Liu Ronghua clutched onto her intricate red tang jacket. “I’ve spent my prime on you. Is it wrong to ask for something in return? Even if my biological children treated me badly, others will consider them to be unfilial. I’ve raised you up into an adult. Don’t you think that you owe me for that?”
Ruan Danchen’s face turned pale. Her body swayed, seeming to collapse at any moment. Qi Chenglin had his arm wrapped around her to support her.
“Do you really think she’s in your debt? Anything owed has already been repaid in full earlier on,” said Qi Chenglin coldly. “The things that she was made to do is sufficient. Since you’re feeling so much grief, why not let her go? You’re not her biological mother, so there’ll be nothing between you anymore. You’ll both be free.”
“It’s not enough! The things that she did was insufficient to repay me! She owed it to me, she owed it to me! She should help me!” Liu Ronghua shrieked hysterically.
Qi Chenglin’s lips were pursed solemnly. After a short while, they curled down and he asked mockingly, “Was Danchen really picked up from the roadside?”
“Of course,” Liu Ronghua answered without a doubt.
Qi Chenglin sneered, “Do you think we believe that? Seeing that you’re such a selfish person, did you really have enough compassion to bring home a baby from the roadside? Let alone being so young at that time, just at the right age to enjoy yourself. Even being over forty years old now, you still look delicate, hoping that your man and daughter can get things done for you all the time. Were you really keen on looking after another when you can’t even take good care of yourself?”
Ruan Danchen turned her gaze towards Liu Ronghua absentmindedly.
Liu Ronghua could not keep her face straight when she heard Qi Chenglin’s question. “Who are Danchen’s biological parents?”
Although Qi Chenglin did not have any proof to show that Liu Ronghua might know something about Ruan Danchen’s biological parents, he just felt it in his gut that she had some idea about that.
“She was picked up! Adopted! I don’t know who her parents are!” Liu Ronghua insisted. “I’m the one who raised her up, painstakingly.”
Liu Ronghua stared at Ruan Danchen. “Danchen, you cannot be so heartless. I have done so much for you. You cannot just turn your back on me like this.”
Ruan Danchen had always felt that even if Liu Ronghua did not consider her as her daughter, Liu Ronghua was nevertheless her biological mother. That gave Ruan Danchen something to hold on to.
However, the thing that she had been clinging onto was nonexistence. Seeing Liu Ronghua’s hysterical expression, Ruan Danchen felt that the woman in front of her was sinister. The only reason for Liu Ronghua’s refusal to let her go was her ability to provide Liu Ronghua with more benefits.
In Liu Ronghua’s mind, Ruan Danchen could never ever repay her debt. She would only consider Ruan Danchen’s debt fully paid off after Ruan Danchen was sucked dry.
Ruan Danchen stiffened. She watched as Liu Ronghua moved closer to her, her face growing bigger in her eyes every second. Liu Ronghua’s shriek rang in her ears, repetitively telling her that she owed it to Liu Ronghua.
Ruan Danchen felt suffocated. She could not get enough air even with her mouth open wide. Liu Ronghua’s voice faded and she blacked out.
Ruan Danchen could not let herself faint at that moment. Her short nails dug into her palms. The pain had helped her regain some consciousness.
“You know in your heart that she owes you nothing.” Qi Chenglin ignored Liu Ronghua and turned his cold gaze toward Shen Jialiang. “Since everything has cleared up, I believe that the Shen family no longer needs to claim kinship with us. It’s Chinese New Year, so please show yourselves out.”
Shen Jialiang glared at Ruan Danchen maliciously. He did not expect things to turn out this way. Liu Ronghua was not Ruan Danchen’s mother. Looking back at what Liu Ronghua did, Ruan Danchen would never acknowledge her in the future.
Thus, the relationship between the Shen family and the Qi family was surely broken off. The Shen family even downright offended the Qi family.
Shen Jialiang glimpsed at Grandfather Qi and Grandmother Qi. He could only hope that their interference would rouse further displeasure toward Ruan Danchen, stopping her from obtaining any benefit as well.
As Shen Jialiang left with Liu Ronghua and Shen Zhijing, Grandmother Qi was still massaging her aching head.
…
…
Shen Jialiang kept his silence in the car where the driver was present.
