Jiang Da intended to send the old lady away—
Within half a day, this news reached Jiang Hua and Jiang Teng.
It was the old lady herself who called to complain—
“My second son! How could life be so hard on your mother? I just wanted to make up for how I neglected your older brother in the past and spend some time together as mother and son, but now… your brother, he…”
At the time, Jiang Hua was in a meeting. Hearing this, he paused, got up, left the conference room, and stopped in the hallway, his brow furrowed. “Mom, explain clearly—what did my older brother do?”
“Your older brother wants to kick me out! He won’t let me stay anymore! I’ve never been so wronged in my life. You and A-Teng are such good kids, so why is he the heartless one?!”
“What?!” Jiang Hua was shocked. “Big Brother is kicking you out?!”
How was that even possible?
When it came to filial piety, no one could compare to his brother back in the day. Not only did he hand over all his earnings to the old lady, but he also never said “no” to any of her requests.
Compared to their younger brother’s smooth-talking flattery, Jiang Da was the one who toiled without complaint.
“Is there… some kind of misunderstanding here?”
The old lady retorted, “What misunderstanding could there be?! He admitted it himself—he has to choose between me and Han Yunru, and he chose that brazen woman!”
Jiang Hua’s frown deepened, his tone lowering. “Mom, don’t say things like that. Eldest Sister-in-law isn’t that kind of person.”
“Did I say something wrong?! That Han Yunru is nothing but a brazen seductress who’s stolen your brother’s soul!”
“Please don’t worry. I’ll head over right now.”
Jiang Hua instructed his secretary and then called his wife, Yang Jinqiu, who was at home. The two of them rushed over to Yutian Huafu.
On the other end, as soon as the old lady hung up, she immediately dialed her youngest son.
Jiang Teng hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet. Hearing his phone ring, he grumbled a bit, grabbed it, and answered. “Hello… it’s so early…”
“Ah Teng, it’s your mother.” The old lady’s voice carried a trace of sobbing.
“Mom?!” Jiang Teng sat up immediately, his sleepiness vanishing. “What happened?!”
“Your older brother wants to kick me out—”
“Hah?!” Jiang Teng felt like he was still dreaming.
Is this some kind of joke? Big Brother kicking out Mom?
Is it raining red?
The old lady repeated her grievances, first condemning Jiang Da’s cruelty, then cursing Han Yunru as a temptress.
The words she used were as harsh as possible.
Even Liu Shuting, who was quietly listening nearby, almost couldn’t hold back.
After the call ended, she burst out, “What nonsense is your mother talking about? We’re all women here; does she realize who she’s insulting with words like ‘shameless’ and ‘hussy’?”
Jiang Teng quickly calmed her down. “Take it easy, take it easy. She wasn’t talking about you…”
Liu Shuting sneered, “She’s not talking about me now, but who knows about the future? After all, I’m a daughter-in-law of the Jiang family just like your sister-in-law. The way she insults her today is exactly how she’ll insult me tomorrow!”
“There’s no way! My mom dotes on you; she wouldn’t dream of insulting you.” Jiang Teng humbled himself to placate her.
Liu Shuting scoffed. Thinking about it, she realized she had the support of her own family, unlike her sister-in-law, who had no one to rely on. The old lady could bully her as she wished.
She sighed, feeling a little sorry for her sister-in-law…
“Get dressed. Let’s go.”
“Where to?” Liu Shuting asked.
“To Yutian Huafu! Big Brother wants to kick Mom out; the three of us brothers need to settle this in person. Otherwise, who’s going to take care of Mom? You? Or Second Sister-in-law?”
“No way! I won’t take care of the old lady! And don’t bring her here. I wouldn’t feel comfortable, even if you hire a caretaker.”
Jiang Teng nodded. “I agree; Mom tends to meddle too much. It’d be best to avoid getting involved.”
Liu Shuting was pleased.
She feared that living under the same roof as that sharp-tongued, difficult old woman would take years off her life!
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s make sure she stays at Big Brother’s house.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll get dressed right away…”
Jiang Hua and Jiang Teng’s cars arrived at the complex almost at the same time.
The security guard approached, assuming a professional attitude. “Please scan your access card.”
Jiang Hua replied, “We’re not residents; we’re just here to see someone.”
Jiang Teng nodded hastily in agreement.
The security guard asked, “Do you have an appointment?”
“An appointment?” Jiang Hua was taken aback.
What on earth? An appointment?
Jiang Teng was equally puzzled. Last time, their mother had swiped her card, so they hadn’t been stopped like this.
It was embarrassing to be stuck outside.
