Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
A few days later, Xiao Hang sent Xiao Yin to find me. I knew he wanted Xiao Yin to use maternal love to keep me here. After all, I was Xiao Yin's biological mother.
"Mother, I miss you," Xiao Yin said as she threw herself into my arms. I didn't push her away; instead, I gently stroked her hair.
"Xiao Yin, do you want to return to your mother's side?" I asked. Xiao Yin lifted her head and looked into my eyes.
"Yes!" she replied eagerly.
"Why is that?"
Xiao Yin thought for a moment. "Because I want to see you every day."
I nodded, but I knew it was more about the grand Duke's Residence behind me than about me.
"Xiao Yin, wanting to be with your mother means you love her. But that doesn't mean you need your mother to do it."
Xiao Yin looked at me in confusion. "You have your own thoughts and decisions. You can choose what you want to do; you don't need anyone else to make decisions for you."
Xiao Yin lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.
"Mother, I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. Can you give me another chance?"
I looked at Xiao Yin and sighed. "Xiao Yin, it's a fact that your father and I have separated. We won't be going back to that home."
Xiao Yin grew anxious and grabbed my hand. "I can forget about Father; just don't leave me."
I smiled softly, but her eyes were red with unshed tears.
"Mother, I will change."
"I will never be willful again," she said.
I shook my head. "Xiao Yin, you are just spoiled."
"I hope you can become a good person in your own right," she replied.
Xiao Yin looked at me, tears streaming down her face. "I understand, Mother."
I reached out and wiped the tears from Xiao Yin's cheeks. "Xiao Yin, you must remember this: you are an independent person. You do not need to rely on anyone else. Whatever you want, you must strive for it yourself. Whether it is love or anything else, you must fight for it on your own. Do not let others decide your life, even if that person is someone you feel closest to."
Xiao Yin nodded. "I understand, Mother."
"Then go ahead," I said.
Xiao Yin turned and left. I truly hoped that she could let go of her prejudices against me and become a good person in her own right.
The next day, I went to the government office to find Xiao Hang.
At the corner of the street, I was surprised to see Zhao Mingcheng walking into the office. I knew he was here regarding my marriage with Xiao Hang.
"Lord Pei, I want to talk to you," Zhao Mingcheng said directly, without any preamble.
"The matter between me and Xiaoxiao is none of your business," Xiao Hang replied darkly.
"You don't care about Xiaoxiao or about Xiao Yin, but I do," Zhao Mingcheng retorted with a cold snort. "You married Xiaoxiao but neglect her, leaving her to raise Xiao Yin alone. Xiao Hang, Xiaoxiao has suffered so much for you; have you ever cherished her? You even want to elevate that woman named Liang Lin as a secondary wife! Xiao Hang, Xiaoxiao is your wife, and Xiao Yin is your biological daughter."
"You ignored them, and now you even let Xiao Yin bully Xiaoxiao.
"What kind of father are you?
"You don't deserve to be Xiaoxiao's husband, and you certainly don't deserve to be Xiao Yin's father!"
Xiao Hang slammed his hand on the table.
"Zhao Mingcheng, shut up!
"Xiaoxiao is my wife, and Xiao Yin is my daughter. That will never change."
Zhao Mingcheng also stood up.
"Xiao Hang, can you honestly say I'm wrong?
"Can you say that you have no regrets about Xiaoxiao and Xiao Yin?
"If you truly had no regrets, how could you have pushed Xiaoxiao to the point of pretending to have amnesia?"
Xiao Hang was stunned.
Yes, how could he have forced Xiaoxiao to pretend to have amnesia?
I walked into the official office.
"Xiao Hang, I am no longer the Zhao Xiaoxiao of the past.
"I will make choices for my own future.
"I want to continue taking care of Xiao Yin; do you agree?"
Xiao Hang glanced at me.
"Xiaoxiao, you don't have to say that.
"If you want to take care of Xiao Yin, how could I disagree?"
I smiled slightly.
"That's good.
"Xiao Hang, I once loved you.
"That's why I don't want us to become awkward with each other.
"I want to preserve the last bit of dignity for both of us.
