Go back with your mom
In the middle of the night, in the quiet, long corridors of the hospital, Shi Jinglan sat calmly on a chair, waiting for Xia Zhijin to return after paying the fees.
The sound of footsteps softly approached, as Xia Zhijin walked towards Shi Jinglan under the bleak light, her face as pale as paper.
“Thank you…” Xia Zhijin stood in front of Shi Jinglan, lowering her usually proud neck, her voice hoarse as she expressed her gratitude.
Regardless of the circumstances, Shi Jinglan was able to rush over so promptly in the middle of the night, and even helped her arrange the transfer to another hospital. She should be thankful.
There was a time when Xia Zhijin was very close to her, her trust in her even more like a daughter than Shi Man. Though Shi Jinglan didn’t show much response, deep down she also appreciated her closeness. But now, their relationship may never return to what it used to be.
“Where is Manman?” Shi Jinglan asked.
“She got drunk,” Xia Zhijin replied calmly, lowering her gaze slightly.
Although Shi Man enjoyed partying, ever since Xia Zhijin arrived, she didn’t like Shi Man drinking, so Shi Man hardly touched alcohol anymore. After a moment of contemplation, Shi Jinglan could probably understand what Shi Man was up to during this period.
Leaning one leg over the other, Shi Jinglan looked at Xia Zhijin’s complexion, subtly furrowing her brow, and keenly asked, “Are you sick?”
“It’s nothing, just a slight cold,” Xia Zhijin answered faintly, trying to appear strong.
Shi Jinglan let out a sigh, saying concisely, “If you really collapse, your younger sister will probably have a tougher time than now.”
Xia Zhijin felt a pang of guilt. She looked at Xia Zhiqi, who was asleep on a nearby chair with red eyes, her breath slightly paused. After a few seconds, she replied, “I understand.”
Shi Jinglan looked at the determined look on the girl’s face and sighed in her heart. She took out a silver bank card from her bag and casually handed it to Xia Zhijin, saying, “There’s two hundred thousand in the card, use it for now.”
Xia Zhijin mechanically turned her eyes, her tired gaze falling on the card gripped between Shi Jinglan’s slender fingers. She looked down at the card, her face cold and seemingly exuding arrogance. She clenched her teeth tightly, feeling a heavy weight pressing on her chest, almost making it hard for her to breathe.
Decline it?
Xia Zhijin’s fists clenched so tightly that the neatly trimmed fingertips were deeply embedded in the flesh of her palms. After a while, she forced a bitter smile, betraying her own dignity, and reluctantly opened her palm. With a difficult and slow movement, she took the card from Shi Jinglan’s hand, feeling embarrassed yet resolute as she promised, “I will give you an IOU, give me some time, and I will definitely pay you back in the future.”
Shi Jinglan squinted her eyes at the words, a hint of mocking smile appearing on her lips suddenly. She coldly asked her, “Zhijin, whether you admit it or not, you still actively used the resources of the Shi family, or relied on the Shi family. Some things cannot be repaid with money.”
Xia Zhijin’s complexion turned even paler, under Shi Jinglan’s reminder, even the always upright posture of her body showed signs of fatigue.
Shi Jinglan was right, no matter how resolute she had been in the past, trying to appear strong and unyielding, now the evidence was clear – she had still relied on the influence of the Shi family, and had accepted Shi Jinglan’s money.
Perhaps, in Shi Jinglan’s eyes, she was just that kind of unscrupulous and dependent lotus flower? However, faced with her helpless and bewildered sleeping sister, thoughts of her grandmother in critical care, and the card in her hand, she found it impossible to return it.
Her heart was higher than the sky, but she considered herself lowly.
Xia Zhijin’s throat felt sore as tears began to well up in her eyes. For someone still struggling to survive like her, talking about love and relationships seemed truly extravagant.
She even looked down upon her own lack of integrity, so why should she expect others to respect her? She blinked back the tears, repeating her promise through choked sobs, “Auntie, this is a loan, and I will definitely repay it.”
Shi Jinglan’s gaze grew deeper. After a moment, she remained calm and asked Xia Zhijin in a steady tone, “If you insist that it’s a loan, then so be it. But my loan comes with conditions.”
