NOVEL NEXT Chapter 713: Can't Afford to Lose This Face
During the New Year's, everyone from the Meng Family returned, but she didn't want to go there. Their gazes made her uncomfortable and reminded her of the foolish things she had done when she was young. Most importantly, she despised the Meng Family. If it hadn't been for their interference, Xingzhi would have never married that short-lived woman. And she wouldn't have gone to the countryside as an act of rage to become an educated youth. It was all their doing—they had forcefully torn apart a perfectly matched pair.
"Yes, the old master is in poor health, we must go back this year. And Meng Ping is still there, I have to go."
"Then me…"
"Do you want to come with me?" Meng Xingzhi asked with hope. Su Yun never went during the New Year's in all these years; it was also awkward for him to explain to his family, who had their fair share of complaints about it. If she were willing to lower her guard this year and appease his family, he was willing to reconcile with her.
Su Yun hesitated for nearly a minute. For Meng Xingzhi, she was willing to do anything. If it were before, she wouldn't have hesitated, but... She had now been kicked out of the house; if she went to the Meng Family's, she would certainly be the subject of ridicule.
She couldn't afford to lose that face.
"I'm sorry Xingzhi…"
Meng Xingzhi sighed in disappointment. "Your family is right; you always live only for yourself." He then hung up the phone without hesitation.
Su Yun's heart felt as though it had been viciously stabbed, and she lay on the sofa armrest, crying out loud.
"Wuwuwu... Auntie, why do they all have to treat me like this? I've already lowered my pride, why are they still pushing me?"
The auntie looked at her with a troubled expression, "Actually, I think you should go back. As a wife, returning home to pay a New Year's visit to the elderly is the most basic courtesy."
Su Yun's face changed dramatically, and she slammed her hand down on the coffee table, "Are you saying I lack manners? That I'm making a fuss over nothing?"
"No, not at all..." The auntie was so frightened she waved her hands frantically.
"Then what do you mean? Explain yourself."
"I... I..." The auntie didn't dare to continue. Su Yun could turn her face on a dime; if she got fired up, she might dismiss her, leaving her unable to make ends meet.
"Ding Dong..." The doorbell rang outside, and the auntie ran to open the door as if escaping.
Su Yun hurried to the bathroom to wash her face, trying to cover up the signs of crying. By the time she came out, Bai Oulan was already sitting on the living room sofa, sipping tea.
"Commander, I'm sorry for not having visited you until now due to your discomfort," Bai Oulan saw Su Yun and went up to greet her happily, with an expression as pure and natural as before, as if she had no idea that Su Yun had been driven out of the family.
Su Yun's sullen mood finally improved quite a bit upon seeing Bai Oulan, "What brings you here?"
"Commander, have you forgotten? I come back every year!" Bai Oulan's cold face showed a hint of desolation, "Before, Meng Fan would bring me along, but now that he's gone, I have to come alone, all by myself."
And so, the two women embraced each other, both looking utterly heartbroken.
Su Yun truly liked Meng Fan! Meng Fan was sensible and mature from a young age, always considering the bigger picture. He never got angry over trivial matters and had remarkable temperament. Moreover, he was always polite and respectful to her, his stepmother. Su Yun truly treated him like her own son. When Meng Fan died, she cried more than anyone and even fell seriously ill for a while.
Bai Oulan was Meng Fan's fiancée, so she had taken extra care of her, ignoring any gossip as if she didn't even know about it.