Old Madam widened her eyes. "You still treat me as your mother?"
"Yes. I know it's silly. At first, I was a little disappointed indeed. When I came into this house newly wedded, I hoped to get your blessings. But I never got that. You banished me from this family, and I saw my dream getting crushed."
Old Madam's gaze dimmed.
"I wondered if I was so bad for you not to accept me as your daughter-in-law? I wholeheartedly loved Weizhe, and I thought that it was enough. I was sad and heartbroken. But as years passed by, I began to notice that apart from ordering me to live separately, you didn't do anything else to harm me. You didn't try to separate me and Weizhe.. To be honest, I was really afraid that it would happen one day…"
Jiang Yubi curled her fingers into a soft fist. "I thought that maybe you would try to find another woman for Weizhe or you might force us to divorce. I was afraid of your hatred for me. But then... nothing really happened. You didn't do anything that would take Weizhe away from me. Then I began to think that you don't like me. But you love Weizhe, so you cannot bear to see him sad. And for me, that was enough. I was contented to see that you were a good mother to him. That's why sometimes I didn't understand why Weizhe said that you never loved him. I felt strange, but it was something that he had suffered a lot. It was his pain. I couldn't disregard it even if I felt that something was off."
"I see…" she whispered.
Jiang Yubi sniffled. "But thank you. I am really glad to know that you never hated me. I know all the circumstances now. Weizhe told me everything. Thank you for being so strong for all these years. I am so proud to feel that I am your daughter-in-law."
Old Madam burst into tears. "I am really sorry, Yubi...That was the only way I could protect you two. Jiang Shan was utterly displeased by Weizhe's marriage. He didn't want you to be a part of the family. He-he had said that he would kill you rather than seeing you in the family…"
Jiang Yubi froze and looked at her, shocked.
"He couldn't a tolerate a woman from a lowly background to be the daughter-in-law of the prestigious Jiang family. I really tried my best to change his mind, but he was adamant. So, I suggested that you would live in a separate residence, away from the main family. I didn't want him to harm you…But still, it is my fault that you suffered."
Jiang Yubi hugged her hard. Her lips quivered. "How could you say that it was your fault? How could you still take all the blame upon yourself? You actually did everything to save my life...I-I don't know how to repay this…"
Old Madam slowly patted her back. "There is nothing to repay between a mother and daughter."
Jiang Yubi sobbed harder.
After all these years, they were finally sharing their innermost feelings and pain.
Jiang Yubi was relieved that she never truly misunderstood her. She was indeed disappointed, at first, but she couldn't hate her because she didn't do anything to make her life miserable. She was glad that she didn't hate or she would have never been able to forgive herself for hating a woman who was only trying to save her family at every step of the way. All her decisions were not hers but of Jiang Shan's who was pulling the strings as if she was a puppet.
Old Madam wiped her cheeks. "So you-you will come back, right?" She was a little nervous.
Jiang Yubi smiled. "My mother is finally calling me back. How can I refuse? I was always, always waiting for this day to come."
"Thank you…" she whispered.
Jiang Yubi held her shoulders. "Don't worry about Jiang Shan anymore. You have Weizhe, Weiyuan, Li and Wei having your back. Nobody can force you to do anything against your wishes anymore. Your children and grandchildren are very strong."
"They will surely find Dad too and bring him back to you."
Weisheng…
Warm tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about her beloved. "R-really?"
After so many years, meeting Zhao Weisheng again was akin to a dream to her that might never come true. She could only willfully wish for it to happen.
Jiang Yubi firmly nodded. "Yes. Have faith in them. They will bring him back soon."
---
After Jiang Yubi came back to live in the villa with Weizhe, the family was truly united after a painful gap of almost thirty years. She was welcomed with a grand party that went on for a whole night. It was the most joyous occasion and celebration that ever happened in the Jiang villa.
Days peacefully passed by with investigations about Jiang Shan going on.
Finally, it was the day of Wei and Lihua's six months anniversary.
That particular morning felt even brighter and cheery to Lihua. She hugged Lihua, the cat and giggled. "Lihuaaaaa! Do you know what day it is today? It is my six months anniversary with Wei! I cannot believe that six months have passed since I came here...It feels as if it was just yesterday."
Lihua, the cat wasn't so interested in her happiness.
Glad to see you so happy but what does it have to do with my sleep? Don't disturb my sleep, human! Also, you are hugging me too hard.
Aish, a cat's life is so difficult…
Lihua laughed. "You are so cute! Hmm...I am wondering what gift I should give to Wei? He had prepared a whole island for me. What can I possibly give against something so incredible?" She sighed.
She rolled on the bed with Lihua, the cat.
Her phone buzzed, and she saw an unknown number.
"Who is this?" She mumbled.
"Hello?"
A strange voice came from the other end, "Jiang Wei is hiding something really important from you. Come at this address to know the truth behind your supposedly innocent husband who has been fooling you all this time."