"I don't think that person is you but I know you are the only person who understands me well so don't be stubborn and just agree to my offer," Mrs Yang urged her on.

"If you accept my offer, we will become a family. We will heal each other's pains, protect each other. Not only that, we will also become the most precious person to each other," Mrs Yang coaxed.

​​

Xiaoqi stared at the woman with keen interest. She found it hard that the woman threw such a juicy offer at her. They barely met few hours ago, so how could she trust her to the point of wanting to adopt her?

"Can you give me some time to think about it?" Xiaoqi asked meekly.

"Yes, but you must give me an answer before today runs out," Mrs Yang said, patting the girl's hair. Although she just met the girl, but something inside her told her she would not regret deciding to adopt the clever girl.

...

BACK TO PRESENT

"Do you know how nervous I was when you said you needed time to think about my offer?" Mrs Yang asked, smiling. "Seeing how hesitant you were, I thought you were gonna reject me. I was nervous and scared back then."

"I had thoughts of doing that, but after pondering about what you said, I decided to accept your offer. Little Mi Er was the major reason I agreed," Yang Zi said, smiling when she recalled the past. They smiled at each other. Yang Zi's expression turned to a serious one after seeing that her mum's laughter has died down.

"Although you have never told me what Mrs Zhao and her husband put you through, I knew that for you to have attempted to commit suicide, you must have gone through a lot," Yang Zi said, tapping her mum's hands.

"If you had told me this back then, even though I had to sell myself to the devil, I would have made sure I avenged you. I would have let them have a test of my wrath, but there is no need for regret. Now is not too late to take revenge on them for all they did," Yang Zi said angrily. When she recalled those sleepless and painful nights her mum went through, it made her blood boil in anger.

"Zi Er, you are not allowed to do anything bad to them," Mrs Yang objected sternly.

"Why mum? Don't you loathe them anymore for what they did to you?" Yang Zi asked seriously.

"I hate them more than you can ever imagine, but I don't want you to soil your hands with their blood or the blood of any other person," Mrs Yang said firmly.

"Zi Er, I love you so much, I turned a blind eye to everything you did these past nine years because I had thought that you will only be at peace when you see all your sister's murderers pay dearly for the crime they committed but I won't let you ruin your life because of me," Mrs Yang said fiercely. Her reaction and expression showed she was vehemently against whatever Yang Zi was planning.

"I love you so much too, that is why I don't want them to go scot-free for the terrible things they made you go through. The Zhaos' need to be seriously dealt with and I can assure you, I have several ways I can deal with them," Yang Zi said, trying to coax her mum to agree with her plans.

"Zi Er, no matter how hard you try to convince or coax me into agreeing to your plans. I won't and I am serious about this," Mrs Yang said unwaveringly.

For Yang Zi to have successfully taken revenge on those five prominent figures, she knew how capable and cautious she was but, no matter how capable or cautious her daughter is, she knows she can't harm the Zhaos' and go unscathed. She will do anything to make sure Yang Zi does not take laws into her hands ever again.

"But mum...,"

"I don't want to hear any more from you and you must promise me right now that you will not lay a finger on any member of the Zhaos' because of me," Mrs Yang said with seriousness written all over her face.

"That is not possible, mum," Yang Zi said immediately, avoiding her gaze.

"Will you agree if I go down on my knees in the presence of everyone to beg you? To protect my beloved daughter from unforeseen harm, I don't mind kneeling just to make you change your mind," Mrs Yang drawled, going down on her knees, but Yang Zi quickly stopped her before her legs could touch the floor.

"Mum, what the heck are you trying to do?" Yang Zi said, helping her mum to sit well on the bench.

"Ok, Ok. I promise I will not exert revenge on the Zhaos' for the wickedness they meant out on you but mum I vow with my life I will massacre the entire Zhao family if they dare lay a hand on you or Mi Er," Yang Zi vowed fiercely.

"Zi Er," a guy's husky voice disrupted their conversation.

Yang Zi was startled when she turned around and saw Yifeng standing in front of them.

When did he get here? Did he hear what I just told mum?

Yang Zi thought. She could not mask her startled expression.

"Yifeng, when you did you get here? How come we did not hear your approaching footsteps?" Mrs Yang asked. Even she was shocked to see Yifeng standing there.

"Auntie, I made my presence known, but I guess you didn't notice my presence because you were preoccupied speaking to Zi Er," Yifeng said, smiling at them.

"Did you overhear what I said earlier," Yang Zi asked suspiciously? She was so sure that Yifeng heard the last sentence she made.

"What did you say?" Yifeng asked curiously. "Don't tell me you were badmouthing me to Auntie," Yifeng joked with humour. Mrs Yang could not help but smile when she saw his funny expression.

"Mum wouldn't believe whatever I told her even though I was badmouthing you to her, so why will I bother doing that when mum will only take sides with you?" Yang Zi said smiling at him. She quickly exchanged secret glances with her mum before she stood up and went to meet Yifeng.

"Why wouldn't Auntie believe you? She loves you too much to doubt you or don't you know that?" Yifeng asked playfully, hugging her from behind. Mrs Yang just watched them exchange words without interfering.

"Because she has grown to love you more than she loves me. She will not hesitate to scold me for your sake, that is why I have become very jealous of you," Yang Zi said, slowly turning around to face him.

"I share all my loved ones' affections with you without being envious of you, so why are you jealous of me? Are you scared I might snatch them away from you?" Yifeng asked, cupping her face. He stared at her affectionately.

"There is no need to be scared. Your family is my family likewise, how mine is yours. We will become one big happy family when we get married, hmm?" Yifeng said as he made to kiss her, but Mrs Yang's dry cough prevented him from doing so.

"I know you want to proclaim to the entire world that my beloved daughter is yours and I love seeing your show of affection, but little kids are roaming around here. Don't corrupt their little minds," Mrs Yang joked, standing up from the bench.

"Thanks so much for the advice, Auntie. We will be more careful next time," Yifeng said, holding Yang Zi's hands. They quickly followed Mrs Yang, who was heading towards the elevator side.

When they got to Chen's room, as they talked and played, Yifeng kept checking his wristwatch.

"Sister Zi Er, there is a huge favour I would like to ask from you. I don't know whether it's appropriate for me to say it," Chen said meekly. His words caught the attention of everyone in the room.

"There is no need to act reserved whenever you want to talk to me. Always feel free to talk to me anytime you want," Yang Zi said, shifting her gaze to him. Yang Zi could see a bit of hesitation as he looked from her to Yifeng. It was as if he was afraid his brother might get mad at him for whatever he wanted to say.

"Chen, you can talk to me. Your brother won't scold or spank you when I am around," Yang Zi encouraged.

"Sister Zi Er, can you tell brother Feng to let me get discharged today? And also, can I follow the both of you to stay at the Mansion?" Chen asked meekly, his gaze on his brother.

"Why do you want to get discharged so quickly? You haven't fully recovered yet and why do you make it sound like following us to the Mansion today is something special?" Yang Zi asked calmly.