Once they entered the Shen Residence and saw Aunt Li, Shen Jialiang spoke through his gritted teeth, “Aunt Li, if there’s nothing else to do, please go back and have a rest.”
Aunt Li did not utter a word. She merely lowered her head and returned to her room.
Only then did he glower at Liu Ronghua. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier that Ruan Danchen is not your daughter?”
Liu Ronghua had also pressed her luck that night. Facing Shen Jialiang’s seething expression, she raised her voice at the uncommon sight, “Even if you knew, would you have stopped using Danchen? You would still have used her as you like! Today’s event has turned out too suddenly. You’re angry because you’ve just lost your chance to continue using her.”
“You’re clear about this,” scoffed Shen Jialiang.
Liu Ronghua was definitely aware of it. If she was no longer related to Ruan Danchen, Shen Jialiang could send her on her way anytime.
The Qi family’s speech that day had assured her that Ruan Danchen would not recognize her as her mother in the future. If she was ousted from the Shen family, she would truly have no one to rely on.
She was too shocked and furious at the Qi family earlier that she blurted out the truth without much consideration. She had regretted her actions.
Merely thinking about it drove her mad. She had looked after Ruan Danchen for so many years, and Ruan Danchen could just disown Liu Ronghua after her life had turned for the better.
Ruan Danchen had refused to help her when she still thought of Liu Ronghua as her mother. Now, Ruan Danchen would only ignore her further.
Nonetheless, Liu Ronghua told Shen Jialiang, “Even if we’re not blood-related, it remains a fact that I’ve raised her up. Ruan Danchen is a softie. From this alone, she’ll not leave me out. Despite being her adoptive mother, I still have some value left.”
That coincided with Shen Jialiang’s thought. He remained silent, worried that he might appear too heartless. He felt nothing toward her. It was how he was able to use her. After all, Liu Ronghua still had some value left to him.
When Liu Ronghua had spoken out his thoughts, Shen Jialiang acted as if his anger still lingered and let out a sigh after a moment.
“Ronghua, I’m not blaming you. Today’s event happened too suddenly that I’m not well prepared for it. I’m furious at Ruan Danchen. She just sat there putting up such a fragile pretense and even turned her back on you.” Shen Jialiang said in distress.
Liu Ronghua sniggered in her heart, yet she nodded her head, tears rolling down her face.
Shen Jialiang clapped her shoulder and hugged her lightly. “Don’t be sad. Think nothing of tonight’s event and get some rest.”
Liu Ronghua nodded and followed Shen Jialiang back into the room.
…
…
At the Qi family manor, Qi Chenglin wiped Ruan Danchen’s eyes dry. He frowned at the sight of her soulless expression and held himself accountable for announcing the truth too suddenly.
The other Qi family members did not say a word. The elders scrunched their brows in deep thought.
Qi Chenglin said, “I’ll bring her to the washroom to wash her face.”
Ruan Danchen’s mind was empty, her face drenched in tears. She merely allowed Qi Chenglin tow her to the washroom.
Lifting Ruan Danchen onto the countertop in the washroom, Qi Chenglin gazed at her.
He wiped her face softly with a wet towel and apologized, “I’m sorry. It was too sudden. I had planned to show you the documents after going back home today. I didn’t expect the Shen family to visit us out of the blue.”
Ruan Danchen shook her head. “I just… just don’t know what to do. Even though I was sad, I could still hold on to the knowledge that I have a mother. However, that mother I have desperately clung onto is not real. I…”
“Danchen, do you remember what I told Liu Ronghua?” Qi Chenglin placed his palms against her cheeks.
Her cheeks were damp. Considering that it was winter, Qi Chenglin had intentionally wiped her face with a warm wet towel. Nevertheless, her face turned cold after a short while.
Ruan Danchen blinked. She had not paid attention to their conversation.
Qi Chenglin chuckled and moved half a step nearer to the countertop, pulling Ruan Danchen into his embrace. When he noticed her gaze on him, he said, “You’re aware that Liu Ronghua is a very selfish person. She had never taken good care of you since you were young. She even coerced you to get into bed with me and bear my child so that she could be accepted into the Shen family. After giving birth to our child, she tricked you into believing that the baby was dead, persuading you to give up on the baby so that this incident doesn’t come to light in the future. She did not even stay with you during your confinement, which was important after giving birth to our child. I know that the period of confinement for a woman who successfully gave birth and a woman who had a miscarriage is different.”
