Shen Weiyi closed the box and handed it back, "This is too valuable, I can’t accept it."
"Please accept it, it’s just a token of my feelings," Meng Shangchu insisted. "You know, my job is decent now, and these things don’t really mean much to me."
She knew she owed this child a lot, and now all she could offer were these things.
Of course, she also wanted to make up emotionally, but after meeting several times, she felt that Shen Juanzhi took good care of her; she wasn’t lacking in love, nor did she need her own.
If she, as a mother, intervened in her life, it might not be what she wanted.
In the end, Shen Weiyi accepted the bracelet, "Thank you!"
Issues between her parents weren’t her place to comment. As for Meng Shangchu, she held no resentment, just unsure how to interact.
She was indeed surprised that the other party would give such a valuable gift, feeling the intent to make amends and a mother’s blessing for her daughter.
Though she was past the age of needing a mother’s affection, receiving her blessing was still fulfilling for her.
Seeing that she didn’t refuse again, Meng Shangchu’s expression relaxed a bit.
"You, with my dad?" Shen Weiyi looked at her, thinking of the office gossip, and couldn’t help but ask.
Meng Shangchu replied, "I’m very satisfied with my life now."
Shen Weiyi understood, a forty-year-old woman with money and career, already past the age consumed by love—that men could be present but weren’t necessary.
Shen Juanzhi’s tabloid news had never ceased these years, and while faultless as a dad, if it came to being a husband, even Shen Weiyi couldn’t deny that he wasn’t a great choice.
But who let him be her real dad.
She saw that Shen Juanzhi still had feelings for her, not having let go even after twenty years. As a daughter, she ought to contribute something.
Yet, her relationship with Meng Shangchu wasn’t like other mothers and daughters—it was difficult to speak directly, so she had to find a roundabout way. Increasing contact and favor for someone in her presence.
"Will you come to my engagement party?" she asked.
Meng Shangchu looked at her, somewhat surprised.
When Shen Juanzhi had told her about the girl’s engagement, she hadn’t thought about attending. Not that she didn’t want to, but she feared her presence might affect the engagement party.
After all, her role was awkward.
She had thought of giving the gift ahead of time.
Shen Weiyi said, "I hope you can attend."
Meng Shangchu looked at her surprisedly and after a moment nodded, "Alright!"
Through these meetings, she had always been cool and indifferent; Meng Shangchu thought she probably didn’t want to acknowledge her.
Hearing her invite her to attend her engagement party, Meng Shangchu felt mixed emotions.
Joy, guilt, and relief.
These years spent alone abroad, she persisted through countless tough days; the only things she felt guilty about and couldn’t let go of were her responsibilities towards her.
She never thought about recognizing her nor expected her to be willing to acknowledge her.
After all these years, she hadn’t done anything for her.
But she still wanted to invite her to her engagement party.
At that moment, Meng Shangchu suddenly felt that all the past hardships were insignificant.
She finally believed that fate is fair to everyone.