Chapter 604 - 187: An Unpleasant Parting
But now you insist on taking her back... Insist on sending her abroad to attend that unremarkable university?
Why is that?"
Chen Yan said, his fingers tapping lightly and irregularly on the table.
Suddenly, a strange expression appeared on his face: "Unless... you just want her to go abroad, to leave Jinling Prefecture?"
When he finished speaking, Chen Yan caught a fleeting look of panic in Lu Xiuting’s eyes, though she quickly concealed it, it didn’t escape Chen Yan’s notice.
"...Nonsense!"
Lu Xiuting quickly denied it, avoiding Chen Yan’s gaze, and looked at Lu Sisi: "I’m pregnant now, and it often reminds me of when I was pregnant with you, I can’t help but think of you—after all, you are my first child, I miss you, that’s why I want you to come home."
"So, if I come home, can you help me cancel my withdrawal from school, and I can continue attending the school in Jinling Prefecture, without sending me abroad?" Lu Sisi asked.
"...Live at home for a while, but you still have to study." Lu Xiuting said firmly: "If you think the school we chose for you abroad isn’t good, we can choose a better one for you this time."
Lu Sisi shook her head, her tone very resolute: "I won’t study abroad."
"You!" Lu Xiuting said angrily: "You’re so young, and for a man, you’re giving up your studies?! Just messing around with him, giving up your future? Giving up your life?!"
Lu Sisi remained silent, but her expression was still resolute, unwavering.
"I..." Lu Xiuting suppressed her emotions, but then changed to a sincere tone: "I went through your age too, I know... you have feelings for this Chen Yan.
But life is not child’s play. In today’s society, who doesn’t study? If you give up your university degree, what about your future life?
Do you... plan to rely on him for life? What if he changes his heart in the future? At that time, without a degree, how can you stand on your own in society?"
"He won’t change his heart." Lu Sisi shook her head firmly: "And even if he does, I don’t care!"
"You!!" Lu Xiuting turned pale with rage but finally repressed her anger, trying to be patient: "Alright, alright! I know that a girl’s feelings at your age are firm, and nothing can bring you back.
I won’t stop you from dating this guy named Chen Yan! Is that okay now!
But, you still have to study abroad! Even if you’re dating, you can have a long-distance relationship.
With today’s advanced technology, you can always communicate via WeChat, you can have voice calls, video chats!
What, do you have so little confidence in your relationship that you think it can’t withstand the test of long distance?"
A reverse psychology tactic? Chen Yan chuckled.
"No, Aunt Lu." Chen Yan interjected with a mocking tone: "We’re doing just fine, why should we be tested? Our relationship is smooth and steady now, why should we create an unnecessary test for ourselves?
Do we lack hardships to endure?
Lacking troubles, are we to create difficulties?"
"Shut up!" Lu Xiuting finally lost her composure, her expression breaking as she screamed at Chen Yan: "I’m talking to my daughter, you..."
"Mom!" Lu Sisi said loudly: "Chen Yan’s words are my words! I won’t study abroad!"
"No way! You are not allowed to stay in Jinling Prefecture!!" Lu Xiuting lost control, shouting instinctively.
Chen Yan: "Hmm?"
Once Lu Xiuting said that, she realized it wasn’t right, and her face turned awkward as she shut her mouth.
"Why can’t I stay in Jinling Prefecture?" Lu Sisi also sensed something strange and frowned at Lu Xiuting.
"..." Lu Xiuting realized her mistake, changed her tone: "We... we are truly doing this for your own good."
Lu Sisi’s eyes had already turned cold.
"Mom." The girl said softly: "I have been away from home for so many days, and during those days you didn’t care, but recently you’ve been messaging me to meet.
Until today, until now, at this moment.
You’ve never even asked me once, during this time outside, if I’ve been eating well, sleeping well, or how my health is.
Do you care about me? Is it me as your daughter that you care about?
Why do I feel that the only thing you care about is sending me abroad, sending me far away from Jinling Prefecture!"
Lu Sisi’s tone gradually tinged with excitement, and her voice carried a touch of grievance: "I understand! From childhood till now, I’ve always had bad luck, and I can understand why you disdain me. Not only am I unlucky, but I also bring disaster to those around me, whoever gets close to me gets dragged down. I accepted you distancing yourselves from me and keeping me away from my brother!
All these years, I’ve obediently kept my distance from you, stayed away, didn’t get close to you or my brother! Afraid that my unlucky star would harm you.
Yet I can’t understand, since you dislike me, now that I’ve left on my own, living with Chen Yan, isn’t that enough for you?
Why do you have to send me far away abroad?
Is my bad luck so potent that leaving home isn’t enough, and you think that by staying in Jinling Prefecture, in the same city, I could still harm you?"
Seeing tears well up in Lu Sisi’s voice, Chen Yan felt compassion, grabbed Lu Sisi’s hand, and coldly told Lu Xiuting: "She won’t go home, and she definitely won’t go abroad—I’ve made that clear enough!"
"I’m her mother!" Lu Xiuting was losing her temper, angrily saying to Chen Yan: "She..."
"She’s eighteen, she’s an adult."
"Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you for abduction..."
"She’s eighteen, she’s an adult!"
"I can provide hospital proof and medical records to show that my daughter has mental health issues and can’t be held responsible for her decisions, it has to be handled by her guardians!"
Lu Xiuting actually said this, both Chen Yan and Lu Sisi’s faces changed simultaneously.
Lu Sisi’s changing face was due to shock that Lu Xiuting could say such a thing.
Whereas Chen Yan’s changing face was because—this woman was so desperate to send Lu Sisi abroad that she even resorted to threats?
"Don’t think I’m bluffing." Lu Xiuting gritted her teeth: "She’s been through all sorts of bad luck since she was young, once suffered from depression, we took her to see a psychologist and psychiatrist! There are relevant medical records!"
Chen Yan laughed.
His expression turned completely cold: "Fine, do as you please, let’s see if you can forcibly take her away with those so-called medical records."
As he said this, he no longer showed any courtesy to his girlfriend’s mother, but patted Lu Sisi on the shoulder: "Do you want to keep talking? If not, let’s go home."
Lu Sisi nodded, her eyes red, and stood up: "Let’s go home."
As Chen Yan and Lu Sisi were about to leave, Lu Xiuting shouted harshly: "Lu Sisi!!"
Lu Sisi, who had reached the door, stopped, took a deep breath, and turned to look at her mother.
"I’m eighteen, I’m an adult!"