“Do you know that you treated yourself like a woman who had a miscarriage despite giving birth to our child. What’s going to happen if it left a lingering effect on your health? She was not concerned about all this and left you alone at the hospital,” explained Qi Chenglin calmly, even though he was stuck with worry at the possibility.
His heart ached for Danchen, while at the same time loathing Liu Ronghua.
“Based on her selfish character, do you really believe that she would be so kind as to pick up any child from the roadside?” Qi Chenglin asked, his expression solemn.
Ruan Danchen was stunned. Her eyes darkened as she realized that that was indeed something that Liu Ronghua would not do.
Qi Chenglin continued, “I believe that she might be kind enough for having at least some decency to call the police but adopting you was something that she would never do.”
“Why?” Ruan Danchen asked dumbfoundedly. Her brain was unable to process the information. The news had hit her so hard that she did not have much energy left to ponder further.
Looking at Qi Chenglin’s firm chest, she felt oddly at ease. As long as she was in his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent, her mind would be set at rest.
She knew that she was not so smart. Even in her career, she had never made up those petty schemes. Flattering her superior, associating with her colleagues, pleasing her customers, she did not know how to do any of those.
During her time in Chengshi, she designed according to her clients’ requirements until they were happy about it. She did whatever was instructed of her by Director Zhao without considering his preferences. She had never sent out any wishes on festive days. She merely performed her duties as they were as long as she did not make any mistakes.
Fortunately, she met Song Yu, who had become her close friend.
That was why she was not worried about not possessing sufficient brain cells to think things through. She had Qi Chenglin at her back after all.
Feeling worthless, she sighed dejectedly while staring at Qi Chenglin’s chest.
“I’m wondering about that too. I’ve not found any information on this and Liu Ronghua insisted that you were picked up from the roadside. Nonetheless, I will figure out a way and continue to investigate this further.” He said softly. Looking at her despondent expression, he lifted her face and rubbed her cheeks lightly. “Don’t think too much. You have me with you.”
Ruan Danchen let out a breath and looked up into his eyes. He was very close to her. His breath could be felt against her lips. His grip was as gentle as always.
His face was exceptionally refreshing and handsome. His stern black irises were left with gentle consolation along with a faint smile, moving her so much that her eyes were once again filled with tears.
“I no longer have any family from now on. I’ve really become an orphan,” said Ruan Danchen, feeling a sharp pang in her heart.
“What are you talking about?” Qi Chenglin’s elegant hands that held her, pinched her cheeks instead. “Am I not your family? Don’t you still have me and Youxuan?”
Ruan Danchen’s eyes were glazed and her nose turned red. She buried herself into his embrace. “Thank you. I’m glad to have you around.”
“I’m also glad to have you around.”
“Let’s go. We have to talk about this with the others,” remarked Qi Chenglin.
Ruan Danchen moved slightly so that Qi Chenglin could place her on the ground.
She was ready to have their relationship rejected by the elders. She did some psychological establishment daily to prepare herself for the worst, in case she lost the right to stay together with Qi Chenglin.
If that day ever came, she was prepared to take it all on herself.
Letting out another breath, she thought that after all those mental reconstructions, there was nothing that she could not face at the moment.
“Don’t worry.” Holding onto her hand, Qi Chenglin led her back into the living room.
Grandmother Qi straightened her back. A hint of peppermint from the Wood Lock medicated oil still lingered around the room. Grandmother Qi seemed to feel much better though.
When they sat down, Ruan Danchen plucked up her courage to apologize, “Grandpa, Grandma, I’m sorry.”
The joyous mood of the Chinese New Year’s Eve had been ruined because of her.
Grandmother Qi sighed again. Perhaps her headache had returned as she was rubbing her temple lightly. “Who would’ve thought that it’ll turn out like this?”
Guan Liya stared at Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen.
During their absence, Grandmother Qi had asked Guan Liya and Qi Zhongxun about their thoughts on that matter, since they were already informed of Ruan Danchen’s identity.
“Mom, I’ve no idea.” Guan Liya’s head felt heavy. “Although Danchen is now an orphan, her family background is considered clean, right?”
A person without any family left, her family background was definitely as clean as a whistle.
