Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Just as Jin Qingyan was about to leave the house after having breakfast, Fan Shixin entered and informed him, “Young Sir, Madam Ling is here and she’d like to see you.”
“Let her in.”
Seconds later, Mrs. Ling strode in quickly with her purse in hand. “Qingyan, I’m not imposing on you, am I?”
“No. Are you here for something urgent, Auntie?”
“Well, I heard that Ciye and Qingyue are dating each other. I think Ciye was still single despite already being 31 years old entirely because he’s waiting for the best woman to show up in his life,” said Mrs. Ling. Although she did not put it across blatantly, it was more than obvious what she was implying.
“Auntie, are you trying to say that Qingyue is not good enough for Ciye? As a parent, I think you ought to have a good talk with Ciye and hear what he has to say. Perhaps you may also try to find out how he feels about Qingyue, maybe then you’ll change your mindset and opinion toward her, as well as their relationship,” Jin Qingyan said in a tone of vehemence.
“Qingyan, I think Qingyue’s a great girl too. I know she didn’t wish to end up in a divorce either, but Qingyan, you’re a father yourself now. Can’t you put yourself in my shoes and consider things from my perspective?”
“I may have a son, but I definitely wouldn’t interfere with his decisions when it comes to marriage in the future. Besides, both of them are willing parties and there won’t be any good that comes out of meddling with their business. As their family members, we ought to stay out of it.”
“Qingyan, does this mean that you’re not going to step in to interfere?” Mrs. Ling asked.
“They’re both adults who should be responsible for their own actions. I believe Ciye and Qingyue must have carefully considered the possible consequences and weighed the pros and cons before deciding to get into a relationship with each other. They definitely didn’t get together by chance. Besides, Auntie, Qingyue may have a child and have been married before, but Ciye has also cohabited with his former girlfriend for several years. Not to mention, they even had a child together too, except his former girlfriend suffered a miscarriage in the end. They’re both victims of a failed relationship, so why do you have to compare them against each other?” Jin Qingyan answered frankly, giving her his honest opinion.
Mrs. Ling sprung up from her seat and hollered, “Seems like I made a wasted trip today!”
“Take your leave, I won’t be seeing you out!”
Mrs. Ling stormed off in a huff. As soon as she got inside the car and drove off, she coincidentally caught sight of Jin Qingyue exiting from the supermarket.
She immediately ordered her chauffeur to step on the brakes and alighted from the car.
Jin Qingyue was at the supermarket to purchase some daily necessities. She did not see Mrs. Ling at all initially and only noticed her presence when the latter was approaching her.
There was no time to avoid her.
She had no choice but to put on a wry smile and greet her, “Auntie…”
With an austere expression on her face, Mrs. Ling pointed toward her car and said, “Hop in, I have something to ask you about.”
Although Jin Qingyue had already prepared herself mentally for this day beforehand, she could nonetheless not help but feel tense and nervous when the moment actually arrived.
Waves of anxiety overwhelmed her as she got inside Mrs. Ling’s car and sat down beside her in the backseat.
“I tried to call you so many times these past few days but I couldn’t reach you because your mobile phone had been switched off. Qingyue, you’ve really let me down by lying to me.”
“Auntie, I didn’t admit it earlier because Brother Ciye and I have agreed to keep our relationship secret before things become stable.”
“So you’re saying that it’s stable now? Do you really think you’re good enough for Ciye?” Mrs. Ling hissed, glaring at her coldly.
Jin Qingyue plucked up her courage and answered, “I do think I’m good enough for him. Auntie, give me a chance. I’ll treat Ciye well and be a good wife and mother. I won’t bring shame to the Ling family.”
“But you’re already being a disgrace now! Aren’t you aware of your past at all? Let’s put the fact that you’re a divorced single mother aside and talk about the controversial news and scandals you were involved in. The whole world knows about the issues you’ve had with your ex-husband! I really don’t understand how you actually have the cheek to say that you’re good enough for Ciye!” Mrs. Ling hollered with bloodshot eyes.
