Chapter 603 - 187: An Unpleasant Parting
The strength wasn’t great, the movements weren’t quick, but they were resolute.
"Mom." Lu Sisi seemed to smile, but her gaze made Chen Yan feel a bit sorry for her: "Those days when I was detained, you didn’t visit me. When I came out and returned home, you weren’t there either. During those days before Chen Yan took me away from home after my detention ended — you didn’t send me a single message or make a phone call."
Lu Xiuting’s expression froze for a moment: "That was... because your father was at home; with him looking after you, I didn’t have to worry about anything happening."
"Hmm." Lu Sisi said softly, "So, your daughter is falsely accused, detained, returns home, and yet her mother doesn’t have a word of comfort or concern — is this the kind of worry and care parents have for their children?"
A trace of anger clearly flashed across Lu Xiuting’s face, but she still took a deep breath, and her gaze turned cold: "Sisi! It seems you’ve made some bad friends outside! Where did you learn to talk to your parents like this?!"
"Hey! Aunt Lu, are you implying something about me here?" Chen Yan deliberately spoke up with a smile.
"..." Lu Xiuting frowned at Chen Yan: "Did I say it was you?"
"Saying that, there isn’t a fourth person here. And Lu Sisi is now with me, among the people around her, I’m the closest. Who else could you be implying?" Chen Yan waved his hand, looking nonchalant: "Aunt, if you have something to say, just say it. If you want to blame me, just say it openly. There’s no need to be so roundabout."
Seeing Chen Yan’s direct retort, Lu Xiuting’s face showed thin anger: "Chen Yan, I’m Sisi’s mother, is this how you speak to your elders?"
Chen Yan shook his head: "I’m being very polite, Aunt Lu. If you want to accuse me of something, feel free to say it. I’m not well-read, and I fear I might not understand if you speak with those high-society phrases and tones from TV dramas."
Lu Xiuting’s face darkened, just about to say something when Lu Sisi already held Chen Yan’s hand, calmly saying to her mother: "Mom, just say what you’re here for."
Lu Xiuting took a breath, looking at her daughter who no longer seemed weak like before, frowned and then said in a deep voice: "Come home!"
"Hmm?"
"I said, move back home." Lu Xiuting’s tone was very indifferent: "If you want to make friends or fall in love, I won’t stop you. But it’s not proper for a young girl to live with someone so casually! Just move back home first."
Lu Sisi looked at her mother, and after a few seconds, spoke with a strange tone: "Why? You all wanted to send me far away anyway, right?
I’m living with my boyfriend, not bothering you, isn’t that what you wanted?"
Lu Xiuting shook her head: "Who said you’re bothering us!"
After a pause, she patiently said: "Your dad arranged for you to study abroad, also for your own good."
"I don’t want to go abroad." Lu Sisi shook her head: "I’m very happy with Chen Yan, I think it’s great as it is now."
"Not going to school at eighteen!" Lu Xiuting questioned.
"You didn’t ask me, yet you arranged my withdrawal." Lu Sisi shook her head: "Caring so much about whether I study or not, why withdraw me and send me overseas?"
"The overseas school..."
"That’s a diploma mill, you can get in just by paying, I checked online. It’s worse than my current school! That school’s degree probably isn’t even recognized domestically!" Lu Sisi retorted without hesitation.
"..." After being retorted back, Lu Xiuting’s face turned uglier, angrily saying: "You’ve learned to talk back now, have you?!"
Lu Sisi wanted to say something, but Chen Yan couldn’t stand to see his girlfriend being wronged.
He patted Lu Sisi’s hand, signaling her not to continue arguing, letting him handle it.
Lu Sisi’s eyes already had a hint of tears, she bit her lip, gripped Chen Yan’s hand, and didn’t speak further.
"Aunt Lu." Chen Yan still had a smile on his face: "Let’s not beat around the bush. You actually don’t care if Lu Sisi studies or not. Otherwise, you wouldn’t withdraw her without reason — her previous school wasn’t some esteemed university, but at least it was a state-recognized public university.
Insisting on sending her to a diploma mill abroad, don’t use the guise of it being for her educational benefit, right?
Everyone’s not a fool.
Regarding not liking Lu Sisi, feeling she’s a bother, worrying she’d hinder you... hey, don’t get mad, I’m just stating the facts.
You think this way, so her leaving home, away from you, isn’t that what you want?
You detest her, but I don’t. So let her be with me.
I really don’t understand, you don’t like her, yet now you want to bring her back, for what?"
"..." Lu Xiuting stared at Chen Yan, seemingly still trying to maintain the demeanor of a high-class person, coldly saying: "Chen Yan, this is our family matter, could you please leave for a bit, so I can talk privately with my daughter?"
Chen Yan straightforwardly refused: "No!"
Seeing Lu Xiuting’s discontented eyes, he smiled: "You’re trying to take my girlfriend away from me, why should I just stand by."
Without waiting for Lu Xiuting to speak, Chen Yan preemptively smiled: "I really don’t understand.
You don’t care about her schooling, nor do you like her being at home with you.