Chapter 137 Regret

Words : 1216 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

""" Everything has consequences. If it weren’t for how cold Xu Ya once was to Yun Shifei, why would Yun Shifei treat her like this now? Thinking about it, Xu Ya felt an ache so deep in her heart. But she could no longer bring herself to ask Yun Shifei for forgiveness, because she wasn’t sure she could follow through. If she failed, speaking up would only make Yun Shifei disappointed in her again. Trust eroded bit by bit, leaving only more resentment. Xu Ya didn’t want to leave so soon. After a moment’s thought, she asked, "What time does your dad usually come home?" "Dad’s been out of town on a business trip recently." Xu Ya was surprisingly unaware that Yun Tiancheng was on a business trip. Yesterday, she had called Yun Tiancheng to say she was coming to pick up some things, and he hadn’t mentioned a word. Had their feelings grown so distant during these months of separation that she no longer knew his whereabouts? So Yun Shifei had been living alone all this time? "How long has your dad been away?" "Almost a week now. He’ll be back tomorrow." Yun Shifei answered while teasing the puppy. The pup was chewing on the rabbit-shaped decoration of her cotton slippers. The slippers, which were once perfectly fine, now had the rabbit’s head nearly torn off. Quite the little savage. She made a show of raising her hand to swat the puppy. A one-year-old pup truly had such mischievous energy. Xu Ya sat quietly by the side, watching Yun Shifei play with the puppy. "No biting. If you keep chewing, I’m going to spank you!" "Woof!" "You dare bark at me? Pretty bold, aren’t you?" Yun Shifei grabbed the pup by the cheeks and gave it a good, playful rub. At this rate, the poor dog might just end up bald. The puppy wriggled free from Yun Shifei’s grip, shuffled away, shook its fur, and ran off to play with its ball, completely ignoring Yun Shifei. This little one—growing sassier by the day! Yun Shifei pouted. Xu Ya remained seated, quietly observing Yun Shifei playing with the puppy. She’d always thought Yun Shifei had a reserved personality. Apart from the initial period of rebellion after their reunion. Afterward, she had become excessively mature and considerate. Many times, Xu Ya overlooked her emotional needs, thinking Yun Shifei was so understanding that she’d surely comprehend her actions. It was only today, seeing this different side of her—childlike, playful, with a touch of innocence—bearing some semblance to Yun Sisi. Yes, after all, she was only a few months older than Yun Sisi. There wasn’t much of a difference between them. Simply because one was called "sister" and the other "young sister," she’d put them into unequal positions. Thinking of this, Xu Ya felt another pang of heartache. It was a pain laced with remorse. What could she possibly do to earn Yun Shifei’s forgiveness? She remembered Yun Shifei was fond of her own mother, and had gotten along well with Old Mrs. Xu during that month-long stay at her maternal home. Perhaps she could ask Old Mrs. Xu to intervene? That evening, after returning home, Xu Ya called Old Mrs. Xu. She shared her worries openly with her mother. After hearing her out, Old Mrs. Xu sighed, "What did I tell you back then? Now you regret it, don’t you?" Old Mrs. Xu was well aware of Xu Ya’s separation from Yun Tiancheng. She’d already tried to advise her before. Though Xu Ya was her daughter, she was grown now, had her own family, and children to make decisions for. It was no longer her place to interfere. She didn’t want to meddle too much, lest Xu Ya resent her someday. Having lived for most of a century, Old Mrs. Xu had seen it all and gained profound clarity. Each child has their own life, beyond her control. "Mom, I know I was wrong..." Xu Ya choked out, letting down all her defenses before Old Mrs. Xu, revealing the depths of her heart. She desperately needed someone to help guide her, someone to tell her what to do. Though her initial resolve was not to interfere, the vulnerability in Xu Ya’s voice softened Old Mrs. Xu’s heart. After a pause, she said, "You know you’ve made mistakes and want to reconcile with Shifei?" "Yes." "There’s only one solution now. Yun Sisi’s parents want her back. Let her go back to them." "Mom, isn’t there a way for everyone to be happy?" Old Mrs. Xu scoffed coldly, "You wish. Wanting everything to go your way. There was a chance for Shifei and Yun Sisi to coexist peacefully. But you failed to guide them properly. After the harm Yun Sisi caused Shifei, how do you think they could ever get along peacefully now? It’s impossible." The thought frustrated Old Mrs. Xu. Xu Ya was simply stubborn, unable to prioritize properly. She clung to that ungrateful adopted daughter while neglecting her obedient, thoughtful biological one. Such thoughts made her unwilling to continue talking with Xu Ya. "Alright, enough. I’m about to have dinner. Reflect on this yourself," Old Mrs. Xu said, ending the call. She was tired of worrying about her grown children’s affairs. At her age, she’d prefer a simpler life. Shifei was much better in comparison. Thinking of that considerate, sensible child, she realized that while Shifei appeared compliant, she had her own limits. If it hadn’t been for repeated mistreatment, things wouldn’t have reached this level of estrangement with Xu Ya. It was Xu Ya who truly lacked foresight. Later that night before bed, Yun Shifei habitually made a phone call to Cheng Lie. Although she was gradually adjusting to sleeping alone, chatting briefly with Cheng Lie still brought her comfort. Sometimes, she thought about it. "Habit" was such a scary word. The faint buzz of her phone echoed. Cheng Lie stared at his phone, resting on the edge of his bed, observing the dim glow from the small screen, yet felt no urge to answer. His room was cold. He wore only thin pajamas and seemed immune to the chill. He stood there holding a book with impeccable posture. His eyes lingered on the phone. A faint emotional ripple stirred within him. Should he answer? A moment passed, and the buzzing stopped. Cheng Lie averted his gaze and continued reading. Soon, the phone vibrated again. The young man stared at the phone intently. To answer or not to answer—that was the question. If he answered, it would mean acknowledging her, even while upset by how close she’d grown to Mu Chengzhu. If he didn’t, she might feel scared sleeping alone. The chill of his lips tightened, his brows furrowing in a moment of serious deliberation. Rarely did he spend more than three seconds deciding something. Usually, his choices came instantaneously, instinctively. But tonight. He deliberated for five seconds. Still without resolution, the phone grew silent once again. After waiting for over ten minutes with no further calls, he thought to himself. Could she be angry? No, that wasn’t likely—she wouldn’t be angry with him. Perhaps she simply assumed she was interrupting him. Yun Shifei, after making two unanswered calls, believed Cheng Lie might have fallen asleep. """

Chapter 137 Regret

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