"Dad, just listen to what Sister-in-law and Jiang Youli are saying... is that even human speech?" Qin Yulian was so angry her face flushed crimson, her chest heaving violently, feeling she was about to develop hyperplasia of the mammary glands from sheer fury!
Jiang Youli retorted without backing down, "When you don't act like humans, my mother and I naturally don't see the need to speak human language to you."
Qin Yulian glared, pointing a finger at Jiang Youli and scolding loudly, "Sister-in-law used to be such a gentle person, now she's been led astray by Jiang Youli and become completely unreasonable!"
Zhang Susu rebutted, "I was gentle before because I didn't want to fight with you all. But now I realize what a pack of ungrateful wolves you are. You probably secretly rejoiced for ages, thinking since Ah Han and I had no children, we wouldn't compete for the family assets. Now that Youli has become our daughter, and she's so outstanding, threatening you at every turn, you're starting to panic."
"Don't you dare slander us!" Qin Yulian's retort lacked conviction, yet she still had the nerve to speak against her conscience, "Sister-in-law, I've always felt sorry about you and Big Brother not having children, more regretful than you yourselves!"
"Hah? Really? Wasn't it you who kept calling me a hen that can't lay eggs?" Zhang Susu exposed her false sympathy.
Qin Yulian was left speechless by the retort. Just as she was about to argue back, Jiang Yangxu beside her quickly intervened, "Enough, stop dragging in irrelevant matters. We're here to discuss the car accident!"
Reminded by her husband, Qin Yulian seemed to snap out of a dream and hurriedly said, "Right! I didn't come here today to bicker with you! My son, Zhao'er, was severely injured by Jiang Youli's car and is still unconscious! The doctors say whether he'll wake up is still unknown! So no matter what, Jiang Youli must give us a satisfactory explanation today! If she can't, I'll make sure she pays with her blood!"
As she spoke, she struck a pose of being determined to achieve her goal.
Jiang Yehan's face was like still water, his gaze towards Jiang Yangxu icy as he said, "Regarding the previous evening gown incident, Jiang Zhao was at fault, but in the end, we left the decision on how to handle it to you and your wife. As for this car accident, without concrete evidence proving Youli acted intentionally, she, as the child of Susu and me, should also be dealt with by us, her parents."
Before her husband could speak, Qin Yulian, already furious beyond measure, pointed at Jiang Yehan and shouted, "How can you compare the severity of these two matters! It's uncertain if my son will even wake up! You think a flippant 'we'll handle it' is enough to protect Jiang Youli? Not a chance!"
Jiang Yehan did not back down, stating righteously, "In that case, the burden of proof lies with the accuser. If you want to prove Youli intentionally hit Jiang Zhao, you must provide solid evidence! The traffic police have already clearly stated that the brake system of the vehicle Youli was driving had been deliberately tampered with by someone. If not for that, this accident could very well have been just an ordinary mishap!"
Jiang Youli had surveillance footage, but she couldn't present it directly, as that would be tantamount to admitting she knew in advance about Jiang Zhao's tampering and thus intentionally hit him.
Therefore, she reminded them, "Grandfather could have the Chief Steward investigate at Mi Mi Zhi Xiang. There might be evidence there of Jiang Zhao tampering with my car's brakes."
Old Master Jiang nodded, turning to give the Chief Steward a meaningful glance. The Chief Steward nodded in understanding and went out to arrange the investigation.
Jiang Yangxu glanced sideways at the Chief Steward but said nothing.
He believed his son wasn't foolish enough to leave behind surveillance or other evidence if he was going to tamper with Jiang Youli's car.
So he wasn't worried about what the Chief Steward might find at Mi Mi Zhi Xiang.
Old Master Jiang said with a grave expression, "We'll wait for the Chief Steward's investigation results before I decide how this matter will be handled. It was one thing to cause a scene at home, but now you should stop making a disgraceful spectacle of yourselves with all this shouting in the hospital."
Though resentful, Qin Yulian shot a fierce glare at Jiang Youli and replied through gritted teeth, "Fine, Dad, I can wait. This time, I believe you will give Zhao'er a fair judgment! Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to call the police!"
She stomped her foot angrily and left Jiang Youli's hospital room.
Seeing this, Jiang Yonghe hurried to follow Qin Yulian, preparing to leave together. Jiang Xing had only taken a few steps when he heard Old Master Jiang's voice from behind, "Jiang Xing, wait a moment. I have something to discuss with you."
Jiang Xing paused, stopped, turned around, and nodded respectfully, "Yes, Grandfather."
Jiang Yangxu, who had been observing coldly from the side, furrowed his brows upon hearing the Old Master specifically detain his eldest son, filled with suspicion about what the Old Master wanted to say.
"Second Son, you may leave first," Old Master Jiang instructed further.
"Yes," Jiang Yangxu nodded and also left the room.
Zhang Susu looked somewhat nervously at her husband, Jiang Yehan.
Jiang Yehan gently patted the back of her hand, signaling her to stay calm.
After Jiang Yangxu and his family had all left, Old Master Jiang began solemnly, "Jiang Xing, Jiang Yonghe mentioned earlier that you went to Mi Mi Zhi Xiang today to meet someone crucial for the future development of Starlight Entertainment, named Li Li Yuan Shang, correct?"
Jiang Xing hadn't expected his grandfather to ask about this. He nodded, "Yes, Li Li Yuan Shang is a well-known online novelist. The TV adaptations of her first three novels were massive hits, with ratings far surpassing their contemporaries. So I wanted to try to acquire the copyright for her final novel. Yonghe said she knows a writer who is acquainted with Li Li Yuan Shang and could help arrange a meeting."
Old Master Jiang said, "And after the meeting, you discovered this novelist Li Li Yuan Shang is Youli?"
Jiang Xing nodded, "Mm-hmm."
Old Master Jiang continued, "Then Jiang Zhao believed this was a trap set up by Youli to embarrass you all?"
"Yes," Jiang Xing did not deny it.
"And what do you think?" Old Master Jiang asked him.
Jiang Xing was taken aback and answered truthfully, "To be honest, Grandfather, it's too much of a coincidence. I can't help but suspect she was deliberately playing us."
Old Master Jiang looked somewhat disappointed at Jiang Xing's answer. "At the welcome banquet, did you not witness with your own eyes the exceptional talent Youli displayed? The original piece she composed and performed on the spot easily surpassed your consistently outstanding adopted sister, Jiang Yonghe, whom you've always held in such high regard!"
Jiang Xing frowned, seemingly unconvinced. He argued, "Grandfather, a person's energy is ultimately limited. Even if one can excel remarkably in a specific field, it's impossible to be outstanding in everything."
However, Old Master Jiang remained completely unmoved. He snorted coldly and continued, "Jiang Yonghe was once called a talented lady precisely because she was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. So why is it impossible for Jiang Youli to possess so many outstanding talents?"
"She is different from Xiao He. Think of all the resources our Jiang family poured into Xiao He since childhood to cultivate her into such excellence. But Jiang Youli..." At this point, Jiang Xing paused, his gaze towards Jiang Youli filled with skepticism. "She grew up outside the family, raised in a village, to be honest. In my opinion, her performance at the welcome banquet was likely the peak of her abilities."
Old Master Jiang sighed in disappointment once more. "Have you forgotten? She is not only highly skilled at the piano and capable of original composition, but her medical skills are also profound. How do you explain that?"
