When Hu Lei and Zhong Feng left the estate, Chu Ling was overwhelmed by a feeling of distress as she sat alone in the living room. She could not help questioning herself. Had she failed as a mother for doubting her son? However, when she closed her eyes, she could almost see the bloodless face of her baby boy.That clear image in her mind reminded her of how things could change without warning. This had been the case during that time. She still remembered every heart-wrenching detail from the past. And yet, everything had seemed so perfect at the beginning.
The conception of Zhong Feng had been a miracle. When her womb had remained silent for nine years, she had not even held any hope towards getting another child after Mian. And then suddenly she had conceived and given birth to a baby boy.
It had been a wonderful surprise for the entire family. They had all doted on him from his birth like a little emperor. Unfortunately, the happiness had not lasted for too long. Everything had been ripped apart, forcing the Zhong family into dark times.
They had all faced pain, regret, anger, loss and hate. However, the person who had truly suffered had been Zhong Feng. Chu Ling"s heart ached as she remembered how their naiveté had caused their little boy to look death in the face.
She did not want to see him suffer once again, so she was always suspicious of everything that could hurt him. And the way he doted on that girl was definitely a gateway to the pain of heartbreak. He had invested everything.
However, he had made a vow on his own death. She knew that he would not change his mind. Even if she forced him to give her up before she broke his heart, he would still suffer unimaginable distress. So, she could either trust her son or lose him forever while trying to shield him from an uncertain threat. The only choice could not be more obvious.
"Auntie Ling…" a gentle voice broke through her thoughts.
The dignified matriarch of the Zhong family looked up and saw the beautiful Lili, looking at her with worry. She realised that she had forgotten herself in her morose thoughts.
"Oh, Lili, I thought that you had already left." She smiled at her.
"Don"t joke, Auntie Ling. How could I leave without saying goodbye?" Lili laughed charmingly.
Chu Ling felt that this girl was wonderful. She had everything that would make her the perfect daughter-in-law. However, it did not matter. Feng"er did not like her when he was younger, and he did not like her now. Delaying the inevitable would only harm the girl more.
"Come over here, and sit with me for a moment." She called.
Song Lili approached her and sat beside her.
"What"s wrong, Auntie?" She asked.
Chu Ling sighed heavily and took the girl"s hands into her own.
"Lili, I know that you came back because you held some hope towards Feng"er." She paused. "You are a beautiful girl, but you are already twenty eight years old. I don"t want you to waste more time on him. You will only be disappointed."
Chu Ling felt her heart settle down once she said these words. She wanted her son to marry a good girl. However, she was not willing to be at odds with her son. At least, if his heart was broken, he would know that he still had a loving and supportive family. This was the most important thing.
"Auntie, did I do something wrong?" Song Lili could not help choking up a little.
The tears in her eyes were not faked. She felt frustrated and angry. She had put in so much effort into her return to the country so that she could be with the person she had liked as a teenager. And now, her primary source of support was asking her to give up?
"You did nothing wrong. But you know that feelings cannot be forced. It is better if you move on with your life and settle down." Chu Ling comforted her.
Song Lili could not accept this outcome. She had set her mind on Zhong Feng from the beginning. She had worked hard to improve herself so that she could be worthy of him. Since he had been cold and distant as a boy, she had always a.s.sumed that he would be waiting for her.
"But I came back just for him. How can you ask me to give up?" Song Lili lost control of her emotions temporarily and raised her voice.
Chu Ling released Song Lili"s hands, and her face became a little cold. She could not tolerate this behaviour even if she understood the young woman"s frustration. After all, she was still the matriarch of the most powerful family in Supreme City.
"Song Lili, I did not ask you to come back. I merely agreed to check up on you on your mother"s behest because we are old friends. I thought that you and Feng"er might have a chance with you here. However, I did not make any promises to you. There is nothing to be done if Feng"er does not like you." Chu Ling"s words were like daggers piercing through Song Lili.
Song Lili realised that she had forgotten herself and behaved inappropriately. Tears fell from her eyes, like pearl drops.
"I am sorry, Auntie. It"s just that I have liked Feng"er for so long. It just feels so painful." More tears fell out of her eyes.
Seeing her honest response, Chu Ling"s heart softened a little.
"Just give yourself a little time. The pain will fade away with time, and you will find your own happiness. If there is anything I can help you with, you can just ask directly." She patted the girl"s back.
Song Lili sobbed for a while before pulling herself together.
"I understand, Auntie Ling." She sniffed.
"What are you planning on doing now that you have returned to Supreme?" Chu Ling asked to distract her.
"I am hoping to change my career path into acting. I am too old to continue being a model." She said self-deprecatingly. "I have actually been thinking about this for some time."
Chu Ling felt satisfied when she heard that Song Ling had other ambitions apart from chasing Feng"er. Otherwise, things might get complicated.
"Oh, that sounds interesting. Supreme City respects actors and actresses a lot. As long as you work hard, I am sure that you can be a star. Why don"t I make arrangements for you to join Illusion Entertainment? It is under Zhong Industries, so you will have a secure future."
Song Lili"s eyes flashed in satisfaction.
"Auntie Ling, are you sure that it is not a lot of trouble?" She asked in a small voice.
"Your mother tells me that you are very famous, so it will be our gain."
After a little more conversation, Song Lili left the Zhong estate. Her eyes were cold and filled with determination. She was no longer the heartbroken girl that she had been with Chu Ling. Her hands gripped her steering wheel tightly.
"Zhong Feng, you can only be mine."