Jin Yan reacted, looking at her coldly. Her sister, ever since childhood, had been obsessed with appearances.
She never apologized for her mistakes.
She had always been outstanding, the most accomplished child in their mother's eyes.
If her sister so much as frowned, their mother would believe it was her, the younger sister, who had upset her.
Many things from her childhood were blamed on her, while her sister watched without saying a word.
When she was still too young to understand, to prevent her sister from being sad, she would admit she was wrong.
But gradually, she realized her sister was becoming more and more excessive. Why should she bear all the fault when she had done nothing wrong?
It was simply because she was used to admitting mistakes, and her sister was also used to letting her take the blame.
Jin Yan couldn't help but shed tears.
Lu Chengsi held her, whispering words of comfort, "Yan Yan, don't cry!"
Seeing his wife upset, his heart felt as if it were being carved with a knife.
Jin Yan wiped away her tears, looking at Jin Tong and mocking her, "Jin Tong, whether it was before or now, are you always this selfish?"
Jin Tong looked up abruptly, "Yan Yan, I had no choice. So many people in the Jin family depend on the company for their livelihoods."
"Yes, because they are supported by annual dividends. If the Jin family falls, they won't even be able to afford a meal. They've never worked, and even if they tried to find a job as a cleaner, they wouldn't have the strength for it.
But isn't this all due to the rules your Jin family has cultivated?"
"Those born with a silver spoon in their mouths are meant to be superior.
When I was fourteen, I understood the meaning of this, and suddenly felt it was unbelievable that I had followed your outdated ways for over a decade. So I learned to rebel, to defy my mother's wishes, and became the most ill-mannered, most rebellious child in your eyes."
"And you, knowing that what Mother said was wrong, that everyone is equal, but you insisted on thinking you were superior.
While I, climbing over the wall late at night to go to the night market, ate stinky tofu, fried potatoes, and cotton candy that you would never eat, consuming snacks you deemed only for lower-class people."
"It was then that I truly experienced happiness. I became infatuated with that kind of life, and it was at the night market I frequented the most that I met my husband."
"He was ordinary yet gentle, handsome and ambitious. The light in his eyes was something I had never seen in any man I knew; for me, it was a form of salvation.
I knew you wouldn't agree to us being together, but my mind was made up. Regardless of your approval or disapproval, I was going to marry him. You all know what happened afterward."
"Jin Tong, so aren't you slapping your own face by kneeling here now? Don't you remember the most hurtful things you said to me back then? How can you kneel down?"
"Yan Yan," Jin Tong sobbed, "I'm sorry, I was wrong, I was truly wrong."
Jin Tong took her hand and continued, "Yan Yan, during the time I've been staying here, I've realized that your choice back then was right. I was wrong before, Yan Yan, I'm sorry!"
At this moment, Jin Tong truly envied Jin Yan's life.
She also knew that her pride and personality over the years had offended many people.
While waiting for her daughter for half an hour, many friends she used to be close with had blocked her.
Business partners sent her mocking texts.
[General Manager Jin, I've always had to watch my step around you. From now on, you might have to watch your step around me. If the supply payment isn't settled within three days, I'll sue you.]
Those sycophants who used to fawn over her, upon seeing the news about the Jin family, immediately kicked them while they were down.
Now, the news was all about the Jin family's bankruptcy.
Jin Yan looked at her apologizing sister and felt a pang of sadness. Even though she spoke harsh words, they were still family, connected by blood.
Seeing her aunt waver, Song Yanqing stepped forward and knelt before Jin Yan, "Auntie, I'm sorry, I was wrong last night. I'll never dare to do it again."
She said, crying pitifully.
Jin Yan didn't even bother to look at her. With such character, how could she possibly change?
Song Yanqing then looked at Jiang Siyun, "Yunyun, I'm sorry. I was speaking carelessly last night, please don't take it to heart."
Jiang Siyun's lips pulled into a disdainful smile, "Are your words even worth me taking to heart?"
Song Yanqing bit her lip and looked at Mu Jiuchen, whose expression was indifferent. He was looking intently at his daughter.
A hint of jealousy flickered in Song Yanqing's eyes. Mu Jiuchen looked very gentle at this moment.
Seeing Song Yanqing's gaze, Jiang Nuan's heart suddenly felt displeased, but she remained silent.
Seeing that everyone else was quiet, Song Yanqing immediately blamed Jin Yan for being petty and holding grudges.
She was still bringing up things from years ago.
Being so vindictive, wasn't she any better herself?
The atmosphere suddenly became much more awkward.
Jin Yan looked at Mu Jiuchen, "Xiao Jiu, stop suppressing the Jin family. From now on, whether the Jin family lives or dies, we will not interfere."
Mu Jiuchen nodded lightly, "Okay, I'll listen to Mom."
Mu Jiuchen sent a message to Xiao Fan, telling him to withdraw the news and the pressure.
Jin Tong looked at Jin Yan, thinking that this was not enough. The Lu family had to help her repay the loan.
"Yan Yan..."
"Enough, stop talking. The Jin family reaching this point today was bound to happen sooner or later. Even if Xiao Jiu hadn't done this, the same thing would have happened to the Jin family within a month. No matter what you say, I won't help you."
"Jin Tong, put yourself in my shoes. If our Lu family were in trouble today, you wouldn't even let me through the door. That's why I'm not helping you."
Jin Yan interrupted her angrily, speaking every word with immense sadness, her heart aching with each syllable.
Seeing her sister's resolute stance, Jin Tong knew she wouldn't offer assistance. She calculated that as long as Mu Jiuchen didn't suppress the Jin family, she would have a chance to breathe.
She stood up and looked at Jin Yan, "Yan Yan, thank you! The Jin family villa will be foreclosed soon. Let Mom stay here. The reason I brought Mom back was because my two brothers and their wives at home would not genuinely take care of her.
You are also a daughter, and you haven't fulfilled your filial duties all these years. Let's leave Mom here for you to care for. Once I've settled everything, I'll bring Mom back."
Jin Yan took a deep breath. Was it that she didn't want to?
They were the ones who didn't want her.
They only saw the good things she brought back, not her as a person!
"Supporting parents is the responsibility of us children. If you don't take her, I can't really kick her out. You all leave, just leave the old madam here."
She had been too angry during the day.
The old madam was a person who cared about her reputation.
But without the support of the Jin family,
She wouldn't be able to cause trouble anymore.
Only then did Jin Tong pull Song Yanqing away.
Jiang Nuan comforted her mother for a while. The two little ones did not go back with them, so the couple had to return by themselves.
The next day, while Jiang Nuan was cleaning, she received a call from her second brother.
"Brother." Jiang Nuan knew they had gone to the amusement park.
Lu Jincheng said anxiously, "Nuannuan, Kuobao is missing."