Chapter 131 We Can't Go Together

What could compare to a family sitting around a table, enjoying a lively meal together?

"Are you short of money?"

He suddenly changed his tone, and his voice turned cold.

“You get a living allowance from home every month, isn’t that enough for you? Why do you have to go out and earn that little bit of extra money?”

His tone was stern, almost accusatory.

Song Zhiwei felt a pang of sadness.

The Zhou family has a dedicated finance team to manage the accounts, and all income and expenditure are recorded clearly.

As the sons of the Zhou family, Zhou Xiaolu and Zhou Zhuoye receive millions of yuan in pocket money every month.

Their clothing, food, housing, and transportation are all top-of-the-line; they travel in luxury cars and wear expensive watches, leading a life of extravagance that makes others envious.

But what about her?

Song Zhiwei, as the nominal daughter of this family, has never taken a single penny from the family account.

There was no pocket money, no subsidies, and not even basic living expenses.

But she had long since resigned herself to her fate. From the first day she entered the Zhou family, she knew that she was the "outsider".

She prefers to live a low-key life rather than attract any trouble.

"No. I earn it myself."

Zhou Huaiqing paused slightly, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the sofa.

His brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Previously, the old lady held all the financial power in the family.

When the old lady was alive, she was shrewd and capable, and she had clear plans for the expenses of each of her children and grandchildren.

After the old lady passed away, this power fell into Xie Lingling's hands.

Zhou Huaiqing always believed that no matter how biased Xie Lingling was, she would never mistreat her own daughter.

In his view, Zhiwei was, after all, Xie Lingling's child, whom she carried for ten months and gave birth to.

Even if the relationship is strained, life shouldn't be so bad that you don't even have pocket money.

But reality slapped him in the face.

He never imagined that this girl, who had been raised in the Zhou family since childhood, would not even have the most basic financial freedom.

"No matter what, it's your mother's birthday. If you don't show up, what will people say?"

In his heart, he had done everything he could.

They took her in from a young age, provided her with food and clothing, and sent her to school.

I've never slapped her or said a harsh word to her.

He felt he owed her nothing and never asked her to be more filial or grateful.

All he hoped for was that she would give him face on important occasions and maintain the family's dignity.

But she wouldn't even give that much.

Song Zhiwei has already explained her position on numerous occasions.

But people like Zhou Huaiqing, who stand at the top of power, never listen to the explanations of an "outsider".

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled the pent-up emotions in her chest.

"Uncle Zhou, my relationship with my mother is no longer something that can be maintained by forcing it. Forcing us to stay together only makes us feel awkward and uncomfortable. Why bother pretending when neither of us is comfortable?"

Zhou Huaiqing's face immediately darkened.

In the suffocating silence, Xie Lingling walked over quietly.

She didn't say anything, but simply reached out and gently took the phone that Zhou Huaiqing was still holding.

“Zhiwei, it’s Mom.”

Xie Lingling's voice came from the other end of the phone.

Song Zhiwei bit her lower lip.

Her fingers gripped the phone tightly.

She was silent for a moment, then finally managed to squeeze out two words.

"What's up?"

Xie Lingling's voice remained very soft.

"Take good care of yourself while you're away. It's Mom's birthday, whether you come or not is fine, Mom won't blame you."

She couldn't understand why Xie Lingling, who was always cold and aloof, would suddenly speak to her in such a soft tone today.

Is it guilt? Is it regret?

Or is she just putting on an act, just to maintain the image of a loving mother in front of outsiders?

She didn't want to ask anymore.

Feelings, after being hurt time and time again, are already riddled with holes.

She gave a soft "hmm," her voice low and husky.

"If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Then, a very soft sigh was heard.

"Okay, Mom won't bother you anymore."

beep.

The call ended, leaving only a cold busy tone on the receiver.

But her heart still ached.

She's her own mother after all.

Even though they are separated by thousands of miles.

Even though she never felt real maternal love during those years.

Even though she had already learned to shoulder everything on her own.

But blood ties are something that can never be severed.

She couldn't remain completely indifferent.

A single word or tone from Xie Lingling could stir the softest corner of her heart.

But she knew very well what was going on in her mind, and was very clear-headed.

She and Xie Lingling were destined not to be together.

Some cracks were there from the very beginning.

It's already deeply ingrained, and it's impossible to heal it now.

Plates of barbecue were served one after another, steaming hot and with an enticing aroma.

The meat skewers sizzled on the charcoal fire, and the dripping oil released a fragrant aroma.

The aroma of chili powder and cumin mingled and permeated the air.

Each plate was piled high, its golden crust glistening with oil.

I was so hungry that my stomach was practically sticking to my back.

But right now, staring at those skewers of grilled meat, I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

Just a moment ago I was saying I wanted to eat at this time-honored barbecue restaurant.

But now that I'm sitting here, looking at the bright red chili oil in front of me, I feel like something is stuck in my throat.

She picked up her chopsticks, her fingertips slightly cold.

I picked up a lamb skewer, took a small bite, and the salty and spicy taste spread on my tongue, but I couldn't really taste anything.

After eating two pieces, I put down my chopsticks and didn't touch them again.

Sheng Tingzhou paid the bill, and the two walked side by side on the street.

A gentle night breeze swept away the smoky atmosphere of the barbecue stall.

The shops on both sides of the street were lit up, and pedestrians strolled around in twos and threes.

Song Zhiwei suddenly spoke up: "There's a meeting tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."

"Um."

He deserves to be left feeling light and carefree.

I passed by an old man selling balloons. A whole bunch of colorful little balloons were floating in mid-air, with tiny light bulbs embedded inside.

An old man squatted on the street corner, clutching a bundle of thin thread in his hand.

The balloons swayed gently in the night breeze, and the light bulbs flickered on and off.

Sheng Tingzhou stopped and gently took her hand.

She paused for a moment, but did not pull away.

"Would you like to buy one?"

Song Zhiwei was taken aback: "Huh? You... like this?"

He didn't answer, but instead looked down and picked through a bunch of balloons, finally taking out a pair.

Judy and Nick.

The rabbit police officer and the fox conman, one upright and righteous, the other cunning and smiling.

His gaze lingered on the balloon for a moment, then he gently flicked the thin string with his fingertips.

Only after confirming that there was no tangling did I hand one of them to her.

After paying, they handed her the rabbit police officer.

The banknotes were handed out swiftly and without hesitation.

He carefully wrapped the balloon string around her finger, circle by circle.

She clutched it blankly, asking, "For me?"

My fingertips brushed against the surface of the plastic balloon; it felt slightly cool to the touch.

The light from the bulb reflected in her pupils, flickering.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Otherwise what? Is there anyone else here?"

He glanced at her, his gaze casual, yet it made her cheeks flush slightly.

She smiled and looked down, gently shaking her hand, causing the balloon to bob up and down.

The little light on the balloon swayed gently with her movements, and the light and shadow danced on her face.

She suddenly remembered her childhood.

Back then, she was a quiet, withdrawn little girl who would often hide in a corner.

When they first entered the Zhou family, Zhou Huaiqing took the three children to the amusement park.