"Mother?" Mo Li's mother, Zhang Bingbing immediately called out when she noticed her mother's ashen face. She had already warned her mother not to antagonize Mo Li and yet, the woman still couldn't stop herself from doing something so stupid! "Mother…. Sit down… why don't we all calm down for a bit?" She glared at Mo Li and Bella. "I am sure, Mo Li didn't mean to say that word. I am sure you understand the stress that he had been through because of his father's plans, right?" She tried to signal Mo Li to say something to ease the situation. Sadly for her, Mo Li wasn't planning to do anything.
Instead, he added some pasta so Bella could eat more. He ignored his mother and smiled at Bella instead. "You should eat more… "
Of course, his actions made his mother, father, and grandmother furious. However, Mo Li and Bella only ignored their gazes as the two continued eating their food. While everyone was too preoccupied with their own irritation, Bella was already thinking about other matters.
She didn't miss the fact that Mo Li said he only wanted to run because he made a deal with his father. At first, Bella thought that Mo Li really wanted this and chose this for himself. However, it seems that there was more back story that she actually missed.
Bella eyed Mo Li's father. She wasn't surprised to see the older man already staring at her.
"I heard that you will act as my son's political analyst?" Mo Bai asked, trying to ignore the fuss that his mother in law was trying to create.
"Hmm," Bella nodded in response.
"Good." Mo Bai uttered. "What are your plans for your father? I mean… I doubt he would stop doing something until you decide to leave my son." Everyone's expression turned serious when they heard Mo Bai's words. Of course, Mo Li's mother and grandmother stopped their acting and paid attention to the conversation. After all, Mo Bai just mentioned something about Bella leaving Mo Li!
Even the red-faced Liu Cheng'er felt the need to listen thoroughly! While Mo Li's mother and grandmother already promised her that they would do everything to make Mo Li leave Bella, Liu Cheng'er still thought it would be better if she knew some specifics about this marriage— something that only Mo Li and his father knew.
"I won't leave your son," Bella said, shortly. "If he continues to try and ruin my peace… I will show him no mercy." Her nonchalance made Mo Bai frown.
"He is still your father."
"He is nothing but someone who abandoned me at my lowest. Modern women would call him a s.p.e.r.m donor. Of course, I found the term too crass. So, I would prefer to call him, stranger."
"A stranger." Mo Li's mother, Zhang Bingbing immediately chimed in. "I think that term is too harsh. Considering the man actually raised you." She turned towards her son. "I am highly disappointed with you liking these types of women."
"Miss Zhang." Bella dabbed a napkin on her lips as she slowly lifted her gaze from her pasta and stared at the older woman. She wondered how did Mo Li become too different from these people. Wasn't he supposed to inherit their stupid genes? "Do you think a pig that was raised to be slaughtered would be thankful to the person who raised it?" Bella continued. Just like a pig was raised to be slaughtered, she was raised to become the wife of some politician. She was raised to become someone that would help them become more powerful.
Her words immediately made Zhang Bingbing speechless. Bella's eloquence was truly surprised by everyone in this room. How could someone be so quick in her insulting words? Everyone in this room thought that speaking directly was quite unbecoming of someone who already attained such a high educational degree. So, how could Bella talk like this?
"See?" Bella shrugged. "If you raise someone so they could do something for you in return, you are no longer raising someone who came from your cells. You are raising a pig and to that pig, you are nothing but a stranger— a cruel stranger." Bella turned her attention towards Mo Li's father who obviously realized that Bella's words were very much applicable to him and how he raised Mo Li so he could become someone like him.
"Miss Bella…" This time, it was Liu Cheng'er. She stared at Bella's calm face. "Have heard of the term filial piety?" She lifted her chin as she thought of Bella's actions. Clearly, Bella lacked manner and grace. How could Mo Li choose this woman over her?
"Of course." Bella nodded.
"Then, you should know that since we were born we were taught to respect our parents and take care of them as they grow older." Liu Cheng'er cleared her throat and smiled when she saw the acknowledgment from Mo Li's grandmother and mother. "How could you even call your father a stranger when he was the one who took care of you when you were younger? Your father must have sacrificed a lot to raise you and yet, you dare call him a stranger. Just… Just how cold are you to use the term stranger to address the man the clothe you, love you and cared for you?"
"Very cold," Bella answered her question. "Filial piety is not a suggestion or a request. It is an expectation and demand. I refuse to abide by society's expectations, Dr. Liu. Of course, I have nothing against the people who abide by the rules." Which was actually true. To Bella or Lily, following society's norms was not really a bad thing. It just means that you are either content with your life or you are too afraid to be viewed as the black ship of the society.
To each his own.
That simple.
.....
Thank you for your support. Please don't forget to vote for the novel.