Ji Ya couldn’t stand Liu Fen’s common appearance!

“Just say what you have to say. Why do you keep looking at him? Do you need his permission to speak? I know you’re unhappy because if Jiang Yuan changes his surname, your daughter, that burden, won’t get as many resources from Tang Hong’en!”

That must have felt like a knife to the heart, right?

Ji Ya didn’t have to say this, but she just couldn’t let Liu Fen feel too comfortable! She deliberately jabbed at Liu Fen’s vulnerable spot, trying to tear off her mask of simplicity and gentleness… but she hadn’t expected that Liu Fen was genuinely straightforward. Even more surprisingly, Liu Fen took pride in her daughter. Whether Jiang Yuan changed his surname or not, or who Tang Hong’en would give his resources to – did any of that matter? Liu Fen didn’t feel any regret at all.

If Jiang Yuan was willing to get close to Tang Hong’en, Liu Fen would only be happy for Tang Hong’en!

She had never thought of whispering sweet nothings to Old Tang behind closed doors, trying to make Xiaolan completely replace Tang Hong’en’s position as his son.

A biological child is a biological child – how could she ask Old Tang to abandon Jiang Yuan?

Putting herself in his shoes, if Old Tang did the same thing, Liu Fen wouldn’t accept it either.

Liu Fen might not understand Ji Ya, but she understood Tang Hong’en.

Tang Hong’en was clearly about to explode with anger.

Yes, Old Tang had good self-control; even when angry, he wouldn’t easily let outsiders notice.

But Liu Fen, his bedside companion, could see it!

What had Old Tang said when he brought her downstairs? That he would protect her, and in return, she needed to protect him too – with Old Tang’s health, these past couple of years of regular living had finally helped him recover somewhat, how could he take such anger?

Yet Ji Ya saw her blushing and thought she had exposed Liu Fen’s true intentions. Ji Ya didn’t hold back:

“Enough, don’t be too greedy. Things that don’t belong to your daughter, you’ve usurped them for long enough. It’s time to return them to Jiang Yuan.”

Liu Fen’s red face wasn’t from embarrassment but anger, which made her stand up immediately:

“Shut your mouth!”

Ji Ya was stunned. “You’re feeling guilty-“

“What do I have to feel guilty about? I’ve never traded my daughter for benefits. You’re truly disgusting. Have you ever asked your son what he wants? He’s a living person, already over 20 years old. He’s not some dog you raised, that you can pet and feed one day when you’re happy, then kick out the door the next day when you’re not… A woman like you doesn’t deserve to be a mother!”

Many people want to be mothers but never get the chance.

Yet many become mothers but don’t cherish this role at all.

Ji Ya didn’t deserve to be a mother, just like Xia Dajun didn’t deserve to be Xiaolan’s father.

Liu Fen suddenly had an epiphany – among so many people in this world, why did she and Old Tang end up together? What a bitter fate it was, that both their previous lovers had been so terrible! She and Old Tang had similar experiences!

Liu Fen’s sudden outburst instantly deflated the anger that had been building in Tang Hong’en’s chest.

He had only been comforting Afen, but he hadn’t expected her to jump out to protect him.

Here he was, a grown man, being “protected” by his wife.

Oh dear, what should he do? Tang Hong’en felt his heart skip a couple of beats.

“Afen-“

Liu Fen turned her head, her face full of tenderness, “Wait a moment, let me finish talking to her!”

Turning back, she showed a completely different expression to Ji Ya:

“You treat your son like a puppy you can discard at will. If you can convince Jiang Yuan to change his surname, both Hong’en and I would be good to that child, and he wouldn’t be under your control anymore. Don’t put on airs as his birth mother in front of him. I don’t think he needs to be raised by elders anymore – I hear he’s been working part-time jobs all along. But if he needs us to support him, Hong’en and I can afford it! Remember, you were the one who abandoned this child first. The moment you said those words, you lost the right to be a mother… Do you want to trade your son for benefits? Even if Hong’en agreed, I wouldn’t. Paying back debts is only right – why won’t you repay the bank? If you lose in business, can’t you accept defeat?”

Tang Hong’en had never seen Liu Fen so fierce.

Neither had Ji Ya.

This country woman, who used to be so timid, had grown wings now. Did this old sparrow think she had transformed into a phoenix, daring to speak to her like this?

“Who do you think you are? That’s my son with Tang Hong’en. Only I have the right to discuss this with him. Even if you disagree, you have no right to speak!”

Tang Hong’en gently put his arm around Liu Fen’s shoulders.

“She is my wife, and even if she were wrong, I would defend her. But she’s right. Ji Ya, how many years have you played princess? You’ve only grown older, not wiser. I’m not surprised by what you’re saying today because this is exactly who you are! You won’t think about whether these words would hurt Jiang Yuan – you only care about your satisfaction.”

“Tang Hong’en, stop wasting words. Don’t you want Jiang Yuan?”

Such sanctimonious behavior, it was disgusting just to look at! Ji Ya sneered.

If it weren’t for saving Elegance, she wouldn’t have come to see Tang Hong’en at all.

Tang Hong’en couldn’t help but laugh in anger:

“Ji Ya, you still don’t understand one thing. My son, Tang Hong’en’s son, regardless of his surname, regardless of whether he lives with me or not, is still my son. I’ve tried my best to make up for those years when I couldn’t care for him. You once took care of him, but now you’re willing to destroy all maternal feelings between you. Honestly, I’m quite grateful for you doing this! I really shouldn’t have come down to see you today. I feel sorry for Jiang Yuan – someone as selfish as you shouldn’t have too good a life. If you can’t run a business well, you should accept the consequences. Anyone in business might fail, so why do you think everyone must unite to ensure your success? I’m telling you now, your failure is already certain!”

At this point, Tang Hong’en couldn’t stay there for another moment.

Any place with Ji Ya in it had polluted air.

Tang Hong’en never thought he would become so cold-hearted toward his ex-wife, but Ji Ya had pushed him to this point step by step. He just wanted them to stay out of each other’s lives, to be strangers, but Ji Ya insisted on making them enemies!

Using their son as a bargaining chip – could any normal person do such a thing?

“You don’t agree? Why won’t you agree? It’s something you could easily do with just a word to the bank… You say you owe Jiang Yuan, but you won’t do anything for him. You criticize me for being unfit to be a mother, but are you fit to be a father? Tang Hong’en, stop right there! Don’t try to dodge my questions. Walking away won’t help – I’ll stay here all night. I’ll let everyone know your true heartless nature!”

Ji Ya chased after him, but Tang Hong’en turned and locked the security room.

“Old Huang, go find the police officers to come over. Take her to the station first, then notify her family to come to the police station. If there’s something wrong with her mind, send her to the hospital if necessary. Make sure she gets active treatment, and don’t let her out carelessly. I think she’s mentally unstable and might pose a threat to public safety at any time!”