Tang Hong’en’s gesture suddenly thrust Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen into the spotlight. Xia Xiaolan remained composed, while Grandma Yu glanced at Liu Fen, worried she might cower. Her look seemed to say: The Ji family can’t even lift their heads after my scolding, what’s there to fear?
Liu Fen straightened her back.
She wasn’t afraid!
If those who did wrong weren’t ashamed, why should she be afraid?
“You think you can just insult other people’s daughters? Think you can just go to school and berate her without consequences… If you don’t publicly apologize at school, I’ll… I’ll do the same to your son!”
Only parents know their children’s pain.
Xiaolan, born of her flesh, had already endured enough suffering in her early years.
Liu Fen didn’t want her daughter to keep enduring. She had endured for so many years, yet the Xia family never showed her kindness despite her patience – she was still the most bullied. Liu Fen had learned her lesson the hard way. She couldn’t articulate grand principles when arguing with the Ji family; she wasn’t highly educated.
But her daughter wasn’t some roadside weed – she had someone who cared for her!
Though short in stature, Liu Fen stood protectively before Xia Xiaolan, like a fierce leopardess. Her gaze startled even Ji Ya, who sensed that if she refused to apologize to Xia Xiaolan, Liu Fen might tear her apart!
But Ji Ya had never been one to fear confrontation.
She was furious now, completely blindsided by Ji Jiangyuan’s choice to stay in China. Tang Hong’en had left the Ji family gasping for air, and Ji Ya knew he meant what he said.
Keeping Ji Jiangyuan in China could be explained as Tang Hong’en wanting to nurture their father-son relationship, but why force the Ji family to apologize to Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen?
Why did Tang Hong’en insist on bringing this rural woman here? To humiliate her by making her bow to a peasant?
Ji Ya’s lips trembled continuously.
Ji Lin couldn’t help speaking up: “Mayor Tang, these are two separate matters!”
Getting Ji Ya to bow once was difficult enough – why mix these issues and drive her mad?
Ji Lin would have been better off silent; his words only earned another cold snort from Grandma Yu.
He truly couldn’t lift his head in her presence.
Despite his flaws, Ji Lin still valued his face, and his “cultured person” identity demanded it. Among all present, he could argue with anyone except Grandma Yu!
Ji Ya would rather die than apologize, while her sister-in-law wished she could kneel before everyone.
After watching this drama unfold, Xia Xiaolan finally spoke up:
“Uncle Tang, this seems like bullying her with power. An insincere apology isn’t worth having.”
Xia Xiaolan truly wanted to see Ji Ya bow her head – right was right, wrong was wrong – she wasn’t known for her good temper.
“Xiaolan…” Both Tang Hong’en and Ji Jiangyuan spoke in confusion.
Xia Xiaolan turned to Ji Jiangyuan, “We were classmates, and with Uncle Tang’s connection, we should have been good friends. But you have a mother who doesn’t understand the meaning of ‘respect,’ so I no longer wish to be your friend. Before we part ways, let me ask one thing – isn’t her current state partly your doing? Without your indulgence, she wouldn’t have become so selfish!”
How important is one’s self-respect?
Xia Xiaolan believed dignity sometimes ranked above life itself.
If someone forced her to bow, she wouldn’t. But if they threatened Liu Fen or Liu Yong’s family, she would bow to protect her family! Even if she wasn’t wrong, a momentary bow to prevent family harm was worth it to her.
If she was truly wrong, there was nothing to debate.
Someone unable to face their mistakes, who couldn’t even admit them, was truly cowardly in Xia Xiaolan’s eyes.
Ji Ya’s hostile attitude toward Tang Hong’en, deliberately cutting off his connection with Ji Jiangyuan, and her self-righteous harassment of Xia Xiaolan were why the Ji family had to seek reconciliation today. Over 90% of why the Ji family was here today was Ji Ya’s doing alone… Wanting to live freely yet lacking the ability to do so independently, forcing the family to clean up her mess – Xia Xiaolan truly despised Ji Ya.
Her words left Ji Jiangyuan speechless.
Xia Xiaolan continued: “And your uncle… Mr. Ji Lin probably thinks I’m aggressive, refusing an official’s apology, just relying on the Zhou family’s influence. Well, I’ll tell you now – the Zhou family won’t retaliate anymore. If Ji Ya won’t apologize to me and my mother now, this grudge with the Ji family won’t end. I won’t use anyone’s power to force the Ji family, but someday, I’ll make the Ji family lose sleep at the mere mention of my name. I’m Xia Xiaolan, currently just an ordinary university student – but in the future, I’ll be far more than that.”
Borrowed power is temporary.
Self-reliance is eternal.
The Ji family couldn’t afford to offend either the Zhou family or Tang Hong’en, as their influences were comparable. Why could they attempt reconciliation with Tang Hong’en but refuse to apologize to Xia Xiaolan?
Because Xia Xiaolan was borrowing power. The Zhou family would help her, but the Ji family saw her as not truly part of the Zhou family yet, ranking her threat below Tang Hong’en’s.
Tang Hong’en had his power – the Ji family couldn’t afford to offend him.
Xia Xiaolan needed others’ help to be threatening – that was the fundamental difference.
If Xia Xiaolan herself were powerful, Ji Ya wouldn’t dare refuse to apologize; the Ji family would have rushed her to apologize long ago.
“Well said! That’s spirit!” Grandma Yu was the first to applaud.
Tang Hong’en was the second to react.
“You girl…”
More decisive than Ji Jiangyuan – if Tang Hong’en had such a daughter, he’d cherish her to his bones.
Liu Fen held Xia Xiaolan’s hand, fighting back tears.
“Xiaolan, we’ll succeed.”
No family was always powerful. The respect others could earn, they could too!
The Ji family was dumbfounded.
Ji Lin’s wife couldn’t believe it – no apology needed?
Ji Lin felt uncomfortable.
Ji Jiangyuan wanted to sink into the ground in embarrassment.
Only Ji Ya showed undisguised contempt. Xia Xiaolan’s momentary passion led her to refuse others’ help. Ji Ya wasn’t moved; she was even less likely to apologize now.
Such was the naivety of university students.
Without the Zhou family’s influence or Tang Hong’en’s help, Ji Ya didn’t believe Xia Xiaolan could make the Ji family bow.
“Fine! If you can do it, I’ll apologize to you and your mother – kneeling on Chang’an Street, holding a sign!”
How long would it take?
Ten years? Twenty? Even thirty?
Ji Ya showed a mocking smile: “If I die before you surpass the Ji family, then sorry – you’ll have to wait for the next life to hear that apology.”