Chapter 259: What I Want (2nd Update)

“Uh, is that so?” Actually, Ye Wenxin had the same thought just now, but as an outsider, she naturally didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.

More importantly, she still needed to rely on Green Isle Manor’s patronage to establish a connection for the Cozy Gang.

So, even if Madam Yu died five years later, Qiao Ni would already be 17 years old by then, and capable of managing Green Isle Manor, allowing her to continue maintaining the cooperative relationship with the Cozy Gang.

As for the idea of becoming Dao companions with Qiao Ni, Ye Wenxin would never agree.

“Yes, but being with Sister Wenxin feels very different.” Qiao Ni laughed even more, snuggling closer into her embrace with a contented smile.

Ye Wenxin smiled at this brat, and then heard her continue, “It feels like you’re my sky. Even if the sky falls, you will hold it up for me.”

“Your description makes it sound like I’m your father or something,” Ye Wenxin teased with a smile.

At Qiao Ni’s age, the people she should rely on like the sky would be her parents. Thinking it over, it seemed that the peach blossom luck hadn’t enveloped Qiao Ni.

Perhaps Qiao Ni just treated her as an elder sister, while she herself, due to a lack of love, had mistaken this affection for romantic love.

“But I don’t want you to be my father. I want to be your wife, and I want you to be my lady.” Qiao Ni pouted, clearly dissatisfied with Ye Wenxin’s response.

She appeared quite agitated, as if she truly saw Madam Yu as a love rival. She quickly pressed on, “But seriously, Sister Wenxin, do you really like my mother?”

Ye Wenxin shook her head vigorously. “No, no, no, I don’t like her at all.”

“But last time…”

Ye Wenxin instinctively tried to clear her name. “People’s feelings can change. Right now, I like Huang Hanyan. I think that girl is really nice.”

“……”

Qiao Ni fell silent, and it was uncertain whether she was hurt by Ye Wenxin’s fickleness, or if she was contemplating other things.

Ye Wenxin exhaled and continued, “So, don’t think about me. Cherish the person in front of you.” Saying this, Ye Wenxin looked towards Madam Yu, hoping Qiao Ni would understand her hint.

Qiao Ni seemed even more confused, but seeing as Ye Wenxin had already run off to Madam Yu’s side, she had to swallow her further questions.

Although she was indeed more mature than most little girls, this didn’t mean Qiao Ni was completely mature. Watching Ye Wenxin instinctively approach Madam Yu, Qiao Ni sighed, thinking about how to make Madam Yu dislike Ye Wenxin even more.

If that happened, no matter how much Ye Wenxin liked Madam Yu, her feelings would be one-sided. Thinking this, a trace of delight appeared on Qiao Ni’s face.

She ran over to hug Ye Wenxin and said, “Sister, let’s sleep together tonight.”

Madam Yu’s gaze turned even more menacing. Ye Wenxin shuddered and, claiming she was tired, promptly made her escape.

Seeing this, Qiao Ni continued to laugh, while Madam Yu sighed helplessly and gently hugged her daughter. She then asked, “Why do you like her so much?”

“I just do.”

“But I’ve told you many times, she is not a good person, Ni Ni. You will get hurt.” Madam Yu’s expression was filled with helplessness and reluctance, but she was unable to do anything about Qiao Ni’s stubbornness.

“I know she’s not a good person, but I still like her.” Qiao Ni shook her head, stubbornly refusing to discuss Ye Wenxin with Madam Yu for the nth time.

Madam Yu could only sigh. “Fine, do as you please.”

Madam Yu once again gave up on trying to change Qiao Ni’s mind. As she helped Qiao Ni straighten her clothes, she heard Qiao Ni continue, “But, Mother, how did you and Father meet? I’ve never heard you tell any love stories.”

Madam Yu’s movements stiffened, and she forced a smile. “I was sent to Green Isle Manor when I was young. There was no love between the Lord and me; we just ended up together.”

She spoke very plainly, as if she were just talking about something as simple as eating a meal.

“Isn’t that very painful? Marrying someone you don’t like and having to spend your whole life with him sounds terrifying just to think about,” Qiao Ni shivered as she listened, unable to understand how her mother could endure such a life.

“Hehe, that’s why I fought desperately to reclaim everything I couldn’t have before. I will make sure you live a happy life. Whatever you want, I will find a way to give it to you, even if I don’t like it.” Madam Yu’s expression didn’t change as she continued to recount her situation.

She was wholly dedicated to Qiao Ni, forgetting to consider her own circumstances.

This deeply moved Qiao Ni. She also believed that Madam Yu was telling the truth, but thinking of Madam Yu’s sacrifices always made Qiao Ni feel very unfilial.

“Mother, don’t you have anything you want? When Ni Ni grows up, I can help you achieve it.” Qiao Ni anxiously grabbed Madam Yu’s hand.

She was so afraid that when she finally achieved her dreams, there would be no one left by her side to celebrate with her.

After hearing Qiao Ni say this, a red figure appeared in Madam Yu’s mind. She tried hard to ignore that person’s existence and gently smiled at Qiao Ni, continuing, “What I wanted, I have already gotten.”

As she spoke, she slowly stood up, lightly brushed the dust off Qiao Ni’s clothes, and with a somewhat sad smile, said, “It’s just a pity that (s)he¹ seems to have forgotten me.”

“Who is he?”

Qiao Ni asked again, but Madam Yu did not answer. She looked at the night sky and stars around them. “It’s late. Let’s go back inside and rest.”

Qiao Ni nodded, just about to ask if she could sleep with Ye Wenxin, when Madam Yu sighed and said, “You’ll sleep with me tonight. Don’t even think about sneaking away.”

Qiao Ni’s face fell, but she quickly remembered something. “Aren’t you going to sleep with Father?”

Madam Yu’s expression showed some discomfort, but she still said, “To avoid disturbing his cultivation, we haven’t slept together for a long time.”

Qiao Ni nodded, not paying much attention to the subtlety in Madam Yu’s tone. She happily held Madam Yu’s hand as they walked away.

Madam Yu was also somewhat happy. The two of them chatted and laughed all the way back to the bedroom……

Qiao Ni, who had finished her evening ablutions, quickly fell asleep, but Madam Yu remained awake. She looked at Qiao Ni, who was sleeping soundly, a faint smile on her face.

It seemed like she was watching Qiao Ni, yet also looking through her at someone else.

At that moment, there was a slight movement outside the window. Madam Yu’s smile faded. She pulled down the bed curtains and applied soundproofing talismans, ensuring Qiao Ni couldn’t hear their conversation.

Then, she spoke softly…

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Footnotes:

1. – This is the second time I’ve used (s)he. This is because Madam Yu is using 她 (she, her, hers) as opposed to the 他 (he, him, his) that Ni Ni is using, and they both are pronounced as ‘Ta’. Hope it’s not too confusing. ↩︎