Chapter 452: Chapter 452

Ning Wan was initially startled by her words but wasn’t surprised.

Although the things Murong Rui disclosed were still uncertain as facts, the chaos she caused had already utterly tarnished Qiaoqiao’s reputation. Read full story at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝘯𝘦𝘵

In fact, from the beginning, Ning Wan was not quite in favor of Song Qiao being together with Lu Jingchen. However, Song Qiao’s choices and thoughts were something Ning Wan couldn’t influence, even though they were best friends, each still had their little secrets.

Without dissuading her, Ning Wan nodded and said directly, "Okay, whatever you do, I will support you."

Mu Shinian, who had been silent all along, clenched his fists upon hearing Song Qiao’s words, and then spoke very seriously, "Sister, don’t worry, I will protect you well in the future."

Song Qiao looked up at Mu Shinian, especially seeing the tenacity on his face that did not belong to his age, her eyes teared up and she slightly tugged at the corner of her mouth, saying, "Okay, from now on, Shinian will be responsible for protecting me."

Song Qiao didn’t take anything with her because everything, from her clothes to cosmetics and skincare products, was fully prepared at the Mu Mansion, just to make it easier for her to return there without needing to bring anything.

Chen’s mother had been waiting downstairs the whole time, thinking Ning Wan had persuaded Madam to come down to eat, she immediately greeted them, saying, "Madam, you’ve come down? I have prepared the meals, they are still warm, please have something to eat."

Seeing Chen’s mother, Song Qiao pulled at the corner of her mouth and said, "No need, Chen’s mother, I’m going back to my grandfather’s place."

Chen’s mother was immediately shocked and said, "How can that be? Today is the night of your wedding with Sir..."

"Chen’s mother..." Song Qiao’s face remained unchanged, "You saw and heard what happened today, so regardless, Jingchen and I need to calm down and think things over separately."

At Song Qiao’s words, Chen’s mother didn’t know what to say for a moment and fell silent.

Ning Wan had driven herself there, so she immediately got into her car and left the villa.

As soon as Song Qiao left, Chen’s mother immediately called Lu Jingchen, wanting to tell him that his wife had left home.

But after dialing several times, all calls went unanswered.

Elder Mu had indeed heard about the incident at the wedding by now; while Mu Shinian was in the car, he called Elder Mu to say that he and Song Qiao were already on their way back to the Mu Mansion.

It took one and a half hours to drive from the villa to the Mu Mansion, and upon arrival, the mansion was brilliantly lit. The car stopped at the mansion’s entrance, and Mother Zhang was waiting for them at the door. Seeing Mu Shinian, Song Qiao, and Ning Wan get off the car, she quickly went up to greet them.

Mother Zhang’s gaze at Song Qiao was still as kind as ever, and her voice was very gentle, yet also respectful, "Miss, Young Master, you are back."

Even though Elder Mu, Song Qiao, and Mu Shinian never treated her like a servant, Mother Zhang was very aware of her identity.

In the Mu family, she had worked for decades, always sincerely, so even though the Mu family went bankrupt and couldn’t continue to pay the servants, thus dismissing them, Elder Mu still kept Mother Zhang to continue working in the Mu family, with the same salary as before.

Although the Mu family had gone bankrupt, Elder Mu still had some savings, though not much, it was enough to support the family.

Even covering Song Qiao’s college fee was manageable, but Song Qiao was fully aware that her grandfather’s savings were not much. Given the elder’s age and various illnesses and pains requiring potentially urgent money like his previous heart surgery, she chose to earn her own tuition and living expenses through various part-time jobs, to not burden Elder Mu.

Elder Mu had said countless times that Song Qiao was a priceless treasure sent by heaven to the Mu family, regretting only that he could not give her a comfortable life forever.

Entering the mansion, they saw Elder Mu sitting in the living room. Song Qiao, her eyes tearing up, quickly walked over, holding back her tears and called out, "Grandfather."

Seeing that Song Qiao and the others had returned, Elder Mu sighed in relief, worried only that they would face mishaps because of today’s events. Seeing his granddaughter looking pale but unharmed, he tenderly patted her shoulder and lovingly said, "Good child, you’ve had a hard time. This wasn’t your fault; you are the most innocent. Don’t worry, no matter what happens in the future, just stay safe behind your grandfather, and I’ll solve everything for you."

