She added, "But the Jiang Group can. I must firmly grasp the power of being the Jiang family's mistress, and I must earn back what belongs to Jiangsu, even if it takes the rest of my life."
Mayor Jiang frowned at his wife's words. "Aihua, you are not allowed to have any contact with the Gao family in the future."
"Why?"
Mayor Jiang looked at his wife's injured face. He wanted to blame her, but instead, he felt more heartache. "Silly, you're being used by others, and you don't even realize it."
...
The next day, Gu Nuannuan got up from the sofa early, and Jiang Chenyu also rose. "If you want to go to the Gu family house, I'll take you there."
"No, if we go too early, my parents will get suspicious."
Jiang Chenyu watched her busying herself. She changed her clothes and packed her pajamas in the suitcase.
It had been like this for the past few days.
Seeing her inconvenience, Jiang Chenyu even had the urge to let her put her clothes in the cloakroom.
But soon, he dismissed the thought.
Her inconvenience was her own business, and it had nothing to do with him.
While they were having breakfast, Wei Aihua and Mayor Jiang were not at home.
Old Jiang knew what had happened the previous day. Although he wasn't happy with Gu Nuannuan's behavior, he understood that he couldn't find fault with her, so he didn't scold her.
At the table, no one spoke, as was his rule.
In the morning, Gao Rouer came to the Jiang family. Old Jiang had a headache, so he ordered the servants to coax her away.
In the afternoon, Wei Aihua returned.
This time, she came back with sharp eyes, staring at Gu Nuannuan.
Gu Nuannuan met her gaze head-on.
When Old Jiang saw his eldest daughter-in-law return, his attitude softened.
He did not mention anything about asking his eldest daughter-in-law to apologize to the Gu family.
Old Jiang privately thought that his eldest son was the mayor, and his eldest daughter-in-law was the mayor's wife. It would be embarrassing for her to lower herself and apologize to a commoner with minor connections.
What he had said yesterday was a moment of impulsiveness. After reflecting on it overnight, he decided to let the matter fade away.
So, the Jiang family tacitly agreed to drop the issue.
No one mentioned it again.
However, Gu Nuannuan was stubborn, and she would not forget what had happened.
The Jiang family enjoyed two more days of peace. Wei Aihua's facial injury had slightly healed. While on her way to dinner, she and Gu Nuannuan crossed paths once more.
"Gu Nuannuan, I will make sure you pay for the injury on my face one day," Wei Aihua said.
Gu Nuannuan, unfazed, responded calmly, "You still owe my parents an apology."
"Let them wait for the next life. Father's meaning is very clear. He won't make me lower myself to apologize for this matter. They'll just have to swallow their anger. Gu Nuannuan, you need to know your place in the Jiang family."
"Alright, I will know my place. Just you wait and see."
"Know your place, right?" Gu Nuannuan smiled to herself.
She headed to the restaurant.
Recently, with all the events happening at home, Mayor Jiang and his brothers, including Jiang Chenyu, made it a point to come home early after work.
Jiang Chenyu returned home more regularly than before.
He never told anyone, but he alone knew that during the past few days, whenever he wasn't home for lunch, his heart would race. Though he was eating, the food felt tasteless, as his mind kept wandering, worrying if Gu Nuannuan would cause trouble at the Gu family home again.
He often checked his phone during lunch, and when he saw a call from home, his heart pounded more violently than usual.
It wasn't just him—Mayor Jiang felt the same way.
That morning, he had specifically told Wei Aihua not to argue with Gu Nuannuan again.
Wei Aihua had done well over the past two days, but once she realized that Old Jiang's heart was leaning toward her, she became arrogant and even wanted to humiliate Gu Nuannuan again.