Third Aunt Leng had been waiting for Aunt Leng to finish her apology so she could also take the opportunity to ask for Gu Jiaojiao’s forgiveness. But to her surprise, Gu Jiaojiao had forgiven Aunt Leng before she’d even really started.

Suddenly, she didn’t even have a chance to speak.

She took a moment to compose herself.

"Jiaojiao, I know I was wrong too. Can you forgive me?"

Gu Jiaojiao looked curious. "Third Aunt, what were you wrong about?"

’What was I wrong about?’

Third Aunt Leng was dumbfounded for a moment.

’I have no idea!’

’Aunt Leng didn’t say just now!’

Third Aunt Leng looked up and met Gu Jiaojiao’s big, curious eyes. Suddenly, she was at a loss for words.

Gu Jiaojiao pressed her.

"Third Aunt, what exactly did you do to wrong us? What were you wrong about? You have to say it!"

"You just come out of nowhere with a line like that. I have no idea what you’re even trying to do!"

Third Aunt Leng: ...

’You didn’t ask her this many questions!’

She suddenly understood why Aunt Leng had clenched her fists earlier.

Her own fists were clenched now. For some reason, she felt an urge to punch something.

But she was more rational than Aunt Leng and managed to suppress her anger.

She forced a smile onto her face.

"Jiaojiao, everything in the past was my fault. I shouldn’t have... shouldn’t have..."

’What was it that I shouldn’t have done?!’

’Shouldn’t have occupied the main family branch’s house? Shouldn’t have tried to sabotage Leng Yuan’s relationship?’

She was too ashamed to say those things out loud.

Besides, her sister-in-law had done most of it; she had only been responsible for fanning the flames from the sidelines.

Third Aunt Leng fell silent.

Gu Jiaojiao blinked her big eyes and gave Aunt Leng a quizzical look.

"Aunt Leng, what exactly did Third Aunt do to wrong me? She starts to say something and then just stops. I really don’t know what it is she’s so insistent on being forgiven for."

Aunt Leng opened her mouth, but she too was speechless.

Nearby, Chen JianShe stared at the two women.

If Aunt Leng or Third Aunt Leng tried to do anything to Gu Jiaojiao, Chen JianShe would surely be the first to rush forward and protect her.

But after watching for a while, neither of them looked like they were about to make a move, so he decided to just sit back and enjoy the show.

Seeing that Third Aunt Leng wasn’t talking, Chen JianShe chimed in from the side to help out.

"Third Aunt, you have to say what it was. Tell my sister-in-law the specifics so she can see if it’s something she can forgive."

Gu Jiaojiao nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Third Aunt. Go on, I’m listening. What is it, exactly?"

Third Aunt Leng: ...

’How could I possibly say it?’

’Some things you just do, and that’s that.’

’But to say them out loud... I’m just too ashamed.’

Seeing Third Aunt Leng’s face flush red with embarrassment, Aunt Leng couldn’t help but wipe the cold sweat from her own forehead.

’Good thing Gu Jiaojiao didn’t press me like this just now,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known what to say.’

"Sister-in-law, just say what’s on your mind. Jiaojiao is so generous, she’ll surely forgive you."

Third Aunt Leng: ...

’I could take it if it were anyone else,’ she thought, ’but Aunt Leng is saying it too.’

’Doesn’t she know what this is all about?’

She took a deep breath and finally blurted it out.

"I shouldn’t have occupied the main family branch’s house, I shouldn’t have taken advantage of Leng Yuan, and I especially shouldn’t have come to your home to sow discord in your marriage. I truly know I was wrong about all of it."

"Jiaojiao, please forgive me!"

Gu Jiaojiao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Third Aunt, is that all? Is there anything else?"

"Keep going, I’m listening."

Third Aunt Leng nearly choked on her fury.

’As an elder, apologizing to someone from the younger generation is humiliating enough,’ she fumed. ’But now Gu Jiaojiao is taking a mile when I’ve only given an inch!’

Seeing she was about to explode, Aunt Leng quickly tugged at her arm.

"Did you forget what our sister-in-law said?"

Third Aunt Leng swallowed her anger.

She forced a smile. "Jiaojiao, that’s all."

Gu Jiaojiao’s eyes widened. "That’s all? Then who was it that went all over the village, telling everyone that our Leng Yuan is heartless, cold-blooded, and a cursed star of calamity destined to cause the death of his loved ones?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Third Aunt Leng was shocked.

’Gu Jiaojiao actually knew about all that!’

Aunt Leng was shocked too.

’Well, I’ll be damned.’

’My sister-in-law actually did so much behind my back?’

’How impressive of her.’