"What other options are there?"
"Tell Zha Nan the truth. That's the best option."
"But…but he will…" Mom Si wept. "I just…don't want him to…be hurt."
Ru Yin Yue understood Mom Si's anguish. She knew better than most people how Zha Nan was a sensitive and delicate person. If he saw these photographs, he would be psychologically devastated.
But that didn't mean she had to martyr herself and become either the rebound girl or the victim of Si Zha Nan's rage. Even though she loved him, she wasn't pathetic and stupid enough to stoically bore whatever punishment he would dish out to her and take the blame of breaking him up with his one true love for no bloody reason. Just because she was a woman didn't mean she should suffer indignity and abuse from the man she loved.
Ru Yin Yue had a lot more self-respect than that.
"I'm sorry, auntie, but I can't help you. I advise you to tell him the truth."
"Yin Yue, you are a good girl. Auntie knows how you've been wronged and how much you've suffered." Mom Si sighed. "The incident eight years ago…that scandal that caused a rift between you and Zha Nan, I suspect it's also the work of Zhou Ni Yao."
Ru Yin Yue already knew that. She didn't need Mom Si to tell her that. Even so, she was surprised that auntie had her own suspicions regarding Ni Yao's involvement.
Mom Si turned to look at Ru Yin Yue fiercely. "Are you sure you'll just let that stinky demoness get away with this? You can't let her win. Zha Nan should take responsibility for you. It's high time he wakes up and stops running away. Otherwise…how can you bear this injustice?"
"There's nothing to bear," Ru Yin Yue replied dryly, wondering what was with this drama. She loved Si Zha Nan, but she was aware that he didn't love her back. That was fine. She didn't love him in order to have it reciprocated. She wasn't that delusional.
After all, there was that creepy nerd who liked her, but she didn't like him. Just because someone was in love with her didn't mean she was obligated to love him back. The same went for the relationship between her and Si Zha Nan.
"I have already accepted everything."
"How about this?" Mom Si sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Just try marrying Zha Nan first. If a year or so passes and if the marriage doesn't work out, if he still can't forget Zhou Ni Yao, then you can leave him. I'll handle the divorce and make sure you will not be disadvantaged."
"For a person to really like someone, a year isn't enough to make him forget about her." Ru Yin Yue shook her head. She knew this better than anyone else, for she had been in love with Si Zha Nan for eleven years. Not once had she forgotten him.
She was sure that Si Zha Nan and Zhou Ni Yao were two people who love each other…wait, what? She literally had evidence that Zhou Ni Yao was cheating on Si Zha Nan. Were these the actions of a woman who claimed to be in love? Did Zhou Ni Yao truly love Si Zha Nan, or was she simply marrying him for his status and wealth?
Nonetheless, she was certain that Zha Nan truly loved Ni Yao, even if the feelings weren't mutual.
Just like how I am right now…
Mom Si studied her expression and sighed audibly.
"I understand that feelings cannot be forced…but I'm sure you're the perfect person for Zha Nan. If he would just give you a chance, he will find that he loves you more than Zhou Ni Yao. As his mother, I'm confident of that. I know my son well. He's just being blinded by that stinky demoness's schemes right now. By marrying him, you'll help to lift the veil from his eyes. The best counter against a woman is another woman."
This lady has been watching way too many soap dramas, Ru Yin Yue thought to herself.
"At least you're not making me sign some stupid marriage contract that lasts for a year."
"I actually did draw up a contract for us to sign just in case you want the terms to be legally binding."
"Are you serious?" Ru Yin Yue threw her hands up. Mom Si looked at her guiltily.
"Sorry. That was a bad joke. Nobody does this sort of marriage contracts in real life. It's just stupid. I mean…stuff like 'divorce after x number of years' or 'divorce after you give me a child'? Who does that in real life? Doesn't that defeat the whole point of marriage?"
