CHAPTER 665: CHAPTER 446 TRUTH_2

So, I began to train your ability to be independent and strong. I made you do every task within your reach, and I saw your displeasure, but I had no choice but to harden my heart and proceed.

If I had been soft-hearted, I wouldn’t have been sure if you would find happiness in the future. Therefore, I had to steel myself, and perhaps it was this approach of mine that particularly made you feel insecure.

If time could flow backwards, I would definitely not use this method. I would have told you about my feelings and care for you truthfully.

Xiao Jing, I adopted you not to have you support me in my old age, but just to raise you well. If you now want to leave me, I won’t stop you."

"Auntie..." Xiao Ching was already in tears, "Why are you only telling me this now? Why did you let me hate you for so many years? Why did you let me misunderstand you for so many years? I always thought... that your kindness towards me had an ulterior motive."

"Ah!" Wang Lei sighed deeply, held Xiao Ching in her arms, and gently patted her, "Now you know, so it’s not too late to start learning to trust."

Xiao Ching sobbed, "Auntie, you’re not planning on abandoning me, are you?"

"Only if you abandon Auntie, Auntie will never abandon you." Wang Lei’s voice became choked, "I have no regrets about giving up marriage back then. I only regret that I did not teach you well, did not give you a sound character. Today, when I received a call from Song Xiaoyu, I was so regretful I wanted to die. I thought I was training you, but in reality, I was pushing you into the fire pit. Xiao Jing, I’m sorry, Auntie is sorry."

"Did the teacher say she doesn’t want me anymore?" Xiao Ching looked at Wang Lei worriedly, "Auntie, did she say anything about wanting me to leave her?"

"No." Wang Lei shook her head, "She regrets it too. Because of your background, she always treated you extra leniently, and as a result, you strayed further and further from the right path. She called me hoping you wouldn’t continue down the wrong path. Xiao Jing, the person you should be most grateful to in your life is her. She never bends the rules for anyone, but for you, she made an exception."

Xiao Jing said somewhat defiantly, "Is Lin Chuxia also considered an exception?"

"She spoke to me about that child too. Xiao Jing, don’t you think you could learn something from that child? If she really had no capabilities, would the prestigious families consider her?"

Xiao Ching thought for a moment, "She is quite beautiful, just the type that men especially like."

"Having spent so long with her, can you honestly say, between the two of you, who is better at dealing with people? Who learns things faster?"

Xiao Ching lowered her head in silence.

"It’s good to think more about others’ strengths instead of always comparing your own strengths with others’ weaknesses. Besides, being good-looking is not a disadvantage."

You might not like to hear this from your aunt, but it’s the truth. Sometimes people think too highly of themselves and do not give due regard to others.

If you can fairly assess others and yourself, then your future will definitely be as you hope. Otherwise, you will only harbor more resentment, become more disappointed, and ultimately, destroy yourself."

Xiao Ching was silent for a long time, then said, "Auntie, I need to give this some thought."

Wang Lei patted her gently, "Sure, it’s impossible for you to understand all at once. Take your time and think about it. Just remember, no matter when, your aunt will always be there to support you."

...

Meanwhile, the Zhou family’s home was bustling with activity.

Zhou Mikang had returned, and Zhou Jingping and Old Master Zhou were back as well. The Zhou Jiping couple and the Zhou Xiangping couple had also rushed back.

It had been over a month since the family last gathered, and even just sitting silently together brought joy to their hearts—of course, this is just a figure of speech as in reality, once they met, they couldn’t stop chattering (mostly Zhou Xiangping).

Yingying nestled in Chuxia’s arms, a sweet smile on her face, and Zhou Jiping’s heart melted. She couldn’t resist coming over to pinch her little face, "Yingying, let Second Aunt hold you."

Yingying looked up at Chuxia, her eyes full of questions.

"Oh, you two are getting along so well now? Second Aunt is jealous." Zhou Jiping said pretending to be upset, causing Yingying’s little face to look troubled.

Chuxia mischievously placed Yingying on the ground, "Let Second Aunt hold you, and remember, stick to her side no matter where she goes."

"Okay." Yingying complied happily, darting into Zhou Jiping’s arms and tightly hugging her neck, sweetly calling out, "Second Aunt."

Zhou Jiping, initially regretful due to Chuxia’s instruction, felt her spirits lift. She hugged Yingying tightly, kissed her little cheek, and exclaimed, "My little niece smells so sweet!"

Yingying giggled, "My aunt’s wife bathed me."

"Your little braids look really pretty."

"My aunt’s wife did them."

"That dress looks really nice too."

"My aunt’s wife bought it for me."

Zhou Jiping: "...What precisely hasn’t been done by my aunt’s wife?"

Zhou Xiangping leaned in and teased, "Yingying, tell Fourth Aunt, who is better, your aunt’s wife or Fourth Aunt?"

Chuxia rolled her eyes. Such silly, childish questions shouldn’t be asked, right? Would a child taught by her get stumped by such a query?

Sure enough, Yingying’s little mouth curled into a grin: "Both are nice."

"But if you had to choose only one, who would be better?"

"Of course, it’s my aunt’s wife..." Yingying looked serious, "My aunt’s wife often takes me to the Yuhong class. If Second Aunt and Fourth Aunt would also take me often, that’d be even better."

Zhou Jiping and Zhou Xiangping: "...." Who taught this clever little rascal to be such a schemer? (To be continued. If you like this work, we invite you to vote and support it at Qidian.com. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)