Before the Mu family went bankrupt, as his son and daughter both died, resulting in white-haired people sending off black-haired ones, so he managed the family company. Aside from going to the company, he spent the rest of his time at home and then back to the company, never really enjoying life.

After the Mu Family went bankrupt, Elder Mu, aside from some physical ailments, had no other health problems. It might have been due to the overexertion for the company in the past. Hence, he now suffers from several health issues, but taking good care of his health should slowly improve his condition.

Nowadays, Elder Mu spends his days at home watching the news, tending to his flowers, and walking his dog, which seems more enjoyable than before the bankruptcy of the Mu Family.

Hearing Elder Mu’s words, Song Qiao shook her head, but tears uncontrollably started rolling down her cheeks. She spoke, "Grandpa, I’m okay. I was feeling a bit down earlier, but seeing you makes me feel better."

She hastily wiped the tears from her eyes and knelt in front of the elderly man, just like when she was a child, "Because I know, no matter what happens to me, Grandpa will always be there behind me."

Zhang Ma, watching from the side, felt her eyes turn red too. Remembering Elder Mu hadn’t eaten because of the young mistress’s issues, she quickly said, "You all haven’t eaten yet, right? The elder hasn’t eaten yet because of this matter, I’ll go make food for you now."

Ning Wan didn’t want to disturb Song Qiao and her grandfather either, she hurriedly added, "Zhang Ma, let me help you in the kitchen, I haven’t eaten yet either. I was planning to join you for a meal here anyway."

"Alright, alright, Miss Ning come with me to the kitchen," Zhang Ma naturally knew Ning Wan’s intention, and did not refuse.

Not long after Zhang Ma and Ning Wan entered the kitchen, the husky that Lu Yulin had given to Mu Shinian ran out from somewhere, its mouth still biting a bone-shaped chew toy.

To cheer up Song Qiao, the elderly man pointed at the naturally amusing husky and said, "This little fellow recently, wherever it goes, bites on this fake bone. Even when sleeping, it just presses on it, not allowing anyone to touch it; it treasures you. I even tried to take it from him once, and he ignored me for several days."

Seeing the husky and hearing her grandfather’s words, Song Qiao couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

The husky, inherently very amusing, looked utterly silly.

Seeming to understand that Elder Mu was talking about himself, the husky ran to the group and placed the bone on the ground. However, it didn’t forget to push the bone backward with its leg as if to prevent others from taking it, then whimpered a few times at Elder Mu and nudged him with its head.

Elder Mu looking at this silly dog in front of him, normally when Mu Shinian is off to school, and it’s just him and Zhang Ma and a few hired servants at home, there is hardly any liveliness. But now with its presence, the house immediately filled with joy. The husky, naturally playful and able to amuse itself, is incredibly silly. Elder Mu could simply sit there all day just watching it and laugh the entire time.

After rubbing against the Elder, its tail swept onto the nearby sofa, and like suddenly finding a new toy, it began to spin around chasing its tail, continuously barking loudly.

This silly dog, truly one of the humorous trio of huskies.

Upon returning to the Mu Mansion, it didn’t take long for Song Qiao’s mood to stabilize considerably. Elder Mu didn’t continue to talk about that matter, instead, he switched topics and began telling Song Qiao and Mu Shinian stories about his youth and Song Qiao’s grandma.

Song Qiao and Mu Shinian sat on the sofa, listening to Elder Mu, it was as if they had returned to their childhood.

After Lu Jingchen finally settled everything, it was already ten at night. Checking his phone, he found it flooded with missed calls, mostly from the villa’s landline.

He returned the call, and Zhang Ma, still awake, picked up after just two rings, "Sir."

Lu Jingchen, visibly exhausted, tugged at his tie, his voice low and devoid of emotion, spoke, "Zhang Ma, what’s the matter? Has my wife gone to sleep yet?"

"Sir, it’s about madam that I wanted to call you." Zhang Ma was awake due to Song Qiao’s situation, having made so many calls which the sir didn’t answer, she knew sir must have been extremely busy, hence, she hadn’t gone to bed immediately. Instead, she waited in front of the phone, worried that sir might call back and find no one to answer.

Lu Jingchen’s gaze darkened as he spoke, "What happened to madam? Is anything wrong?"

"Sir, madam went back to the Mu Mansion..."