News from Taiwan

Chapter 51 It still has to be him
"Grandma, you..."

Before Jiang Guier could finish speaking, Jiang Wumei interrupted her, "Don't say those unpleasant things."

"Hahaha..." Jiang Guier chuckled dryly, how could she know it was unpleasant to hear if she hadn't even heard it?

Jiang Wumei deliberately avoided looking at the figures in the photo, her voice as faint as if covered by a layer of dust, "Let's not talk about him anymore. Back then, he just left, and what kind of life did your great-grandmother and I live? Many things can't be explained in a few words, but some things can't be forgotten! He owes my mother a lifetime of tears, and this debt can never be repaid until death," she said fiercely.

Jiang Guier held the photo in her hand, her fingertips able to feel its brittle texture. She looked up at her grandmother.

I thought to myself, if you care so much about your great-grandmother, why did you spend your whole life arguing with her? Now that she's bedridden, you still won't back down.

I don't understand.

She couldn't help but say, "Grandma, you care so much about Great-Grandma, you're standing up for her, so why..."

"Mind your own business."

Jiang Wumei's tone was unusually gentle. Her gaze swept across the room, a room he hadn't entered in decades, yet it hadn't changed much. "Your great-grandmother and I are us, and that person is him. Does he even deserve to be compared to your great-grandmother?"

Jiang Wumei's gaze fell on the slightly crooked silk scarf around Jiang Guier's neck. She reached out and straightened it for her, carefully comparing the direction of the pattern when her fingertips touched the scarf. "Be careful when you go to Taiwan. It's not like Shanghai. You're a girl, so you need to be careful in everything you do."

She gripped Jiang Guier's wrist, the warmth of her palm spreading to her skin. "Find a place to stay in advance, don't talk to strangers, and tell Grandma if you don't have enough money."

“Grandma, I always eat well and use good things, so I would never deprive myself when I go out.”

Jiang Guier felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at the gentle light in her grandmother's eyes. Just as she was about to share her thoughts, Jiang Wumei's next question startled her: "By the way, how are you planning to get there? Have you booked your plane ticket? Is there anyone there to meet you? What channels will you use to get there?"

"I……"

Jiang Guier's smile froze on her face. Her mind was so focused on finding her great-grandfather and thwarting her mother's plans that she hadn't even considered the question of "how to get there."

Her eyes dimmed instantly, and her voice became somewhat bewildered: "I haven't had time to think about it yet... I'll just apply for a tourist visa first."

"Tourist visa?"

Jiang Wumei frowned, reached out and patted the back of her hand, her tone a little anxious, "You child, why didn't you find out first? The policy hasn't opened up independent travel to Taiwan yet, so you can't get a tourist visa at all. Unless you have a business visa, or find a travel agency to get a group entry permit to Taiwan, but I heard that also requires going through procedures. Even if you go there in this way, when will you have time to find relatives? Or you can get an invitation from a government-sponsored activity."

As Jiang Guier listened, her heart sank, as if she had been thrown into the cold well water of the old house.

She raised her head, the light in her eyes gradually fading, leaving only a look of utter desolation.

"This is so troublesome... What about Grandma? I hadn't considered these issues before; this was just a spur-of-the-moment decision."

"You little girl are so unreliable. Lin Wan is a few years older than you and a bit smarter, but I suggest you don't ask her for help with this." Jiang Wumei reached out and poked Jiang Guier's head.

"Grandma!" Jiang Guier covered her head and said firmly, "I'm not stupid. I can handle this myself."

It's just a visa issue, how could it be impossible to handle?
correct!

She thought of someone; maybe he could help. Shen Huaizhou could definitely help. She took out her phone to make a call, but then, remembering her grandmother was still there, she looked up awkwardly, "Um, Grandma, should I take you home first?"

"No need, your Aunt Chen is downstairs, she will take me to the hospital. I've given you the things, as for whether you can go to Taiwan, that's up to you."

"I know, Grandma. Don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."

Jiang Guier firmly believes that if her maternal grandmother has already taken a step back, and then her great-grandmother takes another step back, there will definitely be no problem, and the misunderstanding will be cleared up.

After saying goodbye to her grandmother and Aunt Chen, she left without turning around, and thus did not see the lingering look in her grandmother's eyes as she watched her departing figure.

Jiang Guier couldn't wait to get into the car, and as soon as she closed the door, she immediately called Shen Huaizhou.

"Miss Jiang, is there something you need?"

Shen Huaizhou's voice came through the receiver, with the soft sound of keyboard typing in the background, gentle yet carrying an undeniable crispness.

Jiang Guier paused, her fingernails brushing against the steering wheel. She was crisp and efficient when making the call, but when it came to expressing herself, she felt a little awkward. She took a deep breath, "Mr. Shen, you mentioned before that your friend is going to Taiwan... Could you help me get a business visa? Or some other way? I know it's a bit troublesome, but... you're the only one I can think of."

She spoke slowly, her voice softening unconsciously at the end, without even realizing it herself. It was the first time she had shown a hint of vulnerability when asking for help in front of others.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the receiver, followed by the sound of keyboard clicking and then stopping.

Hearing the incessant clicking of the keyboard, Jiang Guier's heart pounded in her chest. Her fingertips gripped the chain tightly, and even her palms were damp with sweat.

Just as she was about to add, "If it's difficult, then forget it,"

Shen Huaizhou's voice rang out again, "Sure, Ms. Jiang, that's not difficult. I happen to be providing technical support to our Taiwanese partners, although I don't need to go to Taiwan myself. But it should be possible for you to go with my friends as their accompanying technical assistant. If all goes well, the visa should be issued next week."

"Really?"

Jiang Guier sat up abruptly, her previous unease instantly dissipating, and her eyes lit up. "Thank you, Mr. Shen... you've really gone to a lot of trouble this time."

"It's nothing." Shen Huaizhou's laughter carried a hint of warmth; he couldn't wait for Jiang Guier to trouble him more.

"I'll send you the materials you need when the time comes."

"Ok, no problem."

Jiang Guier was surprised that Shen Huaizhou was so easy to talk to and agreed so readily. After hanging up the phone, Jiang Guier immediately opened the Ctrip app and started booking flights and hotels. She couldn't possibly mooch off someone else's flights and hotels when she was traveling with them; that would be too tacky.

Her fingers flew across the screen as she counted on her fingers, confirming the date for the following week. Just as she was about to place the order, she suddenly remembered that she should go with Shen Huaizhou's friend, and the destination had to be the same. Since she didn't know anything yet, placing the order would be pointless.

So she simply saved a few hotels to her favorites and then logged out of the app. Thinking about how she had turned the tables so well this time, she couldn't help but smile.

The huge weight that had been pressing on my heart for the past few days has finally been lifted by half. As long as the trip goes smoothly, this matter will surely be a success!
Little did she know that because of her unusual behavior these past two days, someone was already on their way to find her.

(End of this chapter)