The next day, Shi Lan took Huo Zhao to the abandoned factory for an on-site inspection, and during this time, Yan Shixiu went out in the afternoon and arranged to meet with Shi Xiu’s mother at the hotel.
Shi Xiu’s mother was still the same, never arriving early for any appointment.
Still fond of black and white, she maintained the dignity of the elite in front of everyone, a new bag every season, never repeating.
When she arrived at the banquet hall, Shi Xiu’s mother sat down directly in front of Yan Shixiu and then, after lighting a cigarette, looked at the wedding ring on Yan Shixiu’s left hand.
"So you really remarried," Shi Xiu’s mother snorted and said, "When did that happen?"
"It’s been a while," Yan Shixiu answered.
"Since you’ve already remarried, why bother creating Shuangshi under a false pretense? Who are you trying to impress with this façade of devotion? Yan Shixiu, the color hasn’t even faded from Shi Lan’s tombstone yet, and you’re in such a hurry? While Shi Lan was alive, she hardly ever spared you a thought; to think the woman hasn’t been gone for a few months, and you’ve already betrayed her. You’re more heartless than I thought."
"What’s done is done," Yan Shixiu replied, completely indifferent to Shi Xiu’s mother’s scolding. "I have a financial obligation to support you, so if the Shi Family ever falls apart, I will ensure that you maintain your current lifestyle. However, I will not take responsibility for your life."
"Yan Shixiu, I can’t accept you remarrying," Shi Xiu’s mother put out the cigarette in her hand and looked at Yan Shixiu, "at least, not now, not while I still can’t forget what happened before. How can you remarry before I’ve moved on? Shi Lan’s body isn’t even cold yet!"
"When Shi Lan was alive, you never once fulfilled your duty as a mother. Now that Shi Lan is gone, suddenly you want to be a good mother?" Yan Shixiu shot back, "You’re right; Shi Lan has passed away, so there’s no need for you to pretend to be a good mother anymore. Madam Shi, it would be more straightforward to just ask me for things directly. I’d prefer it that way."
"Is that not all you did with Shi Lan, simply take from her?" Shi Xiu’s mother pointed at Yan Shixiu and questioned.
"Are you talking about yourself?" Yan Shixiu looked deeply at Shi Xiu’s mother, "Where were you when Shi Lan was tired, when Shi Lan was sick, when Shi Lan got schemed against?"
"When was Shi Lan ever sick?" Shi Xiu’s mother scoffed.
"Exactly, you don’t even know whether Shi Lan was ever sick or not, just like when she was born and you left her in the hospital, only remembering you had a daughter three months later."
Shi Xiu’s mother was momentarily speechless.
"So, there’s no need for you to act like a loving mother now. As for the support I provide, it’s because I inherited Shi Lan’s estate and have a legal responsibility to you, not because I owe you anything."
"I don’t want to see you, not because I feel guilty, but because every time I see your face, I’m reminded of the torture and pain Shi Lan endured in the Shi Family over the years."
"You speak of Shi Lan, but ask yourself, do you even have the right?"
"You should be grateful you brought Shi Lan into this world. That is the only right thing you’ve done in your life, even though you’ve never treated her kindly. Otherwise, I would have let the Shi Family collapse a long time ago. As much as Shi Lan hated you and the Shi Family, I hate you just as much."
This time, Shi Xiu’s mother had nothing to say.
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now." Having said that, Yan Shixiu stood up to leave, but at that moment, Shi Xiu’s mother blocked his way.
"If you care so much about Shi Lan, why would you marry someone else? Without Shi Lan, you have no right to be happy!"
Yan Shixiu let out a cold laugh, didn’t answer, and walked away with wide strides.