Shen Zhijing scoffed mockingly. "You're not getting money? How many years have you sat idle without working? Haven't you depended on men all this time? In my house, you don't need to work yet have people serving you. Every month, you get 500 yuan of allowance for nothing. My salary isn't even as high as what you're getting and yet you say you're not getting money? Ah, is this not enough for you? Do you have your eyes locked on the Shen family's assets and properties?"

"No, I don't!" Liu Ronghua cried. She was becoming more and more distressed. She shook her head vigorously, appearing terribly helpless and pitiful.

Shen Zhijing despised her feeble act the most. She was nearing 50 years old yet she still thought of herself as a delicate little princess. The way she talked and acted disgusted Shen Zhijing.

"Zhijing, frankly speaking, I know that this is also one of the reasons you hate me, right? You think I covet the Shen family's possessions, right? You think I'll snatch away something that belongs to you. However, I truly don't want that. I solely want to be here because I love Jialiang. I'm willing to treat you as my own daughter — I'm not just trying to get on your good side. I know that if I'm nice to you, Jialiang would be happy, and I'm willing to do anything that makes him happy. Please don't paint me in such a horrible light," Liu Ronghua begged — her hand clutching her chest.

Shen Zhijing scoffed, "Treat me as your own daughter? Please. You're willing to sell off your daughter just to enter our family. You want me to be your daughter? Sorry but I don't dare to."

"I—" At the spur of the moment, Liu Ronghua could not come up with a good excuse to counter Shen Zhijing's words.

"Didn't you say so earlier? All these years, you only called Ruan Danchen during New Year. After so many years, you've only seen her the first time recently. Since you treat your biological daughter as such, I really don't dare to let you treat me as your own daughter. Who knows, one day you might sell me off too."

"No, I—" Liu Ronghua tried to explain herself.

"That's enough. Is this really time to argue about this?" Shen Jialiang interrupted.

Only then did Shen Zhijing remember the initial point of the conversation. Maddened by Liu Ronghua, she completely forgot about Ruan Danchen's matter.

Shen Zhijing glared at Liu Ronghua with resentment. Fuming, she sat down on the sofa across Liu Ronghua.

Shen Jialiang turned to Liu Ronghua and stated, "I believe that you didn't know about your daughter's matter."

Liu Ronghua kept silent. She was busy wiping her tears away.

"All these years, Ruan Danchen had to survive out there on her own — her situation really is quite pitiful. She doesn't even have a family. She had no one but herself to depend on," pointed out Shen Jialiang unexpectedly. He sighed and picked up his cup, taking a sip of tea.

"Dad, what are you trying to say?" The color on Shen Zhijing's face changed abruptly.

Shen Jialiang put down the cup and revealed, "The truth is, even after all these years, Qi Chenglin never forgave us. On the surface, it appears as if he had no interactions with our family any more, but in truth, he still has an effect on us. The Shen family has never been invited to some banquets and business cooperations. As long as the Qi family is attending an event, our family won't be able to attend. Although we are still part of the social circle, our zone of activity is greatly restricted by Qi Chenglin — it's about time we break out of this situation."

Shen Jialiang turned to Liu Ronghua. "I know that Danchen is mad at you, but no matter what, she's still your daughter. A family can't stay mad at each other forever, right? Even if she doesn't come back, did she really never call you on her own accord? I trust that deep in her heart, she wants nothing more than to rekindle her relationship with you."

Liu Ronghua opened her mouth but no words could come out.

Shen Jialiang continued, "When you recover your relationship with Danchen, the two of us will go register for marriage. After this, you will become Mrs. Shen and Danchen will be my stepdaughter. She is also someone with high status — no one will look down on her. Ronghua, you have been in the Shen family's home for seven years now — you've seen many things that go on in this social circle; you know how important status is in this circle. Danchen is but a normal girl. She doesn't have a good background. While you, her mother, live with the Shen household but don't carry the family name — you are her biggest weak spot. This can easily leave a bad impression."

