The mother of the Jiang family looked at her husband's aged appearance, his hair half white, a stark contrast to the vibrant man he once was. Looking at herself, her body was worn down, her face crooked. Thinking of these things, she was overcome with grief. She rushed forward, hugging her husband and weeping uncontrollably.
The grievances and hardships of this period had almost crushed her. It was only with the support of her family that she had managed to endure.
Tears also streamed down the father's face. He had never imagined that the wealth he believed he possessed was so fragile, vanishing overnight and even causing his family to suffer alongside him.
Jiang Yan felt a bit embarrassed, realizing she was becoming increasingly bold in front of Jin Lan. She turned to comfort her parents, while Ye Wan helped pack their belongings.
After calming down, Father and Mother Jiang held hands and sat on the sofa. Father Jiang patted his wife's hand and looked at his youngest daughter with a particularly complex expression. He said, "Yan Yan, you've worked hard recently."
"Dad, this is what I should do. As long as you can be out, it's enough that we are all safe," Jiang Yan's tears fell uncontrollably.
The greatest contributor to the Jiang family's safety was Jin Lan. Without him, Father Jiang would certainly not have been released, and even after sentencing, he would be able to recuperate at home.
However, the responsibility of supporting the family would now fall on the daughter, who was currently just a student.
Father Jiang was worried. His youngest daughter had a cheerful and carefree nature. He didn't know what price had been paid for his release, and the thought of it pained him immensely.
Once the packing was mostly done, it was lunchtime. Jin Lan had the restaurant deliver food, and the five of them shared a meal.
After eating, Father Jiang expressed a desire to speak with Jin Lan alone. The two men went to the study, and after about half an hour, Jin Lan emerged, smiling, clearly having had a good conversation with Father Jiang.
With nothing else pressing, Ye Wan prepared to leave. Jin Lan offered to escort her, and they departed together.
Jiang Yan watched their car drive away before returning inside. Mother Jiang took her daughter's hand and said, "Jin Lan is a good man. You must hold onto him tightly. Our family's affairs have all relied on him to reach this point. Otherwise, your father would truly have spent several years inside."
Mother Jiang was worried that her daughter might be too headstrong and offend Jin Lan, as he was now their family's only lifeline.
In the future, Jin Lan might also be useful for the elder daughter and son's careers or entrepreneurial endeavors.
"Mom, what do you mean by that? Are you asking me to sell myself to him?" Jiang Yan felt displeased hearing her mother's words.
Her mother had ultimately not blamed her for her sister's situation, but Jiang Yan was angry. She had lied to the family for money before, when the family was indeed wealthy. But later, knowing the family had fallen into hardship and trouble, she not only didn't return but also stole her mother's last possessions, which had truly chilled her.
"Mom, this house is mine. Even if Jiang Huan comes back, I don't want her living here," Jiang Yan said.
"She's your sister, how can you speak like that? Besides, the house is so big, why can't you give her a room?" Mother Jiang frowned.
"It's my house, and I decide. If I say no, then no," Jiang Yan replied, leaving to avoid further discussion with her mother.
Mother Jiang was greatly angered. She felt Jiang Yan was becoming increasingly unfeeling. She had always been willful and disobedient, and now, with a house to her name, she had become even more extreme.