Chapter 78 Compassion
In those years, she would even hide under the covers when she cried, afraid of disturbing Xie Xiaolu, who "needed more care."
She used to be too sensible and considerate of others, which is why she kept giving in and living cautiously.
Song Zhiwei took a deep breath.
"Don't say those things again. I will never go back to the Zhou family, and I will never cause you any more trouble."
The pain of the past will not disappear, but she no longer wants to dwell on it.
She is no longer the child who needs to please everyone to get a little warmth.
From then on, she was only responsible for her own life.
Xie Lingling frowned.
What do you mean by that?
She stared at Song Zhiwei, trying to find a trace of wavering in the other's expression.
A gust of wind blew in from outside the hall, and her thin suit jacket offered no protection against the chill.
The coldness comes not only from the weather, but also from the bone-chilling clarity in one's heart.
She stood ramrod straight, forcefully holding back her tears.
"It means exactly what it says. From now on, when you're out there, just pretend you don't have a daughter like me."
She looked at Xie Lingling, her eyes no longer showing struggle or anger, but only a calmness bordering on pity.
This relationship has long been dead in name only, so it's better to draw a clear line now.
The mother-daughter relationship of more than 20 years has come to an end.
After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Xie Lingling's reaction.
Xie Lingling stood there, stunned, staring at her retreating figure, her face full of shock.
She didn't seem to have realized what was happening yet.
The daughter, who was always obedient and never resisted, actually turned around and left.
The feeling of being abandoned struck her unexpectedly.
The bodyguard asked in a low voice, "Madam, should we go after the second young lady?"
He stood to the side and behind, his voice very low.
He knew that this family had many complicated grudges and that he shouldn't easily interfere in his master's affairs.
But the scene before us is somewhat heartbreaking.
Xie Lingling gritted her teeth and said coldly, "Ignore her and let her do whatever she wants."
She straightened her collar, feigning composure, her tone cold and hard.
"She's grown up now, let her fly as much as she wants, let's see how far she can go."
It's ridiculous. If it weren't for her, would Song Zhiwei have the good life she has today?
But she didn't know that some wounds should never be covered up by time.
——
Song Zhiwei sat in the driver's seat, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
The car is traveling on a wide main road.
As night deepened, the streetlights formed a flowing ribbon of light, illuminating the city's sleepless state.
Cars with their headlights on sped past her.
She had already muted the radio in the car, with only the air conditioning running at a low volume.
Neon lights flashed, and the shops on both sides of the street lit up their colorful signs.
She stared blankly ahead, her eyes unfocused, her lips pressed tightly together.
When Xie Lingling was a child, before her parents divorced, she wasn't like she is now.
Back then, she would squat down, gently hug her tiny self, tenderly kiss her cheek, and say in a soft, sweet voice, "Baby, Mommy loves you the most."
On her birthday or holiday, she would bring home a brand new Barbie doll.
She always carefully placed the dolls in the glass cabinet.
At that time, sunlight streamed into the living room, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cakes.
She truly believed she was the happiest child in the world.
It's a pity that people's hearts change.
When her marriage broke down and her life fell apart, the once gentle mother gradually became cold and harsh.
And he himself became the outlet for her emotions.
Over time, everything changes.
The car slowly drove into the underground parking garage of the residential complex.
Song Zhiwei parked the car in her designated parking space, turned off the engine, sat quietly for a few seconds, and then opened the car door and got out.
The sound of high heels clicking on the ground echoed in the empty garage.
She carried her bag in one hand as she walked toward the elevator.
Just as she was about to step into the elevator, she suddenly saw someone standing not far away.
The person was backlit, with a slender figure and distinct features.
She stopped abruptly, her heart beating slightly faster.
It was Zhou Yuze.
He was wearing a soft brown trench coat.
The dim light from the ceiling lamp shone on his shoulders, outlining a somewhat lonely silhouette.
He didn't look at her; his gaze seemed to be fixed on a point in the distance.
"Uncle."
Hearing the voice, Zhou Yuze turned around, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
He walked towards her, his steps steady and his voice gentle.
"Just got off work?"
"Um."
"Have you got a meal yet?"
"not yet."
She forced a smile, a slight curve appearing at the corners of her mouth.
"I was too busy with work and forgot about it."
Zhou Yuze glanced at his watch; the hands on the silver dial pointed to exactly nine o'clock.
He frowned, but didn't scold him. He just said softly, "Let's go have a meal together."
Song Zhiwei wanted to decline, and the words "No need" almost slipped out of her throat.
But she stopped abruptly when she was about to speak.
She remembered many things.
I remember when I was sick with a fever, he brought me medicine in the middle of the night in the rain.
He remembered that when she was humiliated in court, he stood silently behind her, holding an umbrella for her.
After all, this person had given her a glimmer of light during her darkest time.
The light was neither bright nor long-lasting.
But at least, it made her believe that darkness was not eternal.
She finally nodded, her voice very soft: "Okay."
The two went to a nearby restaurant.
The shop is small, simply decorated, with warm lighting and soft piano music playing.
They sat down by the window, overlooking a quiet little street with a few streetlights standing silently.
Song Zhiwei took the menu, flipped through a few pages, ordered a few light dishes, and then handed the menu to the waiter.
Zhou Yuze picked up the teapot, poured a cup of hot water, and gently pushed it in front of her.
A thin wisp of white mist rose from the rim of the cup, blurring her vision.
He looked at her, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke: "About yesterday, you still..."
Before he finished speaking, she already understood what he meant.
"I'm fine. In fact, I feel pretty good. At least I see many things more clearly now."
She paused, her eyes growing colder, but her tone became even calmer.
"I'm completely awake now."
Zhou Yuze looked at her, his heart skipped a beat.
Those once clear eyes now held a touch of serenity.
He suddenly realized that the girl in front of him was no longer the little niece who would only hide in a corner and cry back then.
What kind of disappointment must a girl have experienced to say such a thing in such a calm tone?
He had just raised his hand when he suddenly stopped.
So, the hand hovered in mid-air for a few seconds before slowly retracting.
"Uncle," she said, her head bowed, her fingertips gently pinching the slender wooden chopsticks, "I probably won't be going back to the Zhou family again."
She pursed her lips, her gaze falling on a tiny crack on the rim of the bowl.
She originally only wanted to say goodbye and have a meal with me.
But the long-suppressed thought in my heart finally broke through the dam.
She wanted to take this opportunity to make things clear.
Zhou Yuze sat opposite her, wearing a dark gray turtleneck sweater.
He remained silent for a while, and finally just nodded slowly.
"Alright."
The sister-in-law's actions were indeed a bit excessive.
Not only were their words harsh, but their behavior was also aggressive.
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