Liu Ronghua looked down without uttering a word. Shen Jialiang resumed, "This way, in the end, the Shen family will still be connected to the Qi family through marriage. It'll be beneficial for the Shen family, and in turn, be beneficial to you."

"Dad!" Shen Zhijing yelled. She was outraged — she did not expect Shen Jialiang to not only shift the blame off Liu Ronghua but also refuse to break up Ruan Danchen and Qi Chenglin. Instead, he wanted to make Ruan Danchen his daughter.

Shen Jialiang glared at her sternly, then glimpsed at Liu Ronghua again. "Ronghua, I'll let you think about it first. Zhijing, come with me."

Shen Jialiang brought Shen Zhijing into the study room, leaving the dumbfounded Liu Ronghua alone in the living room.

She did not think for a moment that Ruan Danchen would wind up with Qi Chenglin and reunite with the boy she gave birth to.

She thought that even if Ruan Danchen could achieve a better life, the most she could do is get a young and capable husband with merely an average income — not some kind of millionaire. Nonetheless, she believed that Ruan Danchen would work hard and become part of the middle class, but she thought it to be impossible for her to set foot into the social circle she was in now. Liu Ronghua thought that Ruan Danchen would live the rest of her life as an average person.

However, things took an unexpected turn.

Liu Ronghua recalled the day she saw Ruan Danchen holding the hand of that little child; she recalled seeing her walking with a man; she recalled seeing her entering a Mercedes at Chengshi.

That man must have been Qi Chenglin!

If her memory served her right, Qi Chenglin's car was indeed a Mercedes.

Liu Ronghua's head was spinning — too many things were happening that night.

First, it was the revelation of Ruan Danchen and Qi Chenglin being hurled at her; then came Shen Jialiang's shocking declaration that he wanted Ruan Dachen to be his stepdaughter.

As she pondered on these things, time flew by and Shen Jialiang and Shen Zhijing had returned to the living room.

Shen Zhijing's discontent was evident on her face, but her expression was not as intense as before.

With a glum expression, she returned to the seat across Liu Ronghua.

Shen Jialiang sat down too. Putting on a genial expression, he asked, "Ronghua, have you decided?"

Liu Ronghua's face was blanched. Hesitantly, she said, "Of course I would love if the Shen family can establish such relations with the Qi family."

Liu Ronghua knew that it would be advantageous to her too.

Even without the benefits that the Qi family was going to bring, after this, Shen Jialiang and Shen Zhijing would not be able to treat her with bad temperament again — she could finally act high-and-mighty in the Shen household.

She could even leave the Shen family behind and go with Ruan Danchen instead.

If she became homeless, she knew Ruan Danchen would take her in.

Instead of being cooped up by the Shen family, having to face Shen Jialiang and Shen Zhijing's insulting glares, she could simply leave and become Qi Chenglin's mother-in-law. She would finally be free.

Truth be told, her many years of persistence in the Shen family's home was not only motivated by her obsession but also the family's upper-class lifestyle and their ability to satisfy her materialistic needs.

Nevertheless, now that she was going to become Qi Chenglin's mother-in-law, she no longer cared about the Shen family.

Thus, Liu Ronghua straightened her back and sighed. "But even you two should know that the incident had left a deep scar on her heart. She could not refuse her mother's pleading, but because of that, her heart had turned cold toward me. In all these years, she did not contact me much — it's as if she had completely cut me off. So, where can I find the shamelessness to beg her again?"

Liu Ronghua shook her head. Wiping her tears, she continued, "When I ran into her at the restaurant, I told her to come home for New Year this year, but she said she doesn't have a home. She said that the Shen family doesn't welcome her. Now that she's with Qi Chenglin, the Shen family suddenly wants her to come home. Danchen is not dumb — there's no way she'll listen. In fact, she might hate us even more."

