In the evening, after Jian Shuxing returned from the company, he took Jian Yiling back to the old Jian family house. Jian Yiling's grandparents had already been informed of the events from the past few days, and they wanted Jian Shuxing to bring Jian Yiling back for a visit.
The situation with Jian Yunao was quite serious, as it affected his future, and Jian Shuxing did not hide any details from his parents.
The old patriarch and matriarch of the Jian family lived separately in the old family house, while their children had all moved out to establish their own lives. However, during important events or crises, the family would return to the old house to reunite.
Traveling to the old house took about half an hour by car. Upon arriving, the large black iron gate opened automatically, allowing their vehicle to enter the courtyard.
The Jian family house was a classic example of medieval European architecture, with its tall spires and elegant stonework. Inside, the elderly patriarch and matriarch had been waiting for some time. Despite being retired, Jian Laotai still exuded an air of authority. His hair was gray and thinning, and while he was lean, his health remained surprisingly robust, aside from some ailments that flared up on particularly bad weather days.
Jian Laotai's wife, the matriarch, also had gray hair but still carried herself with a dignified grace, emanating an aura of nobility.
As Jian Shuxing held Jian Yiling's hand and entered the house, Jian Laotai's wife immediately approached them, pulling Jian Yiling to her side affectionately.
"My little sweetheart, have you been scared?" the matriarch leaned down and comforted her.
"Mom, this time Yiling did something wrong," Jian Shuxing frowned, feeling that his mother's concern made it seem as though Yiling had been harmed.
Jian Laotai's wife dismissed him, "Stop talking nonsense. How could Yiling possibly have pushed someone down the stairs? Besides, that's her brother! How could she ever do something like that intentionally? They must have had a little argument, and he accidentally fell. How can you, as a father, say she did it on purpose? Yiling isn't that kind of bad child!"
Unlike Jian Shuxing, who was uncertain about his daughter, Jian Laotai's wife firmly believed in Jian Yiling's character. Having given birth to three sons and never having a daughter, she had always hoped for a little girl.
With no daughters of her own, she had to rely on her sons. To her dismay, all three of her sons had given her eight grandsons—none of whom were girls!
She was incredibly frustrated. When Jian Yiling was finally born, the news that she was a girl brought her immense joy. Naturally, this meant she had a special place in her heart for Jian Yiling compared to her other grandsons.
Whenever she had the chance, she would bring Jian Yiling to the old house, wanting to personally nurture her. Among all her grandchildren, Jian Yiling spent the most time with her grandmother, especially before turning five, when the matriarch had cared for her for half the time.
She felt a certain sense of pride in having raised this child. Although she could be spoiled and had a bit of a temper, the matriarch was confident that Jian Yiling was a good-hearted girl who would never do anything as cruel as pushing her brother down the stairs.
As for her temper, wasn't it acceptable for the only girl in the Jian family to be a bit spoiled?
Jian Shuxing sighed deeply. "Mom, you can't spoil Yiling like this. She did something wrong, and Warming and I are doing our best to discipline her. With you making such a fuss, it'll all be in vain!"
The matriarch didn't listen. "What's wrong with that? Are you implying that I'm not raising her well? Haven't I managed to raise you three just fine? Now that I'm older, am I suddenly incapable of guiding the children?"
"Mom, that's not what I meant…" Jian Shuxing struggled to explain, feeling frustrated. How had he suddenly become the ungrateful son in this discussion?
The conversation was growing more heated, and Jian Yiling stood quietly to the side, absorbing the tension in the room. She had always known that her family loved her, but the current situation felt overwhelming.
"Grandma, I really didn't mean to cause trouble," she finally spoke softly, trying to ease the atmosphere. "I just…"
But the matriarch interrupted, "It's alright, my dear. We all make mistakes. What's important is that you learn from them."
Jian Yiling felt a wave of warmth wash over her. Her grandmother's words were like a soothing balm on her worries.
"Let's all sit down and talk this through calmly," Jian Shuxing suggested, hoping to diffuse the tension.
As they moved to the living room, Jian Yiling felt a flicker of relief. In the warmth of her family's love, perhaps she could find a way to navigate through this storm. The old family house, with its familiar creaks and scents, felt like a refuge, even amidst the chaos.