Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Back Then
When Xiao Li was speaking, Mr. Wen unwittingly let tears fall from the corners of his eyes...
Upon hearing Xiao Li’s question, he picked up a handkerchief, wiped his tears, and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Xiao Li softly spoke: "Since you have listened, can I ask you to help me unravel the doubts that have lingered in my heart for years?
I want to know about my mother’s life in the Wen Family, and also what happened between her and the Wen Family back then.
Why did you not contact us for decades?
My mother never contacted you either, and even when she passed away, she didn’t inform you...
Why did the Wen Family’s main branch target me?
I am just an outsider. If they were simply vying for power with you, targeting me wouldn’t be effective!
I don’t understand why the Wen Family’s conflict reached me."
After asking this question, Xiao Li looked directly at Mr. Wen.
Mr. Wen didn’t answer immediately, he was silent for a long time, finally closing his eyes as if reminiscing.
After a long time, he opened his eyes and slowly began to speak...
"When your mother was born, both I and your grandmother were so happy we couldn’t even describe it.
Having had two unruly sons before, finally came a tender little daughter.
The joy was indescribable.
Your mother was very sensible from a young age; her personality was much like your grandmother’s, gentle yet resilient.
Your mother grew up day by day, and by the time she was eighteen, she was a graceful young lady.
During that time, your grandmother took her to arrange flowers and taste tea, living a very pleasant life.
But this pleasant life ended completely on your mother’s nineteenth birthday.
Because on her birthday, the Wen Family’s main branch announced that they had decided to arrange a marriage with the Fang Family.
The marriage partner was to be your mother and the third master of the Fang Family.
The third master of the Fang Family was a gambler and a drunkard, and the Wen Family’s main branch clearly intended to throw your mother into a pit of fire. How could I agree?
But the Wen Family has always had rules, where the person in power has the right to decide the marriage of the family’s girls.
I could not agree, but could not change the marriage arrangement.
Upon knowing this, your grandmother cried for days, but your mother did not cry or make a fuss, going about her usual activities...
Attending classes as usual, returning home to accompany your grandmother as usual.
Actually, I know why your mother didn’t cry or fuss, because at that time the second branch was really weak.
Crying and causing a fuss wouldn’t change anything, so she chose not to do it, thereby saving some energy.
After that birthday banquet, the atmosphere at home changed.
As your mother grew older, the more anxious your grandmother became.
Initially, when the Fang Family wanted to move up the wedding date, your grandmother delayed it by saying your mother was still young.
At that time, the Bai Family still had influence in B City; the Bai Family was your grandmother’s maternal family, once a hidden prominent family in Jiangnan, but moved abroad last century.
Even though they went abroad, their status in China was still significant, and with your grandmother speaking out, the Wen Family’s main branch didn’t dare to push too hard.
After all, marrying was inevitable, it was merely a matter of early marriage or late marriage.
So, your mother stayed at home for two more years, until news of a civil war within the Bai Family abroad reached home, even your grandmother couldn’t protect your mother anymore.
The Wen Family’s main branch quickly scheduled the marriage date with the Fang Family.
But at that time, your mother, who had not cried or fussed before, suddenly fought fiercely against it.
Your mother even thought about ending herself to avoid marrying into the Fang Family.
Your grandmother saw your mother’s intense reaction and sensed that something must be going on.
After observing closely and having heart-to-heart talks, your grandmother finally found out about your mother and your father’s relationship.
Yet at that time, your father was just a young man, how could he compete against the Wen Family or Fang Family for someone?
But your mother had already found her beloved at that time, and she absolutely refused to marry into the Fang Family.
Your grandmother felt for your mother and helped her secretly escape from the Wen Family and run away with your father.
All these years, we have feared revealing your mother’s whereabouts, so we never contacted you.
Your mother never contacted us, probably considering this point as well.
As for why the main branch is targeting you, it’s likely because they know you are your mother’s child.
Back then when your mother ran away from the marriage, the Fang Family demanded an explanation, and the Wen Family’s main branch was troubled by it for a while.
Now that your mother is gone, the Wen Family’s main branch couldn’t do anything to her, so they’re taking it out on you.
These are the things you wanted to know."
After hearing Mr. Wen’s words, Xiao Li and Qin Xiao gave him a deep look and then stood up, "Thank you, sir, for clarifying things for me. We’ve disturbed you for a long time today, you should rest now. We’ll leave first."
After saying this, Xiao Li gave a slight bow and turned to leave with Qin Xiao.
Seeing this, Mr. Wen hurriedly called out to her, "Child... you... still refuse to accept us?"
Xiao Li stopped in her tracks, "The matters of the past remain unclear, I don’t know exactly what my mother went through.
Whether I should accept you, I’ll decide after investigating the events of the past!"
After saying this, Xiao Li and Qin Xiao held hands and opened the door to leave.
In the living room, Wen Jiliang and the others thought she had finished conversing with Mr. Wen, Xu Hanzhi warmly began, "Xiao Li, done talking.
It’s almost lunchtime, stay for a meal at home!"
Xiao Li smiled slightly, "Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Wen, but we’ve been out a bit too long today, and the children at home are waiting.
We shouldn’t disturb further, pardon us."
After saying this, Xiao Li and Qin Xiao walked away, leaving everyone bewildered by their actions.
Standing closest to the door, Wen Zelin instinctively stepped in front of them to block, "Hold on..."
Qin Xiao cast a cold glance at Wen Zelin, "Is Wen Third Young Master trying to detain us, not letting us go?"
Caught by Qin Xiao’s look, Wen Zelin suddenly felt a chill rise.
Clearly, he was the most likely to become the next person in power in the Wen Home, managing many companies under him and had been in high positions for many years.
Yet unexpectedly, just from being looked at by Qin Xiao, he felt somewhat defeated.
How could this be possible?
Wen Zelin composed himself, saying, "That’s not what I mean, I just feel we might have unfinished talks, could we chat more..."
Xiao Li smiled, "We’ve finished all we needed to talk about, we really should be going."
Hearing Xiao Li’s words and realizing further blocking was pointless, Wen Zelin stepped aside to let them through.
As Qin Xiao and Xiao Li walked away, Wen Jishan and Wen Jiliang immediately entered Mr. Wen’s room.
"Dad, what just happened? What transpired just now?"
Mr. Wen shook his head, "The child wants to know about your young sister leaving the Wen Family, but I can’t speak of it!"