Jia Nanfang turned her head to look at the beautiful woman's retreating back as she went upstairs. Women understood women best, and she snorted, "You think she's timid, but I think timidity is her greatest weapon. I told you long ago to keep only two children and send her away!"
"The two children are too young to be without their mother," Lu Yuanhong coaxed her gently. "Since you've returned to my side, you are naturally the one in charge in this household, and she is secondary. Why must you bicker with her?"
Jia Nanfang immediately restrained her emotions. In truth, what was the difference between herself and that younger woman? Her mood turned somber again.
At her age, hadn't she seen through men?
Her only hope now was to get back Shu Yan's child, her own grandchild.
"Now we want to adopt our own grandchild, and it's become a matter of begging outsiders?" Jia Nanfang said incredulously. "Forget it, I'll handle this directly. As the child's maternal grandmother, I'll just take the child back."
"Is it appropriate for you to handle it personally? Won't it be discovered?" Lu Yuanhong asked, worried.
Jia Nanfang said with a laugh, "I've left the Shu family now and have nothing. What's wrong with taking a child as company? What can they do to me if they find out? Besides, exposing that Shu Zhongze's deceased daughter had an illegitimate child would be adding insult to injury for him."
Lu Yuanhong pulled her to sit down. Thinking about the sharp decline in the Shu Group's stock price over the past week, this would indeed add fuel to the pursuit of the Shu Group. However, what was more important were the matters Jia Nanfang held in her hands.
"Alright, you go and take the child back. I see that Qin Tianyi and the others are still unwilling to believe me, so it's uncertain if they'd let me adopt the child."
Jia Nanfang immediately said, "I'll go to the hospital tomorrow and have a paternity test done as the grandmother, then I'll bring her back."
"Isn't adding insult to injury enough? Didn't you say you also knew about Shu Zhongze's illegitimate daughter embezzling funds from the group? Only by producing solid evidence can we press our advantage against the Shu Group."
"This is no problem. I also know that we must strike while the iron is hot. Don't worry, I'll give you everything I have. It's up to you how you use it." Jia Nanfang knew all too well that her beauty had faded with age, and this was her only value to Lu Yuanhong. She had to plan a way out for herself.
Lu Yuanhong smiled, wishing he could praise her to the heavens, "Once we completely destroy the Shu Group, you will be a great contributor."
Jia Nanfang looked at him, but she wasn't as happy. She said faintly, "I don't want to be a great contributor. After the Shu Group is destroyed, I will owe you nothing more. Consider all the affection and debts I owe you repaid..."
...
One day, Susu was chatting with Ya Nan via voice call at home, discussing what kind of dress Ya Nan would wear as a bridesmaid and what activities they should arrange before the wedding on the island.
"Susu, I wish I could fly to the island you mentioned right now. It must be like paradise."
"I'm also counting down the days. If it weren't for preparing for the wedding, we wouldn't have to wait until next month."
Ya Nan said enviously, "Mr. Qin is so romantic to hold a wedding in such a beautiful place. Even waiting a year would be worth it. This time, thanks to you, I can also enjoy a beach vacation with the waves."
"It seems our hearts have already flown there," Susu laughed.
Ya Nan asked with concern, "How is the baby in your belly doing recently? Is it suitable for long-distance travel?"
"I had a check-up yesterday, and everything is normal," Susu told her happily. "I can hear the fetal heartbeats now, two of them, and both sound very strong."
"Next time you have a prenatal check-up, I want to accompany you so I can hear what the fetal heartbeats sound like."
Susu laughed at her, "You should learn more, so you won't be flustered when you become a mother."
"Stop teasing me. Kang Xi is so busy he can't even find time to have a wedding with me. It's infuriating."
Susu said, "Kang Xi's job nature is like that. If they really want to get married, their superiors will definitely approve the leave. Don't worry."
Ya Nan said dismissively, "I'm not in a hurry. I have my own things to do. By the way, have you seen today's news? Another high-level executive from the Shu Group has gotten into trouble. Shu Ruoxi, who is in charge of personnel and administration, embezzled group funds to support a kept man. I heard customers who come to the store to buy fashion discussing that the Shu Group's stock price has fallen again, and those holding their stock have lost a lot of money."
"Ah, Shu Ruoxi should be one of the children Shu Zhongze acknowledged and heavily relied on in the group," Susu said, unsure of her feelings. "The Shu Group seems to be having bad luck recently. High-level executives are having problems one after another. If this continues, I'm afraid..."
Ya Nan didn't hear Susu's voice on the phone and asked anxiously, "Afraid of what? Will it affect Mr. Qin?"
Susu sighed, "I'm not sure. I'll have to hang up and talk to you later. I'll call Tianyi now."
"Okay, you ask him. We'll talk again when we have time."
Just as Susu was about to call Tianyi, the call from the children's hospital came in.
"Hello, may I ask if you are Xiaoxiao's aunt?"
"Yes, is Xiaoxiao alright? Has her condition worsened?" Susu asked urgently.
The hospital staff said, "No, no, you can rest assured. Our hospital wants to inform you that Xiaoxiao's maternal grandmother is taking her home from the hospital today. There is a surplus in Xiaoxiao's account, and her grandmother said she would refund it directly to you. Please let us know when you are free to come to the hospital to complete the refund procedures."
"Maternal grandmother? I didn't know she had a maternal grandmother, and she's being discharged!" Susu asked in shock.
The other party paused, somewhat bewildered, and said, "Xiaoxiao's maternal grandmother, isn't she your..."
"I don't have a mother; my mother is no longer alive," Susu interrupted.
The other party found it strange and said, "But that lady is indeed Xiaoxiao's maternal grandmother. She had a paternity test done, and she also has Xiaoxiao's birth certificate and family photos with Xiaoxiao's biological mother..."
"What's her name?"
"Her surname is Jia. I'll check the records for her full name."
Susu knew who it was and said, "No need to check. Has she taken the child out of the hospital? When is she being discharged today?"
"Not yet, but the discharge procedures are being processed. If all goes smoothly, she should be discharged this afternoon."
Susu hung up and immediately called Xiao Anjing, "Mr. Xiao, Jia Nanfang is taking Xiaoxiao out of the hospital as her maternal grandmother. Can you rush to the hospital to check?"
"I'm rushing over now," Xiao Anjing also found it very sudden. "She and Shu Zhongze have acknowledged Xiaoxiao again. Why are they taking the child out of the hospital without prior notice?"
"I just received a call from the hospital. I don't know the specifics. You go there first and see if it's Jia Nanfang herself. I'll be there shortly." Susu didn't chat with him further and immediately changed her clothes, preparing to go to the hospital.