While the two were trembling with fear, Meng Jianhua had already achieved his goal and caught up with the old man.
“Dad, don’t get too worked up. Take good care of yourself while I’m away.”
The old man couldn’t stand Meng Jianhua’s careless attitude, but he was still his own flesh and blood. Who knew when he would return after going to the countryside?
Just as the old man was about to speak, Meng Jianhua cut him off.
“Hey, Dad, let’s skip the sentimental talk. You’ve always been distant with me before. Given the family situation, just focus on looking after yourself.”
Meng Jianhua knew his father was capable enough to handle Meng Pengtao and Lin Hanqiao.
But his words were so blunt that they choked back the old man’s budding warmth.
The old man glared at his third son, who had never given him a moment’s peace since childhood, feeling both angry and stifled.
Then he glanced toward the study door, and everything became crystal clear in his heart.
This family was truly rotten to the core!
In the end, he just heaved a heavy sigh and waved his hand: “Get out! Get out of here! Once you’re in the countryside… don’t cause any trouble for me!”
Meng Jianhua grinned, said nothing more, turned around casually, and whistled as he went back to his room to pack.
His carefree figure stood in stark contrast to Meng Pengtao and Lin Hanqiao, who looked as if the sky was falling.
Meanwhile, Meng Jiao was in her small room, packing her things.
Over the years, she had accumulated quite a few belongings, but they had all been taken away and given to Meng Feifei.
All that remained were the items her grandmother had bought for her.
She didn’t have much—just three changes of clothes in total.
The most valuable things were what her grandmother had given her.
After today’s events, Meng Pengtao and Lin Hanqiao were surely in for hard times.
The old man was no pushover.
Her grandmother’s possessions would definitely not end up in their hands.
Outside, Meng Jianhua’s loud voice rang out again: “Jiaojiao! Are you done packing? Hurry up! We’re leaving right now, getting away from this filthy place!”
Meng Jiao responded, stuffed the last piece of clothing into her bag, and zipped it up.
This father she had just recognized seemed reckless, but he was sharp-witted and… seemed quite protective of her?
The father and daughter had pitifully few belongings—just one bag each was enough.
Meng Jianhua didn’t even let the maid help. He picked up the slightly larger bundle himself and shouted toward the main house: “I’m taking Jiaojiao with me!”
The main house remained silent, with no response.
Only Meng Feifei peeked out through a crack in the window, her expression complicated.
Meng Jianhua didn’t care. He snorted dismissively, took Meng Jiao’s hand, and walked out of the Meng family gate.
On the bus to the train station, they swayed with the vehicle’s motion.
Meng Jiao watched the dusty streets and pedestrians in blue, green, and gray clothes flash by outside the window and couldn’t help but sigh.
Meng Jianhua plopped down beside her, pulled out a half-crumbled pack of Economy brand cigarettes from his pocket, and stuck one in his mouth without lighting it.
He glanced at his quiet daughter, suddenly grinned, and lowered his voice:
“Don’t be scared, kid. The countryside is nice—at least the air is fresh, without all those twisted, disgusting schemes.”
Meng Jiao turned her head and looked at this newfound father of hers.
He was unshaven with heavy eye bags, but his eyes were bright, carrying a hint of street-smart cunning and a strange vitality.
“Dad, I’m not afraid,” Meng Jiao said softly. “It’s just… that copy of Compendium of Materia Medica…”
Meng Jianhua winked at her, his smile growing even more triumphant as he lowered his voice further.
“Don’t worry, I hid it last night! All that commotion earlier was just to scare the snakes out of the grass and give the old man a reminder! Your uncle and his family are probably sweating bullets right now!”
He imitated how Lin Hanqiao might look, pinching his throat to mimic her: “‘Pengtao! What should we do now!’ Hahaha!”
His exaggerated antics made Meng Jiao laugh too.
She realized this father of hers seemed quite interesting.
“So, what was actually written on that note?”
Meng Jiao asked curiously.
Meng Jianhua mysteriously glanced around before leaning close to Meng Jiao’s ear, whispering: “Nothing at all.”
Meng Jiao froze, blinking as she struggled to process this. “Nothing? Then Grandma…”
“Your grandmother was barely breathing at that point, what could she possibly write?”
Meng Jianhua sighed, leaning back against the somewhat worn car seat. A rare complexity flashed through his eyes, no longer wearing his earlier playful expression.
“That Compendium of Materia Medica did have a note tucked inside, but it was just a blank piece of old paper without a single word.”
He paused, his voice growing deeper.
“When Grandma held my hand at the end, she just pointed at that book and squeezed my hand tightly…
She was worried about me, knowing my temperament makes me easy to take advantage of. She couldn’t say it outright, so she could only remind me this way that the family wasn’t peaceful, telling me to keep my wits about me and hold onto important things myself.”
He turned to look at Meng Jiao, quirking his lips: “Your grandmother was strong-willed her whole life, and she loved me most. She knew your uncle and his family had schemes, afraid I’d end up with nothing and be taken advantage of.”
“She used this blank note to warn me and hand me a knife. How to use this knife depends on me now.”
Meng Jiao suddenly understood – in her final moments, Grandma had used this silent method to pave the way for the son she worried about most.
“So, Dad, you just now…” Meng Jiao lowered her voice.
“Exactly!”
Meng Jianhua returned to his usual self, eyebrows raised.
“I deliberately shouted about losing Mom’s note and emphasized those ten words… Hehe, they’re guilty and will jump into the trap themselves! They must think Mom had some deadly evidence against them!”
“This should give them plenty to worry about! As for the old man, once he becomes suspicious, investigating will be much easier.”
He shook his head proudly: “Your dad might not have great abilities, but I’ve got some clever tricks. Grandma’s move of creating something from nothing – I used it pretty well, didn’t I?”
Seeing his expression seeking praise, Meng Jiao couldn’t help but laugh and nodded vigorously: “Mm! Dad, you’re really amazing!”
She genuinely felt that this father might not have grand ambitions, but when it came to survival wisdom, he was absolutely a master.
Meanwhile, back in the Meng family house, the atmosphere had frozen over.
The old man had locked himself in his room and hadn’t even come out for lunch.
Meng Pengtao and Lin Hanqiao were like startled birds, unable to sit still.
Most of the conversation in the study had been overheard by the old master. Though no concrete evidence was obtained, once the seed of suspicion was sown, it was enough to make them restless.
“We can’t just sit here waiting for disaster!”
Meng Pengtao paced anxiously in the living room, his eyes dark and gloomy.
“Third Brother must know something!”
Lin Hanqiao’s face was pale as she twisted her handkerchief. “What should we do? The factory…”
“I’ll clean things up at the factory!”
Meng Pengtao cut her off, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
“The top priority is to find out exactly how much Third Brother knows! And that camphorwood chest in Mother’s room must be dealt with immediately!”