NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 169
At the family reunion banquet, the Xiao and Ye families formally announced to the public that Ye Jinmeng's name would be changed to Xiao Jinmeng, and Xu Wanwan's name would be changed to Ye Wanwan.
The name change was agreed upon by everyone in both families. Xiao Jinmeng and Ye Wanwan were like sisters, and Xiao Yongze and Song Jiaxi took the opportunity to accept Ye Wanwan as their goddaughter.
All the guests at the banquet envied the close relationship between the two families. Even a red-eyed woman murmured wistfully, "Ah, if only I had given birth on the same day back then, maybe I would have accidentally switched my baby with the Xiao family's baby, then I would have a connection with the Xiao family now."
This remark caused everyone around her to roll their eyes. Someone couldn't help but remind her, "What's wrong with raising your own daughter? Didn't you see that the other family even regrets not being part of the child's growth?"
"Exactly, you really don't know what's good for you!"
"Besides, I remember that the child the Xiao family adopted didn't even make it to a month old, right? You should be grateful it wasn't you who switched babies with them, otherwise your own daughter would have died long ago!"
"That's right! It's a good thing it wasn't you, otherwise their child would have been mistreated by you and wouldn't be as adorable and sensible as Xiao Jinmeng!"
The woman's face flushed red. Her own child was indeed unaccomplished, only knowing how to spend money on food, drinks, and dating, though she had never minded before. But to be called out in front of so many people, she felt ashamed.
She couldn't help but shout, "What's wrong with my daughter? Even if she's unaccomplished, she's still living just fine. The Xiao family let someone else's child die, yet they're here as one big happy family, enjoying family bliss. How dare they show their faces!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, the banquet hall fell silent. The woman finally realized what she had said and hurriedly covered her mouth.
Although the others felt pity for the deceased child, they also knew not to offend the Xiao and Ye families. They quickly distanced themselves from the woman, even her husband glaring at her with blame.
The woman had never experienced such universal disdain before. Suddenly feeling panicked, her eyes welled up with tears, and her trembling body tried to explain.
"I... I didn't mean it that way..."
But her husband glared at her sternly. "Just shut up!"
Xiao Jinmeng looked at her parents with concern, but Song Jiaxi patted her hand, signaling her not to worry.
Xiao Yongze narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. He cleared his throat into the microphone, his voice calm and emotionless.
Before the banquet, Policeman Shi had sent Xiao Yongze a message saying the identification results were out, confirming the deceased child's relationship to the nanny.
"Originally, I didn't want to bring this up to the public, but since this lady has questioned it, in order to clear my family's name of unfounded accusations, it seems I have to explain to everyone."
"That baby who didn't even live to see a full month was actually killed by her own grandmother!"
These words dropped like a depth charge into the previously calm waters, causing an immediate uproar in the quiet banquet hall.
The media reporters who were live streaming leapt into action, immediately turning their cameras toward Xiao Yongze. This was sure to be a viral news story!
Xiao Yongze then recounted the whole incident of the nanny's malicious baby-switching, her murder to cover it up, and how he and his wife were forced to flee the country.
The guests were stunned. They had no idea the reason behind the Xiao family's change of successor was something like this. No wonder Xiao Wenyao was suddenly arrested—he had done so many inhumane deeds!
Even those watching the live stream couldn't help but curse Xiao Wenyao in the comments.
"Xiao Wenyao actually did something so inhumane just to inherit all the assets. He's totally lost all moral values, worse than an animal!"
"I used to work for the Xiao Group. Xiao Wenyao was truly... words fail to describe how he behaved as a person and handled business matters. Rumor has it he even had connections to the underworld..."
"Ah, no wonder he could so stealthily do something so disgusting back then. He had underworld connections!"
"If he doesn't get the death sentence for this, it would be a travesty of justice..."
"But as a current Xiao Group employee, I'm glad I persevered until the return of Mr. Xiao~~"
"That nanny deserved it too. For the sake of money, she actually killed her own grandchild. If she had even a shred of professional ethics as a nanny or a conscience back then, this whole situation wouldn't have happened."
"Truly, those who deserve pity must have something blameworthy!"
...
Xiao Yongze looked at the crowd heatedly discussing below and coughed lightly. "So, does anyone else have any other questions?"
The crowd quickly shook their heads. Now, there couldn't possibly be any more questions. No matter what, the Xiao and Ye families were completely the victims.
The woman and her husband also hurriedly apologized to Xiao Yongze and the others. On such a joyous occasion, Xiao Yongze naturally wouldn't hold a grudge, but he also would no longer consider any business collaboration with their company.
The nanny, who had been recuperating in the hospital, probably felt her days were numbered. She had been constantly requesting the police officer guarding her to help find her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, wanting to see them one last time.
The officer could only helplessly inform Policeman Shi.
Policeman Shi came to the hospital and sighed as he looked at the emaciated, skeletal old woman on the hospital bed.
Actually, he didn't want to tell her the whole truth, but since she was on her deathbed, rather than letting her struggle in vain hope and leave with regrets, he might as well steel his heart and let her face reality.
But to his surprise, when the nanny learned that her son and daughter-in-law had already passed away, and that she had killed her own grandchild with her own hands, she didn't have the breakdown Policeman Shi had imagined.
Instead, she seemed to feel a sense of liberation.
The nanny rasped, "Ah, it was all fate."
"If Huiying hadn't done something foolish back then, I would have stayed home to take care of my little granddaughter and never gone to work for the Xiao family, never been blinded by 800,000 yuan, never committed murder and buried the body.
Huiying also wouldn't have had to quit her hospital job to do odd jobs at home, and the two of them wouldn't have died falling into a ravine on their way to work. Our family would have lived a happy life like everyone else's."
"But alas, there are no regrets in this world, and life can't be relived. Everything that's happened is because of our greed, we brought it upon ourselves!"
The nanny suddenly laughed.
"But now, I suddenly feel that the sense of guilt that has weighed on me for over a decade has lightened considerably. It's a relief that Lord Xiao Yongze's child is still alive.
As for my granddaughter, when I pass on, I will personally find her and seek atonement."
Huiying said, her clouded eyes turning towards Policeman Shi, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Thank you, Policeman Shi, for allowing me to depart with a clear conscience."
Policeman Shi did not expect her to say such words and simply shook his head silently.
Huiying turned her gaze toward the window, where a sparrow had alighted on a branch, chirping incessantly before flying away, disappearing from sight.
...