Chapter 15: The Stepmother

The night passed without either Zhou Lichuan or Jiang Zao mentioning what had transpired between them the previous evening. When they emerged from their respective rooms the next morning and met in the dining room, Zhou Lichuan even asked what Jiang Zao had been drawing. She replied only that she'd drawn an animal and said nothing more.

No sooner had Jiang Zao finished her morning preparations at the office—a rare moment of respite—than her phone rang. The Black Cat Detective ringtone echoed through the office, leaving her feeling embarrassed as she answered. Only then did she realize it was her stepmother, Jiang Jingyuan’s wife, calling to arrange a meeting.

After hanging up, Jiang Zao pursed her lips and said, “She must be coming to plead with me, hoping I’ll say something to you, ask you not to push Jiang Jingyuan too hard for what he’s done.”

Zhou Lichuan looked up from his seat. “I remember you once said Jiang Jingyuan hid your university admission letter, but your stepmother stole it from him and gave it to you.”

Jiang Zao nodded. “Yes, I was quite grateful to her back then. But ever since, she’s always treated me like an enemy. I really don’t know why she helped me in the first place.”

Zhou Lichuan, being a few years older, saw things from a broader perspective. “Go and see her. If it turns out to be nothing important, you’ll have time to come right back. We’re only going to see my parents this afternoon. Just be back before three.”

Jiang Zao stood up and glanced at the time. “No need to be so late, I’ll be back soon.”

…

To save time, they agreed to meet at a coffee shop with a bookstore—a compromise. As soon as they sat down, before a word could be exchanged, Xu Yunwei produced a file in a brown paper envelope and got straight to the point. “I know you’ve always wanted this house. Here are the documents. As long as you agree to my terms, I’ll transfer the ownership immediately.”

Jiang Zao didn’t move. She knew Xu Yunwei well enough to be certain these terms would not be straightforward.

Seeing Jiang Zao unmoved, Xu Yunwei raised an eyebrow in mockery. “What’s wrong? Afraid I’m setting a trap for you?”

Jiang Zao shook her head slightly. “You’re not capable of that. Don’t waste time beating around the bush. If it’s not illegal or unreasonable, I’ll consider helping you, out of gratitude for what you did with my admission letter. But this isn’t a negotiation—you’re not in a position to bargain. The only person in your family who had the right to negotiate with me is already behind bars, courtesy of me.”

Xu Yunwei’s face fell, and she slammed her hand on the table. “Don’t think that because you’ve latched onto Zhou Lichuan, everything will go your way. Do you know who he is? Once he tires of you, we’ll see how you manage.”

Jiang Zao remained unmoved. “If you have something to say, say it. No need to provoke me.”

Seeing her unmoved by threats or appeals, Xu Yunwei steadied herself and spoke calmly. “I know you won’t help your father, and I’ve given up hoping you will. What’s done is done, and I want nothing more to do with it. But my son—he’s my own flesh and blood. His father’s in prison; I can’t let his whole future be ruined as well.”

Jiang Zao gave a soft chuckle and looked away, as though she’d already anticipated what Xu Yunwei would ask of her.

“He seemed to be doing just fine abroad. So why is he fighting again?”

Faced with Jiang Zao’s question, Wei Ying hesitated, unable to answer.

Seeing her hesitate, a suspicion rose in Jiang Zao’s mind. “He… assaulted a female classmate?”

Xu Yunwei seemed to explode at this, leaping to her feet—only to be pressed firmly back into her chair by a hand on her shoulder from behind.

Du Bin bowed his head slightly. “Miss Jiang, I apologize for my delay in parking. I hope you weren’t hurt.”

Jiang Zao understood he was there to lend her support, and she was grateful. “It’s fine. Go order yourself a drink at another table—I want to speak with her alone.”

Du Bin nodded and withdrew, choosing a seat with a clear vantage point and ordering a coffee.

Jiang Zao took a sip of juice and looked directly at the bewildered Xu Yunwei. “Mrs. Xu, I respect your love for your children, and I’ll call you ‘aunt’ one last time. Aunt, do you remember why things became so hostile between us?”

Xu Yunwei trembled and said nothing.

Jiang Zao continued, “I was seventeen and in my second year of high school. Jiang Zheyan was twelve, just starting middle school. At our grandmother’s house, he crept into my room in the middle of the night and did things you surely remember. I’m his sister. But even a fleeting impulse was enough for him to disregard all sense of decency. You sent him across the ocean without fear he’d never return?”

“That’s a lie!” Xu Yunwei’s voice rose, but she caught sight of Du Bin and shrank back, lowering her voice. “He was just a child. What could he possibly understand? Don’t think that just because you’re pretty, every man in the world is after you. That’s your brother. How could you ruin him like this? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

Jiang Zao arched an eyebrow, unconcerned. “So what’s he doing now? The laws in the States aren’t as lenient as back home. If he thinks ignorance is an excuse, he’ll find out otherwise. He’s been abroad only a few days and he’s already caused this much trouble. Retribution finds only the guilty.”

Perhaps driven to desperation, Xu Yunwei became strangely calm. “You said yourself just now, I gave you your university admission letter. Consider that my favor paid in full. Save your brother, and we’ll call it even.”

Jiang Zao leaned back in her chair. She found this solution acceptable, but there was still something she wanted to know.

“So why did you help me go to university in the first place?”

Xu Yunwei showed no fear, spreading her hands for Jiang Zao to see. Years of toil and hardship had left them callused and wrinkled. She had married Jiang Jingyuan and endured the life of an ordinary wife for over a decade, squandering her youth in a household full of bitterness.

“These hands were once the hands of a concert pianist. But my own university place was sold by my father to a businessman’s daughter. The money paid for my brother’s wedding.”

Jiang Zao was briefly stunned, a surge of emotion rising in her chest.

Xu Yunwei sighed, withdrawing her hands. “I regret marrying your father. Before your brother was born, his family insisted on having a boy—no boys, just keep having children until one comes. You were just a child then, and it was never easy being your stepmother. So I know all too well what becomes of a girl denied an education. I wasn’t born cruel. Besides, you weren’t using our family’s money for university—so why not let you go?”

Jiang Zao toyed with her fingers, weighing the truth of her words.

Xu Yunwei composed herself and continued, “Jiang Zheyan is my son. I know he’s a scoundrel, but I can’t help it. A mother is never rational about her child—I can’t stand to hear you speak ill of him, or watch anyone else hurt him. This house is the only thing I have that might tempt you. I know Zhou Lichuan could make it yours with a thousand different methods, but if I handle the paperwork, it’ll save a lot of trouble and spare his people the effort. Don’t you agree?”