CHAPTER 659: CHAPTER 576: A SERIES OF QUESTIONS (SECOND UPDATE)

Leng Mochen sneered as he glanced at Yan Xuefeng, whose face was heavy with emotion, and said coldly, "I’m busy!"

Did they think he couldn’t see through their schemes? Perhaps some things could be forgiven, but the countless things Tian Yaruo had done to Li Si offered not even the slightest possibility of absolution.

And to bring this up now, during Leng Ning’s engagement banquet, in front of such a distinguished crowd? Was their purpose really as simple as they claimed?

After saying this, Leng Mochen grabbed Li Si—whose face had now turned completely frosty—and prepared to leave decisively.

Yan Xuefeng knew in his heart the kind of person Leng Mochen was and how others spoke of him; he had already been prepared for such a cold rejection.

But for Yaruo, the woman he loved, seeing her constantly tormented and weeping because of Li Si, he simply couldn’t bear it.

He hastened to step forward and block their path, forcing himself to meet the curious stares of the surrounding guests. Then he looked directly at Leng Mochen and Li Si and said loudly, "Yaruo may have been wrong in some places, but she is, after all, Li Si’s biological mother. Must there truly be such deep hatred between a mother and daughter? Every meeting has to seem like a confrontation between mortal enemies?"

Li Si looked icily at Tian Yaruo with a gaze full of disgust. "Is this your idea?"

Did this really have to be said on such an occasion?

Tian Yaruo shrank back in fear under Li Si’s glare, while the probing stares around her intensified. She hurriedly shook her head. "I didn’t! Old Yan! Stop talking already!"

Why bring this up now? Wouldn’t this just pour oil on the fire?

Yan Xuefeng clasped her hand firmly and said insistently, "Yaruo, I can’t stand seeing you cry quietly in pain over this child, Li Si. Maybe the timing and place are wrong today, but I can’t bear it any longer. Let me say a fair word for you!"

"Don’t! Old Yan! Please, just stop! Let’s go!" Tian Yaruo desperately shook her head, her back feeling as though it was against a bed of thorns.

There were things that Yan Xuefeng had no real understanding of, secrets she hadn’t fully disclosed to him. Between her and Li Si, it wasn’t just one or two issues.

What he knew from Weiwei was merely the tip of the iceberg—only the parts that cast her in a favorable light.

She was well aware of how Yan Xuefeng’s perspective would shape his conclusions: that Li Si was inconsiderate, severing ties with her family!

Yan Xuefeng, uncharacteristically firm this time, restrained Tian Yaruo’s panicked outbursts with a gaze that conveyed he had everything under control. He then turned back to the crowd and said loudly, "What I’m about to say might not be appropriate, so I apologize first to Elder Leng and his family.

But I simply can’t hold this in any longer. We acknowledge that Kesong’s recovery was thanks to Li Si, and we’re deeply grateful for that. But isn’t it also worth celebrating that Li Si, as Kesong’s elder sister, made such a sacrifice for her younger brother?

Moreover, ever since that online post exposing her family background, hasn’t it already become public knowledge that Yaruo and Li Si are biological mother and daughter?

Li Si has already managed to reconcile with her mother-in-law, laughing away past grudges and building a good relationship now.

Why can’t she forgive her own biological mother? What kind of grudge between mother and daughter lasts overnight? Would you rather never speak to each other again for the rest of your lives?"

Under Leng Mochen’s icy, blade-like gaze, Yan Xuefeng finished his speech, though only he knew how his back was soaked with sweat despite the cool, air-conditioned banquet hall in this golden October.

Tian Yaruo was utterly stunned by what he said; the surrounding guests began murmuring among themselves while casting judgmental glances at them.

She was beyond anxious. How could he say such things? How could he?

She truly regretted not stopping him in time, regretted even more coming to this engagement banquet in the first place!

Seeing Li Si’s face turn completely dark, she didn’t need to guess to know that the child now utterly despised her!

