Page 80 – Can Sisters Also Be Kin?
“Are you joking with me?”
Sister Tao raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Sister Yǐjī’s response was indeed unexpected, but Sister Zǐ said, “There’s no problem, right? You only said not to be father and son, but you didn’t say anything about not being mother and daughter.”
“What’s the difference? Do you think I can accept this kind of wordplay?”
Sister Tao sighed, but Sister Yǐjī remained firm… From her rare firm attitude, it could be seen that Sister Tao’s request to sever ties as father and son had pushed her to the brink. When people have no other way out (extremely angry), they might do things that are hard to imagine.
“I won’t run away anymore!”
Oh, she stood up straight, walked around AJ, and went behind Sister Tao.
“Although there are irresistible reasons, I did indeed escape from Zelan… from your mother’s side. In the decade that followed, I lived in torment, especially when I learned of your existence. Only then did I realize how terrible a person I am. I asked the old man to find you, but it was too late.”
This was the first time she told Sister Tao these things.
“It’s too late now. What’s the point of you telling me this now?”
Sister Tao turned her head, avoiding Sister Yǐjī’s gaze for the first time. This was a sign that she wanted to hide her emotions.
“But I still have you! Tao’er, this time I will never let go. Please believe in me!”
“… Really, I didn’t say I wouldn’t interact with you.”
Sister Tao changed her approach, and her momentum faltered.
Sister Yǐjī pressed her chest and declared loudly, “Then accept me! I’m willing to be your mother!”
The waiter pushing the door open saw Sister Yǐjī’s strange declaration, and immediately felt that the atmosphere was off. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, they awkwardly pushed the meal cart away.
Hmm, a waiter who reads the room is really good, but it made the atmosphere in the private room even more tense.
Lin Hua stood up and said, “Well, I’ll go tell the kitchen to pause…”
“It’s all because you said something weird and got misunderstood.”
Sister Tao complained as she pushed Sister Yǐjī away, but she didn’t directly refute her, appearing indecisive. Seeing this, AJ took advantage to mediate.
“If being a father isn’t possible, why not be a mother? Besides, she can only be a mother now. Tao妹, just agree to it!”
Sister Tao sighed, “But I only have one mother.”
“Yes, but now you have two.”
“AJ, I know you want to mend our relationship, but I’m not joking. Please consider my feelings. How can I easily accept someone who caused my mother’s death?”
Sister Tao covered her cheek, as if she had a toothache.
“I’m not trying to exonerate Sister Yǐjī, but thinking calmly, isn’t the responsibility greater on her family’s side? Being hurt by a scoundrel is already tragic, but just because she gave birth to you, they treat her like a stain and ignore her… No matter how you look at it, it’s even more unjustified!”
“Do you think an unmarried woman who gives birth can get a good look anywhere?”
AJ earnestly advised like a nagging mother, “But compared to your so-called relatives, at least Sister Yǐjī has the heart to make amends! Don’t you think she deserves a chance? She can give you both paternal and maternal love… and she’s also very cute, just like you!”
“Can I say something?”
Old Lady threw Yòu Zi to Lin Hua and spoke, “As an outsider, I shouldn’t interfere with your decisions, but I’ve heard quite a bit about you and your father from Xiao Kai. Looking at the three conditions you’ve set… are you planning to cut ties with her blood relation and rebuild new bonds?”
Sister Tao actually wasn’t very clear about Old Lady’s identity. She only knew we were always looking for the mysterious girl A, but she didn’t know any further details. But since she was asked, she answered honestly, “…I can never forgive what she did back then.”
“I understand your feelings, but what you’re doing now, in my view, is the same as the mistakes your father made back then.”
“Are you saying I abandoned her like he abandoned my mother? That’s completely different.”
“It’s the same. You avoided your responsibilities as a daughter, just like he avoided his duties as a husband and father. Little Long Tao, blood is very precious, especially between parents and children… stepping back, even if you formally sever ties, can you really ignore this blood connection in your heart?”
As if moved by the moment, Old Lady hugged my shoulder, and Sister Yǐjī nodded vigorously behind Sister Tao.
“I don’t want you to abandon blood ties. Because she just lacks the responsibility of an elder, there are ways to solve this.”
“What do you suggest then?”
Old Lady clapped her hands and asked, “So! What is it called when they have blood ties but aren’t father and child or mother and daughter?”
I was stunned for a moment, then understood Old Lady’s meaning.
“…Are you suggesting they become sisters?”
“That’s right!”
In Sister Tao’s shocked eyes, Old Lady snapped her fingers.
“You two look so alike now, becoming sisters shouldn’t be a problem, right? And sisterhood is equal, which is closer to what Little Long Tao wants. I think this is a good compromise.”
“Sisters… no, regardless, she is still… this is really absurd.”
Sister Tao’s emotions fluctuated, finally leaning forward and sighing.
