Chapter 169 How Can I Choose

Words : 1312 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

The Xu Family. During the New Year, the Xu Family was livelier than usual. Yun Shifei had just stepped out of the car when Xu Yuejiao pulled her into an embrace. "Long time no see, I’ve missed you!" Xu Yuejiao was still as carefree and bold as ever. "I’ve missed you too, Sister Jiaojiao," Yun Shifei said with a smile. Xu Yuejiao stared at Yun Shifei’s face closely. After a few months of not seeing her, her younger cousin seemed even more beautiful. She cupped Yun Shifei’s face in her hands. "Shifei, has any boy been chasing after you?" "Yes." Unexpectedly, Yun Shifei admitted it so straightforwardly, prompting Xu Yuejiao to burst into laughter. "Well, of course! With your looks, it’s obvious lots of boys are chasing you." "But I still need to focus on my studies." Yun Shifei’s serious reply made Xu Yuejiao laugh even harder. Beautiful and dedicated to studying—her cousin really was inspiring. "Right, you can wait until you get to college before you start dating." Saying this, Xu Yuejiao glanced at Yun Tiancheng. "Uncle wouldn’t want Shifei dating so early anyway, right?" "Shifei is still young, let’s not talk about this now," Yun Tiancheng replied. The thought of Yun Shifei growing up in a few years, having a partner, and even getting married made Yun Tiancheng feel uneasy. After that, there would hardly be any time left for him to spend with Yun Shifei. "Why are you all chatting so happily outside? Hurry up and come in; it’s cold out here," Old Mrs. Xu couldn’t help but come out to urge them when she noticed they hadn’t gone inside yet. "Grandma," Yun Shifei greeted Old Mrs. Xu with a smile. It was cold outside, and Old Mrs. Xu was wrapped in a dark brown coat, still in a vintage style. The outer layer was mink fur, sleek and shiny, with a horn button fastened only at the top, making her look elegant and dignified. Once they went inside, they also saw Xu Ya and Yun Sisi. Yun Shifei smiled and handed the gifts in her hands to Old Mrs. Xu. "You knew I love cakes, and you even made one for me. You’re so thoughtful." Throughout, Old Mrs. Xu kept Yun Shifei close, chatting warmly with her and showing deep care. Watching this, Yun Sisi felt a pang of sourness in her heart. Why was it that whenever she came back with her mother, her grandmother hardly spoke to her, and even when she did, her tone was cold and distant? The contrast with her affectionate interaction with Yun Shifei was stark. It was clear that no matter how hard she tried over the years, she still couldn’t compare to a biological child. Yun Sisi glanced at Xu Ya, which only fueled her resentment. At that moment, even Xu Ya was staring at Yun Shifei, smiling as she watched her talking with Old Mrs. Xu. Was she kidding? Yun Shifei didn’t even greet Xu Ya when she entered, yet Xu Ya still managed to smile? Had the world gone mad? "Mom, Grandma seems really enthusiastic about Sis," Yun Sisi leaned close to Xu Ya’s ear and whispered. Xu Ya responded briefly, "Your grandmother likes your sister." No, that wasn’t the point. "It feels like Grandma doesn’t like me anymore." Did she really have to spell it out so plainly? Xu Ya turned to take a good look at Yun Sisi. "Sisi, you’re another year older now with the New Year. I hope you can start acting more mature." She didn’t want to say anything further. The reason Old Mrs. Xu and the others didn’t like Yun Sisi was all because of the outrageous thing Yun Sisi had done last time. Thanks to Xu Ya stepping in to forgive Yun Sisi, they didn’t pursue the matter further. Otherwise, Yun Sisi wouldn’t even be here now. Such a simple truth, yet Yun Sisi was completely oblivious, and instead displayed no sense of guilt. Xu Ya suddenly felt deeply disappointed. The daughter she had painstakingly raised—how had she ended up like this? Even if she wasn’t extraordinary, she shouldn’t be so lacking in remorse. By now, Xu Ya was gradually losing hope in Yun Sisi. Yet, she didn’t know how to properly guide her anymore. Yun Sisi gazed at Yun Shifei with bitterness and jealousy. She really did become the center of attention the moment she appeared. Everyone’s attention gravitated toward her: chatting with her, giving her snacks. Especially Old Mrs. Xu. Yun Sisi watched Old Mrs. Xu clasp Yun Shifei’s hand with a look of cherishing, and her heart tightened with pain. Even in the past, before Yun Shifei showed up, Old Mrs. Xu had never been so close to her. When she was very young, she had overheard Old Mrs. Xu quietly discussing with Xu Ya about how adopting a child like her might pose a problem if Yun Shifei were to return someday. At that moment, Yun Sisi understood that she was always just an outsider. All these years, she had worked hard to win everyone’s affection and had basked in the love she received. But to her surprise, everything that was once hers was swiftly taken away by Yun Shifei’s return. She hated Yun Shifei. She despised her! Though rationally she understood that to mend her relationships with Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya, she had to accept Yun Shifei. Emotionally, however, she simply couldn’t bring herself to do it. She knew nobody would understand her feelings; none of them were in her position and could only spout trivial, judgmental remarks. Only those in her situation would understand that every single step she had taken was reasonable and justified. And so, their idle chatter continued until it was time for lunch. After lunch, Old Mrs. Xu glanced at Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya before saying to Yun Shifei, "Shifei, you gave Grandma a gift, and Grandma has one for you too. Come with me upstairs." Yun Shifei looked at Yun Tiancheng before following Old Mrs. Xu upstairs. Old Sir Xu turned to Xu Yuejiao and Yun Sisi. "Yuejiao, Sisi, let’s play a game of chess." They intended to leave a space for Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya to talk. Old Mrs. Xu felt that their current situation couldn’t go on. She could sense that Yun Tiancheng and Xu Ya still had feelings for each other. However, it was impossible for Yun Shifei and Yun Sisi to live together, so she wanted to give them a chance to sort things out themselves. Now, only Xu Ya and Yun Tiancheng remained in the living room. Xu Ya glanced at Yun Tiancheng before lowering her head to drink tea. Of course, they both understood that space was deliberately being provided for them to deal with their relationship. But having reached this point, what was left for them to resolve? Xu Ya couldn’t think of anything. Thus, she remained silent, unwilling to speak. Yun Tiancheng quietly observed Xu Ya. "We’ve been living separately for a few months now, haven’t we? Have you been able to think it over?" His tone was calm, his question posed seriously. "I’ve thought about it, but reality is what it is. What choice do you expect me to make?" Hearing this, Yun Tiancheng understood that Xu Ya’s thoughts hadn’t changed from before. Their differences persisted—either they divorced, or continued their current situation, waiting until Xu Ya changed her mind. Seeing Yun Tiancheng’s typically composed demeanor and his usual graceful manner, Xu Ya couldn’t help but chuckle. "If I could be as ruthless as you, maybe we wouldn’t have so many issues between us." Yun Tiancheng’s expression suddenly darkened. "How am I ruthless? Letting Sisi move in with her biological parents, gifting them a house, arranging for them to have a better job—how exactly was she mistreated?"

Chapter 169 How Can I Choose

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