"Hmph. To refuse a good girl like Wu Yan and insist on marrying a poor girl. How is Shi Ran any better than Wu Yan?" Old Master Tang's temples pulsed with anger.
He felt Tang Si was truly clueless and had disappointed him.
"Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt, please, let's not force matters of the heart," Zhao Wu Yan said with a hint of grievance. "Actually, I know that breaking up with Si Bing back then hurt him. It was all my fault."
"You were both young then. Although what you did wasn't right, your Uncle and I saw how much Little Si cared about you. That brat has loved you for so many years. Shi Ran's sudden appearance was just a fleeting novelty for him," Mother Tang analyzed with unwarranted certainty.
Listening to their conversation, Tang Si grew increasingly furious, feeling they were utterly stubborn.
"Listen!"
Tang Si raised his voice. "Shi Ran's disfigurement happened because of me, and I will marry her. Don't let me hear you call her ugly again. Otherwise, don't blame me for turning hostile!"
The others were stunned, likely not expecting such a turn of events.
Zhao Wu Yan, however, tightened her grip on her phone and weakly questioned, "Si Bing, truthfully... you feel indebted to Shi Ran, and that's why you want to marry her, right?"
"No, it's not!"
His voice ringing with conviction, Tang Si deliberately slowed his speech, emphasizing, "This matter is settled. I'm leaving."
Since he couldn't reason with his family, Tang Si saw no point in further discussion.
He abruptly stood up, ready to leave the living room.
Mother Tang, seeing him about to leave, grew anxious.
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, she called out, "Wait. Even if you must go, finish your meal before you leave."
Tang Si, who had already taken a few steps, halted. He assumed his mother meant that while she couldn't stop him from marrying Shi Ran, he should at least finish the special meal that day.
To appease his family and prevent them from bothering Shi Ran further, Tang Si decided to stay.
However, he didn't want to waste more words with them. "I'm tired. I'm going upstairs to rest."
"Hmph, how can he be like this!"
Old Master Tang, enraged, pointed at Tang Si's retreating back and berated him.
Zhao Wu Yan, however, comforted the old man, "Grandpa, you can't force matters of the heart. I truly don't blame Si Bing. It was all my fault back then, really..."
As she spoke, her voice turned husky and choked with emotion.
"Oh, my dear girl, don't cry. Your Aunt is heartbroken seeing you," Mother Tang quickly sat beside Zhao Wu Yan, put an arm around her shoulder, and embraced her. "Don't cry, don't cry. Sigh, that rascal Little Si really makes me so angry."
"Sob sob..." Leaning into Mother Tang's embrace, Zhao Wu Yan wept. "It's all my fault for being too young back then. If... if only I could go back, I truly wish I could have had a child with him and been happily together."
"Your Aunt also wishes you could have a child, but with your current situation, it's not possible..." Mother Tang paused, a plan forming in her mind.
She glanced at her husband, their eyes meeting in shared understanding.
"My dear girl, it's not impossible for you and Little Si to have a child," Mother Tang lowered her voice, glancing at the staircase. Seeing Tang Si had gone upstairs to his room, she continued, "Your Aunt has an idea. I wonder if you would agree."
"Yes? What idea?" Zhao Wu Yan feigned ignorance.
She had deliberately prompted Mother Tang, not expecting her to understand so readily. Her efforts hadn't been in vain.