"Yeah, I think you've been reading too many CEO novels, auntie. You should stop."
"But I do have a business proposition." Mom Si took a deep breath. If this girl wouldn't be moved by feelings, then perhaps money would. She took out a check and passed it to Ru Yin Yue, who stared at it blankly.
"What's this for?" There was anger in her voice. "Are you trying to bribe me? If I agree to marry Zha Nan, you will give me money in return? Do you think I'm such a cheap woman?"
"No, no. You misunderstand." Mom Si was quick to deny it, even though Ru Yin Yue was actually correct. "I've heard of your mother's condition. I know you're struggling financially right now. The Si family will pay for your mom's hospitalization fees. After all, if she's an in-law, she's family. And we take care of our family."
The meaning in her words was clear, but Ru Yin Yue refused.
"No."
"Don't be too hasty," Mom Si said gently. "Put away your pride for a moment. If you will not marry Zha Nan for yourself…if you will not be honest about your own feelings for him, then marry him for the sake of your mother. I won't ask you to marry my son for my sake or the sake of thee Si family. But at least for your mother."
She looked away, trying to think of a way to not sound callous.
"Don't get me wrong, Yin Yue. I admire you. That's why I want you to be my daughter-in-law, and not Zhou Ni Yao. I like how you have self-respect, dignity and morals. That's why I think you're more suitable than anyone else to be the young mistress of the Si family. Not any woman can marry into the Si family, but you are ideal in my eyes."
She lowered her head. "However…reality is cruel. I may sound…like an awful person by saying this, but your pride and values will not pay the hospitalization bills. They will not save your mother. The Si family's fortune…and your position as the young mistress of the Si family will."
Ru Yin Yue gritted her teeth, but she knew that Mom Si was right. However, she couldn't sacrifice her values for money. If she gave into this…then wouldn't that make her less of a person?
The reality was cruel, though. Ru Yin Yue was aware that she could no longer afford the medical expenses for her mother's continual treatment. She knew that the hospital would discontinue the medical treatment and discharge her mother once she was unable to afford the bills.
Even so, she would not sacrifice what made her…Ru Yin Yue.
"I refuse," she said determinedly. "Please, auntie. It's pointless to try and persuade me. And if you know my character as well as you claim to, then you know I will never accept this."
Mom Si saw her resolve and knew that the conversation was done. She nodded resignedly and rose to her feet.
"Perhaps this is why I admire you and want you to be my daughter-in-law." She sighed. "Take your time to consider. If you change your mind, approach me. The offer will always be open."
"There is nothing to consider." Ru Yin Yue shook her head. "And I advise you to tell Zha Nan the truth. Nothing good would come out from hiding the truth from him and playing these games."
"I will think about it." Mom Si nodded, clutching her purse tightly. She swallowed, but was unable to meet Ru Yin Yue's gaze. At that moment, the pianist knew that she wouldn't tell Zha Nan. She didn't have the heart to break his heart.
Not that it mattered. From today onward, Ru Yin Yue would have nothing to do with the Si family.
She sent the older lady out, walking her to the door and watching her leave. Of course, she made sure that Mom Si didn't leave anything behind, that she took her photographs with her. Then she shut the door, locked it and headed to her bedroom.
Before she reached the door, she passed by her piano and paused. Gazing at it sadly, she recalled the days when she played a nicer, better piano in the music room in high school.
Si Zha Nan and Ru Yin Yue, playing a duet together in better days. Even when he was in love with Zhou Ni Yao, before that incident, their relationship hadn't soured to such extent. They could still talk about music together.
Was that why Mom Si thought she was more suitable for Zha Nan? Because of their shared interest in music?
But from what she saw, Si Zha Nan hadn't actually touched music for a long while now…
No. I should stop thinking about him. We have nothing to do with each other from now on.
Taking a deep breath and shaking her head, Ru Yin Yue closed the lid of the piano and went into her room, her heart heavy and dark.