Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 557: Chapter 531: Schemes and Probing

Qian found this logic a bit strange.

Generally, when people argue or curse, they would say neither child is their own, or the younger one isn’t their own, why not say Dalong said it himself?

Jia Xiufang’s character is extremely conservative, so she definitely wouldn’t do anything unfaithful, and this line from the second aunt was a bit odd.

Qian pondered for a few seconds and dismissed her guess.

Although she wished she had nothing to do with Chen Lin, given her conservative mother’s character and the fact she was born at home, the deadbeat dad was indeed her biological father.

It was just a shrew’s reckless words during a quarrel, angering her mother greatly after her surgery. Thinking of this, Qian felt no guilt for dealing with the second aunt’s family with finality.

She went inside to accompany Jia Xiufang for a while, taking the opportunity to provide some psychological therapy, helping her mother to scatter her emotions. With Qian’s strategic professional guidance, Jia Xiufang’s anger dissipated, and she soon fell asleep.

Qian tucked her mother in, and Mr. Liao returned with his shoulder bound and fixed.

”Qian, may I talk to you alone?” Mr. Liao said gently to Qian.

Qian glanced at his injured shoulder, then at her sleeping mother, and nodded.

”Let’s talk outside.”

There was a café near the hospital, and five minutes later, Qian and Mr. Liao sat face to face.

With Mrs. Yu helping to take care of her mother, Qian wasn’t in a hurry.

”What would you like to drink?” Mr. Liao handed the drinks menu to Qian.

”ConPanna.”

”One ConPanna and a glass of iced water, please.” Mr. Liao told the waiter.

In Qian’s eyes, he was a low-key gentleman with a dignified demeanor, slightly conservative, with the majesty of a senior judge. Qian could also sense from his slightly ingratiating gaze his intention to appear approachable when facing her.

This was the result Qian hoped to see, but she needed to hear what Mr. Liao would say next before making a judgment.

Objectively judging Mr. Liao, he indeed possessed the five virtues a judge should have: loyalty, integrity, ability, sincerity, and frugality.

A man who could go bankrupt to care for his ailing wife was indeed worthy of respect, but no matter how good the conditions, neglecting her mother was unacceptable. Although his devotion to caring for Jia Xiufang moved Qian, she still needed to hear what the old man had to say before assessing him.

”I went home that night and seriously thought it over. I think I should have a private conversation with you,” Mr. Liao said gently to Qian.

”About what? About the fact Mr. Liao is interested in my mom?”

Mr. Liao was slightly taken aback by Qian’s straightforwardness in pointing out the issue, but then he relaxed and replied.

”Yes, about me and your mother. I can see you’re not too approving of my relationship with your mother.”

”My mom is just an ordinary housewife, she lacks education and doesn’t really understand how to engage in manipulative games. She can’t even tell a lie. Go to the street and look around; she has 90% of the characteristics and flaws of most housewives. This reflects that she’s just a common middle-aged woman. I don’t understand what Mr. Liao sees in my mom.”

”Would you refrain from loving her because she’s ordinary?” Mr. Liao’s single comment caught Qian off guard.

Qian secretly pursed her lips. See, those who study law are adept at getting straight to the heart of the matter. Mr. Liao, while appearing gentle, was very principled indeed.

”I’m her daughter; my love for her is unconditional. Her success or failure means nothing to me, unlike romantic relationships where common interests and mutual attraction are needed. I don’t believe my mom and you share common interests.”

”Your mother likes to buy groceries from the third stall at the West City market. At least two days a week, she fries fish for your brother even though she doesn’t like it herself. She often grapples with how to handle the oil used in frying fish. Since your brother dislikes using fish-fried oil for cooking, she makes two portions, one good one for your brother and the fishy one for herself, reluctant to waste it. She recently signed up for a driving school and a computer class—”

”My mom enrolled in driving school?! And is learning computers too?!”

These things were unknown to Qian. Jia Xiufang usually chatted endlessly and didn’t keep secrets. She would spill everything before Qian even asked, talking endlessly over the phone.

Qian thought she was well aware of the family matters, but she hadn’t realized her mother was keeping so much from her.

”She’s been learning for almost a month now. At our age, adopting new things is slower, so I accompany her to lessons every day. I asked her why she wanted to learn this, and she mentioned hearing it would allow her face-to-face conversations with you. She’s afraid of being mocked if she fails to learn, so she secretly learns.”

Hearing about her mother’s efforts from someone else filled Qian with complex emotions.

”She’s always been working hard, fearing she can’t keep up with your pace. In her eyes, you and your brother are the best kids, especially you. When she talks about you, her face lights up with excitement. She told me you’re so independent she doesn’t know what she can give you, and always feels a bit sorry towards you. Now that she’s raising you and your brother alone, worried she might not care for you both well, I suggested she learn computers. No matter how far you go, she’ll be able to see you. You know, for people our age, these things are hard to learn, but she’s persevered.”

If it weren’t for the waiter bringing over the coffee, Qian thought she may have embarrassingly shed tears from being touched by a relatively unfamiliar man. She needed to calm her emotions; she was here to scheme the old man, and she couldn’t let the old man outmaneuver her.

She lowered her head to control her emotions, looking at the two hearts on the whipped cream of the coffee.

”Are you trying to say I’m not a good daughter, that I don’t pay enough attention to my mother, and you want to sing ’Go Home Often’ for me?”

Faced with Qian’s sharp questions, Mr. Liao wasn’t angry but smiled slightly.

”No, you’re a good kid, just like your mother described—tough on the outside, soft on the inside, very caring towards your family. You oppose my relationship with your mother because you care too much about her. But, kid, it’s not your fault; there’s been too little interaction between us. I believe that sincere dedication can move even stones, and I hope you’d give me another chance, allowing your mother and me to understand each other better.”

Qian pushed up her glasses, feeling she had underestimated him. No wonder he’s a court president; his reasoning and logic are flawless.

For a court president to say such words shows his sincerity, and Qian thought she could stop now, but before that, she didn’t want to make it too easy for the old man.

Too easily obtained, and one doesn’t learn to cherish it.

”Thank you, Mr. Liao, for your reminder. Indeed, I haven’t paid enough attention to my mother. I will focus more on her in the future. I won’t interfere with my mother’s freedom to make friends. Whatever you want to say, say it to her.” Qian stood up, indicating her intention to leave.

”Are you concerned about my job security? What you just said were polite words; deep down, you believe your mother is the best in the world, deserving better men, and I am obviously unqualified. Is that what you mean?”