It was undeniable that when both Ruan Yiqian and Ruan Lingyu brought up Ruan Mianmian in front of her, it also made her feel rather uncomfortable.
Shen Mianmian knew that it was just something from Big Brother He’s childhood, that such a big kid wouldn’t understand anything.
These words of Shen Mianmian struck a nerve with Ruan Lingyu, her hand trembling slightly. Clearly, she too knew that what she was saying was going too far.
She had long known that her daughter might have had a hard life over the years, but she didn’t dare to think about it. Now, being so bluntly confronted by Shen Mianmian, she felt a dull pain in her heart, extremely uncomfortable.
After a long moment, she said, "Mianmian, you don’t have to attack me with those words. I lost a daughter, and Xining is my way of placing my hopes for a daughter on someone, that’s why I’m so good to her. Please understand a mother’s feelings."
"Aunt Ruan, don’t you think that your way of thinking is very problematic?" Shen Mianmian said with a sarcastic laugh. "I’m an orphan too. I don’t know if my biological parents are still alive. If they are, and I knew they were making up for what they owed me by giving it all to someone completely unrelated, I wouldn’t be happy at all."
If Cheng Xining had been Ruan Lingyu’s biological daughter and Ruan Lingyu cherished her so much because she had lost a daughter, Shen Mianmian could have understood. But Cheng Xining wasn’t Ruan Lingyu’s daughter.
Nobody likes others sharing the affection meant for them. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Being lectured by a teenage girl was a first for her in her many years of life.
Though she was moved by Shen Mianmian’s words, she didn’t show it.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "Mianmian, we are talking about you and Xiaonan, let’s not discuss other things. I don’t mean to look down on you, I just want to tell you that Xiaonan’s kindness towards you might be because you remind him of Mianmian. Xiaonan used to compliment Mianmian’s eyes, and your eyes do look a bit like hers, and you’re also an orphan, so that’s why he is nice to you. Don’t misunderstand his intentions."
"Aunt Ruan, I’m sorry, although you think you’re doing this for my good, I don’t like others interfering in my life. I have my own decisions and plans." If Ruan Lingyu hadn’t brought up Ruan Mianmian herself, Shen Mianmian wouldn’t have mentioned it either.
So, if Ruan Lingyu didn’t bring it up, she wouldn’t either.
"I think you should reconsider," Ruan Lingyu said earnestly. "Don’t worry; I can keep my word. As long as you agree, I can take care of your tuition fees and everything else."
Hearing this, Shen Mianmian picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said softly, "Aunt Ruan, you may not be very familiar with my situation."
"Like what?" Ruan Lingyu raised an eyebrow.
"Aunt Ruan, I’ve also opened a small shop in Licheng and have some income every month. Though this income may seem negligible to you, what I’m trying to say is, even without anyone’s support, I can be self-sufficient. I won’t starve or be unable to study. When I met Big Brother He, he was already outstanding, so I’d rather not say anything about my relationship with him being solely because he is who he is, and it has nothing to do with his status."
"You’ve started a small business?" Ruan Lingyu was somewhat surprised; she didn’t know about this. "What kind of business are you doing in Licheng?"
"I’ve opened a café, making about two to three thousand a month," Shen Mianmian didn’t conceal the fact.