The security guard explained, “You should’ve scheduled a visit with the resident in advance, so they could notify us. Only then can we let you in.”
Uh…
“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
The security guard replied, “Of course! This is the most exclusive villa area in Linhuai, with fully enforced security. Uninvited guests aren’t allowed inside. This—” He looked at the barrier in front of their cars. “—is only the first checkpoint.”
Jiang Teng’s face fell.
The guard’s tone implied that those without an access card were nobodies.
He’d always enjoyed a successful life. He couldn’t believe he’d hit a wall like this.
Liu Shuting was also feeling extremely uncomfortable.
She prided herself on her privileged upbringing and often considered herself a lady of high society. Being blocked at a villa entrance, looking like a fool, was something she never imagined.
Jiang Hua, however, remained calm. Though he wasn’t happy, he kept a neutral expression and immediately called Jiang Da—
“Big Brother, we’re here… at the entrance. Could you please ask the security to let us in? … Thanks.”
As soon as the call ended, the phone at the guard’s booth rang. “Hello? Brother Jiang? Oh, yes, yes… Since you’re asking personally, there’s no need for formalities. I’ll let them through… Oh, you’re too kind…”
The security guard, who was now all smiles, spoke obsequiously, a stark contrast to his previous arrogant demeanor.
For the first time, Jiang Hua and Jiang Teng felt firsthand the pressure of their older brother’s status.
Apparently, just one house was enough to make them feel like nobodies in front of Jiang Da.
The security guard wore a welcoming smile, one he only showed because of Jiang Da. “Alright, go right in…”
The families arrived at the villa, where the old lady’s wailing could be heard from inside.
Jiang Da sat on the sofa, silently observing.
Han Yunru sat beside him, looking uneasy and staying quiet.
From the second floor, Jiang Fuyue stood watching the scene, getting the best view.
Her younger brother was with her, standing on tiptoe, imitating her stance.
“Sister, will Grandma be taken away?”
Jiang Fuyue shrugged. “I don’t know. It depends on Dad’s stance.”
“But… hasn’t everyone in our family always listened to you and Mom?”
Dad was usually the last one to have a say, so why was this time dependent on him?
Jiang Fuyue replied, “Some things can only be solved by Dad, and we can’t interfere.”
“Like what?”
“You’ll understand once you grow up and marry someone.”
Ah, the eternal challenge of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships—a universal puzzle no man can escape.
It was all up to Jiang Da to figure it out…
“Big Brother! What’s going on? You’re kicking Mom out?!” Jiang Teng was the first to speak, questioning him.
Jiang Da looked up at him, a slight smirk forming on his face. “Kick out? Mom told you that, didn’t she?”
Jiang Hua and Jiang Teng exchanged glances—yes, it was exactly what the old lady had said.
“I didn’t kick her out. I simply suggested that she return home. I think that would be more convenient for her, for us, and for both your families.”
The old lady raised her voice. “Listen to that! Just listen! Isn’t that the same as kicking me out?!”
Jiang Teng frowned. “Big Brother, that’s not right. What’s wrong with letting Mom stay with you? This big villa is spacious and comfortable; why can’t we enjoy it together?”
Jiang Da shook his head. “Mom doesn’t seem happy living here. Otherwise, she wouldn’t keep taking out her frustrations on Ah Ru.”
“Taking out her frustrations?” Jiang Hua spoke up, asking, “Mom, what did you do to Eldest Sister-in-law?”
Jiang Da calmly recounted all the ways the old lady had been harsh toward his wife, finishing with: “…Since Mom is so unhappy that she’s venting her anger on others, for the sake of her well-being, I think my home is no longer suitable for her to stay.”
Jiang Hua turned to the old lady: “Mom! Is what Big Brother said true? Have you really been treating Sister-in-law like that…”
The old lady stiffened her neck and retorted sharply, “I haven’t! He’s making it up! I’m in a wheelchair now; it’s only natural for Han Yunru to take care of me. How does that make me a burden to her?!”
Little did she realize, the louder her voice and the more intense her reaction, the more it revealed her guilty conscience.
Seeing this, Jiang Hua quickly grasped the situation.
“In that case, it might be better for Mom to return home…”
Jiang Da added, “I’ll hire a caregiver specifically to look after her.”
Noticing Jiang Hua’s wavering stance, Jiang Teng clenched his teeth and countered, “But a caregiver is an outsider. Can they really provide the care she needs?”
Jiang Hua frowned, clearly uncertain.
Still, Jiang Da remained firm.
Jiang Teng’s eyes darted as he tried a new approach: “Besides, Mom would surely prefer staying with her own son and daughter-in-law, wouldn’t she?”
