Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2416 - 2352: Please Don’t Take Offense

Previously on Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s...

Chiang Xiao instructs her bodyguards to surveil Deng Qingjiang, the influential owner of a private city in the Capital, revealing that the woman encountered at District 3 Hospital is his wife. She assigns Guan Tiezhu and Luo Yongsheng to the task, equipping them to track his movements closely, especially any trips outside the city. Later, concerned for her father Jiang Shiheng's health after his recent surgery, she calls him in D State, where he navigates exhausting social visits from well-wishers but finds the interactions insightful for gauging local dynamics.

"Got it, my precious one," Ah Liu let out another soft chuckle.

As she caught the sound of his laughter, Chiang Xiao sensed that his spirits were lifted somewhat, free from heavy pressure or viewing the matters as too tangled.

A wave of relief washed over Chiang Xiao.

"Dad, haven't you pinpointed yet who's acting oddly?"

Chiang Xiao found herself compelled to inquire.

With all the people he'd been watching, it stood to reason that anyone in the Jiang Family who plotted against him in the past would have let slip some odd clue?

Ah Liu responded, "Hmm, looks like Dad's foes are pretty adept at staying under the radar."

"They're foes of mine as well."

"Right, right, we're in this together."

"So..." Chiang Xiao thought of Lu Shuangshuang, paused briefly, then ventured, "Is Lu Shuangshuang remaining part of the Jiang Family?"

"She is." Ah Liu's grin dimmed a touch as he added, "What, is my dear daughter worried?"

"Not at all. I trust Dad can manage it all smoothly," Chiang Xiao replied, "Has Dad regained all his memories by now?"

"No, not completely. Bits and fragments have surfaced, but the order feels jumbled. I'll have to piece it together right. That said, something fun did pop up in my mind—like how my mother, your grandma, stashed away some valuables for me, and I recall the hiding spot now. I'll hand them over to you soon enough. Plenty of jewels and gold there, real stunners."

Chiang Xiao held back nothing, "Wonderful, pass them all my way."

Her straightforwardness lifted Ah Liu's mood even more, drawing a hearty laugh from him.

"Naturally, everything goes to you."

"Xiao Sixth, can I enter?"

A soft woman's voice drifted in from nearby all of a sudden for Chiang Xiao.

Even though she wasn't familiar with most women in the Jiang Family or their tones, and plenty might use the nickname Xiao Sixth without it pointing to one specifically, Chiang Xiao's gut told her it was Lu Shuangshuang.

She pressed her lips together and went quiet.

"Little Xiao, I'll ring you up again shortly."

"Okay."

Right as Chiang Xiao moved to end the call, the woman's voice rang out insistently once more, "Is Xiao Sixth chatting with Xiao Xiao? Mind if I have a quick word with her?"

Ah Liu hesitated, ready to turn her down, yet Chiang Xiao had beaten him to it with her consent.

"Dad, that's Lu Shuangshuang, isn't it?"

"...Yes."

"In that case, pass her the phone. I'm eager to catch what she wants to share."

Chiang Xiao held real curiosity toward Lu Shuangshuang.

Though she wasn't thrilled about Ah Liu tying the knot, fresh from reuniting with her dad, she couldn't help but wish selfishly to hold the top spot in Ah Liu's affections.

For at least a year or two, maybe.

Should she not soak up sufficient paternal warmth yet, only for some other lady to claim his heart and direct his warmth and attention elsewhere, Chiang Xiao knew it'd leave her feeling deeply uneasy.

Logically speaking, she realized a daughter ought not to act so possessively, and besides, with Meng Xinian in her own life, what barred Ah Liu from having a spouse?

Still, logic and feelings stand worlds apart.

After two lifetimes fatherless, now blessed with one at last, it was only natural for her to crave keeping him all to herself in some way.

Yet, should Lu Shuangshuang prove kind-hearted, truly devoted to Ah Liu, able to spark joy in him, Chiang Xiao understood she'd need to steady her emotions and welcome her as a stepmother.

Ah Liu found it impossible to deny Chiang Xiao.

Once he caught her wish to converse with Lu Shuangshuang, he set the receiver aside, rose to his feet, stepped back a couple paces, and told Lu Shuangshuang, "Little Xiao's still young, so if she speaks her mind freely, kindly overlook it."