Chapter 148 Almost

Now, she no longer harbors any illusions about this so-called "mother" as she did when she was a child.

No matter how gentle her smile or how emotional her words.

Song Zhiwei was too lazy to pretend to show any respect or closeness anymore.

Xie Lingling, however, didn't care about her attitude at all and plopped down on the sofa.

"Didn't I tell you? I just missed you, so I came to see you and talk to you. Didn't you used to love it when I chatted with you?"

She paused, her eyes flickering, and tentatively asked, "You... and Sheng Tingzhou, are you together? I see you two living together, and his feelings for you don't seem like just ordinary friendship."

Song Zhiwei immediately understood what she was planning.

It was simply because they saw that Sheng Tingzhou was of extraordinary status that they immediately began to calculate their interests and relationships.

She gave a cold laugh, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"No. What makes him interested in me? Does someone who was abandoned by his mother at a young age and worked his way through college deserve to be the head of the Sheng Group?"

Xie Lingling shook her head, looking incredulous.

"Don't try to fool me. I've lived all these years and seen a lot of people. Do you think I can't see through this? Do you think I can't tell the difference between you two?"

Her tone suddenly changed, becoming more tolerant.

"I won't stop you from being with him. I don't interfere in matters of the heart. You adults can decide for yourselves. Just keep it in mind so you don't suffer later."

This time, she really figured it out.

My daughter has been stubborn and clear-headed since she was a child. She's never been stupid; she's quite intelligent.

Compared to her previous suitors whom she had looked down upon, Sheng Tingzhou was far superior.

She even felt a little smug inside.

"I've thought about what you said at the hospital last time."

Xie Lingling sighed, feigning a look of deep regret.

“I was too busy before and neglected you. With so many things to do—work, family, and the Zhou family—I really didn’t have time for you. Now I’ve figured it out. The past can’t be undone, but I can make it up to you.”

She looked at Song Zhiwei with sincere eyes.

"Tomorrow, I'll have Yun Sheng and Yun Han come over to apologize to you in person. I know they treated you badly before. From now on, let's get along as a family, okay?"

Song Zhiwei frowned, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.

"Ms. Qin, do you think it's meaningful for you to make decisions on your own and arrange things arbitrarily? Do you think that putting on a show of repentance now can erase more than 20 years of indifference and hurt?"

“I’ve said it before, I won’t go back to the Zhou family. There’s no home for me there, no place for me to belong. Our mother-daughter bond was severed long ago when you pushed me out the door time and time again.”

"I don't care about those two people's apologies."

"They don't need to come, and you don't need to come anymore. Don't come again. Let's each go our own way. Isn't it better not to bother each other or cause trouble?"

Xie Lingling was furious when she heard this.

Can you sever blood ties with just a few words?

This is utterly ridiculous!

She almost blurted out those words.

But the words stuck in his throat and he swallowed them back down.

She knew that speaking too harshly would only make the situation worse.

Seeing her expression, Xie Lingling knew that the rift between the mother and daughter was not something that could be easily resolved.

Song Zhiwei's eyes were calm.

She changed the subject and said softly, "It was my birthday a couple of days ago. You were busy outside, and I couldn't resist taking out the gifts you gave me when I was little and looking at them."

“You’ve always been skillful with your hands and thoughtful. I still keep that handmade greeting card.”

She remembered that the greeting card was folded from colored paper.

The words "Happy Birthday, Mom" ​​were written crookedly on it, and there were also a few sequins and hand-drawn flowers attached.

Song Zhiwei was only seven years old at the time, and she tiptoed to put the card into her bag.

That was one of the most precious gifts she had ever received in her life.

Song Zhiwei didn't respond; she just sat quietly.

Xie Lingling said a few words to herself, and the air was so quiet it felt a little stuffy.

The atmosphere inside the room was so suffocating that it was hard to breathe.

She finally sighed as if giving up, took a small box out of her bag, and gently placed it on the table.

"This is a birthday present Mom prepared for you. I won't bother you any longer, I'll be going now."

The box is made of dark blue velvet, with slightly worn edges.

She stood up and glanced back.

Song Zhiwei still had that cold and aloof demeanor.

Xie Lingling opened her mouth, as if to say something.

But when the words reached my lips, they felt superfluous.

She didn't say anything in the end, but just pursed her lips into a thin line, turned around and went out the door.

Once the door closed, the room became completely quiet.

Song Zhiwei let out a soft breath, walked to the table, picked up the box, and threw it into the trash can without even looking at it.

She didn't even bother to check what was inside.

She no longer cares about such small favors.

—

At noon, Sheng Tingzhou pushed open the door and came in.

After entering the room, he casually hung up his coat and glanced around the living room, noticing an unusual quietness.

"She's gone? You two didn't have a fight, did you?"

He knew perfectly well that Xie Lingling had stood up for Zhou Yunhan at the last banquet.

He understood perfectly well, but said nothing.

He never interfered in matters between mother and daughter.

He understood that some knots could only be untied by the women themselves.

No amount of external force or deep understanding can replace the person's own willingness to open their heart.

All he could do was silently watch over Song Zhiwei from behind.

"There was no argument, she left after exchanging a few words."

Song Zhiwei spoke in a detached tone, not wanting to mention Xie Lingling's cautious demeanor just now.

That kind of careful, ingratiating approach only made her more resistant.

It's as if she suddenly became valuable the moment she appeared.

She didn't like this feeling.

Where was Hsieh Ling-ling when she needed her mother's love?

He was busy with work and taking care of other people's children, but he neglected her.

Now, suddenly turning back and trying to make amends with a few words of warmth or a gift seems far too simplistic.

But she just hates it when people mix calculation into relationships.

Even if this "scheme" stemmed from guilt, she didn't want it.

She preferred to be more decisive, either cutting ties completely or treating each other with genuine sincerity.

Rather than this belated, compensatory warmth.

Sheng Tingzhou could tell at a glance that she was in a bad mood, so he quickly changed the subject.

"Shall we go out for a nice lunch?"

He knew that when she was unhappy, she loved to use food to cheer herself up.

"OK."

She thought for a moment, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"I want to eat hot pot."

The lively atmosphere of a hot pot meal, with its bubbling broth, can soothe the soul and ease any lingering worries.

The last time I made it myself, the seasoning wasn't right. The sesame paste was too salty, and the chili oil wasn't fragrant enough. It just didn't turn out quite right.

He reached out and ruffled her hair, responding with a smile.

"Okay, whatever you say."

He liked to see her smile.

The two changed their clothes and were about to leave.

Song Zhiwei suddenly stopped, took a mask out of the drawer, put it on herself, and then casually stuffed another one into his hand.

Sheng Tingzhou raised an eyebrow: "To prevent the flu?"

With the recent drop in temperature and the frequent outbreaks of influenza, wearing a mask is normal.

But he always felt that her actions were not solely for that purpose.

She hesitated for a moment, then honestly replied, "Half for the flu, and half... to avoid running into acquaintances."

In particular, I'm afraid of running into Xie Lingling.