COLD CEO AND ARROGANT WIFE, VOLUME 4 - Season 8 Episode 23

*Flashback Continued*

Qian Yin’s eyes looked around at the people in the cafe who were sneaking glances their way. She sighed out and said, “If you want to talk, just sit down and talk. There is no need to act a drama before so many people. Do you think you can pressurize me into accepting you like what your…” She held herself back and didn’t complete that sentence. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and said, “Sit back down if you want to talk. Or else, I’m leaving.”

Tang Hebe immediately straightened up and sat down on her chair. She fixed her hair with her hands while Qian Yin continued to dig into the flesh of her palms with her nails. If someone asked what Qian Yin didn’t like about Tang Hebe, her answer would be nothing and everything all at the same time.

“Whether I accept you or not, does it even matter at this point?” asked Qian Yin. “My son is adamant about only marrying you once he graduated from college. He is yet to graduate high school and he is already telling me that he doesn’t mind moving out with you. Because no matter what happens, he will only marry you.” She gnashed her teeth in anger as she said, “So tell me, what drama are you playing before me? My acceptance means nothing to you or to my son. You both are selfish. The worst part is, I can’t even blame you both. Love had always been that selfish. I’d know that better than anyone.”

“Auntie, it’s nothing like that,” Tang Hebe tried to deny it. “You don’t have to listen to Xian. If you… If you won’t accept our relationship then… Then I…” She wanted to say that she’d step back but she couldn’t bring herself to say that. She couldn’t let go of him. He was the only light in her world. He was the only real part of her life. How could she give up on him?

“What? You’ll break up with him?” Qian Yin snickered. “Don’t give me that. I don’t even believe a word you say. You say you love my son? One day, when things get hard, you’ll be the first person to back off. Because that’s in your blood!” She took a pause and added, “I told you years ago that I had already chosen my son’s bride and I won’t accept anyone but her as my daughter-in-law. Didn’t I tell you that?” Tang Hebe could only nod in response. Qian Yin pulled out the photo of Raelle from her bag as she placed it on the table.

“Look at her. She is the daughter-in-law, I had chosen. She is already in college at this age. She is perfect in every single way. She is smart, beautiful, young, talented, and someone who is born to do great things. She is Raelle Xiang. Remember that name because you can never become her. Never.”

Tang Hebe’s eyes showed how she wanted to protest but she couldn’t do so for some reason. She looked at the beautiful young girl who looked like she was just 12 or 13 years old. But that red pantsuit she wore already displayed her brilliance as she stood beside the famous Professors. Tang Hebe was even more unwilling to give up once she looked at that photo. She felt like the young girl in that photo was mocking her for being useless.

And she was even more persistent in not backing off. So what if Raelle Xiang had everything? She could still not get her Shui Xian! Because he only belonged to her!

She just sat there and in a trembling voice asked, “What can I do to make you like me? Even if it’s just a little bit?”

“Can you change this face of yours?” asked Qian Yin shocking Tang Hebe. “Change your name. Change the blood flowing through your veins. Change everything that makes you Tang Hebe! That makes you a descendant of the Tang family! Change it and I’ll accept you with open arms. Do you know why I said you can never be like Raelle? Not because she is brilliant. That she is. But it’s also because she doesn’t come from the Tang family like you. And just for that one fact alone, I’ll be willing to make her my daughter-in-law even if she was just a pretty vase.”

Tang Hebe felt her heart clenching at how calmly she said all that. But her words planted a seed of hatred in Tang Hebe’s heart for Raelle who wasn’t part of the Tang bloodline like her. And just because of this one fact, she was acceptable but she, Tang Hebe who loved Shui Xian more than her life was still unacceptable because she had the Tang family’s blood running through her veins.

“Actually, my daughter-in-law can be anyone,” said Qian Yin. “As long as she doesn’t have any connection with the Tang family, I’m even willing to bring a gold digger into my family.” She stood up to leave and said, “There is no need to act pitiful with me. I have stopped falling for that. Next time, don’t call me out to meet. It just proves that you’re a hypocrite. Don’t even assume that I don’t know it’s you who suggested to my son that you both can run away to get married once you’re adults.”

Tang Hebe stiffened in her chair once she heard that. It was true she had said that. But she had said it in a moment of emotions. How would she know that Shui Xian would take her words seriously and would even argue with his mother?

“Auntie, let me explain,” said Tang Hebe as she stood up and tried to hold Qian Yin’s arm.

Qian Yin stepped back to avoid her hand and for the first time, Tang Hebe saw the disgust in Qian Yin’s eyes. She always thought Shui Xian’s mother disliked her. But only at that moment, did she realize, she didn’t only dislike her. She was disgusted by her presence.

*to be continued*