Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Mom, are you saying all these now because of my relationship with CEO Li?”
“Qianshu, you…”
“Mom, I was your daughter for eighteen years. I know you. Back then at the hospital, you were furious, and you hit me. It was natural for you to be worried and disappointed, but you… would never apologize.” Shen Qianshu looked at her quietly. In her eyes, it seemed pure and clear as if she had never been hurt. “You hit me, that’s okay. But all of you… took away the thing that secures my place in life.”
Fang Xia took a breath and said, “Xiao Lin…”
“You don’t have to explain. I know you always think that I have done Shen Lin wrong and should try my best to make up to her, so you took away my collections. I don’t blame you because that collection was a sign of gratitude for the parenting you gave me for the eighteen years. If you think that’s not enough, tell me. I’ll pay.”
Her voice was very light yet determined, as if she was all out to sever all ties with the Shen Family.
But deep down, Shen Qianshu’s heart had long been bleeding.
She wished she could return to her life before she turned fifteen, when her parents loved her selflessly.
She did not understand that after raising her for eighteen years, how could they not love her anymore just because she was not their biological child?
Tong Hua was not her biological son either, but she treated him as if he was.
“Qianshu, don’t put it like that, I…” Fang Xia was very heartbroken. Back then, it was Shen Lin who asked to have her collection. She did not agree to it, but because of Shen Xiong’s selfish greed, they agreed.
She knew that from them on, the mother-daughter relationship would really be cut off completely.
“Mom, I would treat it as if I sold the collection to you for Tong Hua, so don’t feel guilty for me. I sold it and saved Tong Hua, and I’m heartened. I was never your daughter, so you are not obliged to help me. It’s a trade. Money, goods. Very common.”
“Don’t talk about it anymore, Qianshu. Stop poking at Mommy’s heart.” It was a hard decision, and that was not a lie. But Qianshu was, after all, not her biological child. It was normal for humans to treat blood-related family differently from those who were not.
In the past few years, Qianshu had been providing Shen Lin a lot of ideas for designs.
Especially during every national competition.
The works were designed by Qianshu.
She always knew that.
But on one hand, it was a brilliant daughter, and on the other, it was an unmarried woman with a child. She naturally picked to save the child who was not broken.
“Did dad make you come over to make good connections with me?” Shen Qianshu asked coldly. “Because I am close to Li Zhiyuan, so he thinks I have value again now?”
Her expression was filled with irony.
Fang Xia blinked and looked ashamed and awkward. But if she had to choose between Shen Qianshu, Shen Lin, and Shen Xiong, she would definitely abandon Shen Qianshu.
Shen Qianshu knew it too.
“Dad had just lost face in front of CEO Li. I know he’s trying to bluff. He can’t wait to get involved in the Li family. Since he can’t get through CEO Li, he naturally thought of me. Mom, you are still the same, listening to his every demand. But I am no longer the apple of your eye, and I do not want to obey.” Shen Qianshu looked at her calmly. “CEO Li and I are just friends. I’m sorry to disappoint dad. I will not help any of you either. You were all heartless. Do you want to use me until I have nothing left? Mom, was that collection really not enough to repay for the eighteen years you have provided for me?”
Fang Xia’s eyes watered instantly.
They were once the closest mother and daughter.
Even when Shen Lin returned to the Shen Family, the one she doted on the most was Shen Qianshu.
But now, they had become distant, clearly separated.
Every word from Shen Qianshu hurt her heart.
“Qianshu, you have to understand mommy, Xiao Lin is my biological daughter, and your dad…”