Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2423 - 2359: The Real and Fake Red Jade Pendant

However, the situation remains shrouded in mystery for the moment.

"That's Xiao Fu's handwriting, even if it's a bit messy," Ah Liu explained. "The messenger who brought the letter mentioned that Xiao Fu had grabbed some paper and a pen right there at the station to scribble it down. I trust this detail since Xiao Fu was such a loyal son. Hearing about his parents' declining health must have filled him with worry."

"So, Uncle Xiao Fu's parents were genuinely ill at that time?"

"Indeed, it's accurate. When I dispatched folks to his home searching for Xiao Fu later on, they verified it. That's why I kept his disappearance hidden from them, fearing it could aggravate their health further."

"And what came next?"

"I provided them with funds to cover decent medical care. But just yesterday, I consulted Grandpa, who revealed that mere months after my own vanishing, Xiao Fu's parents succumbed one right after the other. The disease was contagious, and the devoted pair couldn't bear separation, choosing to leave this world side by side. Grandpa covered the burial costs, with kin stepping in to organize everything."

Hearing these words stirred a pang of regret in Chiang Xiao's heart.

She could also detect the remorse woven into Ah Liu's voice.

Maybe he blamed himself for Xiao Fu's disappearance tied to his own troubles, preventing a timely return to manage his parents' rites, leaving him with a heavy sense of apology toward Xiao Fu.

Father and daughter shared a quiet moment together.

"Assuming Uncle Xiao Fu's words from that time hold true, Dad, then the token you handed to Lu Shuangshuang—which she gave back—remains in Uncle Xiao Fu's possession. Locating him will reveal everything at last."

"In theory, that's correct."

"Why not just have Lu Shuangshuang display the token, then?"

"She keeps it on her."

"Pardon?"

"The item is a crimson jade pendant featuring a hidden compartment that pops out a ring. And she's wearing it to this day."

"Does that mean verifying its authenticity is tricky?"

"Exactly, Little, you're sharp as ever. That crimson jade pendant could easily be forged without a side-by-side check, but if the one she has is counterfeit, I'd know instantly by touch. For anyone else, they'd require the genuine article to compare and spot the difference. Imagine if only Dad declared it phony—what then?"

Without pause, Chiang Xiao replied, "They'd definitely assume Dad's dodging marriage to Lu Shuangshuang by lying about the crimson jade pendant being false."

Back then, a storm of accusations would probably erupt.

Since no one else had laid eyes on the true crimson jade pendant, and the split stayed under wraps, who'd trust his abrupt claim?

The instant Lu Shuangshuang shed tears and portrayed herself as the victim of injustice, Ah Liu would morph into the villainous Chen Shiming, the man who'd squandered two decades of her life only to cast her aside now.

On top of that, her role in the drama would fuel the narrative of Ah Liu's cruelty.

In such a scenario, hordes would turn their wrath on Chen Zhu.

Just for that, Chiang Xiao refused to let it happen.

Was it worth unearthing this old wound once more?

Drawing in a steadying breath, she declared, "Dad, let's join forces to track down Uncle Xiao Fu. Got a picture of him? Share one with me."

"All I have is an old group shot from those days, with Xiao Fu positioned at the rear—barely visible."

"No problem, we'll give it our all. He has to be out there somewhere; no one just vanishes without a trace, right?"

"Right, Dad will dispatch searchers too. I'm sharing this with you so you're aware—Dad ended the betrothal with Lu Shuangshuang long ago. Public opinion be damned, but you needed to hear it from me."