Xia Chuyi looked at Mother Xia with detachment.
There was something odd about the relationship between mother and daughter; it seemed as though there wasn’t any explicit breaking point, yet they had drifted apart.
For Xia Chuyi, disappointment hadn’t built up overnight—it had accumulated over the past and present lives.
As for Mother Xia, Xia Chuyi didn’t know what she thought.
Of course, the current Xia Chuyi didn’t care about Mother Xia’s thoughts either.
Now, having heard Mother Xia call her, Xia Chuyi simply responded in a calm and indifferent tone, "Hmm."
Mother Xia didn’t feel embarrassed or sad because of Xia Chuyi’s coldness.
Seeing that Xia Chuyi had responded, Mother Xia said, "Chuyi, you’re back. Take advantage of the winter break to help your brother out."
"He’s working hard running the business all by himself," Mother Xia said, looking at Xia Chengzong with a touch of pity.
It seemed she only cared about Xia Chengzong and had no concern for her daughter.
As soon as Mother Xia said this, Xia Chengzong immediately frowned.
"No need," Xia Chengzong spoke up, cutting her off with a decisive refusal, "We’ve hired a helper in the store, I can manage by myself!"
"Unless schoolwork is tough, let her rest during the holidays."
Dissatisfaction with Mother Xia was evident in Xia Chengzong’s eyes.
Seeing Xia Chengzong , Mother Xia wasn’t angry; instead, she said with a smile, "Chengzong really is a kind and good child, always caring for his sister."
Her eyes were filled with admiration.
Xia Chengzong’s frown deepened.
And Xia Chuyi? She had no additional expression, and in fact, her attention wasn’t on Mother Xia at all.
Because she noticed that while Mother Xia was speaking, Xia Lan had been stealthily watching her.
Xia Chuyi narrowed her eyes slightly, disregarded Mother Xia, and instead said directly to Xia Chengzong, "Brother, I’m heading back first."
After speaking, she left promptly.
Seeing her dismiss Mother Xia so bluntly, Xia Lan was slightly startled,
but quickly, Xia Lan ran after her, calling out, "Chuyi!"
And reached out to grab her.
Xia Chuyi’s arm was pulled from behind by Xia Lan.
"Let go!" Xia Chuyi said with an irritated look, shaking off Xia Lan’s hand, she turned to her and asked, "Xia Lan, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Her tone was distinctly impatient.
"Chuyi, after all, we’re sisters. There’s no need for you to treat me , right?" Xia Lan said with a forced smile, "If there’s any misunderstanding between us, let’s just clear it up."
Her face showed a sincere intention to resolve the issue.
"Hmph," Xia Chuyi gave her a cold look and said, "Xia Lan, your affair with He Qing is something I’ll never get over!"
Her voice purposefully filled with anger.
Xia Lan looked at Xia Chuyi, smoothed her hair, and replied with a forced gentle smile, "He Qing... Chuyi, sister doesn’t understand, which incident are you referring to?"
Inquisition flashed in Xia Lan’s eyes.
"Which incident?" Xia Chuyi scoffed at Xia Lan’s act and retorted, "Xia Lan, how many more bad things have you and He Qing done?"
She stared intently into Xia Lan’s eyes.
Seeing Xia Chuyi , Xia Lan’s gaze flickered for a moment, yet she continued to say with a gentle smile, "I don’t understand what you mean."
No, Xia Chuyi saw Xia Lan understood all too well.
Between Xia Lan and He Qing, if we only looked at "this life," the wrong that Xia Lan did was only having an affair with He Qing.