Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Live Like a Human Being

The group meeting is over.

Squatting alone in the deserted corridor, Xue Ying seemed to see countless fragments flying past her eyes. That was the half of her life that she had struggled to survive.

Six years old.

The walls were damp and moldy, a drunken father kicked his mother to the ground, and the sound of breaking dishes and wailing was deafening.

The young girl huddled in a corner, biting her lips tightly to prevent herself from crying out loud. Only her prematurely mature eyes stared at her violent father, swallowing up her fear and hatred.

Fourteen years old.

She lay on the creaky old dining table, frantically calculating math problems under the light of a very low-wattage light bulb.

Outside the window was the noise of the neighbor's TV and the laughter of children, but she only had a pen and a book in her hands.

She knew that this was the only rope she could grab to escape from this quagmire.

Always being number one on the report card was the only light in her bleak childhood.

Eighteen years old.

Holding the admission letter from a key university, she faced the counselor with an embarrassed look and the community worker who was sighing.

My father is an alcoholic and has disappeared, my mother is bedridden, and the tuition and living expenses are like a huge mountain.

She straightened her thin back and spoke in a clear and calm voice, "Counselor, Director, I've already contacted all the channels for student loans and scholarships. I'll be working three jobs this summer. Don't worry, I can handle it."

At that moment, she had just become an adult, but she had already shouldered her own life alone.

Nineteen years old.

She was wearing faded jeans and an old T-shirt, and she looked through the bright window at the girls inside who were dressed brightly and smiling.

The mobile banking information showed that her part-time salary had arrived this month, enough for her to buy the bag hanging in the window that she had been secretly eyeing for a long time.

But in the end, she just turned around and transferred the money to her mother's medical account without missing a penny.

The back is resolute.

Twenty years old.

She sat in the first row, her eyes focused and she took notes very quickly.

During group discussions, she can always point out the core of the problem and propose the best solution.

After class, she declined her classmates' invitation to dinner and hurried to her next part-time job.

No one knows what kind of pressure this beautiful girl who always keeps to herself and has excellent grades is carrying.

Twenty-one years old.

She leaned against the cold wall, holding in her hands the payment bill she had just received and the notice that her mother was critically ill.

The phone screen lit up, and it was a message from my father containing threatening and obscene language demanding money.

The huge despair overwhelmed her like a tide. She raised her head and breathed hard to prevent the tears from falling.

At that moment, she knew clearly that morality and dignity were as light as a feather in the face of survival and her mother's life.

Twenty-two years old.

She stood in front of the mirror in the room of Yu Mansion, looking at herself in the mirror, wearing expensive clothes, exquisite makeup, and gradually blending into the environment.

She recalled the out-of-place humility and shock she felt when she first stepped into this place, as well as the desire that was growing wildly in her heart, which was called "I want to have all of this too."

…

The picture stopped abruptly.

Yes, she is bad, she is scheming, and she will do anything to achieve her goals.

She uses her beauty to play with people's hearts and trample on the rules.

Her hands may have already been stained with calculation and uncleanness.

But if not, she would not be able to climb out of that filthy quagmire, would not be able to stand out in the elite-filled Peking University, and would not be able to put the mess left by Yu Ziche into order in such a short time.

She has never been treated gently by the world, and she has to use all means to steal and fight for all the warmth and kindness.

She was like a poisonous weed growing in a dark crevice, desperately absorbing any possible light and nutrients, twisting and stubbornly climbing upwards, just for...

Live, and live like a human being.

This revolving life is filled with struggle, calculation, unwillingness and unspeakable sadness.

Even the most hateful people have their pitiful aspects.

All these complexities and contradictions eventually turned into a never-extinguished, cold yet hot flame in the girl's eyes, driving her further and further on this road of no return.

…

Memories kept coming back like a tide, filling Xitong's blank world with color and weight.

The past events of meeting and falling in love with Yu Sixie, starting his own business, and giving birth to Xizhi, as well as the mist-covered details during this period after he lost his memory, are now clearly intertwined.

She did not alarm anyone, but when she woke up in the morning a few days later, her eyes had completely regained their former clarity and cunning.

Xi Tong looked at Yu Sixie, who was still sleeping beside her. Looking at his peaceful sleeping face, she recalled his careful care, his clumsy attempts, and all those...

He took advantage of her while she was "unaware" and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.

At the breakfast table, the atmosphere was the same as always.

Xizhi ate breakfast obediently while Su Luyao chattered about the novel she had read recently.

Yu Sixie keenly noticed that Xi Tong was a little different today. Her eyes no longer held that faint sense of alienation and confusion, but moved around flexibly as before. Occasionally, when they fell on him, they held a familiar scrutiny and... teasing that made his heart beat faster?

"Mom, this is for you."

Xizhi carefully picked up his favorite fried egg from his plate with a fork and handed it to Xitong's mouth, his little face full of anticipation.

This is what Xitong taught him during his amnesia period, saying that he should learn to share.

Xitong looked at her son, her heart softening. She took a small bite from his hand and then kissed his forehead: "Thank you, Xiaozhi, it's delicious."

Her movements were natural and intimate, without any pause.

Xizhi's eyes sparkled, as if she felt something was different about her mother, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She just smiled happily.

Su Luyao also stopped chattering and stared at Xi Tong blankly: "Xiao Xi, you... that look you gave me just now..."

Xitong turned around and blinked at her with a long-lost agility: "What? Don't you recognize me?"

