txolops Chapter 1980 - 1953: Qiu Yingrong’s Warning
Chapter 1980 - 1953: Qiu Yingrong’s Warning
Although she didn’t understand whether this change was due to affection or something else, Qiu Yingrong was acutely aware that since that time, she had become a different person. Every time she saw Lu Tianxing, she felt her heart uncontrollably race, as if a little deer were anxiously running around, unable to calm down.
And every time she saw Bai Zhiqing and Lin Qianru, she always felt a burst of unease, like a thief caught by the owner while stealing. Standing in front of Bai Zhiqing and Lin Qianru, she felt as if she were the concubine facing the Empress in ancient times, inherently lowering her head before Bai Zhiqing and Lin Qianru.
Whenever Lu Tianxing held Lingling, making Lingling laugh happily, telling Lingling stories, she sat by watching, and her heart would rise with a hope that this moment would be eternal. Sometimes she wished that Lu Tianxing could be Lingling’s biological father.
She had never had such thoughts before, even among the many outstanding suitors, she never felt moved by any man, even not looking at them properly, as if they were always just strangers.
But Lu Tianxing’s appearance made her look directly at a man for the first time, especially after the intimate encounter with Lu Tianxing at the Jingxin Tea House, she felt as if her heart, once frozen, had been thawed again.
She became like an ordinary young girl newly awakening to love, yearning for romance, yearning for a Prince Charming to appear by her side and protect her.
After a moment of silence, Qiu Yingrong arrived at a conclusion, that she really had fallen for Lu Tianxing. She didn’t know if this affection stemmed from Lu Tianxing having once saved Lingling’s life, or if it arose from the incident at Jingxin Tea House, but she was clear that perhaps she would never forget Lu Tianxing in this lifetime.
"Tian Rui, you were right, I indeed like Lu Tianxing." Qiu Yingrong slowly lifted her head, looked at Qiu Tianrui, and spoke without any hesitation.
Although she didn’t know why Qiu Tianrui would ask her such questions this evening, Qiu Yingrong knew that what she said now wouldn’t change anything. Even if she didn’t speak up, Qiu Tianrui probably had already noticed. Since that was the case, there was nothing to hide anymore; it was better to just outright admit it.
"But what good does it do for me to like him!"
Qiu Yingrong spoke again, "Tian Rui, haven’t you seen how many beautiful girls are around him, and what about me! I’m a widow—a widow with a child. Do you think he would accept me? Would his family, those around him, choose to accept a woman who has been married and has a child?"
"Does it matter whether I like him or not? In the end, it’s all just a waste."
With a faint bitter smile on her face, Qiu Yingrong said, "I’m no longer in my prime youth, nor am I in the prime of my life; I’m merely a widow, what right do I have to compete with his women, as long as he treats Lingling like his own daughter to love, that’s enough for me."
Saying this, a trace of bitter smile naturally showed on Qiu Yingrong’s face. She had fallen in love with a man who did not love her, yet she had no way to control herself.
Taking a deep breath, Qiu Yingrong slowly lifted her head, looked at Qiu Tianrui, and said, "So, Tian Rui, if you’re trying to convince me to give up, you don’t need to say anything more, I’m aware of my own limitations."
"Sister, I wasn’t trying to persuade you to give up."
Upon hearing Qiu Tianrui’s words, Qiu Yingrong sighed softly and said, "But Tian Rui, don’t you think I am somewhat shameless for actually falling for a married man?"
"I don’t think so."
Qiu Tianrui shook his head and said, "Every woman has the right to pursue her own happiness, and sister, you’re no exception. As long as you feel you’re right, then go for it. Everyone in the Qiu Family will support you. As long as you can be happy, that’s all that matters."
"Go for it, everyone in the Qiu Family will support me."
Qiu Yingrong muttered these words, and suddenly, her face changed dramatically, becoming icy cold, her tone carrying a chill, "Tian Rui, tell me honestly, is it you who wants to ask about this, or did someone else from the Qiu Family send you?"
Seeing Qiu Yingrong’s sudden change in demeanor, Qiu Tianrui’s expression shifted quickly, and he hastened to explain, "Sister, don’t be paranoid, I..."
Before Qiu Tianrui could finish, Qiu Yingrong interrupted him sharply, "Tian Rui, if this is something you want to know, then let it stop here. If others from the Qiu Family want to know, then tell them not to plan on using my future as leverage, or use Lingling as a bargaining chip to exchange for anything, or else whoever does will regret it for life. Tian Rui, you should know my character well enough; no one can force me to do something I don’t want to do, no one. Tian Rui, go back and tell anyone backing you, dreaming about using me for exchange is a fool’s errand."
Listening to his sister’s severe words, a bitter smile uncontrollably appeared on Qiu Tianrui’s face, "Sister, you’re overthinking. This really has nothing to do with grandfather or them, I just wanted to know. I just don’t want you to sink deeper, that’s all. Besides, you’re my sister. No matter how incapable I am, I wouldn’t exchange my own sister’s happiness for family benefit."
Upon hearing Qiu Tianrui’s words, Qiu Yingrong slowly exhaled, "Tian Rui, I know there are quite a few people in the Qiu Family who’ve seen Lingling and Lu Tianxing very close together and would like them to grow even closer to benefit the Qiu Family. But today, I’m making it clear, what Lingling needs is pure fatherly love, and what Lu Tianxing feels for Lingling is also purely affection. I don’t want anything else interfering with this pure affection."
"I also don’t want to see such things happen. If they do occur, I wouldn’t mind disappearing from the Qiu Family forever, in a place you all could never find. Tian Rui, you know my character; you know I would do what I say."
"Sister, if others don’t understand me, you surely do."
Listening to Qiu Yingrong, Qiu Tianrui’s bitter smile deepened, "Sister, do you think I’m such a heartless person? Who would wish to rely on family members as leverage for gain?"
PS: Recommended new book by a friend, "Emperor of Ten Thousand Dragons." In this lifetime, not only to be an Emperor but to become the Emperor of all Gods! The story is from a seasoned author, and if interested, it’s worth checking out, it won’t disappoint!