“The call got cut off?” Tang Yan stared at her phone’s blank screen.
Ji Yuqing fell silent too. The entire morning had caught them off guard, and Tang Yan, now filled with anxiety, mumbled, “What are we going to do…”
“Don’t panic yet. Let’s sit down and figure it out together,” Ji Yuqing replied calmly, her voice steady and composed.
Tang Yan stepped forward and grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes. “No matter what happens… we’re not going to be separated, right?”
Ji Yuqing wanted so badly to give her a firm yes—but she didn’t want to make a promise she couldn’t keep. Instead, she answered from the heart, “All you need to know is—I love you, Yan Yan.”
She didn’t know what exactly they’d have to face next, but she knew this: the moment she had to stand in front of Tang Huiyi, she had already lost part of the battle. That was a debt she owed.
Because of that call, the whole apartment was wrapped in heavy tension. Neither of them spoke, and both carried the air of people ready to face whatever storm came their way.
Uncle Wang had initially offered to go with Tang Huiyi, but she refused. Still angry, she snapped, “This is between me and my daughter. I don’t want you getting involved.”
What she said wasn’t wrong—but it still hit like a slap.
He quietly took her to the airport and returned alone, shoulders heavy with helplessness.
While waiting at the gate, Tang Huiyi slowly calmed down and messaged him to apologize, saying her words had been too harsh. The situation was complicated—she’d handle it.
After a few hours on the plane, Tang Huiyi arrived in Huadu just as the sun was setting. She rushed into a cab and gave the driver the address.
The more she thought about it, the more her hands started shaking. The taxi driver, sensing the tension, didn’t dare say a word the entire trip.
That day, Tang Yan and Ji Yuqing hadn’t left the apartment once. They knew what was coming. And they were ready.
(Doorbell rings)
The sound cut through the silence. Both of them, sitting in the living room, looked toward the door at the same time. Ji Yuqing glanced at the clock—7:00 sharp.
(Doorbell rings again)
This time more urgently. They exchanged a look and stood up together.
At the door, Tang Yan stepped forward to open it. She insisted on being the one to face whatever was coming. She didn’t want Aunt Ji to take the blame. If there were consequences, she’d take them alone.
Outside stood her mother, Tang Huiyi, radiating fury like a dragon breathing fire—so fierce and terrifying, it felt as if they’d been caught doing something shameful, like being caught in bed together.
“Mom, I—” Tang Yan started, but was immediately cut off.
“Step aside.”
Tang Yan froze. Before she could react, Tang Huiyi raised her hand and slapped Ji Yuqing hard across the face. The sound echoed.
Ji Yuqing’s head buzzed. For a long moment, she couldn’t even think straight.
“Why did you hit her?! I’m the one who started all this—blame me!” Tang Yan cried out, stepping in front of Ji Yuqing protectively.
“You’re still young. What happened isn’t your fault.” Tang Huiyi wasn’t here to blame her daughter—she knew she’d fallen short as a mother. But Ji Yuqing? She had no right to treat her daughter like this.
“How is it not my fault? I was the one who liked Aunt Ji first. She didn’t do anything wrong—I chased her. Everything is on me,” Tang Yan yelled.
Just then, Ji Yuqing finally spoke. She took a step forward and gently pushed Tang Yan aside, then turned to face Tang Huiyi. “I know this shouldn’t have happened. I’m older than her. The responsibility lies with me.”
“Glad you understand,” Tang Huiyi snapped.
“But my love for Yan Yan…” Ji Yuqing continued, “It’s no less than yours. Maybe I don’t have the right to say this, especially in front of you. But I hope you can give us your blessing.”
Tang Yan nervously turned to her mother, silently begging for acceptance.
But Tang Huiyi’s fury hadn’t faded. She looked at her daughter, then at Ji Yuqing. Finally, she said, “There are some things I don’t want to say in front of Yan Yan. If you have the guts, meet me at the old place.”
Then, before leaving, she looked at Tang Yan and said, “You need to remember, Mom has always loved you. I want to respect you—but I also hope you can respect me too.”
Dragging her suitcase behind her, Tang Huiyi left with tears filling her eyes. The memories buried deep in the dark corners of her mind were now ripped open again. The pain—physical and emotional—was something she’d never forget.
Of all people… why did it have to be Ji Yuqing?
It was something Tang Huiyi would never be able to accept—not in this lifetime. Not unless she was dead.