"Do you understand?"
Xiao Hang lowered his head.
I turned and left the official office.
Xiao Hang, this is the last time I will cry for you.
From now on, we must cherish ourselves separately.
Xiao Hang stood there, his expression somber.
And I continued with my life.
Just two days before I was to pick up Xiao Yin, I received a notice from the government to claim Xiao Yin's belongings."
Xiao Yin is dead.
I trembled as I took Xiao Yin's belongings into my hands. It turned out that Xiao Yin had accidentally fallen into the pond. Although spring had arrived, the water was still cold. Xiao Yin drowned.
Xiao Hang knelt by the pond, unwilling to rise for a long time. He regretted it. He regretted being indifferent to me and Xiao Yin for the sake of Liang Lin. He regretted not taking good care of us, mother and daughter. He regretted losing both me and Xiao Yin. Holding onto Xiao Yin's belongings, he wept uncontrollably.
I watched him from a distance, my heart aching. Xiao Hang, if only you had known this day would come, would you have acted differently? I turned and walked away. In this life, we would never meet again.
While sorting through Xiao Yin's belongings, Xiao Hang discovered the portraits she had drawn. Tears streamed down his face. He finally understood. But it was too late.
That day, I had secured a large order. After leaving the merchant house, I planned to rest at the teahouse. Unexpectedly, I ran into Liang Lin. She invited me to join her for tea at the teahouse. I intended to refuse, but she grabbed my sleeve.
"Zhao Xiaoxiao, I have something to say to you."
Seeing her sincere expression, I decided to go with her to the teahouse. Once there, Liang Lin apologized to me.
"Zhao Xiaoxiao, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interfered in your life with Xiao Hang. I know I was wrong. Don't worry, I will leave Xiao Hang."
I interrupted her words.
"Liang Lin, the separation between me and your master is not your fault.
"I also want to thank you for taking care of Xiao Yin while I was busy.
"If it weren't for that, Xiao Yin wouldn't be so close to you.
"Liang Lin, you are a wonderful person.
"But the issues between him and me have nothing to do with you."
Liang Lin looked at me gratefully.
"Zhao Xiaoxiao, what about you and Xiao Hang..."
I smiled softly.
"Look out the window."
Liang Lin turned to gaze outside.
Zhao Mingcheng was waiting for me by the carriage.
Liang Lin smiled.
"Zhao Xiaoxiao, I hope you can find happiness.
"Xiao Hang doesn't deserve you."
I nodded in response.
Liang Lin left.
I hurried down the stairs towards Zhao Mingcheng.
But suddenly, Xiao Hang rushed out and stood beside me.
"Xiaoxiao, do you remember?
"We once drank tea here together.
"You said you would always be by my side.
"Xiaoxiao, can't we go back to how things were?"
I shook my head.
"Xiao Hang, we can't go back.
"Even if we did, everything has changed.
"No one will be waiting for you there anymore."
Xiao Hang grasped my shoulders tightly.
"Xiaoxiao, I love you.
"I truly love you.
"Can we start over?"
I pushed his hand away.
"Xiao Hang, love doesn't need confirmation."
"If you really loved me, you wouldn't make me sad."
"Do you have a day off tomorrow?"
Xiao Hang nodded.
"Xiao Xiao, what do you want to do?"
I smiled.
"Tomorrow is your birthday, isn't it?"
Xiao Hang froze.
"You remember?"
I sighed.
"Of course I remember. But do you remember? Today is my birthday."
Xiao Hang's face was filled with regret.
"Xiao Xiao, I..."
I shook my head.
"Xiao Hang, don't come to disturb me anymore. The birthday gift you owe me can never be repaid in this lifetime. And please, don't make me hate you again."
I pushed Xiao Hang away and ran towards Zhao Mingcheng.
Xiao Hang took a couple of steps after me but then stopped.
He watched as I rushed towards Zhao Mingcheng, tears filling his eyes.
Zhao Mingcheng took my hand and led me home.
I nestled in his embrace, feeling his warmth.
In this life, having him is enough.
Comment 0 Comment Count