CHAPTER 207: CHAPTER 207: BRINGING HUMILIATION ON ONESELF (2)_1

Shangguan Rou’s eyes reddened, a fire of rage kindling within them. It was all Shangguan You’s fault—if it hadn’t been for Shangguan You, she wouldn’t be so desolately alone now. And today, her Mommy had been humiliated with thrown eggs and had her head cracked open by a stone. All of this was Shangguan You’s doing.

The more Shangguan Rou dwelled on it, the angrier and more infuriated she became. They shared the same Daddy, yet had different mothers; why was there such a disparity in their treatment? The year Shangguan You had been withdrawn was the happiest year of her life. She could trample Shangguan You underfoot, but why did Shangguan You have to come back?

"Rourou, have something to eat." The hospital room door opened, and Li Wanying entered. She had cleaned up her disheveled appearance, though the gash on her forehead from the stone was now bandaged. Although the wound was small, being on her forehead, it had been carefully treated. If a scar remained, what chance would she, Li Wanying, have to win back Shangguan Hao’s heart?

"Mommy," Shangguan Rou said, her voice filled with grievance. Now, the only person who cared about her was her Mommy.

"You must be hungry. Have a bite. Whether we can return to the Shangguan Family will all depend on you. My entire life’s happiness rests on you now," Li Wanying said as she took out some congee and began to feed Shangguan Rou mouthful by mouthful.

"Mhm, Mommy, don’t worry. Daddy will surely come to take us home," Shangguan Rou nodded, determination filling her eyes. She couldn’t believe that her Daddy could be heartless enough to abandon her.

Even though her Daddy had never hugged her or initiated a conversation with her as she grew up, a Daddy was still a Daddy. Now, with that despicable woman Shangguan You in the picture, once Shangguan You was gone forever, her Daddy would surely see her excellence and her efforts. He would surely dote on her.

"Alright, let’s focus on healing first."

"Mhm, Mommy, let’s go home tomorrow."

"No."

"Mommy, who stays in the hospital over New Year? And Daddy wouldn’t be so cruel as to leave us in the hospital, right? Tomorrow is New Year’s Day; many people will surely visit our house. Could Grandfather really be so shameless as to turn us away in front of everyone? We’re both patients right now. If Grandfather cares about the Shangguan Family’s reputation, he definitely won’t kick us out," Shangguan Rou said, her gaze darkening, her tone somewhat sinister.

"You’re right. We’ll go home tomorrow morning," Li Wanying nodded. How had she not thought of this? This was an opportunity! Both she and Shangguan Rou were patients. If the Shangguan family members didn’t visit or look after them, that was one thing, but if they were to expel them now, wouldn’t it be a direct blow to the Shangguan Family’s prestige?

Their earlier despair vanishing, the mother and daughter carefully plotted their course of action for the next day. No matter what, they would not leave the Shangguan Family. Their plan seemed sound, but the Shangguan Family were not to be trifled with.

Around ten o’clock in the morning, Shangguan Rou, her right arm in a sling, was supported by Li Wanying as they took a taxi back to the Shangguan residence. Instead of going to their own house, they went straight to Shangguan Yu’s home, where the family usually celebrated the New Year. Staring at the firmly closed door, Li Wanying and her daughter rang the bell for a full half hour. Seeing not a soul, they finally had to accept that Shangguan Yu and his family were not home.

If they weren’t here, then they must be at their own home. The two hurried back, only to face another tightly closed door. Li Wanying’s frown deepened. No one at either place? Then how could she carry out her plan?

"Mommy, let’s go inside first," Shangguan Rou suggested softly. "It would be the same if we waited in our own house."

"No. What happened that day was our fault. We should wait here at the door for Grandfather and the others’ forgiveness, for You’s forgiveness," Li Wanying whispered, her mind racing.

The people living here all had status and standing. By now, those who should know about that night’s incident would know, and even those who shouldn’t would have heard. If they stood at the door now, begging for forgiveness, they were sure to gain public sympathy.

"Mommy, but this is so embarrassing," Shangguan Rou complained, clearly dissatisfied.

"The more embarrassing it is, the more likely we’ll be allowed back into the Shangguan Family. For the sake of the family’s reputation, they will naturally let us in," Li Wanying said in a low voice. One with her arm in a sling, the other with a large bandage on her forehead, the two of them stood flanking the main gate of the Shangguan residence.

An hour passed, then two, and the expressions on their faces grew increasingly grim. Normally, the Shangguan residence was bustling with visitors, especially during New Year. But why was there not a single soul to be seen today? The few people who did pass by merely pointed at them from a distance before quickly departing. Not a single person approached them, nor did anyone come to inquire.

"Mommy, let’s just go inside. I can’t stand this any longer," Shangguan Rou pleaded, her body swaying. She truly couldn’t hold on anymore.

"No! Even if you faint, you faint right here! This is your home’s doorstep! What we want is the Shangguan family’s forgiveness and other people’s sympathy, do you hear me?" Li Wanying felt a throbbing, burning pain from the wound on her forehead as she snapped at Shangguan Rou. If they went inside now, wouldn’t the last two hours of standing here have been for nothing?

"But no one is coming! Who is there to sympathize with us?"

"It doesn’t matter if anyone comes or not! The public sees clearly. If we, this mother and daughter pair unaccepted by the Shangguan Family, just keep standing here, we will definitely earn their forgiveness."

"But none of them are home! Who are we putting on this show for?"

"Naturally, we’re doing this for the public to see, to subject the Shangguans to public pressure. When that happens, how could we not be allowed back home?" Li Wanying whispered softly, confident that this tactic would work.

Three hours passed, then four. By three in the afternoon, Shangguan Rou, weakened from blood loss, finally fainted under the bright sunshine. Li Wanying’s loud wails attracted a number of onlookers, but upon seeing it was this mother and daughter, they merely glanced from a distance before quickly departing. Absolutely no one was willing to offer help.

"Help! Someone, help! Save us!" Li Wanying’s shrill cries echoed.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Husband! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me! Rourou has fainted trying to earn your forgiveness! I beg you, let us in! We truly know our mistake! We’ll never dare to do it again!"