Mrs. Shi glanced at the servant and then raised her hand. The servant respectfully handed the phone to Mrs. Shi, who brought it to her ear and calmly began to speak, "Yun Shu."
"Madam, good morning," came Ling Yunshu’s voice, habitually graceful and calm, courteous and gentle—as always, exceedingly pleasant to the ear.
Mrs. Shi had always liked Ling Yunshu and naturally responded with a small smile, "Good."
The reason for Ling Yunshu’s call wasn’t anything special. For the past three years, she had made it a point to call Mrs. Shi every fortnight to extend her warm regards, her conversation always proper. After exchanging pleasantries, she would hang up without further ado.
It was the same today. She briefly inquired after Mrs. Shi’s health, urged her to take care of herself, and was about to hang up. However, just as she and Mrs. Shi were saying goodbye, Mrs. Shi stopped her.
"Yun Shu, wait a moment."
Ling Yunshu’s hand paused, a slow flash of light crossing her beautiful eyes, though her voice was as calm as ever, "Madam, what is it?"
Mrs. Shi furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Yun Shu, if I remember correctly, you should be graduating this year, right?"
After Shi Che married Ling Chuxia, Mrs. Shi had sent Ling Yunshu abroad for further studies. Three years had passed, and she should have been ready to graduate.
Ling Yunshu chuckled lightly, her voice neither haughty nor humble, "Madam, I actually completed those courses a year ago."
"Oh? Is that so?" Mrs. Shi couldn’t help but wear a satisfied smile, "You’ve always been such a good student from a young age."
After a brief pause, Mrs. Shi continued speaking, "Well then, you should come back."
Mrs. Shi’s tone was casual, but Ling Yunshu felt her heart soar, her body trembling with emotion. She had waited three long years for this very day, for Mrs. Shi to utter these words.
At first, when Shi Che married Ling Chuxia and she was driven from the Shi Family to study abroad, it was ostensibly for further education, but in reality, she was abandoned, a forgotten ensign, because she had lost to her younger sister.
In every way, she had always been better than Chuxia. Even though they looked exactly alike, whenever they went out, who didn’t focus on her? By what right... had she lost to her sister in the end?
Over these three years, she had swallowed all her grievances, embarrassments, and humiliations. Even if she was dissatisfied, she never once complained in front of Mrs. Shi. All her patience was for this very day.
Because she knew she could, and would, come back!
Everything that belonged to her, she was determined to reclaim!
Ling Yunshu didn’t know how much strength it took to suppress her excitement, her lips curving into a smile, her voice still gentle, "Alright, Madam. I will arrange things here and then return to the country."
Mrs. Shi hummed in response and then hung up the phone.
The servant standing beside her, a long-time employee of the Shi Family, understood Mrs. Shi’s thoughts to a certain extent. However, this time, Mrs. Shi’s decision to have Ling Yunshu return puzzled her, prompting her to ask, "Madam, why... did you suddenly decide to have Miss Yun Shu come back?"
Mrs. Shi sat still, giving the servant a brief glance, then picked up her tea, took a sip, and spoke unhurriedly, "The three-month deadline is nearly upon us."