Volume One, Chapter 16: That Scoundrel Was an Illegitimate Child All Along

Since she was already out, Jiang Yunmiao made another trip to the convalescent home.

Thinking of her mother, a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart.

Her mother had spent a lifetime toiling without much joy, and just as retirement arrived, she suffered a car accident. Her legs were severely injured, and now she was confined to a wheelchair.

Truly a woman of hardship.

Jiang Yunmiao suppressed her negative emotions and knocked before entering her mother’s room.

Zhong Huiying sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, skillfully knitting a sweater while wearing her reading glasses.

The caregiver, noticing how engrossed she was, smiled and called out, “Sister Zhong, look who’s here!”

Zhong Huiying finally looked up and instantly broke into a radiant smile upon seeing Jiang Yunmiao. “Miao Miao, what a surprise!” She then maneuvered her wheelchair closer.

Jiang Yunmiao hurried over to assist her. “I realized it’s been a while since I last came, so I thought I’d drop by unannounced to check if you’re eating well, resting properly, and maybe even gained some weight. And sure enough, I caught you secretly knitting.”

Zhong Huiying invited her to sit on the sofa. “I’m just idling anyway, so I thought I’d knit a couple of sweaters for the baby. I only knit a little each day; it’s not exhausting.” She had the caregiver fetch one of the finished small garments from the closet. “What do you think? I specifically chose a light color that works for both boys and girls.”

Jiang Yunmiao held the little sweater tenderly, turning it over and over. “Grandma’s handiwork is impeccable. The baby will definitely love it, right?” She patted her “pregnant belly,” pretending to converse with the child.

To avoid worrying her mother, she had put on a silicone pregnancy belly before leaving.

Seeing her with the prominent belly, Zhong Huiying’s eyes filled with tenderness. “Why didn’t Yixiao come with you?”

Jiang Yunmiao’s gaze dimmed briefly before she mustered a smile. “He’s been busy lately, on a business trip.”

Zhong Huiying lowered her eyes, studying her for a few seconds before hesitantly asking, “You and Yixiao… you’re doing well, right?”

Jiang Yunmiao was momentarily taken aback by her mother’s perceptiveness but responded with a vague smile, “We’re doing fine.”

Zhong Huiying sighed in relief. “That’s good. I saw on the news a few days ago that Yixiao attended a press conference for Chenxing Group.”

“Yes, Chenxing Group and Duan Corporation are negotiating a partnership.”

“I see,” Zhong Huiying replied. “I heard Nianke has returned to the country?”

“Yeah, she’s been back for almost half a year.”

Zhong Huiying’s expression turned worried. “What about Yixiao and Nianke…?”

She had worked as a housekeeper for the Chen family before, and the Duan family lived next door, so she was well aware of the romance between Chen Nianke and Duan Yixiao.

She also knew of Jiang Yunmiao’s deep affection and care for Duan Yixiao. Her daughter’s youthful feelings were never hidden from her.

However, she had never approved of Jiang Yunmiao and Duan Yixiao being together.

It was undeniable that Duan Yixiao was a good boy—intelligent, hardworking, humble, and polite.

But Zhou Manhua, his mother, was not an easy woman to get along with. Proud and ambitious, she aimed to climb socially and had no regard for their family. It was foreseeable that if Miao Miao married Yixiao, she would face constant pressure from Zhou Manhua.

Thankfully, Miao Miao was capable. She helped Yixiao succeed in his entrepreneurial efforts and helped him solidify his place in the Duan family.

Over the years, her daughter always shared good news but never the hardships. Yet she knew it had not been easy for Miao Miao to build everything from scratch.

As a mother, she simply wished her daughter could find a considerate and understanding husband, and that they could live a quiet, peaceful life together.

“Mom, what are you worrying about? That’s all in the past,” Jiang Yunmiao said lightly, avoiding her mother’s gaze.

“That’s good! That’s good!” Zhong Huiying quickly changed the subject. “The baby will be here in just over a month. You have to be ready…” She listed many details, reminding her meticulously.

Jiang Yunmiao responded to everything. She knew her mother was probably even more nervous than she was. After all, childbirth was a life-and-death ordeal.

The thought still scared her—what if she had a difficult labor and didn’t make it? How would her mother live the rest of her life?

Would Duan Yixiao take good care of her mother?

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Jiang Yunmiao’s mouth, but beneath her eyes lay hidden turmoil. She no longer dared to hope for anything from him.

Seeing her so relaxed, Zhong Huiying felt somewhat relieved.

“Mom can’t do anything now; she can’t help you at all.” Her eyes moistened.

“Mom, I’m fine. I don’t need you to do anything. I’ve already hired a nanny, and Shen Shen also prepared the best postpartum suite for me. They will take good care of me and the baby.”

Her mother, once so strong-willed, was now like this, which pained Jiang Yunmiao deeply, though she suppressed her emotions.

She silently resolved to find the culprit and bring to justice the hit-and-run driver who had fled five years ago.

Back then, her mother’s accident required a huge sum for surgery. The perpetrator vanished, so they had to raise the money themselves.

Jiang Yunmiao was still in university and had no way to pay such an amount. Eventually, she had to turn to the Chen family.

The Chen family’s condition was that she must break up Duan Yixiao and Chen Nianke. They looked down on Duan Yixiao as an illegitimate child and, with Mrs. Duan present, he would never be acknowledged by the Duan family.

They couldn’t let their daughter endure a hard life with Duan Yixiao.

When Jiang Yunmiao found Duan Yixiao, he was drowning his sorrows in alcohol, apparently after a fight with Chen Nianke that led to their breakup.

Upon seeing her, Duan Yixiao pulled her into drinking with him, and after they both got drunk, they crossed the boundary.

The next day, Chen Nianke visited and found them in bed together. In anger, she left the country.

For a while, Duan Yixiao treated Jiang Yunmiao coldly, always scowling and blaming her for deliberately causing the breakup.

Only after their entrepreneurial success did his attitude soften, and their relationship grew closer.

“I haven’t seen Yixiao in a long time. When he returns from his business trip, have him come see me,” Zhong Huiying instructed as Jiang Yunmiao was leaving.

Jiang Yunmiao nearly welled up with tears, knowing her mother wanted to speak to Duan Yixiao. Even now, despite her limited mobility, her mother still worried deeply for her.

“I understand.”

“Also, your father’s death anniversary is coming up. You don’t have to go; just have Yixiao pay respects.”

“Mom, there aren’t so many taboos. Besides, Dad will surely bless the baby.”

As she left the convalescent home, she made a call. “Captain Fu, could you please check with the traffic police? Has there been any progress in my mother’s car accident case?”