"When I called her to ask her where is she staying, she wouldn't even tell me. She didn't say so, but I know that she's afraid that if anything happens, I'll force her into doing things she's not willing to do if I know where she lives." Liu Ronghua sniffled. Her tears flowed uncontrollably. She did not even bother to wipe them anymore.

"Jialiang, I really can't show up in front of that child anymore. Before this, you wanted me to cut her off, saying Danchen has no relations to the Shen family. She doesn't even have a home to return to on New Year. All these years, she had to spend New Year alone in her little rented apartment. However, now that you know she's with QI Chenglin, you're asking me to tell her to come home to the Shen family and to become the Shen family's daughter — even if I am shameless enough to tell her this, there's still no way she would agree to it!"

Shen Jialiang pressed his lips together sternly. He noticed Liu Ronghua's change in attitude.

Although she was crying and sobbing, from her tone, he could tell that she had become more confident and pompous.

Needless to say, Shen Zhijing saw through her too. She scoffed and pointed out, "Who do you think you are? You don't even carry the Shen surname. If the Qi family finds out that Ruan Danchen's mother is a mistress in the Shen family, do you really think that they'll still let Ruan Danchen marry into the Qi family?"

Liu Ronghua staggered. Her tears still fell but her mind was so occupied that she forgot to wail. She stared at Shen Zhijing blankly.

Shen Zhijing pouted coldly. "So our suggestion not only benefits us but also you and Ruan Danchen. It's a win-win situation."

Shen Zhijing glared at Liu Ronghua with disdain. "So ignorant. You really do live under a rock. You're thinking that with Ruan Danchen having Qi Chenglin to rely on, you don't have to depend on our family any more, right? You want to move out and lean on Ruan Danchen instead. After all, you're still her mother. If you cry and sob in front of her, her heart will thaw and she'll still take you in. Then, you can continue to be the leech you are and treat her like your ATM, right? You can't be too presumptuous in our home, but with Ruan Danchen, you can get whatever your heart desires, right?"

Liu Ronghua kept silent. Shen Zhijing read her like an open book, but she would never admit it.

"No, I—" Liu Ronghua shook her head.

Shen Zhijing did not have the patience for her excuse. She interjected, "But you didn't anticipate that the Qi family still don't know about Ruan Danchen's identity; they don't know about the night she slept with Qi Chenglin in my place; they don't know that you are a mistress in the Shen family who doesn't even carry our surname. The Qi family only excepted her because they don't know."

"It's true that the Qi family no longer cared about the spouse's status or family background. Nevertheless, even if they're not looking for the perfect match, they still want a family who is pure and innocent. If they find out that Ruan Danchen's mother had dated my dad from the beginning, and even sold out her daughter to become a mistress in the Shen family — if they find out that her family is so vile and unethical — do you think they would still permit Ruan Danchen to be with Qi Chenglin?"

Liu Ronghua's expression changed. Her pupils darted around rampantly — her gaze shifted here and there rapidly.

"When they find out, Ruan Danchen will be left with nothing — so will you. Even if you're unsatisfied with being a mistress in the Shen family, you have nowhere else to go. You will stay this way forever. I know you've always been bitter about this." Shen Zhijing bit her lips, then unveiled apathetically, "Liu Ronghua, let me be honest — before this, my goal was to keep you from getting the Shen surname as long as I am around."

A shiver was sent down Liu Ronghua's spine. Both her hands grasped tightly onto her shirt collar. Her lips tremored as she muttered, "I didn't think you despise me so much."

"I don't despise you. After all, my dad only met you after my mother passed away, so why would I despise you? I merely look down on you in contempt. How can someone like you be my stepmother? You're not worthy," Shen Zhijing denounced without a shred of mercy.

"Even so, this is your chance," Shen Zhijing declared. "Once the Qi family catches wind of your awkward position in the Shen family, they'll never accept Ruan Danchen. However, once you become the official 'Mrs. Shen', Ruan Danchen will become someone with a background rather than being the daughter of a lover. Even if she's not my dad's biological daughter, she will still be the Shen family's stepdaughter. She'll have status. The Qi family will not be discontent."