“However, she has an adoptive mother, Liu Ronghua. The way she stormed in tells us much about her. Danchen is a good child but Liu Ronghua…” Guan Liya did not dare bring up the Shen family. She felt as if saying it out would degrade their status.
“Despite being an orphan, our reputation may be tarnished if words of Danchen’s relationship with Liu Ronghua got out.” Guan Liya was in a dilemma as she took a glimpse at Qi Zhongxun. She shook her head, trying to clear up her messy mind. “I don’t know. Zhongxun, what do you think?”
“You don’t need to ask him anymore. I just want to know if you like Danchen, regardless of her family background?” Grandfather Qi asked.
“Danchen is a good child. I can see that she sincerely treats both Chenglin and Youxuan well. Most importantly, Chenglin loves her. If we disregard Liu Ronghua and the Shen family, I will fully accept her into our family,” answered Guan Liya.
Qi Zhongxun nodded in agreement. “I don’t even want to look at her past relationship with Liu Ronghua and the Shen family, as long as she has a good character and a clean family background.”
Grandmother Qi nodded too. “As you said, Danchen is an orphan. Her family background must be clean enough. Thus, there should not be any problem.”
“Mom, you’re…” Guan Liya looked curiously at both Grandfather Qi and Grandmother Qi.
Before she could resume, Qi Chenglin had brought Ruan Danchen back into the living room.
When Grandmother Qi looked at Ruan Danchen’s anguished and dispirited appearance as she apologized, her heart ached for her. Why was she so pitiful at such a young age?
“Danchen, do you have anything to say? You can tell us first.” Grandmother Qi said in a kind tone.
Not knowing what she could say, Ruan Danchen’s sight swept past everyone in the Qi family. Qi Chengzhi and Qi Chengji remained composed while Song Yu nodded at her encouragingly. Qi Zhongliang and Xia Wenna felt that it was inappropriate for them to poke their nose into other’s family matters. Thus, they remained expressionless as well.
“I… I don’t know what else I can say. I’m sorry for hiding the truth about my mother. I’m sorry that things turned out badly tonight. Apart from apologizing, I don’t know how I should face you. I’m ashamed to even apologize to you. If… If you think that I’m not suitable for Chenglin, I can…”
Before she could finish, Qi Chenglin thundered, “Danchen!”
Ruan Danchen stopped herself. Her heart skipped a beat and she dared not look at him.
That was the first time Qi Chenglin admonished her. His voice was full of anger.
Ruan Danchen lowered her head, knowing that it was her fault.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” she whispered. “It would have been so much better if it’s not me whom you meet. You won’t be so troubled. It’s my fault, it’s all my fault that you have so much grievance.”
“Stop it!” Qi Chenglin said sternly.
He looked up at Grandfather Qi, Grandmother Qi, and his parents. “When you questioned me about Danchen, I did not lie, except for the fact about her mother. This is all my fault. It has nothing to do with Danchen. I told you before she could, so she was unable to refute. I lied because I knew that you will not be so accepting of her if you were aware of her relationship with Liu Ronghua and the Shen family. Instead, you’ll look at her judgmentally, magnifying her little mistakes and disliking her from your heart.”
“Didn’t you like her before knowing that her mother was Liu Ronghua?” Qi Chenglin continued. “I had initially investigated Liu Ronghua to hold something against her and the Shen family and to stop them from bothering Danchen again. This way, she can marry me without any burdens. I did not expect to find out that Liu Ronghua is not Danchen’s biological mother. I won’t say much about repaying her for raising Danchen. With what she had done, Danchen has surely repaid it all.”
“This child.” Grandmother Qi shook her head and said helplessly, “Anyway Danchen is now an orphan. Her family background is crystal clear.”
…
…
Extra Mini Scene:
Qi Youxuan, Get Out
Ever since knowing that his mother is Ruan Danchen, Qi Youxuan was elated. He did not only tell everyone he knew, he even changed the lyrics of all the songs he learned during music lessons into words that were related to his mother.
In one of his music classes, they learned the song ‘The House Painter’.
During the sing-along, there was a discord note:
I have a good mommy, who makes me yummy food~
Sweet-sour pork ribs, hamburger, yummy yu-yummy~
Aiya my little tummy, growing bigger now~
The entire class remained silent.
The music teacher said, “Qi Youxuan, get out!”
