“Ou Minghan ran away?” Lin Shuangshuang asked in shock.
While she had guessed that Cen Xiucheng wouldn't lose, she hadn't expected Ou Minghan to be defeated so utterly.
Not only had he lost everything, but his entire past had been exposed, turning him into a fugitive with his whereabouts now unknown.
However, Lin Shuangshuang felt incredibly fortunate. Although she had suspected Ou Minghan was involved in illegal activities, she hadn't realized he was so deranged and had committed so many wicked deeds. It was a good thing she didn't have a deep connection with Ou Minghan; otherwise, getting implicated would have been trouble!
“I don’t want to talk about him right now,” Cen Ya asked, distraught. “Shuangshuang, my mother and brother are really angry with me this time. They refuse to acknowledge me and want to sever ties. What should I do?”
Lin Shuangshuang also felt it was a pity that such a good financial backer had been discarded so readily.
“Xiao Ya, it’s normal for your mother and brother to be angry after all that has happened. But families always have their disagreements, don't they? Even teeth and tongue sometimes clash!” Lin Shuangshuang advised. “However, there are no grudges that last overnight within a family. They are your relatives, after all. How could they possibly abandon you? Wait for them to cool down, and find a way to apologize. They will surely accept you back!”
“Really?” Cen Ya asked, hopeful.
“Of course, it’s true!” Lin Shuangshuang promised earnestly.
Although she wasn’t entirely sure if it was true, it was what Cen Ya wanted to hear. Besides, even if the Cen family said they didn't want Cen Ya anymore, what if they reconciled later?
Therefore, until it was confirmed that the Cen family had completely cut ties with Cen Ya and truly no longer cared about her, Lin Shuangshuang wouldn't be foolish enough to fall out with Cen Ya.
“Shuangshuang, you’re truly my best friend. I have nothing left now, and you’re still willing to stick by me…” Cen Ya said emotionally.
“Of course, we’re good friends~” Lin Shuangshuang replied.
“Also…” Cen Ya was very conflicted. “Gu Sheng knows about my situation and has come to pick me up, but I don’t want to owe him too much. What do you think I should do?”
Lin Shuangshuang rolled her eyes, speechless. Had she now become Cen Ya’s emotional advisor?
She truly admired Gu Sheng for remaining devoted to Cen Ya even at this point. Of course, she also admired Cen Ya even more for not falling for Gu Sheng despite her current predicament.
If Cen Ya had lost everything, then Gu Sheng was her last lifeline, wasn't he? Cen Ya wanted the benefits without making any commitments to Gu Sheng.
“Xiao Ya, you’re friends. Isn't it normal for him to help you as a friend?” Lin Shuangshuang comforted her with words she knew she liked. “Besides, as long as you're by his side, Gu Sheng should be very happy! You don’t owe him anything, Xiao Ya. Don’t carry that burden.”
Cen Ya felt much better. She chatted with Lin Shuangshuang for a few more minutes before hanging up.
*
After returning to the capital, Ye Zhi and Qi Xuan were immediately doted upon and surrounded by their families.
They had all heard about Ou Minghan bringing a gun and were worried that they might have been injured.
Ye Zhi and Qi Xuan were patient and explained the entire incident in detail.
Everyone listened with gasps of amazement, occasionally cursing Ou Minghan. When they heard that the Cen family intended to sever ties with Cen Ya, they couldn't help but lament Cen Ya's foolishness.
Ye Yongxian and Liu Lingyu were particularly surprised by how many things they hadn’t known.
After the story concluded, everyone finally recovered and breathed a sigh of relief.
Later, Qi Heng and Cheng Yi took Qi Xuan to bid farewell. Ye Zhi did not return to Banshan Villa; instead, she gathered the Ye family.
“Dad, Mom, Yu Zhe, there’s something I want to tell you,” Ye Zhi said with a serious expression.
“You want to talk about finding your biological parents, don’t you?” Ye Yongxian said with great affection. “Qi Xuan already informed us in advance, and we know about it.”
“Yes,” Liu Lingyu said gently. “Xiao Zhi, we won’t stop you if you want to acknowledge them.”
“Sister, no matter who your parents are, no matter what choice you make, you will always be my sister! I only acknowledge you!” Ye Yuzhe vowed.
Ye Zhi: …
With their collective earnestness, it felt impolite if she didn't show some touching emotion now.
Although she was truly touched, she could guess how conflicted and reluctant the Ye family must have been before her return, yet they still gave her the freedom to choose, without using family affection to trap her.
It’s just…
“That’s not what I wanted to say…” Ye Zhi said with a helpless sigh.
“Ah?” The three looked at each other. “Then what is it?”
“Dad, Mom~” Ye Zhi sat directly between them and pouted playfully. “When you knew I wasn’t your biological daughter, did you ever mistreat me intentionally?”
“Of course not! We doted on you as our own daughter!” Ye Yongxian quickly said.
“That’s it!” Ye Zhi said with a radiant smile. “You knew I wasn’t your biological daughter, yet you still doted on me as if I were. Now I know you’re not my biological parents, but my feelings for you have always been as my parents!”
Liu Lingyu and Ye Yongxian were deeply moved.
“And,” Ye Zhi continued, “I’ve found my birth parents, but I’m only seeking an answer. That doesn’t change our relationship! You are my family, my relatives. That will never change!”
“Xiao Zhi…” Ye Yongxian said, wiping away a tear. Liu Lingyu, however, was still a little worried. “Then your birth parents… what are their opinions?”
“They are very good people,” Ye Zhi said with a gentle smile. “They didn’t come forward to acknowledge me before because they didn’t want to disturb us and feared it would create a rift between you and me.
Honestly, it’s not just us; they’re also finding it a bit overwhelming to suddenly have such an older daughter. I think even if I acknowledge them in the future, it will likely be more like interacting with relatives.”
Ye Yongxian and Liu Lingyu were finally completely at ease, and even Ye Yuzhe, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Ye Yuzhe asked curiously, “Sister, you said earlier that what you wanted to say wasn’t this, so what was it?”
“I want…” Ye Zhi smiled faintly. “To get engaged to Qi Xuan.”
“That’s wonderful news!” Liu Lingyu said with a happy expression. “I think that young man Qi Xuan is quite good!”
Ye Yongxian, however, frowned. “Xiao Zhi, that boy is indeed good, but are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? Must it be so urgent? You’re still young and can certainly wait a few more years…”