Pausing for a moment, she added, “Two conditions, you choose one. The first is to exit the entertainment industry. Next semester, you will accompany Shi Man for her studies abroad. Breach of contract penalties, school applications, tuition, living expenses – the Shi family will take care of it all. You won’t have to worry about your grandmother and sister; the Shi family will look after them. All you have to do is go with Shi Man and take care of her. After graduation, if you wish, you can choose any position within the Shixing Group. The second is to break up with Shi Man now, so as not to hinder each other.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Zhijin trembled almost imperceptibly, unable to meet Shi Jinglan’s gaze. A mix of panic, anger, and sorrow flashed in her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to protest something, but ultimately, she gritted her teeth, gave a bitter smile, and fell silent.
To exit the entertainment industry and become Shi Man’s truly caged canary? To lie down and accept mockery for the rest of her days? To be at the mercy of others from now on? She couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She was already in this state, but what about Zhiqi? Would Zhiqi also end up like this because of her? Perhaps, everyone has their own path to take.
Shi Jinglan was somewhat disappointed with her hesitation. Coolly, she said, “Zhijin, do you know what? You’re good in many ways, but there’s one thing you’re particularly bad at.”
“Too proud, unable to adapt.” Shi Jinglan sighed.
Having watched the girl grow up, she knew Xia Zhijin’s temperament too well. From the beginning, she had never believed in Zhijin’s relationship with Shi Man.
Shi Man was destined to be the successor of the Shi family, and in this life, she was fated to never live an ordinary, simple life like others. The halo around her was given by the Shi family, inherent from birth.
For someone like Xia Zhijin from a different background to be together with Shi Man, it was destined for her to bear the pressure and harm brought about by Shi Man’s aura. This pressure and harm were not solely from Shi Man; there would be countless external voices and even self-inflicted pressure that would continue for a long time.
Xia Zhijin, being too outstanding, too proud, too strong-willed, was not someone who could willingly endure being someone without her own identity for a long time. Even without intentional hindrance from others, the deliberate restraint during the infatuation period, accumulating over time, Xia Zhijin would eventually collapse and leave.
Being with Shi Man made her too vulnerable. Being passionate doesn’t always guarantee unwavering commitment. Just like how her own stubbornness back then didn’t earn her the unwavering loyalty she sought. Social status and class – these were things that one had to overcome on their own to truly surpass them.
She even doubted if Xia Zhijin, being so rational, truly loved Shi Man. From the first test, she was disappointed. In Shi Man’s eyes, love conquered all, but in Xia Zhijin’s eyes, the first act of kindness outweighed Shi Man; the second, self-respect surpassed Shi Man’s comfort; and the third, freedom remained greater than Shi Man.
In Shi Man’s heart, Xia Zhijin would always come first, while in Xia Zhijin’s mind, aside from close family, Shi Man still fell behind many other things.
Since Xia Zhijin couldn’t pass the test in her own heart, since she hesitated like this, since they couldn’t last, since both of them would be unhappy, and since hurt was inevitable, then enduring a long pain was not as good as a short pain.
“Break up then,” Shi Jinglan decisively concluded coldly.
With a crisp slap, echoing in the tranquil morning space.
Zhou Qin, eyes red, almost used all her strength to firmly land a slap on the face of Xiao Wanqing, whom she once regarded as family. Her hand paused in the air, slightly aching and trembling from the excessive force used.
Xiao Wanqing was caught off guard and received a slap, a metallic taste filling her mouth instantly, her fair face showing signs of swelling, a sight that was distressing. Her ears were buzzing loudly, and for a moment her eyes seemed to darken, tilting her head, with red eyes and an embarrassed shame that prevented her from even covering up.
This was what she deserved, for betraying Zhou Qin.
Lin Xian never imagined that her usually gentle mother would actually resort to physical violence; caught off guard, she didn’t react in time. That loud slap echoed not only on Xiao Wanqing’s face but also struck Lin Xian’s heart. Her eyes immediately welled up with tears as she yelled, “Mom, what are you doing?!” Kneeling up, she reached out to gently hold Xiao Wanqing’s face, checking her injuries, “Panpan…”
“I’m fine…” Xiao Wanqing was careful not to show any excessive intimacy with Lin Xian in front of Zhou Qin.
How could she be fine? Lin Xian could see the faint swelling on her fair face, her heart felt like it had been pierced by needles, tears streaming down her cheeks instantly.
