Every time she thought of these things, Granny Liu was filled with regret.
But the cruel things were indeed all done by her, leaving no room for denial.
Yet, compared to her later experiences, these things were nothing.
Granny Liu remarried, and the man she chose was still a scumbag.
This man was an alcoholic and a gambler.
As Liu Ying grew older and her delicate features began to blossom, this stepfather became infatuated with her.
Especially when, after being bullied, she, filled with trust, sought her mother's help, only to be met with a severe beating.
Granny Liu still remembered Liu Ying's eyes, filled with hatred and despair.
A thirteen-year-old girl, covered in injuries, left this broken home.
Granny Liu cried until she laughed silently.
Mocking her past self.
You see, the closest person became the best target for venting her anger.
As long as there was family ties, no matter what she did to Liu Ying, that innocent child could only endure.
Cheng You felt a lump of cotton blocking her throat, making it hard to speak.
For some reason, she seemed to see a teenage Liu Ying in this dilapidated room, screaming, calling for help.
Helpless, she received no response.
No matter how much Granny Liu regretted it now, she couldn't muster an ounce of sympathy.
"You also think I'm very bad, don't you?" Granny Liu suddenly slapped herself across the face.
A solid, crisp sound.
Cheng You offered no comment, saying, "Tomorrow I will have someone draft an agreement and send it over. Do you need me to help you find a place to stay temporarily?"
Granny Liu waved her hand, "No need, I have my own place to go."
Cheng You left without looking back, her mood somewhat heavy.
She did not personally attend the signing of the agreement the next day, but had Chen Qin handle it.
She was not particularly interested in Granny Liu's whereabouts.
Yan City was so large, and she was so wealthy, she wouldn't end up on the streets.
The news that Granny Liu had finally sold the land to them quickly reached the Huichun Tang Pharmaceutical Factory.
Pei Kesheng felt nothing, but Qiu Yingxun was suffering.
He hadn't eaten or slept well these past few days, fearing that Cheng You would reveal something she shouldn't.
Now that Zhen Shan Tang was coming to build a factory, and they would see each other often in the future, he felt even more insecure.
Pei Kesheng noticed his distracted look and scoffed, "She doesn't really have any leverage over you, does she?"
Qiu Yingxun hastily raised his hand, "Father-in-law, I swear, I've truly done nothing to betray you."
Pei Kesheng waved his hand impatiently, "Alright, I still trust my own judgment."
Qiu Yingxun came from a military family, so he couldn't be too bad.
He didn't expect that Qiu Yingxun's father was also not a good person.
...
After acquiring the land, Cheng You immediately found Liu Ying and expressed her gratitude.
Liu Ying waved her hand, not looking up.
"This is my apology to you."
She could always lower her head to Cheng You and say sorry.
This was what she owed Cheng You.
Cheng You said, "Granny Liu doesn't know where she's gone."
After signing the contract and receiving the money, she left.
Chen Qin also didn't know where she had gone.
Liu Ying said coldly, "You don't need to tell me this."
It wasn't until late January that Liu Ying received a notification from the police station.
A female body had been recovered from the river, and after identification, it was Granny Liu herself.
Her belongings were found on the riverbank, and for now, foul play could be ruled out.
Hearing the police, Liu Ying stared blankly at the floor, lost in thought.
"This is your mother's bag. She specifically requested that everything inside be left to you."
The police had already examined it; it was filled with money.
In addition to the money from selling the land, she had also withdrawn all her savings from over the years.
Liu Ying silently accepted the bag and, with the police, claimed the body.
After all the procedures were completed, from identifying the body to cremation and burial, not a single tear was shed.
Her extreme calmness made Cheng You somewhat worried.
"Teacher Liu..."
Liu Ying smiled, "I'm fine."
Just a little lost.
The person she had hated her whole life was suddenly gone.
Her lifelong hatred seemed to have lost its direction.
She felt a sense of weariness, unsure of what to do next.
"Why don't you rest for a few days? The matter of Muxi grass isn't urgent, and it won't be finished overnight."
It was particularly cold at the medicinal herb garden at night, and with Liu Ying in her current state, Cheng You was worried about an accident.
Liu Ying smiled and shook her head, "She doesn't affect me that much, don't worry."
Her feelings for Granny Liu were complex, not just hatred. She would be fine as long as she immersed herself in work and a few days passed.
Cheng You didn't force her, but she visited the medicinal herb garden more frequently in the following days, only feeling at ease when she saw Liu Ying's emotions stabilize.
Time flew by to February, and the wedding date of Qiu Yingxun and Pei Lanlan was approaching.
Chen Qin was in a frantic state, as if his own daughter were getting married.
During this time, he had approached Pei Kesheng several times, even directly telling him about Qiu Yingxun and Cheng Tao, but Pei Kesheng simply didn't believe him.
He seemed possessed, only wanting to see his daughter get married.
He thought that once they were married and under his watchful eye, Pei Lanlan wouldn't be bullied.
At this point, Chen Qin was truly at a loss.
"Why don't you go directly to Pei Lanlan?" Cheng You asked.
Chen Qin drooped his head; he dared not.
Cheng You clapped her hands and said, "Let's go."
"Where to?" he looked up.
"I'll go with you. You know where Pei Kesheng lives, right?"
Chen Qin hesitated, "Should I bring something?"
This visit was to apologize for what happened years ago.
Cheng You accompanied him shopping for a while, planning to buy a gift for Pei Lanlan.
Finally, they settled on a watch.
The price was not low, but Chen Qin felt it showed sincerity.
They chose to visit when Pei Kesheng was not at home, otherwise, he likely wouldn't have let them in.
Cheng You surveyed the large gate before her. This siheyuan looked quite grand, no wonder they said the Pei family was wealthy.
"Is this it?"
Chen Qin nodded, "Yes. You knock on the door."
Cheng You glanced at him, "Why don't you knock yourself?"
"I'm scared. Hurry up."
Cheng You smiled helplessly and raised her hand to knock.
A moment later, they heard footsteps.
But no one opened the door.
After a while, they heard a timid voice from inside asking, "Who is it?"
Cheng You looked at Chen Qin, "Is it her?"
Chen Qin nodded, "Lanlan, it's Brother Chen. Do you still remember me?"
Chen Qin had worked at Huichun Tang for many years and had had past conflicts with Pei Kesheng. How could Pei Lanlan not remember him?
She was silent for a moment before asking, "What is it?"
"Can we come in?"
Pei Lanlan didn't answer. After a long while, she opened the door.