crayon, writing crookedly.
[Really?]
"Of course," Jiang Ziyu said, stroking her hair.
Today's incident felt like a thorn lodged in Jiang Ziyu's heart. Despite her vigilance, Qianqian had still been frightened.
Her eyes sharpened; she was determined to let certain people know not to use Qianqian so casually.
After coaxing Qianqian to sleep, Jiang Ziyu left the room.
In the hallway, she passed by Di Mingjue's room. She found the room empty.
Jiang Ziyu walked around the room and spotted a folder placed at the foot of the bed.
"Di Mingjue?" she called out. There was no response, but her feet involuntarily carried her to the foot of the bed.
The folder had already been opened, with papers peeking out from the opening.
*Click*—The bathroom door was pushed open.
Di Mingjue reached out, his hand brushing against the wall as he fumbled his way to the foot of the bed. His toes touched a stiff object, and he stopped.
The file in her hands made Jiang Ziyu hold her breath.
Awkward!
It was fortunate he couldn't see.
Carefully, she placed the folder back a short distance away, gathering all her strength, attempting to stand.
"Saw something?" Di Mingjue asked.
Jiang Ziyu, who had been mustering her courage for a while, instantly relaxed upon hearing his voice. "No."
"Open it and take a look," Di Mingjue said, as if he could see something. He successfully avoided the file and sat on the bed.
Jiang Ziyu didn't think much of it. Since she was allowed to look, it would be impolite not to.
She picked up the folder again and poured its contents out.
"What is this?" Jiang Ziyu exclaimed in surprise.
The file contained over a dozen photographs and various land bureau tender documents. All of them were dark and illicit, with clauses that went against laws and regulations. The Song family had truly grown bold...
"Take a good look. You caused this trouble, so you should clarify it online yourself," Di Mingjue said, his gaze cold and fixed ahead.
Was Di Mingjue helping her?
Jiang Ziyu found it hard to believe. The files before her were internal documents, not usually accessible to ordinary people. Only influential figures like Di Mingjue, who held sway in the capital, could obtain them.
Her gaze fell on Di Mingjue, and she awkwardly said, "Thank you."
"I'm not helping you; I just don't want Qianqian to be sad," Di Mingjue explained.
"Fine, I understand. I won't flatter myself," Jiang Ziyu replied perfunctorily, eager to examine the contents of the file.
She had never dreamed that the outwardly respectable Song family was so corrupt behind the scenes.
...
The next morning, several sets of photos appeared online.
The photos showed a group of officials in suits and ties at the entrance of a high-end KTV, surrounded by scantily clad women...
In an instant, those who had been indignant and cursing Jiang Ziyu yesterday were now changing the subject, gossiping about the prominent figures in the photographs.