She turned her head towards Zhou Qin, glaring angrily, “Mom, you’re too rough. How could you lay hands, how could you…”
Before she could finish her sentence, another sharp slap rang out in the air.
Zhou Qin, watching her daughter interrogate her in a defiant manner, felt a burning sensation in her heart, a mixture of pain and anger, sorrow and indignation. This slap was meant for Lin Xian. She had never resorted to physical punishment to discipline Lin Xian, but today, consumed by anger, her mind was clouded, and she wanted to wake Lin Xian up, to see what she was doing.
Yet ultimately, her hand once again landed on the side of Xiao Wanqing’s face and ear, as she shielded Lin Xian.
Xiao Wanqing held onto Lin Xian, gritting her teeth to prevent herself from making a sound of discomfort. Her mind, her ears, seemed to be roaring, her cheeks burning as if even the air passing by was causing pain.
Lin Xian, looking at the pained expression on Xiao Wanqing’s face, cried out in shock and choked up, “Xiao Panpan, I don’t want you to protect me!”
She stood up, positioning herself in front of Xiao Wanqing, clenched her fists, and with a tearful voice, shouted at Zhou Qin, “Mom, you’ve gone too far. Every mistake, every fault, is mine. What right do you have to come at me, it has nothing to do with Xiao Wanqing. Why are you hitting her?”
Xiao Wanqing’s ears were ringing, making it difficult for her to hear what Lin Xian was saying, but she still immediately reached out to pull Lin Xian, murmuring, “Lin Xian, don’t…”
Zhou Qin, looking at the stubborn glare of Lin Xian in front of her, at the disheveled and distressed appearance of Lin Xian and Xiao Wanqing, trembled with anger, her eyes darkening.
“Why? Lin Xian, you’re asking me why?” Zhou Qin murmured, tears welling up in her eyes. This was the daughter she had cherished as her precious jewel for nineteen years.
“Lin Xian, just because I’m your mother! I hit her, so what, are you going to help her fight back?” Zhou Qin’s voice also carried a tone of heart-wrenching sobs.
“Mom…” Lin Xian choked out. It was the first time she had seen the usually strong-willed Zhou Qin cry, and it was unsettling for her as well.
“What? Not going to hit back, huh?! If you don’t, then come back home with me!” Zhou Qin gritted her teeth with each word, reaching out to pull Lin Xian.
Lin Xian, holding onto Xiao Wanqing, struggled desperately, “I’m not leaving, Mom, please calm down, we need to talk things through.”
But Zhou Qin seemed to ignore her, forcefully pulling her off the bed as if trying to drag her out of this nightmare. “No one needs to talk.”
“Sister…” Xiao Wanqing felt dizzy and nauseous, but she managed to suppress it, wanting to ease the tension between Zhou Qin and Lin Xian.
However, when Zhou Qin saw Xiao Wanqing’s movement, it seemed to trigger something within her, making her even more agitated, “Lin Xian, did you hear me? I’m telling you to come back with me!” Zhou Qin raised her voice in anger.
In the next moment, she felt dizzy, her body suddenly swaying, almost falling to the ground.
Lin Xian hesitated for a moment, then immediately stopped struggling, instinctively jumping off the bed to support her, anxiously calling out, “Mom, Mom, what’s wrong with you…”
Xiao Wanqing also hurriedly got out of bed, wanting to help her.
However, in just a moment, Zhou Qin steadied herself. Her face was pale, and her discomfort was evident, but she seemed to be filled with extreme aversion, immediately avoiding Xiao Wanqing’s searching gaze.
Zhou Qin shook her head forcefully, tightly gripping Lin Xian’s hand, weakly insisting, “Lin Xian, if you don’t want to upset me, then come back with me now.”
“Mom!” Lin Xian called out to her helplessly. How could she leave when she saw her beloved in such a disheveled and lost state?
Xiao Wanqing felt as if Zhou Qin’s hateful gaze at her just now was like a sharp dagger stabbing directly into her heart, causing unbearable pain with every cut. Being despised by someone you love felt like this, she thought. She almost felt like she was forgetting.
Her lips were already stained with specks of blood from biting them. She looked at the rigid Zhou Qin and Lin Xian, closed her eyes for a moment, and gently advised Lin Xian in a sorrowful tone, “Xianxian, go back with your mom first.”