Jian Yujie was furious. He wanted to confront Jian Yunnao immediately. He had just taken a step when a small hand tightly gripped the corner of his sleeve. The tug was firm and insistent.
Turning around, Jian Yujie saw it was Jian Yiling.
Jian Yiling shook her head at him, her voice soft but resolute, "It's okay."
If Jian Yujie rushed over to argue with Jian Yunnao, it would only embarrass the Jian family in front of everyone, sully their reputation, and hurt their hearts even more.
"But…" Jian Yujie fumed. Jian Yunnao's actions were clearly deliberate!
"Don't argue," Jian Yiling whispered, her tone calm but unwavering.
Jian Yujie frowned, struggling internally. After a moment of hesitation, he relented under Jian Yiling's quiet insistence.
Suddenly, Jian Yunsheng, their elder brother, turned to their grandmother and asked, "Grandma, Xiao Ling spent a lot of time knitting this sweater I'm wearing, didn't she?"
Old Madam Jian paused before replying, "As long as you like it, that's all that matters."
She didn't emphasize how much time and effort Jian Yiling had put into knitting the sweater. She wasn't sure why Jian Yunsheng had suddenly brought it up and simply waited to hear what he had to say next.
However, Jian Yunnao's surprise was evident. He looked up at Jian Yunsheng in disbelief. "What are you talking about, big brother? That sweater was a gift from Shiyun! She knitted it herself."
Old Madam Jian's expression tightened into a frown. "This sweater was knitted by Xiao Ling. I saw it with my own eyes. How could it be someone else's work?"
"That's impossible! I was there when Shiyun gave you that sweater. I saw it with my own eyes!" Jian Yunnao insisted, his certainty unwavering. He turned to his parents for support, asking, "Dad, Mom, you were there too. Tell Grandma! The sweater was a gift from Shiyun!"
Faced with Jian Yunnao's pressing questions, Jian Shuxing and Wen Nuan both furrowed their brows, clearly troubled. Jian Shuxing responded in a low, serious tone, "Xiao Nao, we've already confirmed it. The sweater was a gift from Xiao Ling."
His expression was somber, the weight of the situation clearly visible on his face.
Before coming here today, Jian Shuxing had discussed with Jian Yunsheng about revealing the truth to Jian Yunnao. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation into Jian Yiling's situation, it was clear that Mo Shiyun, the girl Jian Yunnao trusted so much, had lied to him. As his family, it was their duty to inform him of the truth—his so-called friend had deceived him.
But Jian Yunnao refused to believe it. He questioned them angrily, "Are you just trying to make me get along with her? Is that why you're making up this story? You don't need to drag Shiyun into this and smear her name!"
His voice was filled with emotion, tinged with fury and betrayal.
Hearing his accusations left Jian Shuxing and Jian Yunsheng both shocked and heartbroken. Wen Nuan's eyes immediately welled up with tears. To be doubted by her own son like this was excruciating, as if her heart had been slashed with a knife.
"Enough!"
Old Master Jian slammed his hand down on the table, the sharp sound reverberating across the courtyard, instantly silencing everyone. Even He Yan, who had been quietly observing the unfolding drama, felt her heart skip a beat. She had been married into the Jian family for years, and her fear of the old man had never diminished. His imposing anger was truly terrifying.
Jian Yunnao froze, his face pale as he stared dumbfounded at his grandfather.
Old Master Jian glared at him and spoke with authority, "You don't believe your sister—fine! She's had her fair share of temper tantrums, so I understand your doubts. But now you're telling me you don't believe your brother, your parents, or even your grandmother? Do we, your elders and family, mean so little to you?"
His voice boomed with strength, each word laced with a stern reprimand, his furious gaze making the atmosphere even heavier.
"N-no… I…" Jian Yunnao stammered, genuinely frightened by his grandfather's sudden outburst.