I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 437 - 376: One Step Behind in Meeting the Parents

When Jiang Ming’an received the news, he looked at the distant clouds with an inscrutable expression.

How should he put it?

He merely dropped a hint to Cui Ying, and unexpectedly, the young girl understood perfectly, quickly introducing Cui Mingshi to someone quite suitable in every way.

The second step owed its success to Third Miss Liu, who helped Cui Xiaoxiao gather information. Transmitting information truly is an art, delivered skillfully, it can prompt impulsive actions. Looking at Cui Xiaoxiao’s excitement, wasn’t it just her immediately revealing her own background?

However, no matter how meticulously she calculated, she didn’t account for her own family’s hidden scandals. Not only did her efforts unwittingly expose their dirty secrets, but they also gave Xue Hong an opportunity to exploit. She inadvertently helped to spread rumors, layer by layer revealing the family’s disgrace, bringing shame upon the Cui Family.

Now even Cui Xiaoxiao herself was caught up in it.

And thus, his aim of killing two birds with one stone was achieved.

Cui Xiaoxiao harmed Ming Yue, and Xue Hong harmed the original owner.

Now, they both suffer the consequences of their actions, receiving their just deserts, which is truly satisfying, as if even the air is fresher!

Jiang Mingyue never expected her cousin to have orchestrated such a grand scheme so silently.

Those two are reaping what they’ve sown, feeling satisfied both physically and mentally.

As for what follows, it’s up to An Jian. With his investigative skills, it won’t be long before he traces the clues to Yang Jiao, then links her to Xue Hong, subsequently uncovering the connection between Cui Xiaoxiao and Xue Hong, and finally deducing the procurement of the knockout drug which will make the arson easy to trace.

In the end, the incident will likely be concluded as: two lovers secretly meeting, quarreling over emotions, ending in both going to the netherworld together, as the headline.

Those are things she can no longer wait for.

Because there’s a situation on her end.

That day, Jiang Mingyue entered the space intending to take a nap, but she unexpectedly heard Yan Jinzhi’s call, suddenly opened her eyes, and in the next second found herself in a small courtyard on the Gobi Desert.

At that moment, Yan Jinzhi had just changed into clean clothes and emerged, looking at her as if he was drowning in something.

"What’s wrong?"

"I missed you." Yan Jinzhi naturally stepped forward and embraced her.

"Tell the truth!"

Yan Jinzhi chuckled lightly, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. My grandfather and the others are here."

This?

Jiang Mingyue didn’t know how to express her current emotions.

This was so-called meeting the family.

Previously, this person was liked by Shen Fanghua, and they got along well.

But now it was her turn, and she found herself filled with such feelings.

"Don’t worry, my grandfather will definitely like you." Yan Jinzhi reached out, took her hand to comfort her.

Next up were traces to be created, such as from her last stay and her appearance in the village, he had to fabricate where she went when she wasn’t here.

He quickly took care of it, driving the jeep he requested, making regular trips to the nearest town, claiming that his partner wasn’t used to the sandstorms here and decided to live in town. It made sense, and he could later say that his partner returned to Nanxi City.

Just as everything was set, Feng Shu came knocking on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock" seemed to echo in Jiang Mingyue’s heart.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Yan Jinzhi: Should I open it?

Jiang Mingyue grabbed him, shaking her head: I’ll go!

After all, whether you stick your neck out or withdraw it, it’s just one cut, just close your eyes and go through it.

This time, when she opened her eyes, she was staring straight into the face of the old man behind the one who knocked.

Though the old man was aged, he stood straight, as if nothing could weigh him down. His eyes weren’t clouded like those of other elders his age; instead, they were sharp and piercing, embodying that bright gleam.

Moreover, the old man didn’t seem stern or intimidating; rather, he was as kindly as a neighbor’s grandfather.

"You’re Ming Yue, right?" Feng Shu started.

"I am, so you must be Uncle Feng, and this must be Grandpa Yan?"

Jiang Mingyue quickly stepped aside to invite the two inside.

The old man laughed heartily, "Not bad, you indeed seem destined to marry my grandson."

Uncle Feng: "..." If only Yan Bohan inherited this trait, he wouldn’t be so distant from his son.

While Old Sir Yan sat at his grandson’s place, sipping tea made by his granddaughter-in-law, in the meantime, Yan Bohan’s representative, Secretary Xiao Chen also arrived at the Gobi Desert. However, he came carrying out tasks, accompanied by the person in charge here throughout the whole process. Although he knew that it was Old Sir Yan who had made the first move to meet Yan Jinzhi, he couldn’t help it. He could only hope to complete the current task as soon as possible, so he could then represent his superior to deliver gifts.

Things on this end went smoothly.

The upper level provided 2,000 yuan as compensation for the five sheep Granny Jixiang donated years ago, also mentioning Granny Jixiang’s blindness issue, promising to make every effort to treat it. Regarding retirement matters, Granny Jixiang need not worry about her later life, the top would take charge, meaning from now on, Granny Jixiang’s life is wholly accounted for by them.

Moreover, arrangements were made for Jixiang’s education. Even Biansha Village came under care, with a drilling team sent to drill wells for each household, solving water access issues. Additionally, a road to the town would be built to facilitate villagers’ travel.

The old village chief beamed with delight, attributing all these blessings to Granny Jixiang.

In the future, he promised to take great care of them.

Finally finding some time, Secretary Xiao Chen hurried over with gifts.

Yet, upon opening the courtyard gate, he was stunned.

"Who are you?"

Secretary Xiao Chen quickly snapped back to attention, "May I ask if Yan Jinzhi lives here?" The information he got was that Feng Shu brought the old man to reside here, supposedly a temporary place arranged by Yan Jinzhi.

Isn’t it?

Upon hearing he came to see Yan Jinzhi, Jiang Mingyue was about to call out to him when the old man behind her spoke up.

"Xiao Chen, what are you doing here?"

Listen to that tone, as if laced with several pounds of gunpowder.

But Xiao Chen knew very well this anger wasn’t directed at him, but at the one above him, so he silently wiped his sweat.

"Old Sir, I am here on orders from the gentleman to meet someone important, while also bringing a gift for Commander Yan as a side task."

If it were earlier, Secretary Xiao Chen would have felt his decorum was impeccable and beyond reproach, but at this moment, he was filled with uncertainty.

Used to grand scenes, these smaller ones wouldn’t have challenged him, but now the scene felt like a trap.

And he was like a stupid pig falling right into it.

His previous strategies vanished, leaving only unease in his words.

Indeed, only after entering did he realize that the celestial beauty who answered the door was Commander Yan’s partner, and piecing the clues together, he realized that the old man had been concealing the most crucial hint, leading him to believe that his visit wasn’t just for missing his grandson, but rather for meeting the daughter-in-law.

Following events hit him even harder.

"Come, come, granddaughter-in-law, take this. It belonged to Jinzhi’s grandmother, and now it’s yours."

Jiang Mingyue looked at the box of jewelry, somewhat at a loss, and turned to Yan Jinzhi for guidance.

"Accept it," he said.