Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2468: 2404: Once Wanted to Kill Xinian

Previously on Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s...
Old Meng shared memories of Mother Xinian's gentle marriage to Chao Jun and the happy times that followed, until Nian Che's return stirred unrest with his sullen complaints about the wedding. Suspicions arose as Chenger grew absent-minded after an incident, though Nian Che was supposedly absent from the city then, leaving Chao Jun questioning her behavior. Following Chenger's death, which left Chao Jun bedridden, Nian Che suffered a disfiguring burn at her grave when he drunkenly poured high-proof wine—mistaken for lamp oil—onto a candle flame, igniting his wool scarf. Old Meng recalled a chilling childhood sight of Nian Che staring intently at young Xinian from behind a tree, handkerchief in hand.

A flicker of concern crossed Old Meng's features as he continued speaking.

"From the way he behaved, something seemed wrong with him. As I approached, I noticed his gaze fixed on Xinian—it was exactly like the eerie stare of a ghost ready to strike and take a life."

"He intended to kill Brother Xinian? But Brother Xinian was only a kid at that time!" Chiang Xiao exclaimed in surprise.

Nian Che had held killing intent toward Meng Xinian?

She placed her faith in Old Meng's judgment.

During those days, Old Meng wasn't so aged, and with his experience on the battlefield, he could spot murderous intent in someone's eyes alone.

"Back then, I didn't fully believe he aimed to murder Xinian," Old Meng explained. "I wondered if he might be scheming to abduct Xinian instead, perhaps for some form of retaliation."

Abduct?

This detail caused Chiang Xiao to stiffen with tension.

Though it was a story from years ago, she still felt a surge of unease and apprehension while hearing it.

"That's why I intervened right away. Upon spotting me, his expression shifted. He claimed he just wanted one final glimpse of us, then asked to borrow funds for overseas facial surgery, warning he might not come back."

Old Meng added, "In that moment, I figured his departure would be the ideal outcome. Even though no incident occurred right there, his lingering presence near Xinian filled me with dread. So, I offered him a generous amount to cover his trip abroad for the procedure."

So, that explained why Old Meng had handed money to Nian Che?

And it surely must have been a substantial sum back in those days, wasn't it?

Regarding Old Meng's lack of follow-up on Nian Che, Chiang Xiao comprehended the situation fully.

His daughter-in-law had died, orphaning a young child who required constant attention. His son suffered illness for weeks, and the entire home relied on Old Meng for all tasks, big and small.

Old Meng had never been one for fine details.

"Did Nian Che actually depart afterward?"

"Indeed, he did leave. I even arranged for someone to confirm he got on the ship. In those times, travel was by sea."

"Grandpa, what precisely led to the breakdown of Brother Xinian’s parents' love back then?"

"The precise cause escapes me. I questioned them separately, but Chenger only shook her head with a bitter smile. Chao Jun insisted Chenger's affections had wandered elsewhere, that her heart belonged to another. Yet when I pressed for the identity, Chao Jun clammed up. Alas, I was deeply troubled by it all during that period."

"Was Brother Xinian’s mother truly like that? Weren't they known to share a strong bond at the start?"

Chiang Xiao had never delved into these topics with Old Meng previously, yet now the situation appeared far more tangled than she'd imagined.

Old Meng shook his head. "To be frank, I never sensed Chenger was capable of such betrayal, though she did seem lost in thought often. There were times I'd speak to her at length, and she'd miss every word, so I couldn't swear to it."

Chiang Xiao grew quiet.

Perhaps all these mysteries would unravel in Nian Chengcheng’s diary.

Incidentally, was Nian Che aware of Nian Chengcheng’s diary?

He had returned ages ago, so why appear only now? What had occupied him in the interim?

Chiang Xiao glanced at her watch and abruptly noted it was already five-thirty.

She was set to rendezvous with Meng Xinian, so she needed to hurry lest he fret over her safety.

"Grandpa, I suspect Nian Che harbors ill intentions. You shouldn't join that dinner tomorrow."