“There’s no need, Grandma. My brothers will understand eventually.” Jiang Lai linked her arm through Old Madam Gu’s.
The Gu family had four children—three sons and one daughter.
After Jiang Lai returned home, the three brothers doted on Gu Qianhe almost to a pathological degree, fearing she might feel wronged.
Even if Gu Qianhe wanted the stars in the sky, they would find a way to pick them for her.
Because of this, their relationship with Old Madam Gu grew increasingly strained, often reducing her to tears in private.
Grandma was the only person in the Gu family Jiang Lai truly cared about. At her age, she should be enjoying family happiness, not getting dragged into Jiang Lai’s grudges with the Gu family.
“Lailai, you…” Old Madam Gu’s heart ached terribly.
How could her granddaughter be so thoughtful and sensible? Only those blind and heartless people couldn’t see how good she was!
“When those three boys finally wake up, Grandma will definitely teach them a proper lesson!”
“Mhm, I’ll wait for your good news, Grandma.” Jiang Lai coaxed her like one would a child, making Old Madam Gu beam with delight again.
Hearing this, Gu Qianhe’s heart—suspended in midair—finally settled.
What use was an Old Madam Gu who had no real power? As long as she maintained a good relationship with her three brothers, everything she had lost would come back.
As for Jiang Lai… she had plenty of ways to deal with her.
Old Madam Gu and Jiang Lai chatted happily. Only after the butler repeatedly reminded them that it was getting late did she reluctantly let go of Jiang Lai’s hand.
“Lailai, Grandma is going back now. Call me if you need anything.”
Old Madam Gu disliked Gu Qianhe, and after Old Master Gu passed away, she moved alone to a nursing apartment in South City to live in peace.
Jiang Lai seemed to think of something and quickly stepped forward to support her.
“Grandma, I’ll see you off.”
She asked the driver to step out first, then opened the car door and sat in the back seat with Old Madam Gu.
Jiang Lai pulled the curtain closed, then pressed a small triangular talisman folded from yellow paper into Old Madam Gu’s hand.
“Grandma, carry this with you. It will keep you safe.”
In her previous life, Jiang Lai had foreseen that Old Madam Gu would encounter a car accident tonight and had given her a safety talisman.
But her talismans had been restricted by the Heavenly Dao, so that one only worked at less than ten percent of its power.
The accident didn’t kill Old Madam Gu, but it damaged her health beyond recovery—she passed away within a month.
Now that she had temporarily lifted the talisman restriction through Pei Jingchuan, would Grandma’s fate change?
Jiang Lai clenched her fists tightly, worry brimming in her eyes.
Old Madam Gu tucked the talisman into her pocket, still warm from Jiang Lai’s palm.
“Anything Lailai gives me is a treasure.”
She had never believed in ghosts or gods, but how could she ignore her granddaughter’s sincerity?
Jiang Lai warned her again, “If you don’t carry it properly, I’ll be angry.”
“Don’t worry, silly girl.” Old Madam Gu held her hand, then asked worriedly, “But… are you really not going to move in with me?”
“I’m quite comfortable at Maple Lotus Villa.” Jiang Lai gave her a reassuring look.
She was no longer the soft persimmon the Gu family could squeeze at will. Right now, the person she truly worried about was Old Madam Gu.
The dark aura between her brows was growing heavier—tonight’s journey would be extremely dangerous.
When Jiang Lai stepped out of the car, Pei Jingchuan was waiting nearby.
She walked over to him.
“Why haven’t you left yet, President Pei?”
“Just… taking a walk.” He coughed lightly.
There were still many documents waiting for him at the Pei Group, yet he had inexplicably stayed near Old Madam Gu’s car.
Jiang Lai’s words had genuinely piqued his interest.
“Seems like President Pei is in a good mood.” Jiang Lai said casually, pulling out another talisman from her pocket. “This is a thank-you gift.”
“What is this?”
Pei Jingchuan pinched the paper between his fingers.
“You spoke up for me today. I don’t like owing favors. This talisman can save your life once.” Jiang Lai said calmly, then turned and walked back toward Maple Lotus Villa.
Jiang Lai’s room was a renovated attic on the top floor.
She climbed up by memory, double-checked that the door was locked, and took out her last communication talisman.
The talisman burned in midair, and a translucent old man in a Taoist robe with a white beard suddenly appeared in the room.
He looked confused, staring at Jiang Lai on the bed.
“Weren’t your talismans already restricted by the Heavenly Dao? How can you still summon me?”
He rubbed his eyes hard.
Jiang Lai flicked her finger toward the air, and he felt a tiny sting on his forehead.
“Ouch—same strength as always. So this isn’t a dream.”
“Master, I think I’ve met the person with the Purple Heaven Destiny you told me about…” Jiang Lai began, recounting everything that had happened.
She needed an answer.
If what her master said was true, then in this lifetime she wouldn’t have to live in constant fear of the Gu family anymore.
“Lucky girl!” the old man exclaimed after hearing everything.
“That man truly has the Purple Heaven Destiny—he can help you resolve your great tribulation!”
In all his years in the mystical arts, his knowledge of this destiny type came mostly from books.
Yet Jiang Lai had met such a person only a year after coming down the mountain!
“But… Master, how do I know when my fate has truly been resolved?” Jiang Lai asked thoughtfully.
In her previous life, she had no idea about Pei Jingchuan’s special destiny, so she never approached things from that angle.
Now that she had a second chance, she wanted clarity.
The old man stroked his beard awkwardly, racking his brain through all the ancient texts he had read.
“Cough… well, this method is definitely valid. Just interact with him more. Once your master figures out the details, I’ll contact you!”
He avoided admitting his lack of knowledge and pretended to be mysterious.
Seeing Jiang Lai’s speechless expression, he quickly added, “Just remember what your master said—I’ll take my leave first!”
In an instant, his figure dissolved into thin air.
Jiang Lai cleaned up the ashes left by the burned talisman. Just then, a frantic voice came from outside her door.
“Miss Jiang, something has happened!”
Jiang Lai opened the door a crack.
“What is it?”
“Old Madam was in a car accident on her way back! She’s in the hospital now—Madam and Miss have already rushed over!”
The servant spoke quickly, then slowed down when she noticed how calm Jiang Lai looked.
Did she already know this would happen? Why was she so composed?