Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Sis Lan’s eyes were locked on the photo when she spoke. Although they seemed indifferent on the surface, at the same time, there was a tint of warmth emitted from them as if she wanted to imprint the scene in the photo into her memory.
“Indeed, she lived a short life. She wasn’t even 30 when she passed away. The elders of the Mu family are still having a hard time accepting her untimely death,” Xi Xiaye continued.
Sis Lan lowered her eyes as she spoke, “I’ve said whatever I should. Mu Tangchuan and Zhuang Shurong came to me before, and I’ve already told them what I know.”
Xi Xiaye did not reply her directly. Instead, she informed her, “Aunty had two children, Mu Lingtian and Mu Lingshi. Mu Lingtian passed away in a car accident five years ago, and his grave is right beside Aunty’s. I’m sure you already know about it.”
She then continued as she gave Sis Lan a casual look. Despite her expression not changing much, her fingers that were placed on her lap fidgeted slightly.
“They were adopted under Mu Tangchuan because the Mu family didn’t want them to feel any different than any other children, but they both knew they weren’t the real children of Mu Tangchuan. Aside from mourning over their mother, Mu Zixi’s death over the years, they also want to find the irresponsible man back then. Don’t you find it ironic that it’s been 30 years and they still have no idea who their father is?”
Xi Xiaye’s voice was calm. She looked downwards and sighed. “You were the closest to Aunty back then. I’m sure you know who that person is, don’t you?” She then fixed an even gaze on Sis Lan.
Sis Lan laughed coldly and shook her head. “I don’t know. You came to the wrong person! I don’t know anything at all! Isn’t it just nice to let things be as it is right now? Why is it necessary to find that person? I don’t understand. Why would you give up your peaceful life right now and look for the answer? Even if you found the answer, what’s the point?”
Sis Lan sounded a little stirred up, but Xi Xiaye just listened quietly.
“As long as everyone’s fine, Mu Zi’s children should be fine as well. This is what Mu Zi would have hoped to see. You people just need to take care of and protect her children. That’s it! Why bother with others? There are some answers you’re better off not knowing, so why be fixated on it?”
Xi Xiaye was startled. Sis Lan seemed like she was protecting Mu Zi and that person. Her face was getting redder as she seemed to be expressing her anger.
“Why? If we use the excuse to keep a so-called peaceful life, I’d feel really sad for Mu Lingshi and Mu Lingtian. No matter what, this shouldn’t become the barrier for a child to know about his or her real family. Even if they might not know what to do with it afterward, they should at least know where they came from and who gave them their life.”
“There are things that we might not know is the right thing to do. Just like my visit to you today, I’m not sure if it’s the right move. I only know that something urged me to do so — Lingshi’s sense of loss and sadness, the long-suppressed pain of Grandfather and Grandmother, Father and Mother’s regret, Mu Yuchen’s concern… I understand. They seem very trivial to you because you don’t feel it, but they do.”
Sis Lan seemed amused.
“I don’t want to comment if Aunty is right or wrong, but no matter what, hiding the truth is both unfair and irresponsible to Lingtian and Lingshi. Yes, a peaceful life is great. After all, as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.” Xi Xiaye smiled, but there was a pinch of irony hidden behind her smile.
“It’s not that I’m unwilling to tell you, Miss Xi. Let the past stay in the past. This might help to maintain peace for everyone, and also a respect for the deceased. Mu Zi didn’t tell anyone who that person was even right before her death, so I’m sure she had her reasons. Why do you guys care now?”
Sis Lan blinked before she turned around and looked at the hanging orchids by the window as her tone became heavy. “I suggest you give up on this and stop finding out more because the answer might not be beneficial for you. Mu Zi… She’s a smart, silly woman. It pains me to know what happened to her. She’s brave, but she didn’t have a choice. That man has a family. They did it in the spur of the moment, but don’t blame Mu Zi as well because she only found out the man was married when she was pregnant with their first child. Her emotions had been abnormal ever since then, and I was actually partially responsible for that. Back then, I could… and now given all of this, would it be any different?”
That man had a family?
Was this the reason why Mu Zi told Mu Tangchuan that man could not marry her?
“I advised Mu Zi to abort the child. She was at the peak of her career. With her progress, she could eventually make into Hollywood, but Mu Zi insisted on keeping the child. I was pained to see her sacrifice her career. You have to understand that it’s extremely difficult to cultivate someone. She really disappointed me, but at the same time, I was heartbroken for her. She’s a kind and innocent person not like how other people called her rebellious.”
Sis Lan felt a pang of ache as she recalled the past. Xi Xiaye could see the amount of care she felt for Mu Zixi.
“I’m sure Aunty is grateful for everything you’ve done for her,” Xi Xiaye spoke up. Hopefully, it helped to comfort her.
“Okay, you can go back now. I’ve said whatever I can. Don’t come here anymore. I’m afraid this year will be the last time I’ll visit her. It’s time for me to move on.”
Sis Lan put on a smile which seemed pale and cold like the autumn rain to Xi Xiaye.
It was obvious that she did not want to continue this conversation anymore. Xi Xiaye watched her for a while and eventually asked her one last question