CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102 I ONLY HAVE ONE RELATIVE, MY SISTER, AND I LOVE HER VERY MUCH

Madam Chu’s face was ashen as she looked at Xiaomei. "Fu Bing didn’t get anywhere with me, so she sent you, a fool, over? Is she really that naive?"

"My sister isn’t naive, and I’m not a fool. Your words are truly unpleasant. We might be much younger than you, but if you have a problem, can’t you just say it directly? Must you be sarcastic and make insinuations about everyone?"

Xiaomei couldn’t understand. Teacher Rong Shizhi had told her she didn’t need to change her characteristics; maintaining her unique traits was how she wouldn’t be replaced. Her strengths were her straightforwardness and sincerity. She knew this about herself. Sometimes, these two qualities were very important.

Although she couldn’t fully grasp what Teacher Rong Shizhi meant, Teacher Rong Shizhi was over ninety years old—a kind, lovely old lady who was willing to listen to young people. But her sister’s great-grandmother was completely different. Her sister’s great-grandmother was too sharp-tongued; she wasn’t satisfied with anyone who came to see her. She had her own hardships; her life wasn’t easy. But was life easy for anyone else? Why did she always expect others to understand her?

Yunhui pulled Xiaomei back. "Don’t say any more."

Xiaomei blinked her large eyes and said to Madam Chu, "You see? Even when I’m disrespectful to you, this lady defends you. She’s quite nice. You shouldn’t be so harsh on her."

Madam Chu said angrily, "Since you’re Fu Bing’s person, why are you speaking up for her sworn enemy? Is this how you do things for Fu Bing?"

Xiaomei was stunned and turned to look at Yunhui. "Who are you? My sister’s sworn enemy?"

Yunhui averted her gaze, tacitly confirming Madam Chu’s words.

"Then I’ve messed up." Xiaomei rubbed her face. "But regardless of who this lady is, what you did just now was also wrong. And the way you hurt my sister yesterday was too much."

"My sister loves Aunt Fu dearly, and Aunt Fu was very good to my sister. Aunt Fu’s health was already failing when my sister was in high school. It was my sister who shouldered the responsibility of providing for the family, working to earn money and taking care of Aunt Fu while attending school. The three years she spent in prison weren’t her fault; she was framed. Moreover, my sister studied medicine diligently in prison so she could treat Aunt Fu after her release. Aunt Fu didn’t live to see my sister get out, and my sister is heartbroken. Why do you hate my sister?"

"I was the one who took care of Aunt Fu during her final days. Even when the illness caused her the most suffering, she never once complained about my sister. She didn’t complain, so how can you people go over her head and hate my sister?" Xiaomei shouted in a hushed voice, her face flushed. She was afraid that shouting too loudly would scare Madam Chu.

Out of their sight, Yunhui’s eyes reddened.

She turned her head and said hoarsely, "Did Fu Ya mention Jiangnan at the end?"

Xiaomei thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No. She just regretted not being able to wait for my sister to get out, not being able to see her one last time."

Madam Chu’s expression turned even uglier. "She didn’t mention Jiangnan at all?"

"I don’t know why Aunt Fu didn’t mention him. I was with her for several years, and she never talked about anyone else. She only ever talked to me about my sister."

Madam Chu closed her eyes in pain. "She really did hate me."

"I’m not sure about that. My sister and Aunt Fu were mother and daughter. If you want to understand, I’m sure my sister would be very willing to talk to you."

Madam Chu scoffed. "That’s your real purpose, isn’t it?"

"Yes, of course I came to see you with a purpose. Otherwise, why would I brave the scorching sun to come out here and suffer? I don’t think having a purpose is a bad thing. If you think about it, you approach everyone with a certain purpose. You don’t like this lady because you think she lacks talent. Conversely, you favor talented people because you know they can bring you the results you want. That’s your purpose," Xiaomei said earnestly.

Xiaomei’s words were so direct that Madam Chu was momentarily speechless, unable to find a retort.

"Get out!"

"I’ll leave after I’ve said what I need to say. My sister knows your birthday is in two days, and she wants to celebrate it with you. Will you give my sister a chance to sit down with you and talk about the past? Some things really aren’t as you think. You’ve had a hard life, but others haven’t necessarily had it easy either."

"Leave!"

Xiaomei sighed. "I’ll be back tomorrow."

With that, she politely said goodbye and left, feeling uneasy. She knew she had messed up the task her sister had given her, but she currently lacked the wisdom to solve the problems she faced. She still needed to study hard.

Yunhui watched Xiaomei’s retreating figure and said softly, "That young lady isn’t entirely right, but one point she made is true. Can’t you give us a chance to explain?"

"So now you’re clever enough to team up with Fu Bing against me?" Madam Chu said angrily.

"If you persist in thinking this way, you’ll continue to suffer. I don’t believe I’ve done anything wrong; I’ve only done what’s within my capabilities. After my father and Fu Ya left the Embroidery House, who do you think was most suitable to take over? Fu Ning?"

Madam Chu remained silent.

"I know you’re upset, I know you’re in pain, and I know you’ve looked down on me from the very beginning. I admit my abilities are mediocre. But is it right for you to constantly look down on me because of that?"

After saying this, Yunhui quickly walked away.

Xiaomei was walking in the direction opposite the main gate.

"Young lady, you’re going the wrong way."

Xiaomei turned around. "I’m not. My car is at the main gate. I was planning to ask the gardener to give me a ride there."

"Take my car. I’ll give you a ride out."

"But... you and my sister don’t get along." Xiaomei hesitated.

"Don’t worry. Even if I have a conflict of interest with your sister, I won’t take it out on you."

Xiaomei was skeptical. "Are you sure?"

"Do I look like I’m lying?"

Xiaomei shook her head. "Who are you to Aunt Fu?"

"You could say we were friends since childhood."

"Oh. So Aunt Fu always overshadowed you?"

"More or less."

"Don’t take it too hard. There really are geniuses in this world who do everything faster than ordinary people. My sister is like that. She never had a day of acting training, but she could win Best Actress. She never attended a day of medical school, but she could become an excellent doctor. You really can’t envy people like them too much; it’s easy to get jealous."

Yunhui looked at her still-childish profile. "You don’t envy her?"

"Not at all. My sister is wonderful. Besides, I don’t like acting, and I certainly don’t like being a doctor. My biggest wish is to stay by my sister’s side. Whatever she asks me to do, I’ll do it."

Yunhui’s gaze suddenly dimmed.

After a long moment, she said, "It’s good to be like that. At least you’re happy."

"I think it’s great. I can feel that my sister loves me very, very much, and I trust that she would do anything she could for me. I’m willing to do the same for her."

"Really? Anything?" Yunhui murmured to herself.

Xiaomei nodded firmly. "My sister is the only family I have. I love her very much."

Yunhui dropped Xiaomei off beside her small pink car and said, "Go back and tell Fu Bing that the old woman isn’t so easy to win over. Tell her to be mentally prepared. I also won’t give up the Chu Family Embroidery House or Yunxi Lane. If we’re going to compete, then let’s see some real skill!"