Su Luyao's eyes widened instantly, she covered her mouth, and she almost jumped up in excitement: "You...you remembered?! Really?!"

Yu Sixie stopped the movement of his hands completely, his eyes fixed on Xi Tong, his heart beating wildly in his chest, with incredible ecstasy and a hint of imperceptible nervousness.

Xi Tong didn't answer Su Luyao directly, but instead turned his gaze back to Yu Sixie. He tilted his head slightly, tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and spoke in a drawn-out tone, with a hint of settling scores:

"Yu Sixie——"

These three words made his heart tremble.

"I've been recalling this carefully and repeatedly these past few days..."

She paused deliberately, watching the man's Adam's apple roll unconsciously, before continuing slowly, "Some people, when I was 'only eighteen years old' and 'pure and ignorant', seemed to... do a lot of things to take advantage of others?"

Yu Sixie's ears flushed slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm: "We are a couple."

"Oh—couple."

Xi Tong's tone stretched out, the teasing in her eyes growing stronger. "Then, Mr. Yu, who tricked me into saying, 'This is how couples communicate deeply and passionately'?"

She repeated the shameful words he had coaxed her into saying without blushing or beating her heart.

Yu Sixie: “…”

"Who was it again?" Xitong continued to dig up the past, her eyes accusing. "When I asked in a daze, 'Why are you doing this?', she told me seriously, 'I'm checking your body to see if you're recovering well.'"

"puff--"

Su Luyao almost spit out a mouthful of milk, and quickly covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook wildly, and her face turned red from trying to hold back her laughter.

Lian Xizhi raised his head curiously and looked at his parents.

Yu Sixie had never been so embarrassed in his life. Xi Tong settled "old scores" with him in front of his best friend and son, but he couldn't refute it.

He could only look at Xitong helplessly, but his eyes were filled with great joy and indulgence at having regained what he had lost.

Xitong looked at his rare look of being deflated, and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing. The smile was bright and brilliant, dispelling all the haze brought by amnesia.

She reached out and gently took his hand under the table, scratching his palm with her fingertips.

"Forget it," she said cheerfully, with relief and full of happiness. "Since you've treated me like a fragile object and behaved well, I, your Excellency, will be magnanimous and not hold it against you."

Yu Sixie held Xitong's hand tightly with his backhand, interlocking their fingers.

Sunlight filled the restaurant, and the laughter and joy became real and warm again.

The return of memory allows all intimacy and love to find a solid foundation, making them sweeter and more certain.

And those little episodes during the period of amnesia became their own secret anecdotes that they could reminisce and laugh about over and over again in the long years to come.

…

After Yu Sixie knew that Xitong's memory had been restored, he immediately arranged a meeting with Luo Xuanji.

This little girl with an unfathomable background expressed her concern through him many times during Xitong's amnesia, and provided great help when they were looking for Xitong's whereabouts.

The meeting place was scheduled to be in a very private tea room.

Luo Xuanji still looked like a little adult, wearing a well-tailored custom-made dress, sitting upright, but her eyes were calm and sharp beyond her age.

Seeing Xi Tong walk in, Luo Xuanji's eyes lit up slightly. She stood up and smiled a rare smile that suited her age, one that was filled with genuine joy: "You're finally back."

The word "come back" obviously refers to the return of memory.

Xitong was deeply impressed by the little girl and was grateful for her previous secret help. She smiled and replied, "Long time no see. Thank you for always thinking of me."

The two sat down and exchanged a few brief pleasantries about Xizhi's situation at school. Then Luo Xuanji got straight to the point. Her conversation was nothing like that of an elementary school student. Her logic was clear and her goals were pointed.

"I've been following the Huashan Hospital medical project you previously led. Although the process was bumpy, the final results and design concepts were highly praised in the industry."

Her tone was calm, yet it carried a weight that should not be underestimated. "And I'm very interested in the medical resources and connections you've accumulated in W City."

Xitong raised her eyebrows slightly, somewhat surprised at Luo Xuanji's well-informedness and business sensitivity.

Luo Xuanji continued, her tone calm.

"I know you have a special affection for City W and are interested in reintegrating resources there. I can provide support in two areas."

She held up two fingers and spoke clearly. "First, technology. Our family-controlled Life Blueprint Technologies is a global leader in intelligent medical devices and digital hospital solutions, and can be deeply integrated with your design concepts."

"Secondly," she paused, her eyes revealing a calmness belying her age and a deep understanding of the rules, "policy. The new leader of W City has some connection to my grandfather. If the project is worthwhile, a lot of unnecessary trouble can be avoided in terms of approval and implementation."

She did not act in an overbearing manner, but instead put forward real bargaining chips and expressed her sincerity in cooperation.

"I believe we have a basis for cooperation. I wonder if you would consider it?"

Xitong looked at the little girl in front of her with a strong aura, feeling filled with emotion.

Luo Xuanji's proposal will undoubtedly greatly promote her development plan in W City. Whether it is technical barriers or policy levels, she can provide strong support.

This is not just an investment, but also a strategic alliance.

"Xuanji," Xitong smiled and picked up the teacup, "Your proposal is very attractive. I think we can discuss the possibility of cooperation in detail."

Amidst the aroma of tea, a collaboration that transcends age and conventional social circles quietly began.

Luo Xuanji looked at Xitong with genuine admiration in her eyes.

She likes to deal with smart and capable people, especially when this person is Xizhi's mother.

The corners of the little girl's mouth curled up unconsciously.

Whoever she wants will definitely get it.