"Mom! You can't be so selfish. Everyone should face the consequences of their own actions. I can't let you exploit my sister like this! She has helped us a lot these past two years. What has Han Miaomiao ever done for you in return? You need to have some conscience!" Han Chong yelled at Hou Xiaomei, his voice filled with desperation.
"Since that's the case, why don't we step outside and discuss this further? After all, we're going to be family soon," Mr. Li responded coolly, his demeanor suggesting he had a plan up his sleeve.
"Tian Sheng might be your father, but he personally called me to handle this situation. He doesn't see me as an outsider, and I'm not just trying to play the good guy here—who wants to deal with this kind of trouble?" Mr. Li laid his cards on the table for Tian Youyou, "Your father suggested we discuss this at your home, in front of both your families. Let's talk this through and lay out my terms as well, shall we?"
Tian Youyou knew Mr. Li was not acting out of kindness, but his openness about the situation hinted at yet another arrangement by Tian Sheng, who still harbored plans regarding her and Mr. Li's marriage, unwilling to let her go without striking a deal.
"Alright, let's go to the Tian residence to discuss this matter then!" The police station was hardly the place for such discussions, especially since Han Miaomiao, another party involved, was there. It was the perfect opportunity to address everything in one place.
"Sister, no, I disagree! What does he even mean to you? I'd rather die in here than push you into hell!" Han Chong reached through the bars, trying to grab Tian Youyou in a bid to stop her.
"Just stay put; I'll figure something out. Just don't cause any more trouble!" Tian Youyou left without turning back, entering Mr. Li's car with Hou Xiaomei to head to the Tian residence.
Upon their arrival at the Tian home, Hou Xiaomei was the first to burst through the door opened by the maid and went straight to Han Miaomiao, slapping her across the face, "You ungrateful thing, after eating my food for over twenty years, this is how you treat your brother Han Chong?"
Han Miaomiao, clutching her cheek, shrieked back, "What brother? He's no brother of mine, don't try to connect me with him. He's always been jealous of me. And you! Don't act like I owe you anything. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be part of this family!"
"You heartless wretch, I'll tear you apart!" Hou Xiaomei advanced to strike Han Miaomiao but was pushed away by Tian Sheng.
"Think you can make a scene here? This isn't your home! Continue like this, and Han Chong won't be getting out anytime soon!" Tian Sheng's intervention calmed Hou Xiaomei effectively.
"Look, Youyou, even though this seems unrelated to you on the surface, it actually involves you deeply. Han Chong is your biological brother, and we are your foster parents, with Miaomiao essentially your sister. The resolution of this matter hinges on you."
The clarity and precision with which he delineated these relationships effectively pulled Tian Youyou into a scenario she had no part in initiating.
"Just tell me what you want me to do," Tian Youyou responded, knowing too well Mr. Li's summons was not without reason.
"The thing is, Mr. Li has the connections to get Han Chong out and even secure him a job, and offer Miaomiao some compensation to ease tensions between you all. So, Mr. Li was wondering if you might consider dating him, just giving it a try," Tian Sheng coughed awkwardly, masking his discomfort with the proposition.
"Fine, I'll agree to date him, but I have a condition!" Tian Youyou's quick agreement surprised everyone.
Hou Xiaomei's face went from tense to shocked, Tian Sheng's from shocked to pleased, and Han Miaomiao's from surprised to smug, not to mention Mr. Li's triumphant grin.
"No, Youyou! I don't agree!" Lin Yue Rong emerged from a room, in pajamas, her face pale.
"Mom, it's just dating, not marriage right away. Don't worry!" Tian Youyou had already planned her strategy on the way back, reassuring Lin Yue Rong with a firm nod.
"Mr. Li must get my brother Han Chong out within three days!" Tian Youyou set her terms clearly.
"Agreed! Let's not belabor the point then. I'll get started right away," Mr. Li, confident and satisfied, promptly left to handle the arrangements.
Tian Youyou knew that Tian Sheng wouldn't use Han Chong's situation as a bargaining chip without securing a substantial benefit for himself. She intended to find out exactly how much Mr. Li was willing to pay for her.
With Hou Xiaomei reassured by Mr. Li's commitment, she returned home to await further news. As she was about to leave, Lin Yue Rong suddenly collapsed, forcing Tian Youyou to rush her to the hospital.
Lin Yue Rong had always been a source of warmth in the otherwise cold Tian household, which is why Tian Youyou had never left. Now, as Lin Yue Rong lay semi-conscious, the doctors recommended that a family member stay overnight. Han Miaomiao and Tian Sheng looked at each other but showed no intention of staying.
"You all go. I'll take care of Mom."
Han Miaomiao snorted through her nose, "Fine, she likes you better anyway," and rolled her eyes as she left with Tian Sheng.
Tian Sheng's indifference was no surprise given his usual disregard for his meek wife. Who did Han Miaomiao really care about? It was hard to tell.
"Dad, let's go. Let Youyou show her filial piety," Han Miaomiao hooked Tian Sheng's arm, and they left the hospital room without looking back.
"Youyou!" Lin Yue Rong called out weakly just as they left.
"Mom!" Tian Youyou hurried to support her.
Lin Yue Rong revealed she had been awake for a while.
"Youyou, I'm so sorry!" Lin Yue Rong gripped her hand, tears streaming down her face.
"Mom, you have nothing to apologize for," Tian Youyou was taken aback by her words, soothingly patting her back as she would have when comforted by her mother in her childhood.
"I've had no say in this house for years, and it's made your life harder. At first, I felt indebted to Miaomiao, but over the past two years, I've realized that she lacks kindness.
You can't stay in this family anymore. I've secretly bought a small apartment with all the savings I had," Lin Yue Rong admitted with a bitter smile.
"People think I live comfortably with Tian Sheng, but no one knows he's only ever given me an allowance, never putting money directly in my hands. If I had been smarter sooner, maybe you wouldn't have suffered so much."
Tian Youyou knew about Lin Yue Rong's low status within the household. While Tian Sheng treated her as his only daughter, any property in her name had been transferred out long ago since Han Miaomiao's appearance.
"Mom..." Tian Youyou, overwhelmed by emotion, embraced Lin Yue Rong tightly.
"Whatever happens, Youyou, you'll always be my daughter," Lin Yue Rong murmured, stroking her hair.
"And you will always be my mom. That will never change," Tian Youyou affirmed, their eyes locked in mutual recognition of their bond—a bond that blood alone could neither define nor break.