Chapter 20: The Stolen Fiancé

The next time Jing Yunluo saw Liu Yueru was in court. Liu Yueru sat in the defendant’s seat, while Jing Yunluo was the plaintiff.

With irrefutable evidence, eyewitness testimony, and an unbroken chain of proof, Liu Yueru had no defense. Ultimately, she was convicted of multiple crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment.

After returning home, Jing Yunluo sensed the heavy, somber atmosphere in the Jing household. She was unsure why, initially thinking it was because her father’s passing reminded everyone of their grief.

However, everyone kept sneaking glances at her, which made her feel something was off.

“Grandpa, what’s going on with all of you?”

“Ah... it’s nothing, just been a long, tiring day,” Grandpa Jing replied, looking at Jing Yunluo with eyes full of sorrow.

The old man couldn’t imagine how much courage his precious granddaughter must have summoned to face it all.

Her own mother had killed her father, and now she had to personally send her mother to prison...

“I’m fine, not very tired,” Jing Yunluo said calmly as she sat on the sofa and took a sip from the tea Jing Yan had poured earlier. “Just a little thirsty. That lawyer on the other side really knows how to talk.”

Though she didn’t need to keep speaking, she was anxious. The opposition was clearly twisting facts shamelessly.

But then again, if Liu Yueru had any shame, she wouldn’t have committed the murder of her own husband.

“Lolo, if you’re sad, it’s okay to cry,” Jing Yan said, looking at his niece with deep sympathy.

Jing Yunluo paused for a moment before realizing that they had never truly believed she was indifferent to all this.

“Grandpa, Second Uncle, Auntie, I really don’t care. I’ve told you all before—I just consider myself a motherless child. Besides, Liu Yueru never truly saw me as her daughter. Why should I be upset? Actually, I should feel lucky.”

“Lucky that Liu Yueru’s twisted values were not passed down to me.”

Jing Yunluo never hid her disdain for Liu Yueru and never feared that Grandpa Jing and the others would suspect she wasn’t the original daughter.

To her, some blood relations can instantly turn into strangers.

Just like Liu Yueru, who, because of a political marriage, treated the union as her own grave, turning her husband and biological daughter into enemies.

Jing’s father had never loved Liu Yueru deeply either; after all, it was a business alliance.

Yet Jing’s father never betrayed the marriage. He loved this family, loved his daughter, and had even loved the wife who always wanted to escape it.

“Liu Yueru always saw herself as the victim, but what about Dad?

Isn’t he innocent?

She could have chosen divorce, could have hated me, could have treated me like an enemy, but she had no right to harm Dad.”

Jing Yunluo’s words silenced everyone. After a long pause, Jing Yan smiled softly.

“Our Lolo has grown up.”

“So there’s no need for all this. The truth is out now. Dad is watching us from heaven! We have to live well!”

Jing Yunluo wrapped one arm around Grandpa Jing’s and took Yang Wan’s hand with the other.

“As a family, peace and happiness are the most important! Of course, if we have the means, doing good deeds will surely bring blessings!”

“That’s right. A family who accumulates goodness will have lasting fortune. It seems even Heaven has opened its eyes. My youngest son has stood up again, and my dear granddaughter has found someone worthy to entrust her heart to...”

Seeing Grandpa Jing on the verge of tears, Jing Yunluo’s eyes reddened as well. She still vividly remembered how heartbroken he was when her father passed, as if it were just yesterday.

“What’s wrong?”

Grandpa Zhang came out of the kitchen, handing Jing Yunluo a cup of juice.

“Nothing, Grandpa Zhang. Oh, by the way, Fu Chen said that today his grandfather and uncle and aunt will come over. Aunties should prepare something nice for dinner.”

“Alright!”

“What are they coming for?”

Grandpa Jing’s eyes widened instantly.

“Dad, the whole family is coming. What else could it be for?”

Jing Yan looked at Jing Yunluo with a frustrated expression, as if scolding her for being naive.

“No way! Absolutely not! They just ended the engagement not long ago, and now they’re setting their sights on my precious granddaughter again?”

Grandpa Jing was furious.

“Oh, Grandpa, Grandfather Fu said they’re coming to apologize properly this time.”

“Hmph! No need for apologies! Just don’t let them set their sights on you.”

Though Grandpa Jing didn’t oppose Jing Yunluo’s continued relationship with Fu Chen, he didn’t want his precious granddaughter to be snatched away so soon.

Just as the saying goes, speak of the devil, the doorbell rang. Butler Zhang went to check and saw the Fu family standing outside.

“Grandfather Fu, Mr. Fu, Mrs. Fu!”

“Hello, Grandpa Zhang.”

Upon hearing Fu Chen’s voice, the expressions of Grandpa Jing and Jing Yan darkened immediately.

If only Fu Chen’s parents had come, they might have tolerated it, but with Grandfather Fu present, things couldn’t get out of hand. At least Jing Yan, being the younger generation, couldn’t say much.

“Old friend, aren’t you going to come greet me?”

Grandfather Fu went straight to Grandpa Jing upon entering.

Grandpa Jing rolled his eyes, ignoring him.

After the juniors greeted the elders and exchanged some pleasantries, everyone finally took their seats.

“Still angry? Today, I’ll leave this rascal in your hands. You can vent however you want.”

Grandfather Fu sat beside Grandpa Jing, his tone friendly and gentle.

But Grandpa Jing, who had known him for many years, was well aware of his true intentions and still ignored him.

“Uncle Jing, we’re here to apologize. Previously, Achen was immature and made Lolo upset. We’ve disciplined him, so rest assured, Uncle Jing, he won’t dare act out again.”

Mrs. Fu genuinely liked Jing Yunluo and hoped her son could marry the young lady. After all, she understood how Fu Chen looked at Jing Yunluo.

Just like she had when she first married Mr. Fu.

Back then, her heart was full of hope. But later...

Never mind. The children are grown now. As long as her son could be happy, she would be content.

Hearing Mrs. Fu speak, Grandpa Jing couldn’t ignore her. After all, he knew that Fu Chen’s mother had suffered hardships as well.

“Ashu, it’s not that I don’t want to give my blessing. I’m not against them being together, but... I just can’t bear to part with Lolo.

Before, I thought my days were numbered, so I urged them to marry quickly.

But now, I’m feeling better and might live several more years. I just can’t bear it...”

“Grandpa...”

Jing Yunluo looked at Grandpa Jing, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Grandpa, after marriage, I can still live here with Lolo.”

Upon hearing Grandpa Jing’s words, Fu Chen immediately spoke up.

“Are you serious?”

Grandpa Jing was stunned. Would the Fu family really agree to that? Impossible!