He Junshu suddenly stopped, looking at Jiang Nuan in surprise. "Nuan Nuan, do you know people from the He family too?"
He Junshu's voice trembled, her heart quaked. For all these years, even her husband hadn't brought her any news from the He family.
Upon hearing news of the He family, her desire to return surged overwhelmingly.
Twenty-four years. How many days and nights had she dreamt of her mother crying, calling her name, asking why she was so heartless!
In her dreams, she would cry, unable to speak. She wanted to apologize, to tell her mother that she wasn't dead.
But it felt as though something was pressing down on her chest, and she couldn't utter a word.
All along, she had been avoiding it, weeping herself to sleep at night. She was truly fed up with such days, yet helpless.
In the eyes of her loved ones, she was already a lost soul!
Jiang Nuan hesitated, unsure if telling her would be right or wrong. She feared disturbing her peaceful life. Her life had not been easy; if one had a way out, why seek death!
She knew a little about what happened back then. He Shujun was proud. Mu Yunxiao didn't love her, or rather, he loved but could not attain her. When his male dignity was offended, he sought out other women.
"Mhm!" She merely let out a soft hum.
But having started, He Junshu didn't want to miss this opportunity. She desperately wanted to know news of her mother. Over the years, people from the He family rarely appeared in the news.
She asked casually, "Nuan Nuan, whom from the He family do you know? Can you tell me about them? I haven't been back in many years."
Jiang Nuan looked at her quietly for a moment, confirming that she truly wanted to know. Then she said, "If Madam wishes to hear, why don't we find a place to sit down and talk slowly?"
She hadn't walked far before sweat beaded on her forehead. Although it was autumn, the days were still hot.
She had good stamina, but He Junshu looked uncomfortable.
"Alright! There's a coffee shop ahead. Their coffee is very good," He Junshu suggested.
"Okay, Madam." Jiang Nuan followed her.
The coffee shop had a stylish and cozy decor. The two sat by the window, looking at the sycamore trees lining the road outside, the scenery captivating.
After the coffee was served, Jiang Nuan took a sip.
Then she looked at He Junshu and said, "Madam, my best friend's boyfriend is He Mingrun, and I am a doctor. A while ago, because the Old Madam had some health issues, I went to see her and got acquainted with people from the He family."
Jiang Nuan explained briefly and concisely.
He Junshu's heart felt as though it were being pricked by needles; a dense pain filled her entire body. Her mother was ill, and she, as her daughter, couldn't even go back to see her.
She quickly adjusted her emotions before asking with a smile, "Nuan Nuan, how is the Old Madam now?" She was very anxious and pained, her fingers on her lap twisting until they turned white.
"The Old Madam should be doing well now. Her health should have mostly recovered. I left medication when I left, so her body should be fine. It's just that she's getting older, and her body isn't as strong as before," Jiang Nuan stated truthfully. She knew her mother must really want to know her current situation.
The Old Madam's condition was not very optimistic.
She also had a mother and a daughter, so how could she not understand that feeling.
Yun Yun personally watched her jump into the sea. For Yun Yun, it would be a lifelong pain, and for Mu Jiu Chen, a lifelong rage.
But sometimes one was not in control. If her own death could ensure Mu Jiu Chen and her daughter lived safely, she would still jump without hesitation if given another chance.
The explosives on Li He's ship could have destroyed half the sea area, causing countless casualties. Her lover and her precious daughter were among them. She couldn't just watch them die together.
He Junshu lowered her head, biting her lip tightly. She missed her mother terribly, and at the same time, she hated her father. If her father hadn't forced her to marry Mu Yunxiao back then, how could she have ended up like this?
The more He Junshu thought about it, the sadder she became. Mingrun and Xiao Jiu were the same age. Mingrun already had a girlfriend; she wondered if Xiao Jiu had one.
He Junshu forced a smile, picked up her coffee, and took a sip. The coffee she usually loved tasted bitter today!
However, her heart felt somewhat at ease, at least knowing her mother's current condition.
After Mingrun got married and had children, her mother's mood would also change.
"Nuan Nuan, thank you for telling me all this. I have some connection to the He family. After you go back, I hope you'll pay extra attention to the Old Madam's matters." It was truly too coincidental that she heard news of her mother from this girl.
"Madam, rest assured, I will," Jiang Nuan said with a smile.
She looked at He Junshu's changing expressions, pain, and helplessness. She realized He Junshu hadn't had an easy time of it either, despite her wealth. She was tormented in spirit.
"Let's go, we're going back for lunch." He Junshu's attitude was even warmer than before.
Jiang Nuan didn't refuse and left with her.
It was only a ten-minute walk from here to the Li family's residence.
They chatted as they walked, and time passed quickly. The manor villa in the city center, worth billions, showed how wealthy the Li family was in Qi Country.
Upon reaching the main gate, a dedicated car came to pick up He Shujun and Jiang Nuan.
Eight minutes later, they arrived at the main house.
After alighting from the car, He Junshu led Jiang Nuan directly to the dining hall.
She was surprised to see her husband at home. "Zhenting, why are you back?"
Li Zhenting looked at her and smiled gently. "I finished handling company matters, so I came back. I heard from Sister Li that you brought a guest."
Jiang Nuan, at this moment, was staring blankly at Li Zhenting.
If one said Mu Jiu Chen resembled Mu Yunxiao, it might have been merely because people thought they were father and son, with similar coldness and demeanor. But upon actually seeing Li Zhenting, the scales instantly tipped. Mu Jiu Chen and Li Zhenting were strikingly similar in their features.
Their temperament and bearing were very much alike.
Countless possibilities flashed through Jiang Nuan's mind.
Could Mu Jiu Chen be this man's son?
As Jiang Nuan was lost in thought, she heard He Junshu's voice. "Zhenting, this is Miss Jiang Nuan, whom I met at the plaza. Someone snatched my bag, and Nuan Nuan helped me get it back."
Li Zhenting had already heard from Aunt Li, so he wasn't very surprised.
"I've already heard from Aunt Li. Thank you, Miss Jiang!" His authoritative voice was like muffled thunder from the clouds.
Jiang Nuan couldn't decipher his emotions. His eyes were as deep as the sea, his handsome face filled with authority, yet he exuded a sense of detachment.
It was evident that Li Zhenting, in his youth, was also a renowned and influential figure.
She slowly shook her head. "You are too kind; it was a small favor."
Jiang Nuan looked up, surveying the dining room. It was spacious, with a background wall. Not far away, a family photo was displayed on the wall.
Jiang Nuan found the young man in the family photo somewhat familiar, and she froze.
Jiang Nuan was usually quite composed, but the events unfolding today were all shocking her.