Chapter 18: Is This What Your Mother Taught You?

As Wen Yuexian’s stern voice rang out, Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes trembled slightly.

She didn’t step out from the entryway until Aunt Lin had fully disappeared into the kitchen. Summoning all her courage, she nervously called out:

“Teacher, I came to see you.”

At those words, Wen Yuexian’s pupils contracted. She abruptly looked up in the direction of the voice.

And there she saw—

Ruan Liuzheng standing at the entrance, her hands clasped behind her back, her head so low it nearly touched her chest.

That single sentence seemed to have drained all of her courage—she didn’t even dare lift her head now.

Wen Yuexian pressed her lips together, her body slightly stiff, silently staring at Ruan Liuzheng.

Even the book in her hand slipped to the floor unnoticed.

She stood up as if to approach, but then, remembering something, she calmly sat back down.

The joy in her eyes faded into cold indifference.

“What are you here for? My humble place can’t accommodate a grand figure like you.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s palms tightened.

Words she had once spoken in anger now returned like blades, stabbing her right in the heart.

But she knew—this pain was what she deserved.

Her voice dry and hoarse, she moved her lips and said,

“Teacher… I’m sorry.”

Wen Yuexian’s expression didn’t change. Her eyes were calm, unmoved by Ruan Liuzheng’s apology.

Ruan Liuzheng bit her lip, looked up at her teacher, and unconsciously clenched her fists.

Her eyes trembled, a hint of tears beginning to form.

“I know I was wrong… I let you down after all your efforts, I—”

“Enough.”

Wen Yuexian finally spoke, cutting her off. She couldn’t hold back anymore and got up, walking over—though her face was still stern, her movements were uncharacteristically gentle.

“There’s no medicine for regret in this world. And my home isn’t some kind of shelter. Don’t cry in front of me. The Ruan Liuzheng I knew wasn’t someone who cried just because things got tough.”

“Teacher…”

Ruan Liuzheng stared, stunned by the stern yet unmistakably softened look in her teacher’s eyes.

Her gaze filled with guilt.

Wen Yuexian sighed, put away the handkerchief in her hand, and said:

“Fortunately, you didn’t keep disappointing me forever. At least you’ve proved I wasn’t completely blind in believing in you.”

Ruan Liuzheng bit her lip again, eyes locked on her teacher, overflowing with remorse.

“I’m sorry, Teacher… I…”

She didn’t know what else to say—other than “sorry,” no words felt worthy.

Seeing her downcast face, Wen Yuexian could no longer stay cold-hearted.

She took Ruan Liuzheng’s hand, led her to the sofa, and sat beside her. Holding her hand firmly, she said in a heartfelt tone:

“Child, don’t keep saying sorry. The one you let down isn’t me—it’s yourself.”

“But you’re still young. You’ve got the courage to start over. You came today, which means… you’ve finally thought it all through, haven’t you?”

Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes widened, then she nodded resolutely.

“Mm. I’ve returned to work at Sofan. I hope it’s not too late.”

“With your talent, it’s never too late to start over.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s nose stung with emotion. Looking at Wen Yuexian’s warm and encouraging eyes, she couldn’t help thinking how foolish and naïve her past self had been.

She had talent, potential, and a teacher who cared for her deeply. Her future had been full of promise.

Yet she threw it all away for love.

She gave up everything to marry Fu Yanci, followed him into the Fu Group, and willingly became just another ordinary employee.

In doing so, she broke the hearts of everyone who truly loved and protected her.

She had been… unforgivably stupid.

Her vision blurred as tears welled up. Her voice trembled.

“Teacher… you don’t blame me? How can you forgive me so easily…?”

Wen Yuexian replied,

“What’s the use of blaming you? And what’s the point of not forgiving you? That would only deepen your guilt. The fact that you’re willing to admit your mistake already means you’ve made a huge decision. Why would I rub salt in your wound and add to your pain?”

“Besides, if I kept holding on to resentment, I might never see the return of the proud, confident student I once knew.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes reddened. She couldn’t hold back anymore—she threw herself into Wen Yuexian’s arms.

Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

Just then, the man who had been quietly observing them coughed twice, breaking the emotional moment between teacher and student.

“Professor Wen, would you care to introduce us?”

That voice—so familiar!

Ruan Liuzheng froze. She looked up, her almond-shaped eyes widening in shock.

“You—what are you doing here?!”

---

Elsewhere…

A sleek black Maybach sped down the highway with purpose.

Inside the car, Fu Jingcheng—who should’ve been at kindergarten—glared furiously at the man opposite him. His thin lips, identical to the man’s, were tightly pressed together.

“Where are you taking me? Stop the car now! I want to go home!”

Fu Yanci, eyes fixed on his tablet, continued handling work as if he hadn’t heard the boy’s outburst. His tone was cold and dismissive.

“Is this how your mother raised you? Don’t you know what you’re supposed to call me?”

Fu Jingcheng’s anger surged. He stood up abruptly, his wide eyes locked on Fu Yanci.

“Don’t you dare talk about my mom, you bastard!”

Smack!

Fu Yanci put down the tablet and looked up. His gaze was frigid as he stared at the boy—his biological son in name only.

There was no warmth in his dark eyes.

He spoke coldly,
“Fu Jingcheng. If you don’t behave, do you believe I won’t toss you out of this car right now?”

Fu Jingcheng froze. Tears welled up in his eyes—but he still didn’t give in.

Lifting his chin stubbornly, he demanded,

“Where are you taking me? Kidnapping a child is illegal!”

Fu Yanci scoffed, yanked him up by the collar, and sneered,

“Taking my own son somewhere is hardly a crime. Let me warn you—once we arrive at the old estate, you better behave. Or I’ll make sure you never see your mother again.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

Fu Jingcheng’s eyes widened, glaring fiercely at Fu Yanci.

His small fists clenched tight.

Fu Yanci chuckled coldly, then casually tossed the boy into Jiang Ze’s arms.

His tone softened—but carried a veiled threat:

“You don’t have to obey me. You can keep acting out. But… your great-grandfather likes you, doesn’t he?”

“His health isn’t the best. If something were to happen…”

Fu Jingcheng’s expression changed. He lowered his head, torn and conflicted.

Fu Yanci continued calmly,

“And I doubt you want to worry your mother either, do you?”

Fu Jingcheng bit his lip—and finally fell silent.

Fu Yanci withdrew his gaze, picked up his tablet, and went back to work.

He had no interest in wasting energy on irrelevant people.

Jiang Ze sighed, gently patting the upset Fu Jingcheng in his arms. He gave a helpless look at the man across from him.

To think that Fu Yanci had resorted to kidnapping the young master just to force Miss Ruan to attend a Fu family gathering.

It was utterly disgraceful.

Even Jiang Ze couldn’t stomach Fu Yanci’s actions this time.