Liu Ronghua did not reply. She knew that Shen Zhijing's analysis was on point.

"This is all a cycle. It's a win-win situation. As long as Ruan Danchen agrees to return, Qi Chenglin would stop the boycott toward the Shen family. In the future, the Shen family will be joint with the Qi family through marriage. We can cooperate. The day Ruan Danchen moved back into the Shen household, my dad will give you the position you yearned for. Once you carry the Shen surname, the Qi family will naturally accept Ruaqn Danchen — her marriage with Qi Chenglin will go smoothly."

Shen Zhijing thought out every detail scrupulously.

When in the study room, Shen Jialiang had explained to Shen Zhijing — once Ruan Danchen returned, they will take advantage of her feeble personality. Without Shen Jialiang getting his hands dirty, Shen Zhijing would be able to control Ruan Danchen and force her to give them whatever they want.

With the marriage to the Qi family, Shen Zhijing could also find herself a powerful family to marry into — even the Eight Great Families was not out of reach.

After so many years, she had turned 31, yet she was still single.

It was not her who was unwilling to marry, but after the incident seven years ago where Qi Chenglin dumped her, all the prominent families refused to marry her. Even small families were not willing to marry her — due to differences in status, they predicted that they would have to follow the restrictions of the Shen family, so they would rather marry within their social circle and live a life with freedom.

As for average families, Shen Zhijing never even considered them. Even when it came to families of lower status than hers, she would not accept it even if the family agreed.

With the higher families rejecting her and her rejecting the lower families, her marriage dragged on until she was this old.

However, the reason Shen Zhijing agreed to this was not because of Shen Jialiang's words — she wanted to ruin Ruan Danchen and Qi Chenglin's relationship.

Once Ruan Danchen entered the Shen household, it would be a piece of cake.

Even if Qi Chenglin would never fall for her, she still could not stand seeing Ruan Danchen stealing him away.

Shen Zhijing glanced at Liu ROnghua's ever-changing expression. She scoffed and pouted. "Since the Qi family still don't know Ruan Danchen's secret, I don't mind heading there and telling them. I reveal it to them, Ruan Danchen will lose everything she had. Consequently, you'll have to stay a mistress in our house forever!"

Liu Ronghua trembled. She bit her lips, turning to Shen Jialiang with tears in her eyes.

She might have been 47, but she did not look a day over 35. Tears in her eyes, she appeared especially feeble and pitiful.

"Jialiang," Liu Ronghua whimpered — her breathing was unsteady. "We've been together for so many years. In your eyes, is this the only value I am to you? After all these years, you're still only willing to marry me if my daughter can be of use to the Shen family? Can our relationship only be measured by these tangible values?"

"I've followed you since I was in my early 30's. In my 40's, I finally got to move in here, but to this day, your family still doesn't acknowledge me. I don't about this. I tell myself that what I love is you, not the Shen surname. I know how precious Zhenghong and Zhijing are to you, so I've never even thought about having another child with you. When I was in my 30's — when I was still young — I've never thought about it. Now that I'm nearing 50, it's already too late. I gave my youth to you without condition. Do you know how important it is to a woman to bear the child of a man she loves?"

Extra mini-scene:

Qi Chenglin's Arts and Crafts Workbook 1

Qi Chenglin was in first grade. It was the first time his teacher gave him an arts and crafts workbook. Qi Chenglin had just started school so he was still at the stage of excitement. He gladly took the materials given by his teacher home and was resolved to complete the workbook.

Qi Chenglin contemplated on it for an eternity, then finally decided to make a simple version of the little bear toy he had. He had a great plan. He stuffed cotton into a coffee-colored cloth and sewed it tight, forming a little brown ball. Then, he made a smaller brown ball and sewed both together. Next, he sewed on its arms and legs. It was not perfect but it did not matter.

The teacher could not have too high expectations for a six-year-old like him.

Mini-scene to be continued in the next chapter.