“I think it’s pretty good!”
AJ spoke again, looking back and forth between Sister Yǐjī and Sister Tao.
“Maybe you two can switch places like Little Ying and Little Lingmeng! Doesn’t that sound interesting?”
“Not really,” Sister Tao’s reply seemed a bit dismissive.
“Can you accept Miss Qiànxià’s suggestion?”
Sister Tao was asking Sister Yǐjī.
Sister Tao had never addressed Sister Yǐjī with any title.
Not calling her father was one thing, but not even calling her by name was another.
“—Her inner resolve is far weaker than she lets on. She still doesn’t know where to place Sister Yǐjī. I think Mom’s suggestion is quite good.”—
Sister Yǐjī had been quiet for a while, and now she simply sat back down.
AJ urged, “Sister Yǐjī, be decisive! Maybe Tao妹 will agree!”
Seeing both hesitating, just needing someone to push the last button… My phone rang.
“Who is it? Calling at a time like this?”
Everyone looked at me, making me feel a bit awkward.
I glanced at the caller ID, and my brows furrowed involuntarily.
“…Miss Kē Màn, maybe there’s some trouble at the low-rent apartment.”
Answering the call.
“Lingmèng? There are many people claiming to be reporters at the apartment. Is your friend in some trouble?”
There was some commotion in the background on Miss Kē Màn’s end.
“Well, she’s kind of a celebrity now, right?”
Saying “virtual streamer” might confuse Miss Kē Màn, so I used a simpler term.
“So she’s famous now? What happened today?”
“She was exposed online with her address. Please ask those people to leave directly!”
I didn’t expect the reporters to act so quickly. After the information about the Glorious Family was leaked, the paparazzi sniffed it out. Unlike the debt collectors in the afternoon, these unethical reporters were much more troublesome in every sense.
Miss Kē Màn said, “There are so many people blocking the yard, it will affect the researchers’ entry and exit. To avoid discovery of secrets, everyone will have to enter through the back door today.”
Considering the layout around the low-rent apartment, it was indeed a detour.
“I’m really sorry, they’ll move out in a few days!”
“…Yes, moving out would be better.”
Since it brought trouble, Miss Kē Màn didn’t say anything to retain them. It wasn’t heartless, after all, the institute’s confidentiality was more important.
She continued, “I’ll handle these reporters.”
“We’re still eating outside. If we can’t drive them away, we’ll come back now…”
The Glorious Family’s last desperate attempt still caused trouble for the institute. Although the low-rent apartment had a security room, it wasn’t officially manned. To prevent reporters from entering, Miss Kē Màn alone couldn’t handle it.
Contrary to my expectations, Miss Kē Màn said, “It’s fine if you don’t come back. Shuang Sui is here, I have a way to deal with such people… The person caught in the afternoon, the ‘surgery’ was successful. When do you plan to come pick her up?”
I asked, “How is she now?”
“Not a problem emotionally, but we haven’t told her anything and locked her in an empty research room.”
“Are you not going to use her for experiments?”
“Don’t joke about that. We wouldn’t use live subjects for experiments.”
“Then please keep her for a few more days, though it’s a private punishment, it’s necessary.”
“No problem, you don’t need to be polite. Then I’ll deal with these troubles first.”
Miss Kē Màn hung up the phone. I looked up and met Sister Yǐjī’s apologetic gaze.
AJ asked, “Have self-media people shown up?”
“There are indeed reporters, but how do you know they’re from self-media?”
AJ shrugged and explained, “Mainstream media wouldn’t care about such small matters in the streaming world. The interview procedures are formal. Only self-media looking to capitalize on the trend would show up unannounced. Even if Miss Kē Màn drives them away, they’ll wait nearby to take photos and fabricate fake news.”
Tsk, for the sake of traffic, these scoundrels have abandoned morality.
“That won’t do.”
Sister Zǐ frowned and stood up, walking toward the private room door.
“You guys continue eating, I’ll go help at the apartment first.”
She was still worried about the exposure of the institute. Lin Hua came back from outside and bumped into Sister Zǐ.
“What’s going on? Zǐ Jiàng is leaving?”
I explained, “Because of Sister Yǐjī, there are some troublesome reporters at the low-rent apartment.”
Hearing this, Lin Hua blinked and looked at AJ and Sister Tao.
“Hmm? Then how is Sister Yǐjī going home tonight?”
That was indeed a problem. Going back now would definitely lead to a confrontation with the reporters. Sister Yǐjī looked at AJ helplessly, and the latter could only spread her hands in resignation.
“Go upstairs and stay in a guest room for now. Once the apartment is safe, I’ll notify you.”
Sister Zǐ suggested.
She also said, “Long Tao, you should go too.”
“Huh? Why?”
Sister Zǐ turned back at the door.
“Let’s discuss Miss Qiànxià’s proposal tonight.”
