Meng Jiao lowered her head and ate her meal in silence.
Meng Feifei, oh Meng Feifei, you truly are your mother’s daughter, always knowing exactly what topics to avoid.
However, after what happened this afternoon, Lin Hanqiao and Meng Pengtao would likely lay low for a while.
But this suited her just fine. She still needed some time to find more concrete evidence before she left the Meng family for the countryside.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
She needed to hurry.
But before she could take any action, Meng Jianhua found her first.
After dinner, Meng Jiao excused herself to pack her luggage and returned to her room.
She locked the door, eager to carefully study the dimension.
Following her memories from her previous life, she concentrated and silently thought about entering.
The next second, her vision blurred, and she found herself in a wondrous place.
The area was about ten square meters, surrounded by mist with no visible boundaries.
Though there was no light source in the dimension, it was as bright as daylight.
The air was fresh, carrying a faint scent of grass and trees that lifted her spirits.
“So this is the dimension Grandmother left behind…”
Meng Jiao excitedly looked around.
The dimension was empty except for a familiar small sandalwood box placed right in the center.
It was identical to the one Grandmother had left her!
Meng Jiao walked over and opened the box.
Inside were no gold, silver, or jewels—only a letter with bold, powerful handwriting on the envelope.
It was Grandmother’s writing…
Meng Jiao’s heart raced as she carefully picked up the letter and unfolded it.
The paper was slightly yellowed, indicating Grandmother had written it long ago.
“My dear Jiaojiao, with your intelligence, I believe you will surely discover the bracelet’s secret.
By the time you read this letter, Grandmother may already be gone. Don’t be sad—Grandmother has simply gone to another place.
This bracelet is a treasure passed down from Grandmother’s maternal family, containing this small world within. Once it recognizes its owner, it will connect with your mind and spirit, making it unusable by others. Even if the carrier is damaged, the dimension will not disappear.
I left it to you in hopes that it will protect you. You can store items in the dimension, and they will remain fresh. You can also enter it yourself, which may help you avoid danger in critical moments.
Additionally, Grandmother needs to tell you something…”
In the latter part of the letter, Grandmother’s handwriting became slightly rushed, revealing a shocking secret.
She suspected that Meng Pengtao and Lin Hanqiao had an improper relationship and might be secretly transferring the Meng family’s assets! She had accidentally overheard them arguing, mentioning account books and seals, but due to lack of concrete evidence and concern for the Meng family’s reputation and her son Meng Liyang’s feelings, she had never spoken up.
“Jiaojiao, Grandmother knows you are a clever child. If they behave themselves, so be it. But if they harbor ill intentions and attempt to harm the Meng family’s interests or bully you and your father, you must find a way to gather evidence and present it to your grandfather or a trusted elder!
Grandmother left an old diary in the secret compartment at the bottom of the box for your reference. Remember, protect yourself!”
After reading the letter, Meng Jiao’s eyes welled up with tears, her heart filled with both shock and anger.
Grandmother had already suspected something, but why didn’t she tell Grandfather?
Of course—Grandfather would only care about the family’s reputation. Such unethical matters were something he would subconsciously refuse to believe.
She clenched her fists, her gaze turning resolute.
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I will find the evidence and never let their treacherous schemes succeed!”
When the Meng family first started their business and acquired a factory, most of the startup capital came from Grandmother’s dowry.
Grandfather didn’t involve himself in these matters, and Meng Liyang, not wanting conflict between brothers, handed over full management to Meng Pengtao.
Despite Meng Pengtao’s hard work, he lacked Meng Liyang’s natural talent.
Fearing the factory would return to Meng Liyang after Grandfather’s passing, he conspired with Lin Hanqiao to orchestrate everything.
These details were personally revealed by Meng Feifei right before her death in her previous life—there was no mistake about it.
Three days was still too tight, but she could obtain evidence for Meng Liyang and Grandfather. With Grandmother’s diary in hand, their schemes would fail.
Just as she was immersed in the excitement of finding a clue, her door was gently knocked.
Meng Jiao immediately slipped outa of her dimension, carefully hid the letter, and went to open the door.
Standing outside was Meng Jianhua, reeking of alcohol.
He leaned against the doorframe, gazing at her with drunken eyes, still holding that silver flask.
“Dad… do you need something?” Meng Jiao stepped aside.
Meng Jianhua staggered into the room, casually closing the door behind him. Though drunk, a glimmer of clarity shone in his eyes.
He lowered his voice, “You’ve got quite the nerve, sneaking around on the third floor this afternoon.”
Meng Jiao’s heart tightened, but she feigned composure, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Meng Jianhua snorted dismissively and took a swig of liquor.
“Don’t play dumb with me, kid. Your tricks won’t fool me. Listen to your cheap dad here—some matters aren’t for a child to meddle in. The water runs deep; be careful not to drown.”
His tone carried a warning, but more than that, concern.
Meng Jiao looked at him, knowing this makeshift father genuinely cared for her.
But she couldn’t back down.
“I just want to fulfill Grandmother’s last wishes.”
She lifted her head, her gaze clear and resolute.
“I can’t stand by and watch Grandmother’s hard work, and the Meng family, be ruined by certain people.”
Meng Jianhua stared at her for a long moment before sighing, “Stubborn, just like your grandmother… So, what’s your plan? Keep eavesdropping? You might not be so lucky next time.”
“I found a clue Grandmother left behind.”
“Grandmother said there’s a diary hidden in a secret compartment at the bottom of the chest.”
A flash of surprise crossed Meng Jianhua’s eyes, “Are you sure?”
Meng Jiao nodded.
After a brief silence, Meng Jianhua suddenly grinned, a roguish tilt to his lips, “Alright, since you’re determined to investigate, I’ll lend you a hand as your dad.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll find a way to get everyone out. You stay sharp. Remember, secure whatever you find immediately—don’t leave any traces.”
Warmth spread through Meng Jiao’s heart, “Thank you, thank you, Dad!”
The word “Dad” struck an odd chord in Meng Jianhua’s heart.
He really had stumbled into luck, gaining a daughter out of nowhere.
“Don’t mention it.”
Meng Jianhua waved dismissively, swaying as he headed out. At the door, he glanced back at her, his expression meaningful.
“Kid, sometimes stepping back isn’t about yielding—it’s about seeing more clearly and leaping farther. Going to the countryside might not be such a bad thing.”
With that, he left, hiccupping from the alcohol.
Meng Jiao stared at the closed door, pondering Meng Jianhua’s words.
The next day, just as Meng Jianhua had promised, he made a fuss early in the morning, insisting Meng Pengtao take him shopping.
He claimed the countryside conditions were poor and he needed to stock up properly to avoid hardship.
Meng Pengtao was naturally unwilling, but Meng Jianhua managed to drag him away while talking.
Lin Hanqiao was also called out by her mahjong friends.
Meng Liyang went to work as usual, leaving only Meng Jiao, Meng Feifei, and the nanny at home.
Meng Feifei, in high spirits because of the bracelet, felt even more smug seeing Meng Jiao’s current state.
“Sister, you’re going to the countryside tomorrow, right? I heard the conditions there are really tough—so many mosquitoes, and the food is terrible. You must be suffering.”