Leng Mochen let out a cold, disdainful grunt. "Finished talking?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw clenching tightly. Had this not been Leng Ning’s engagement banquet, he would have already taught Yan Xuefeng a harsh lesson.

Who did he think he was?

He deeply wanted to beat Yan Xuefeng senseless right then and there, but he also knew that there were times when the pain of losing everything—the things you relied on—was far worse than any physical beating.

Li Si, sensing the anger radiating from Leng Mochen, soothingly patted his arm and leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "Honey, let me handle this!"

She was no longer the little girl who hid behind him at every turn. She was now a mother, with children of her own.

In the past, people could argue that she hadn’t been a mother herself and thus couldn’t understand, couldn’t grasp the depth of Tian Yaruo’s maternal love.

But now that she was a mother, no matter how she projected the scenario inwardly, she could never imagine herself doing to Buding what Tian Yaruo had done to her!

To Tian Yaruo, only her family, only Weiwei, mattered!

And what was she? Merely the person who had donated bone marrow to save her precious son. A forgotten shadow in some far-off corner, brought out only when it was convenient, used and scolded.

Someone summoned to embody sacrificial saintliness whenever Tian Yaruo felt like playing the role of the noble mother figure!

Leng Mochen knew that Li Si had grown independent and capable in her actions. He was willing to give her the chance to take charge herself!

Besides, in front of these so-called media representatives, he could guarantee that tomorrow’s news headlines would only favor them.

Having received Leng Mochen’s approval, Li Si let go of his arm, a mocking smile on her face, as she clapped her hands deliberately. "Well done, Mr. Yan! You’re clearly not suited for business; you might want to consider becoming a screenwriter instead. Even professional writers would bow to the melodramatic twists in your narrative!

What do you mean it was my duty as an elder sister to donate bone marrow to Yan Kesong? Back then, when I agreed to the donation, I did so wholeheartedly, believing that saving a life was an act of immeasurable virtue! Even a stray cat or dog deserves to be saved!

But what is this nonsense about there being no lasting grudges between biological mothers and daughters? Let me ask you this—does Tian Yaruo even deserve to be called a mother?

Other than giving birth to me, what has she done? Are you saying that abandoning me and my father, and then going on to live an exalted life, is somehow her way of exemplifying maternal love?

My father raised me through blood, sweat, and tears to become who I am today. How much of my upbringing did she contribute to? From infancy to adulthood, to becoming a mother myself—what has she done for me in all these years? Oh, now that I’m married well and living happily, she suddenly remembers she has a daughter?

And bringing up all this here, in front of everyone, could it be that the Yan Family is strapped for cash?"

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, their quiet judgments cutting deep—this truly was the height of shamelessness!

Leng Mochen gazed at Li Si with admiration, their fingers intertwined tightly. Her questions cut to the heart of the matter!

Li Si returned his gaze with a smile. She’d wanted to say these things for a long time. Though today’s occasion was far from ideal, wasn’t she simply cooperating with them?

"Utter nonsense! You—" Yan Xuefeng was trembling with rage, his neck flushed as he pointed accusingly at Li Si, about to curse at her. When had a junior ever dared to mock him like this? And Li Si, of all people, compared his cherished Kesong to a stray cat or dog?

Outrageous!

But his arm was suddenly pinched hard by Tian Yaruo, her sharp nails threatening to pierce his skin through the fabric of his suit.

The intensity of her anger and the desperation to silence him were evident.

"Old Yan! Shut your mouth!" Tian Yaruo’s eyes were bloodshot, and each of Li Si’s piercing questions felt like a dagger stabbing into her heart. Yet, she had no rebuttal, no defense—she was undeniably at fault.

If only she’d been braver back then, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. If only she’d had even an ounce of sensibility, she wouldn’t have been deceived by Qi Yayun’s lies—lies that led her to believe Li Guoqiang had already moved on with another woman, that Li Si had a new stepmother. In the end, she had followed her family’s wishes and married into the Yan Family... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to cast your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)