Jin Qingyue clenched her fists tightly and did not retort, for she knew that she could not deny the existence of those scandalous news, although they were all from the past.
“Auntie, we ought to put the past behind us and focus on the present and the future, which are what matter most. Auntie, if you agree to let me continue dating Brother Ciye, I promise I’ll bring him happiness and bliss,” said Jin Qingyue, turning to the side to face her.
“What rights have you got to be so confident? The very fact that you have a daughter… My son may have had a girlfriend in the past, but he’s still unmarried at the end of the day. If he continues to be with you, he’s going to become someone else’s stepfather… Are you thinking of making my son raise your daughter?” Mrs. Ling questioned apprehensively.
“I have my own means and financial abilities to raise my child on my own. Besides, I’ll go dutch with Brother Ciye and not spend a single cent of his. My savings are sufficient to last me a lifetime,” Jin Qingyue said boldly with confidence.
Mrs. Ling was at a loss for words.
“Is Ciye back yet?”
“Yes.” Jin Qingyue decided that the crucial thing to do now was to handle the matter properly since Mrs. Ling had already found out about it.
Mrs. Ling alighted from the car and walked toward Ling Ciye’s apartment.
Jin Qingyue followed closely behind and entered the house together with her. However, she remained outside the bedroom and allowed Mrs. Ling and her son some space to have a private discussion.
Ling Ciye was not at all shocked to see his mother.
“Mother, you’re back.”
Mrs. Ling was further enraged to see how calm he was. “Yes, I’m here. When did you come back?”
“I’ve always been home.”
“Then why did you tell me that…”
Before she could even finish her sentence, Ling Ciye hurriedly explained, “Because I was severely wounded and I didn’t want to worry you. I’ve been resting and recuperating at home all this while.”
“Where and how did you get wounded? I’ve always reminded you to look out for your safety and protect yourself at all times, but you simply refuse to listen! Show me your wounds,” Mrs. Ling exclaimed worriedly.
He lifted his shirt and said, “I was shot twice, once in my abdomen and once in my arm.”
Mrs. Ling stared at his wounds and grew speechless, filled with immense heartache.
“Mother, Qingyue has been the one taking care of me dearly during the time that I was healing my wounds.”
“If you told me about it, I would’ve taken care of you dearly too. Anyone can do the same, there’s nothing great about it,” Mrs. Ling scoffed.
“Mother, I’m not a child anymore, I know what I’m doing. So, Mother, could you please be more kind and understanding toward Qingyue for my sake?” Ling Ciye asked softly.
“No, I can’t. Ciye, why are you so muddled up? There are plenty of better fishes in the sea. Are you blind?” Mrs. Ling scorned as she took a seat by the bed.
“I just want to be with a woman who makes me feel comfortable and at ease. Well, she just happens to be one.”
“Comfortable in which aspect?” Mrs. Ling asked.
“Emotionally comfortable,” Ling Ciye answered.
“I don’t care, your father and I both don’t agree to this. I can’t tolerate others criticizing and castigating you and our family,” said Mrs. Ling, staring at the ground.
“Mother, if I could make Qingyue’s reputation improve gradually, will you and Father change your attitudes toward our relationship?”
Mrs. Ling did not answer his question and instead asked, “Do you really want to date her?”
“We’re already in a relationship.”
Mrs. Ling was at a complete loss for what to do. She was peeved by how disobedient her son was, although she knew that she could not keep him by her side forever, now that he was already a grown-up.
“If you can really do that, I can’t say if your father’s attitude will change but mine will, for sure.”
Ling Ciye broke into smiles and said, “Mother, I’m taking your word for it. Don’t go home just yet. I’ll ask Qingyue to prepare a sumptuous meal for you to try.”
Mrs. Ling glared at him and scoffed, “Do I look like I haven’t eaten before?”
She then added, “Rest well and refrain from moving about unnecessarily. I’ll visit you again another day.”
“Mother, take care.”
