Song Yan's dream of marrying into a wealthy family shattered, and her career stalled by the company, she completely withdrew from the public eye.
The Song family tried several times to settle accounts with Lu Jingyang, but they didn't even know where he was, and in the end, nothing came of it.
Seeing no benefit to be gained, the Song mother and daughter shifted their focus to Song Yan.
"Yan Yan, you see, your brother is about to graduate from university. He found a girlfriend in City C, and her family is quite well-off. They are about to get married, and the groom's side needs to show something..."
When Song Yan heard the beginning, she felt something was wrong.
As expected, her mother's next words chilled her to the bone.
"Your brother is getting married, and as his older sister, you should show some support, right? Your father and I are getting old, and our pensions aren't much. Housing prices in City C are rising every year, and we want to buy your brother a wedding house before the other party's family visits. We're just a bit short on the down payment, can you help us with it?"
Song Yan looked at her suspiciously. "How big of a house are you buying, and what's the down payment?"
"Not big, just over 150 square meters, a total of two million. Five percent down, so one million." Her mother said with a smile. "Your father and I have some savings, about twenty thousand."
The implication was that the remaining 800,000 yuan was all expected from Song Yan.
Song Yan was unwilling.
Now that she had lost her love and her career, she was in a time when she needed money. How could she possibly give all her assets to her brother for a house?
"Then how much will sister agree to contribute?" Song Yan looked at Song Qian, who was beside her.
Song Qian immediately began to complain about poverty. "My husband and I's salaries are barely enough to cover our expenses each month, we haven't saved much. I, I can at most come up with 50,000, and that's after borrowing from relatives."
Song Yan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
So, they weren't here to see her, but to ask her for money!
She had been so touched at first, thinking someone finally cared about her.
"I don't have that much money," Song Yan said, lowering her eyes.
"How is that possible! You've been in the entertainment industry for so many years, starred in so many commercials and dramas, how could you not even have 800,000?" Song Qian exclaimed.
"You think things are too simple!" Song Yan replied coldly. "The income from these jobs I take isn't all mine. The company takes fifty percent first. Of the remaining fifty percent, I have to give my agent a commission, and I have to support my assistants and drivers. Their salaries are all deducted from my account."
"And, I need to invest in my usual social engagements, the clothes and shoes I wear. These all cost money!"
"If you bought fewer bags, you'd save it, wouldn't you? Those bags in your closet, aren't they worth hundreds of thousands each!" Song Qian's gaze shifted to the walk-in closet.
Every time she visited, she took a lot of Song Yan's things, and this time was no exception.
She had been coveting a particular bag for a long time but couldn't afford to buy it. Coincidentally, Song Yan had a similar bag, and she planned to "borrow" it for a few days.
Seeing her sister's greedy eyes, Song Yan felt a wave of bitterness.
These were her relatives!
They never considered her feelings. Because she was a celebrity, she was respected and admired, wore beautiful clothes, and earned a lot of money. They never cared about the hardships she endured behind the scenes.
Several times, when the company dragged her to banquets, she was forced to drink and endure unwanted advances, and she could only swallow her pride.
Yes, Lu Jingyang had helped her avoid a lot of trouble. But there were still some people who wouldn't give him face, and showed no mercy.
They knew nothing of the suffering she went through, only how to extract benefits from her.
Every month, she gave her family 10,000 yuan and bought them gifts during festivals. They never showed any gratitude. Now, when the family needed money, they came straight to her door. If she refused, it was her fault.
"Yan Yan, say something! He's your only brother!" Song mother became anxious when she didn't speak.
Song Yan slowly raised her head and asked, "Am I your ATM?"
"What did you say?" Song mother's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Song Yan, how are you talking to Mom!" Song Qian, seeing her expression change, not only did not restrain herself but began to scold her.
"Shut up!" Song Yan suddenly shouted coldly. "You have no right to lecture me! The things you've taken from me, they're at least over a hundred thousand yuan, right? They're called loans, but have you ever returned them? I'm not chasing you for them!"
Song Qian was so choked by her words that she couldn't speak.
Song mother was unhappy and stood up, saying, "I think you're too upset! You're taking out your anger on us because you were wronged by Lu Jingyang, right?"
"Think whatever you want. Anyway, I don't have money." Song Yan was adamant about not giving it.
Song mother didn't expect such an attitude from her and became furious. "I raised you, went through so much hardship. What's wrong with asking you for some money?"
"Are you asking for just a little?" Song Yan retorted.
"800,000 yuan is just a drop in the bucket for you! You've spent so much money on Lu Jingyang over the years. Besides, you earn millions easily for a single drama. Who would believe you can't come up with 800,000?"
"But my money didn't fall from the sky either!" Song Yan's heart was completely broken.
With tears in her eyes, she looked at Song mother, feeling so estranged. "Have I sent little money home over the years? Isn't that enough to repay your upbringing?"
"What, do you want to sever ties with us?" Song mother, enraged, slapped Song Yan.
Song Yan cupped her face, tears welling up in her eyes. "When you want money, you call me your precious daughter. When you don't have money, it's my fault. Who is the ungrateful one!"
Song Yan regretted it.
She shouldn't have indulged them.
She had sacrificed so much for her family, only to be looked down upon in return.
She felt as if all her efforts had been thrown to the dogs.
Seeing Song Yan looking at her like that, Song mother reached out and slapped Song Yan twice more. "I'm telling you, you have to give it today, whether you want to or not! He's your only brother, and it's only natural for you to sacrifice for him!"
Song Yan covered her face and couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahaha... This is the funniest thing I've ever heard! Did you give birth to a son for me? Why should I support him?"
"I paid for his high school and university tuition, right? And I bought the car for the family's use, right? I don't owe you anything!"
"You talk about the kindness of your upbringing, so let's settle accounts. How much did it cost to raise me all these years, and how much did I give the family after I graduated? Is the money I gave enough to repay your upbringing!"
"Song Yan, you're too heartless! To say something like that!" Song Qian exclaimed from the side.
"If you have a conscience, then you pay for it!" Song Yan shot back.
Song Qian's face turned pale, a fascinating sight.
"The money you give us is rightfully yours," Song mother also clamored. "Don't think you can escape this family just because you've become successful!"
"If you don't give money, then sign over this apartment to your brother. From now on, we'll go our separate ways. You can go wherever you want, and I'll pretend I never had a daughter like you!" Song mother was determined to get what she wanted, still fixated on buying her son a house.
Seeing their aggressive demands, Song Yan's heart turned to ashes.