Having lived for most of her life, the old lady had long seen through the evils of human nature. Thus, even for a simple request, she had nurous concerns, always thinking of the people she cared about.
"Hehe, thank you for the reminder, Old Madam. I was too anxious and didn’t think about having a servant bring the clothes over." Su Aiping suddenly smiled, cursing the old woman inwardly, yet maintaining her calm façade.
"Go on in."
The old lady didn’t know what Su Aiping was plotting, but after hearing her sowhat strained explanation, she felt even more that Su Aiping’s motives were impure. Thus, she had no interest in chatting with her.
"Alright, I’ll head in then." Su Aiping’s smile did not appear stiff at all. She nodded slightly and then took the lead, walking forward.
Once inside, Su Aiping instinctively searched for Mu Hongwen’s figure. After scanning half the room, she quickly spotted him engrossed in the chessboard while sitting on the living room sofa.
Suddenly, Su Aiping’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt extrely nervous, though she had no solutions. Hence, she pretended to be nonchalant as she walked upstairs, quietly observing the situation.
As the saying goes: every family has its own troubles, and wealthy families naturally have more disputes. Although the Mu Family’s relationships were harmonious and not overly complicated, it didn’t an there were no impure motives. In the old lady’s view, Su Aiping was just such a person.
Since relinquishing control of the Shen, the old lady rarely appeared in public. On the surface, she seed to be living a peaceful retirent, indifferent to worldly matters. In reality, she still paid close attention to every developnt in the Shen and kept an eye on the social dynamics.
According to the old lady, Su Aiping was the youngest daughter of the Su Family, cherished and pampered since childhood. Hence, she was arrogant and was never really liked by Mu Hongwen. Yet, this loveless marriage had lasted for more than thirty years.
Over thirty years ago, the Su Family was one of the most prominent families in Jin City, outshining the Mu Family in all aspects. The marriage between the Mu and Su Families was a union of interests, and their grand wedding had been the talk of the town.
However, thirty years passed, and forty more, the Su Family’s business dwindled due to poor managent. Without the Mu Family’s support, the Su Family might have already declined. Su Aiping naturally spent considerable effort in navigating through relationships and had been tirelessly helping her natal family for over twenty years. Therefore, Su Aiping held significant authority in her family, making almost all decisions.
Su Aiping had two brothers, who were useless and promiscuous, further dwindling the family business while their population grew. Each brother had about five or six children and had been married five or six tis. Their current wives were even younger than their own daughters, inevitably causing scandals wherever they went. Yet, they felt proud, truly unique flowers!
As for Su Aiping, at least she seed more respectable than her two brothers, regarded as a significant figure under the Mu Family’s halo. Over thirty years of marriage, Su Aiping and Mu Hongwen had only one child. Naturally, she should have doted on this child, but strangely, Su Aiping didn’t seem to like her child, usually bringing her natal family’s nephews along while rarely interacting with her own son.
It’s said that Su Aiping’s son, Mu Shaolei, was sent abroad for schooling at the age of seven. He’s rarely returned ho since elentary school, and Su Aiping seldom visited him. This led to speculation that Mu Shaolei was not actually Su Aiping’s son, which explained her indifference toward him.
But the truth remained a mystery, with outsiders unable to confirm. The Mu Family never disclosed anything, and others could never get an accurate answer. The old lady also wasn’t one to gossip about others’ affairs; accidental overhearings were just that, and she’d never delve deeper or gossip. However, matters concerning her family were different. She would never turn a blind eye, even to the smallest of issues.
After Su Aiping left, the old lady deliberately slowed her pace and only asked casually when she was further away, "Jingjing, how did you et Aiping?"
"I ran into her before at the hospital when visiting Xing’er. Mrs. Su seed very nice; she even sent a big box of seafood to last ti." Mi Jing smiled as she spoke.
Upon hearing this, the old lady looked up at Su Aiping, who had already entered the house, and then asked again, appearing sowhat disinterested, "She sent you seafood after just one eting?"
"Not exactly. After eting at the hospital, she ca to my shop. She wasn’t feeling well that day, so she rested for a while before leaving. Afterward, to thank , Mrs. Su specially sent a large box of seafood to my shop." Mi Jing did not think anything was amiss, smiled slightly, and spoke honestly.
t once and then found Jingjing’s shop? Followed by a seafood gift and asking Jingjing to drive her ho, wasn’t it clear her motives weren’t pure?
Yet, this silly girl didn’t see anything unusual and considered Su Aiping to be very kind!
After a brief silence, the old lady suddenly smiled lightly without revealing much and said softly, "It seems Aiping quite likes you."
"Maybe she finds familiar. Mrs. Su said I resemble her friend’s daughter." Mi Jing, sotis a bit careless, did not sense the hidden aning in the old lady’s words and continued to speak for herself.
"It seems you two are quite fated." As she said this, the old lady’s face still carried a smile, but her gaze was deep, making it hard to discern what she was thinking.
In the living room, Mu Hongwen was intently studying the ongoing chess ga. Suddenly, he vaguely heard soone talking and looked toward the door.
"Old Madam."
Seeing the old lady enter, Mu Hongwen imdiately stood up and respectfully went to greet her.
"Hongwen, did you know I was coming? The chessboard is already set." The old lady glanced at the chessboard on the coffee table and said with a smile.
"No, I just had a half-match with my brother." Mu Hongwen helped the old lady in an unusually gentle manner, showing a rare mild smile, "But your timing is perfect, I was just missing an opponent."
"That’s good." The old lady suddenly beca energetic, her smile growing brighter, even her eyes shining with vigor.
Chess was one of the old lady’s great hobbies. When the old master of the Shen Family was still alive, he was her favorite chess companion. After his passing, the old lady lost both her loving husband and a like-minded partner. Since then, she rarely had anyone to play chess with her.
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