After returning home, Cheng Zhili kept thinking, was marriage the only way to repay her family? Couldn't she be like her brother and make achievements in the company's business?

Of course, she also knew that her parents would never let her inherit the company, and she had never coveted the company's shares. She just wanted to discuss with her family that she would only take a salary and could help with management or go out to develop business.

After the meal, she shared her idea, and Cheng Shizhang, Yu Peiyan, and Cheng Zhibo reacted as if they had heard a joke.

"Zhili, you?" Cheng Shizhang laughed first, then shook his head. "Kids are just prone to having wild ideas."

Cheng Zhili's hard-won courage gradually cooled amidst the laughter and banter of the three.

"You're a girl, why would the company need you to show your face in public?"

"Exactly, it would be so much better to stay home and be a comfortable young lady like a princess. Managing the company is such a demanding job, so let your brother do it."

“I can learn, I’m not afraid of hard work.” Cheng Zhili wanted to fight for herself one last time. “I can do so many subjects well, so why do you think I can’t help my family with my work?”

Cheng Shizhang shook his head and stopped talking. Yu Peiyan's smile faded: "Zhili, homework and managing a company are not the same thing. Don't be willful."

“I’m not being willful, Mom. I’ve thought about it very seriously. If you don’t want me to join the company, I can start my own business after I grow up. I can become a strong woman like you, Mom.”

"Shut up! Who taught you to say such things?" Yu Peiyan shouted angrily. "Do you think you can be like me?"

Cheng Zhili was startled by her mother's tone. She couldn't understand why her mother was so opposed to her wanting to work.

"Mom, I just..."

"There's nothing 'just' about it. You just need to follow the path your family has laid out for you. The Cheng family doesn't need a daughter who shows her face in public or who thinks she's strong."

Cheng Zhili shook her head. That's not how it is. She doesn't want to be bound like this for the rest of her life. She should have her own direction to strive for.

“What’s wrong with going to school and getting married? Would your parents ever harm you? After you get married, you’ll have an heir, and then you can eat, drink, and have fun as you please. Do you know how many young girls outside yearn for this kind of life? Zhili, don’t be ungrateful.”

“I’m not ungrateful. I just want to prove that my value is not just in marriage, and that all my efforts should not be for the sake of marriage.”

"You think you can build a career just by working hard? You think a company is so easy to manage? Don't be naive. Your education and abilities are negligible when it comes to managing a company."

"How do you know I can't do it if I haven't even tried?"

"We don't need to know, because your brother is already in the company."

“I know the company belongs to my brother. I never wanted it. I just wanted to prove to you that I can bring glory to the family more than just marriage.”

“But all we need is for you to get married, Zhili. Do you even understand this? What are you rebelling against? You want to prove yourself. After you get married, you can open any kind of studio you want. You can do whatever you want then. But not now. You’re still young. The most important thing is to study hard, get good grades, and learn the courses your mother has arranged for you.”

"Mother……"

"Stop overthinking. Time will prove that your parents' arrangements for you were the right ones."

Yu Peiyan didn't want to listen to Cheng Zhili at all. The whole family thought she was daydreaming and making trouble out of nothing.

Cheng Zhili felt utterly lost and helpless. Why wouldn't her parents even listen to her thoughts? She just didn't want her life to be arranged like this. Was that wrong?

Is the so-called "correct path" to cultivate oneself into a perfect lady of high society, then marry into the man's family and bear his children?

Yes, she knew that such a life was what many people dreamed of, and she also knew that such a life would be rich and glorious, but it was not what she expected.

She hopes to be in control of her own life and to create a prosperous life for herself, rather than being controlled like a puppet.

Admittedly, her idea is somewhat selfish. After all, she has enjoyed a comfortable life provided by her family since birth. Her parents are experienced in business and have more life experience than her. They would definitely think that her idea is too simple. But does she really have no say in her own life?

Why can't parents treat themselves like Aunt Song treats Wenwen, without always prioritizing their own interests?

Sometimes she really envied Aunt Song's way of raising Wenwen, providing her with a comfortable life without restricting her spirit and freedom.

The moment the thought crossed Cheng Zhili's mind, she slapped herself hard. How could she have such a selfish idea?

No matter how difficult it is to communicate with your parents, they are still your parents, and they have indeed put a lot of effort into your studies and education.

Just as she finished blaming herself, Yu Peiyan came in with a glass of hot milk: "Mom just reflected on it. I was a bit harsh with my tone. Maybe I've been too hard on you. Don't blame Mom."

"No, I don't blame Mom, really," Cheng Zhili quickly replied, afraid that if she answered too slowly, her mother would be sad.

"You want the freedom to make your own decisions, and Mom will grant that. How about this: from now on, you can choose only a few courses that you like, and you can arrange the rest of your time as you see fit."

"Really? Mom?" Cheng Zhili's eyes widened in surprise.

Yu Peiyan said gently, "Of course it's true. Mom has forgotten that you're a grown woman. You should have your own time."

Hearing this, Cheng Zhili felt even more guilty. She had almost blamed her mother, thinking that her mother was not as good as Wenwen's mother. She really shouldn't have done that. Every mother loves her child in a different way. How could she question her mother?

"The cooperation with the Ji family is at a critical stage, and Mom has been too busy lately. If there is anything Mom has done wrong, you can tell me."

"No, Mom is fine."

Seeing her so remorseful, Yu Peiyan rubbed her temples and got up: "Then Mom will go back to her room. Don't think too much about it, just go to sleep."

"Mom, you should get some rest too."

Cheng Zhili felt increasingly sad and guilty. How could she have chosen this time to disturb her mother's peace of mind and make her usually strong and proud mother apologize to her? Her mother must have been feeling terrible just now. She deserved to die!

Otherwise, I shouldn't be so perfunctory in my interactions with Ji Yunyang. After all, he's the heir of the Ji family. If I make my feelings too obvious, no matter how gentlemanly he is, won't his parents notice? What if I have business disputes with them later?

What Cheng Zhili didn't realize was that just a few words from her mother had plunged her into self-criticism and completely changed her mind.