Night had fallen.
Two figures ambled slowly towards the summit of Shouyang Mountain in the darkness, appearing to anyone who didn't know better like two lonely spirits.
"Old woman, for such a long walk, why wouldn't you let me drive?"
"If we walk up, my old back will break!"
Min Ziqiong's father supported his waist, complaining with dissatisfaction.
Min Ziqiong's mother shot him a sidelong glance, "Your back wasn't great even when you were young; it has nothing to do with walking a bit more now."
"Besides, this isn't the first time you've walked this road. You've been here twice before, and I didn't hear you complain about being tired then!"
Min Ziqiong's father's face flushed red, "I just don't understand! Why walk when we can drive?"
"Hmph, how could a blockhead like you understand? This is what I call a bitter ploy!" Min Ziqiong's mother snorted.
"Think about it, we had such a terrible falling out with Xiao Qiong. We even united with the clan to make it so she couldn't find a job. We thought we'd watch her suffer, but we never expected her to create a Life Essence Liquid, and a world first at that."
"In this situation, if it were you, would you agree to reconcile?"
Min Ziqiong's father sighed, "Certainly not! What we did before was too much. Especially you, you're her mother after all, and the things you said back then were so harsh, even I couldn't stand it..."
"Shut up!"
Min Ziqiong's mother wished she could slap Min Ziqiong's father.
"A Monday morning quarterback, what's the use! Why didn't you try to persuade me back then? Or if you had the guts, you could have secretly given Xiao Qiong some money behind my back, leaving yourself an escape route! Now, the escape route is completely blocked, and the only thing we can do is use the method of walking up the mountain to feign helplessness and play the emotional card."
"Hurry up! The faster we walk, the better, the more tired the better. Ideally, we'll collapse the moment we get in front of Xiao Qiong, looking like we don't have much time left! That way, Xiao Qiong will soften her heart and be willing to agree to our requests."
Min Ziqiong's father suddenly understood, "Old woman, so that was your plan! Alas, you should have said so earlier! This is a good idea; Xiao Qiong is soft-hearted, it will surely work!"
With that, the two picked up their pace and headed towards the summit.
A dozen minutes later, they appeared at the summit, panting.
Their backs were soaked with sweat, and the night wind at the summit caused them to shiver instantly.
The mountain wind in autumn carried a chill, and it was easy to catch a cold at this time.
However, Min Ziqiong's parents paid no mind, even wanting to intentionally catch a cold to better play the victim in front of Min Ziqiong later.
"Xiao Qiong! Xiao Qiong, are you home?"
"We've come to see you!"
"Xiao Qiong, open the door. I know you still resent us, but we couldn't help it! We were under immense pressure from the clan at the time, and we had to take this step to protect our family. As long as our family doesn't fall, we can secretly support you later, and you won't starve..."
"Xiao Qiong, it's okay if you don't want to see us. But at least let us see Nannan. Nannan is still young, and you don't want her to experience the desolation of human relationships at such a young age, making her sever ties with her own maternal grandparents?"
"Xiao Qiong, Mom and Dad apologize to you. How much longer can we old folks live? Even if you're angry, you can't be angry forever, right? We're afraid... afraid that you'll be angry and then we'll never see you again!"
After saying this, Min Ziqiong's mother forcibly squeezed out a few tears, her face filled with sadness.
Min Ziqiong's father chimed in, "The tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease; the son wishes to nourish, but his parents are not there. There is no greater sorrow in this world than this. Xiao Qiong, you must not wait until you lose them to regret it! Listen to Dad's advice, open the door!"
Finally, after Min Ziqiong's parents wailed for a full half hour, Min Ziqiong emerged from the villa.
Seeing their daughter appear, Min Ziqiong's parents couldn't have been happier.
They exchanged a knowing glance.
This meant they had succeeded halfway!
They weren't afraid of Min Ziqiong refusing, they were afraid of her not coming out!
As long as she came out, they were fully confident that their superb acting skills would convince Min Ziqiong!
"Xiao Qiong, Mom and Dad knew you wouldn't be so heartless. Mom and Dad knew you still cared about us..."
Min Ziqiong walked to the villa door with a pale face, but showed no intention of opening it.
"Don't misunderstand, I just don't want you to disturb Nannan and Mr. Ying while they're sleeping."
"It has nothing to do with anything else."
"Besides, didn't you already kick me out of the family and announce our severed relationship in the newspaper? Why are you still calling yourselves Mom and Dad?"
"Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call you Mr. Min and Ms. Min?"
Min Ziqiong's parents were stunned.
They could hardly believe their eyes.
Was this aggressive, overbearing woman before them still their daughter?
Her daughter had always been meek and submissive, never hitting back or retaliating with insults.
"Xiao Qiong, what's wrong with you?"
"Xiao Qiong, are you having psychological problems? I know a very famous psychologist, do you want me to contact them for you? Mom is telling you, psychological problems should never be ignored, they can easily develop into major issues!"
In the past, faced with such concern from her parents, Min Ziqiong might have been moved to tears.
But now, having completely let go of the "burden of guilt" towards her parents, Min Ziqiong, no longer viewing her parents with guilt, suddenly realized how hypocritical and artificial their words were.
What should have been words of warm care, coming from their mouths, carried a nauseating scent!
Min Ziqiong did not engage with her parents' words, but coldly inquired, "You two came late at night, is there something you need?"
"If it's a personal matter, since we've severed our relationship, there are no more personal matters between us."
"If it's a business matter, then we'll discuss it after eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
"It's getting late, I need to sleep."
With that, Min Ziqiong turned and walked away.
Min Ziqiong's parents were dumbfounded.
This was not how they had imagined it.
They had imagined that a few kind words would move Min Ziqiong, she would soften her heart, and then would happily invite them in, pour them tea, and entertain them handsomely.
As for the cooperation, they wouldn't even need to bring it up.
Min Ziqiong herself would, out of "filial piety," insist on cooperating with them.
But now, Min Ziqiong was like a changed person!
She had become so strange, so distant!
So unrecognizable to them!
"Xiao Qiong, how can you speak to us like that? We are your parents!"
"Even if we did something wrong before, you shouldn't treat us like this! Your parents gave birth to you and raised you, even if there are no merits, there are hardships, right? Think about it, is your attitude appropriate?"
Min Ziqiong's mother said with disbelief.
Min Ziqiong heard this and abruptly turned around.
Her lips parted, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn't.
At this moment, a voice sounded slowly, "She's too soft-hearted to say it, so I'll say it for her."
"A tree without bark will surely die;
A person without shame is invincible in the world!"