I Got Rich in Period Fiction-Chapter 348: Has the Conversation Turned Dark?

What was Qiao Qing saying that made her feel guilty, embarrassed, uncomfortable, and self-blaming?

He had achieved that, indeed he had, and now this was exactly how she felt. But what else could she do?

Should she turn herself in?

The police station wouldn’t care about this matter; it would only bring more shame to the He Family.

If Qiao Qing said apologies were meaningless, what could she do then? Repay He Xuerong with her life?

The more He Juanjuan thought about it, the more stifled she felt, the more extreme her thoughts became; suddenly, she flung open the door to the study.

The sound was loud; the living room was just outside, where several people had been chatting and laughing. But suddenly, they all fell silent and unanimously turned their gazes towards her.

She saw He Xuerong’s small figure hiding behind Qiao Qingyu.

He Juanjuan saw her father frowning, his eyes filled with repressed anger, his hands clenched. Was he still thinking of beating her?

Let him beat her, why not?

Qiao Qingyu knew something was wrong as soon as she saw He Juanjuan’s expression; why did it feel like she was ready to go down fighting with everyone?

She quickly turned to look at He Xiuyu, her eyes questioning. You’re the great scientist, the genius; didn’t you just go to have a heart-to-heart with your sister?

How did it turn out like this?

In terms of future terminology, how did this conversation turn so twisted?

He Juanjuan was never a deep thinker; all of her emotions were plainly visible on her face.

The first to grow angry was He Shan, because of his wife’s illness, her pleas, and more so because He Juanjuan was his daughter, He Xuerong his granddaughter; they were all He Family.

So, what could he do?

He had scolded and lectured, but he couldn’t bring himself to physically punish her.

She was, after all, a girl.

But besides that, he truly didn’t know how to make her learn her lesson.

So, he was simmering with rage inside, but to his surprise, He Juanjuan looked at everyone with resentful eyes, as if everyone had wronged her.

He Shan’s face turned iron blue as he coldly interrogated, "Comrade He Juanjuan, I want to ask you, who are you hating?"

He Juanjuan’s face was pale; she stood at the study’s doorway, lips clenched. Did she hate? Her mind was a little foggy; she didn’t even know if she hated, just that everything in front of her was very jarring.

In their presence, she felt like an outsider, completely out of place.

He Shan was nearly heartbroken, "I see you as beyond help now."

He Xiuyu actually wasn’t disappointed; you couldn’t expect that this talk would make He Juanjuan understand everything all at once—from her personality issues to her mother’s indulgence, and thirdly, the family’s neglect.

But she was an adult now; she had the responsibility to bear all the consequences of her wrongdoings.

From any perspective, He Juanjuan had no right to hurt He Xuerong.

He pursed his lips and then kept silent.

Old Lady He had never really liked He Juanjuan, and seeing her son finally show a rare stern attitude, she was pleased and would not interfere.

He Shan held back, but ultimately left He Juanjuan some dignity, just like last night when he hadn’t followed through with one or maybe even two slaps, he sternly rebuked, "He Juanjuan, go to your room and reflect."

He Juanjuan’s lips moved slightly.

Then, without looking at anyone, she ran upstairs; seconds later, everyone heard the sound of her room door slamming shut overhead.

He Shan looked down at his little granddaughter by his side and guiltily said, "Rongrong, grandpa is sorry to you, and to your dad."

"Grandpa, why do you need to say sorry to me!"

"Because it’s all Grandpa’s fault."

"Aunt is also an adult now. If she’s made mistakes, she should have the courage to take responsibility. Why do all of you have to apologize for her?" He Xuerong asked, puzzled.

He Shan was at a loss for words.

The reason adults had to apologize on behalf of He Juanjuan was that He Juanjuan hadn’t realized her mistake yet.

If she had realized it, she wouldn’t have looked that way just earlier; if she had realized it, she shouldn’t have looked at Rongrong the way she did.

Then He Xuerong smiled, "So, Grandpa, you shouldn’t say sorry to me anymore because I won’t forgive Aunt."

Everyone was stunned, even Old Lady He hurriedly said, "Rongrong, we’re all family after all. Don’t hold a grudge."

"Granny, I’m not holding a grudge. I don’t forgive her, but I haven’t said I hate her. I don’t even hate my mother, let alone Aunt."

He Shan looked at He Xuerong with a complicated expression.

He thought about what his son had told him this morning.

Though it was a trivial matter, it was definitely not insignificant for the He Family.

Nobody could find a good solution.

He Juanjuan was radical and stubborn, while He Xuerong had a good memory and was clever and quick-witted.

So it had to stay this way.

He Shan rubbed his face. His heart was tired.

After all, he had been too neglectful in his role as the head of the family, and he had failed miserably.

When his eldest son came back, he truly had no words.

He told He Xiuyu, "Don’t talk to your older brother about this matter. I’ll handle it."

He Xuerong quickly said, "Don’t tell my dad, he’ll worry. I don’t forgive Aunt, but I don’t hate her either."

So, this young lady somehow made the situation very contradictory yet seemingly appropriate.

Qiao Qingyu followed Granny He to the kitchen to help.

Unexpectedly, before she could even lend a hand, He Xiuyu stood at the doorway and said, "Qingyu, mom is calling you upstairs."

Granny He didn’t expect Meng Siqi to cause trouble at this time. She smiled, "Go upstairs, your mom must need something."

Qiao Qingyu followed He Xiuyu upstairs, but as they passed He Juanjuan’s room, faint crying sounds could be heard.

He Xiuyu frowned slightly and glanced in the direction of his sister’s room.

However, he promptly led Qiao Qingyu into the room without delay.

Meng Siqi looked fine, the glass window was very bright, and the warm sunlight streamed in, making her pale face seem much softer.

She saw her son come in as well and smiled, guessing that he must be worried she would make things difficult for Qiao Qingyu.

How could she possibly make it difficult for her?

The house was already chaotic enough.

Her head started to ache again.

But it was much better than yesterday.

Meng Siqi smiled and opened a box that was sitting nearby.

The sun shone just right, illuminating a collection of gold jewelry, dazzling to the eyes.

"Qingyu, this jewelry is for you. Each of my sons has a set. Actually, I should have given it to you earlier. I’m sorry it’s late, don’t be upset with mom."

He Xiuyu reached out, took the box, and let Qiao Qingyu look inside, saying, "I knew about this. There are also two rings here, but let’s set them aside for now."

Meng Siqi glanced at the hands of the two, only then noticing that although the rings they wore were different sizes, the material and design were surprisingly identical.