"That's simple. My father is the team leader now; transferring her registration is just a word from him." Yang Dafu agreed readily.
"Good, it's settled then." Mu Jingmei said firmly.
"Then we now..." Yang Dafu looked at Mu Jingmei, her fair skin tinged with pink and her lovely face, feeling his desires stir. He instinctively leaned in again.
This time, Mu Jingmei didn't dodge. Instead, she raised her hand to block Yang Dafu's approaching mouth.
"Such matters are more meaningful when saved for the wedding night."
"Alright then. I'll have my father arrange things as soon as possible. For now, you can stay at my place." Yang Dafu thought it over and felt Mu Jingmei's words made sense.
He had waited this long; a few more days wouldn't matter.
"Alright." The expression on Mu Jingmei's face softened slightly.
"..."
Meanwhile, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi'an had already returned to Qinghe Fishing Village.
At the Mu household, Mu Deyi was still bedridden. Mu's mother's eyes were swollen, and Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian had been keeping vigil by Mu Deyi's side.
Seeing Mu Shi'an return, they all stood up.
Mu's mother even peered behind them. Not seeing Mu Jingmei, she quickly asked.
"Where's Jingmei? Didn't you find her?"
"I found her." Mu Shi'an replied somberly.
"If you found her, why didn't you bring her back?" Mu's mother's tone was urgent.
"Do you know where she is now?" Mu Shi'an fixed his burning gaze on her.
"She... where is she?" A sense of foreboding rose in Mu's mother's heart.
"She's at Yang Dafu's house." Mu Shi'an looked at his mother, enunciating each word clearly.
"This... this can't be. Your sister couldn't possibly do such a thing..." Mu's mother found it hard to believe.
Hearing this, Mu Deyi on the bed was so angry he started coughing violently.
Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian hurriedly fetched water and patted his back.
"Mom, do you really think I would lie about something like this?" Mu Shi'an's voice was heavy.
"I..." Mu's mother was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I asked her three times if she wanted to come back with me. Each time she said no. It seems she's dead set on marrying Yang Dafu. If you don't believe me, you can go find her yourself." On the journey back, Mu Shi'an had already calmed his emotions.
"No, she can't marry that Yang Dafu. That man's character is no good, regardless of his looks. He even tried to force a marriage before and resorted to violence. Your sister can't marry him. Go bring her back, even if you have to tie her up and drag her back." Mu's mother's voice trembled with a sob.
"I won't go again." Mu Shi'an refused outright.
"Shi'an, she's your own sister..." Mu's mother's eyes were full of disbelief.
"Precisely because she's my own sister, I made this trip. She knows full well how Yang Dafu persecuted our family before. She knows what sacrifices we all made to save her. Yet she insists on marrying him regardless. It can only mean she has never truly considered us family."
"For a sister who is so ungrateful, who can't even distinguish between enemy and family, do you think I should continue to look after her?" Every word from Mu Shi'an struck at Mu's mother's heart, making her legs feel weak.
"Jingmei, my Jingmei... how did she become like this..." Mu's mother clutched her chest, tears flowing uncontrollably again.
"Because of you." Mu Shi'an said, word by word.
"What?" Mu's mother was momentarily stunned, even forgetting to cry.
"Because you never taught her, from childhood, about propriety, shame, what should be done and what shouldn't. You thought you gave her a lot of love, but your love was indulgence. As a result, she only knows how to take and understands nothing about giving."
"When our family was well-off, it wasn't apparent because everyone indulged her. We gave her whatever she liked or wanted."
"She was the beneficiary, so you thought she was well-behaved and obedient. But once circumstances changed, and she couldn't get what she wanted from us, her mindset shifted."
"She wouldn't think she was being greedy and insatiable. She would only think we were incapable, that we had failed her."
"So when someone showed her attention, promised her more, regardless of whether they were an enemy or a scoundrel, she was willing to go with them."
"Because all she cares about is what she can get for herself, with no regard for how those around her get hurt." Mu Shi'an's words were harsh, so harsh that Mu's mother could barely stand.
She staggered several steps before bracing herself against the wall to steady herself.
"You're saying... it's all my fault?" Mu's mother's voice trembled.
"Yes. A child's misbehavior is the father's fault. Jingmei was always under your guidance. Do you think you bear no responsibility for how she turned out? Even Haoxuan and Yongnian are more sensible than her."
"I tried to persuade you before, to let Jingmei live with Grandpa and me, but you refused. You said she was the only one left by your side, that you could raise her well. But look at what you've raised." These were words Mu Shi'an had long wanted to say to his mother.
He had held back until now due to his role as a son, but he couldn't bear it any longer.
Otherwise, his mother would never understand where she went wrong and might even blame others for leading Mu Jingmei astray.
Mu's mother opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found she couldn't utter a word.
Mu Shi'an had grown up with his grandfather. Haoxuan and Yongnian were similar. Only Jingmei had always stayed by her side.
Was it really her fault?
Did she really spoil Jingmei?
But she only wanted her to live comfortably, not to suffer and feel helpless like she did in her own childhood.
"I will be responsible for Haoxuan and Yongnian from now on. I will also take care of any problems for you and Dad in the future. As for Jingmei, she is an adult. She has the right to choose the life she wants. Whether the path she chooses leads to a road strewn with flowers or one covered in thorns, I will not intervene again." Having said this, Mu Shi'an turned and left.
Mu's mother slowly slid down the wall to sit on the floor, then hugged her knees, weeping uncontrollably.
Mu Haoxuan, seeing his mother cry so bitterly, hesitated for a moment before walking over. He pulled out a slightly crumpled handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.
"Mom, wipe your tears."
Mu's mother slowly looked up. Seeing the small boy before her, her tears fell even harder.
On the bed, Mu Deyi closed his eyes again. The corners of his eyes were also damp, and his chest rose and fell heavily, but he said nothing.
He had long seen that his daughter was spoiled. He had originally thought they could take their time to correct her, never expecting she would cause such a major incident.
