On the other end of the phone, Sheng Jingxi was constantly scolding. His throat was almost on fire from all the yelling. Meanwhile, Jiang Li was sitting leisurely on the sofa, sipping tea as if the whole thing had nothing to do with her.
Sheng Jingxi was so angry that he turned to look at her, utterly bewildered. "These people are spouting nonsense and saying such mean things. How come you're not angry?"
"I'm used to it," Jiang Li calmly replied as she put down her teacup. "It's impossible to please everyone. There are plenty of people just waiting to watch the show. If you're in this line of work, you have to be able to take the scolding. Besides, not everything they say is false."
Sheng Jingxi wasn't convinced. He put his hands on his hips. "Those people who have nothing to do with you are the ones leeching off you, yet they act like the victims. In my opinion, we should find your biological parents. Let's see what those netizens have to say then."
Sheng Jingxi really had this in mind, so he added, "I'll ask someone to help with the investigation. As long as we can narrow down the scope, it shouldn't be too hard to find your relatives."
With the Sheng family's connections and status, Jiang Li knew it wouldn't be difficult. But she didn't want to.
Jiang Li shook her head. "No, thanks."
"Why?" Sheng Jingxi was completely confused. "Don't you want to meet your biological parents?"
Jiang Li's answer was straightforward. "No."
Seeing his confusion, she explained, "I've lived in the Jiang family for so many years. During all that time, I've never really felt the warmth of family."
"Then all the more reason to find your..."
"But what if, and I mean what if," Jiang Li smiled, "what if my biological parents don't love me either? What then?"
Sheng Jingxi fell silent for a moment after hearing this.
Human nature is complex. If those she'd lived with for over a decade couldn't warm her heart, how could she be sure that her long - lost relatives would love her after they met?
Rather than gambling on an uncertain family, it was better to be free and alone. In this chaotic world, it was already difficult for her to maintain a relative balance and self - consistency. She didn't want any more changes to disrupt her life. She just couldn't bear it. Moreover, the change might even be negative.
Sheng Jingxi understood this as well. He stopped trying to persuade Jiang Li. Instead, he put his arm around her shoulder and made a solemn promise. "It's okay. From now on, you're part of the Sheng family. The whole Sheng family will back you up."
Jiang Li smiled and didn't push him away. Normally, there should be a sense of propriety between the genders, but perhaps because he always called himself her brother, Jiang Li had the illusion that he really was her brother and didn't find it inappropriate.
"Thanks. You're a good brother." Jiang Li meant every word.
---
The Xiao Family Mansion.
The once - a - month family gathering, which used to be a regular event, had become increasingly desolate. There wasn't even anyone willing to start a conversation.
On the dining table, there was a sumptuous spread of dishes prepared by the nanny. They were arranged neatly, still steaming, and the warm - yellow light above the table was supposed to whet one's appetite. But none of the diners had any desire to eat.
Halfway through the meal, Xiao Yuanfeng received a call from the hospital. Frowning, he immediately stood up. "You guys keep eating. I have to go on a business trip to Huacheng."
Hearing this, Su Jialan's face changed. "How long will you be gone?"
Xiao Yuanfeng replied simply. "A week."
His words were concise, and the meaning was clear: he was going to visit Tang Yuxue.
On the table, only Su Jialan and Xiao Yanzhi were left.
Xiao Yanzhi hardly touched his chopsticks throughout the meal. He wiped his mouth with a tissue and said he was tired and wanted to go back and rest.
Now that all the family affairs were handled by Xiao Yuanfeng alone, Xiao Yanzhi had nothing to do all day. How could he be tired? It was probably just an excuse to leave.
Seeing that Xiao Yanzhi was about to go, Su Jialan panicked. "Ayan."
Xiao Yanzhi stood still and silently stared at her for a moment. "Do you have something else to say?"
His tone was calm, without any fluctuations. "I've finished eating. You can continue. I'll leave first."
Su Jialan quickly continued. "About last time, I've been reflecting. It was my fault."
Xiao Yanzhi stared at her expressionlessly, waiting for her to continue.
Su Jialan was wearing a purple long - gown overcoat, and her hair was elegantly pulled back. She exuded the aura of a wealthy wife that she'd cultivated over the years.
Meeting Xiao Yanzhi's calm and indifferent gaze, she felt a sense of strangeness.
Her son, the son she was most proud of, the only one who could ever make her feel proud, was now looking at her with such a cold and emotionless look.
Wasn't this a kind of tragedy?
She said, "Ayan, I was too hasty. I thought I was doing it for your own good. I thought you'd understand my good intentions later, just like what my parents said to me back then."
Back then, the Su family and the Xiao family had an arranged marriage. Su Jialan was married to Xiao Yuanfeng without really knowing why. That's what her parents had told her.
They were well - matched, a perfect couple, and would surely be envied in the future.
"But now, I don't think what they did was right," Su Jialan said with a helpless smile. "They just thought it was proper. No one really cared whether I was truly happy after marriage."
She placed her hands on the wheelchair. Her well - maintained face showed a hint of sadness. As she spoke, her voice began to tremble. "Ayan, this is my first time being a mother. I'm bound to make mistakes. In terms of your education, I could only follow the way my parents educated me."
"I thought that was the right way, even if it went against your will and your inner happiness. I was forced to wear this yoke, and I even forced you to wear it with me."
Xiao Yanzhi said nothing, just looking at his mother in front of him.
She was more glamorous and of a higher status than anyone else, but only she knew how she'd lived her life.
She'd worked hard for most of her life. Not only were her legs disabled, but her husband never loved her, and her son now resented her. She clung to her so - called nobility and propriety, destined to live a lonely life.
In a way, she was a pitiful woman.
"Ayan, it was my fault. I'm sorry. Please forgive me," Su Jialan said heart - wrenchingly. "It's only now that I realize those ideas were wrong. I've started to change. Please give me a chance, okay?"