Hearing the voice, Sheng Xiangsi put down her chopsticks and hurriedly went out to meet.
"Xiangsi!"
"Zhongpei? What's the matter..."
It wasn't convenient to talk here, so Sheng Xiangsi gestured towards the flower hall, and the two went inside to talk.
"Xiangsi," Zhongpei lowered his head, filled with guilt and self-blame.
He began nervously and awkwardly.
"It's my fault. I didn't expect my mother to come looking for you. Whatever she said, don't take it to heart, don't be angry..."
"Don't be nervous."
Compared to him, Sheng Xiangsi was much calmer.
"I'm not angry. Mrs. Zhong was speaking the truth... "
"Xiangsi?" Zhongpei was surprised, sensing something wasn't right.
"Zhongpei."
Sheng Xiangsi sighed softly, "Your mother's words, every one of them is reasonable. That's also why I rejected you that day. From now on, we should not meet again..."
"No!"
Before she could finish, Zhongpei hastily interrupted her.
His handsome face contorted with anguish. "Xiangsi, please, don't say such things! It's my fault for mishandling things. I never thought my mother would... Xiangsi, I truly like you! Finding someone who feels right isn't easy. I don't want to give up like this, and I can't. Please don't deny me like this, okay?"
"But..."
Sheng Xiangsi shook her head, unable to agree.
"Listen to me, parents' objections usually have reasons. In this world, most relationships that persist despite parental opposition don't end well..."
"You also said, 'most'!"
Zhongpei was genuinely desperate, his voice rising.
"That doesn't mean 'all'! If we don't try, how do we know it won't end well?"
This...
Sheng Xiangsi was momentarily speechless, tongue-tied.
"What's going on?"
Unable to sit still in the dining room, Fu Mingzhu got up and walked towards the flower hall. "I'll go see."
"Grandma, I'll accompany you."
Fu Hanjiang hurriedly followed, Fu Mingzhu gave him a glare. "What's wrong with the two of them? Do you know something?"
"I don't know," Fu Hanjiang shook his head decisively.
This was Xiangsi's private matter. Whether to tell Grandma or not was her decision; he wouldn't meddle.
When Grandma arrived at the flower hall and saw the two young ones, she asked, "Are you two... arguing? Or did something happen? Can you tell Grandma?"
"Grandma, it's nothing..."
Zhongpei remembered Fu Mingzhu had said she would help in case of obstacles in the future. But he didn't intend to ask for her help. He understood his parents. If Grandma Fu intervened, his parents might detest Xiangsi even more.
He glanced at Sheng Xiangsi, "It's my fault for making Xiangsi unhappy."
"Oh."
Seeing this, Fu Mingzhu felt relieved. "Then I won't help you. Deal with the trouble you caused yourself."
Glancing at Fu Hanjiang, "Let's go."
"Yes, Grandma."
As they turned away, Fu Hanjiang furrowed his brows, looking at Sheng Xiangsi.
He didn't understand. She obviously encountered difficulties, why didn't she seek Grandma's help? Zhongpei was the same.
Could they handle it on their own?
If they didn't speak up, there was only so much he could do.
...
Leaving the Fu residence and hurriedly returning home, Zhongpei went straight to find Liao Qingru.
"Mom!"
Liao Qingru glanced at her son, knowing what had happened, and frowned. "To wear such an expression, is it for your mom? Looks like that girl knows how to complain!"
"Mom!"
Zhongpei frowned, shaking his head. "It's not Xiangsi."
"Not her? Then who else could it be?"
Liao Qingru didn't believe, her anger rising. "I see you've been bewitched! What's so good about her that you speak up for her everywhere? Tell me, what else did she say about me?"
"It's Fu Second Brother!"
Zhongpei honestly replied, "He told me! Xiangsi didn't say anything bad about you!"
At the mention of Fu Hanjiang, Liao Qingru's expression became even uglier.
"Son, listen to yourself, Sheng Xiangsi and Fu Hanjiang are already divorced, their relationship... do you really want such a woman?"
"What kind of woman?"
Zhongpei was puzzled, explaining, "Xiangsi is the adopted daughter of the Fu family. She and Fu Second Brother are not husband and wife, they are siblings!"
"Oh!"
Liao Qingru's blood pressure soared, holding her forehead. "You don't need to say more. No matter who she is, I won't agree to you marrying a divorced woman! Adopted daughter of the Fu family? Hmph, even if she's the president's adopted daughter, it's useless!"
Was there no room for negotiation?
Zhongpei suddenly stopped, nodding, "Okay, I understand."
His mother's sudden change made Liao Qingru feel something was wrong. "What are you planning to do? Are you going to break ties with the family for her?"
"I won't."
Zhongpei shook his head, "If I do that, it will only make you hate Xiangsi more. I won't be that foolish."
"At least..."
Zhongpei remained calm, continuing, "Mom, I won't give up on Xiangsi. I really, truly like her. If you can't accept it, I'm willing to be caught in the middle and bear this pressure — you rest, good night."
Having said that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
"Zhongpei!"
Liao Qingru suddenly got up, stunned and speechless.
She never expected her usually obedient son to confront her like this!
"For whom am I doing this?"
"No!"
Gritting her teeth, Liao Qingru knew she had to figure out a way. She must separate them!
...
Zhongpei realized his misjudgment. He hadn't expected his parents to oppose him and Xiangsi so fiercely.
Back in his room, he picked up his phone, intending to call Xiangsi.
Then he noticed there was a message from Xiangsi.
[Zhongpei, it wasn't convenient to talk at Fu's house just now. What Mrs. Zhong said is what I think too. We are not suitable. Please don't persist because of me. Don't do anything more because of me.]
!!
After reading the message, Zhongpei suddenly stood up, feeling cold sweat breaking out.
He immediately dialed Xiangsi's number.
"Hello."
"Xiangsi!"
Zhongpei gripped his phone, his heart pounding in his throat. "Please don't be angry. I've talked to my mom. Our matters, let's decide for ourselves, okay?"
Hearing his words, Sheng Xiangsi could guess that he had argued with Mrs. Zhong again.
Sheng Xiangsi self-reflected.
"I'm sorry, Zhongpei. It's my fault for using you to get rid of Fu Hanjiang."
At that time, even if it was by chance, it was her fault.
It was absolutely wrong to cause unpleasantness between him and his family because of her.
"Don't argue with your family for me. Listen to them. Let's not contact each other anymore."
"Xiangsi..."
Every word she said felt like needles pricking Zhongpei's heart, causing a pain without bloodshed!
"Don't..."
"Zhongpei, I'm sorry. I'm not worth it. I'm hanging up. I won't pick up your calls in the future."
After saying that, she hung up, cutting off the call.
"Xiangsi!"
Zhongpei was stunned, and without wasting a moment, he redialed her number.
However, it couldn't get through. Xiangsi had blocked him!