CHAPTER 424: CHAPTER 424: CHRISTMAS "SURPRISE" (PART 4)

When Bai Bing arrived, she saw Tang Yanqi with her head buried on the table, her long hair hanging down on both sides.

"Tangtang?"

Bai Bing sat down opposite Tang Yanqi, put her bag down, and asked the waiter for a cup of coffee: "Tangtang, what’s wrong?"

Tang Yanqi slowly raised her head, her gaze steady: "Before New Year’s Day, I will ask to see my mother."

Bai Bing’s expression also became serious: "Hmm, tell me what to do when the time comes."

"Thank you."

Tang Yanqi often said "thank you," but it was mostly out of politeness, rarely as earnest as this.

Bai Bing smiled, reached out to hold her hand: "No need to be polite, give me such an opportunity, making it feel like we’re in a spy war drama. Who knows, maybe I can develop new skills from this and accidentally end up joining the FBI or CIA one day."

"You’ve been watching too much Conan, haven’t you?"

Tang Yanqi was amused by Bai Bing’s words. She knew she was just joking. With a laugh, the complicated emotions seemed to find a breakthrough and dissipated significantly.

"But Tangtang, when you bring your mom back to your side, when you give the money to the Tang Family, you really don’t need to bear the blame for your mother’s mistakes any longer. Let me put it bluntly, those were her mistakes, not yours. The Tang Family using you for marriage alliances, forcing you to get money, you’ve done all that, and it’s really enough."

Bai Bing wasn’t as gentle as Bai Xue, but her words always hit the nail on the head.

"In business alliances, you were the lucky one, marrying someone you like. More fortunate is that they now treat you well, pamper you. But have you ever thought, if not for Mr. Sheng, if you would marry or not? Who would you have married? If Mr. Sheng still disliked you, how oppressive would your life be? If your mother’s mistakes ruined the Tang Family, they also almost ruined you. That’s enough."

Tang Yanqi bowed her head, her long eyelashes drooping. After a moment, she smiled: "I know, don’t worry, I know what to do."

Two girls, under the afterglow of the setting sun, holding hands tightly, using the most ordinary yet unbreakable friendship to give each other strength.

Whether the Tang Family was harsh on her or Shen Wanqing beat and scolded her before, these weren’t real devastations.

What can truly destroy someone is never physical torment but mental shackles.

Tang Yanqi used to think she would live with those things for a lifetime, but now she no longer wants to.

She doesn’t want to bring any trouble or shackles to Sheng Jianan, so she must first remove those shackles.

Bai Bing was right, she’s repaid the Tang Family enough.

"Okay, let’s not talk about this anymore. Anyway, everything will get better. Xiao Xue and Chengzi are still waiting to go back to school together. How about we eat outside?"

"Sure."

Since starting their internships, the four of them hadn’t gathered much. With different departments, they could initially have lunch together, but gradually gatherings became sparse, especially since she no longer returned to the dorm, making her feel disconnected.

Back at Shengshi Gate, Qi Cheng and Bai Xue were already waiting there. Upon seeing her, Qi immediately rushed over: "Tangtang, I missed you so much, give me a kiss."

Tang Yanqi crossed her hands in front of her chest, her smile warm: "No way."

"..."

Where’s the classmate affection? Where’s the friendship love? Qi expressed: Heartbroken.