"Jingxiu, can we really not go back to how we were? You know I love you. We grew up together, went to school together. Everyone envied our fairytale love back then. How could you just leave me like this?" Tang Yaqi cried, unable to accept this outcome. She had endured all sorts of hardships to return, only to face this.
"I'm sorry, Yaqi. I can't lie to myself. The truth is, I never loved you that much before. We just grew up together, went to school together, and looked good as a couple. Everyone thought we were a golden couple, destined to be together. I didn't have anyone I loved deeply back then, so I just went along with it. But thinking back now, being with you was probably just about my vanity..."
"No, stop talking. I don't believe you. That's impossible! You've fallen for someone else now, so you're using this as an excuse, aren't you? Jingxiu Ge, don't be so cruel to me." Tang Yaqi couldn't bear to listen any longer and interrupted him emotionally.
"Yaqi, I'm sorry. I don't want to deceive myself anymore. It's better for everyone if we clear things up. If I don't make it clear to you, I'm afraid you'll never move on. You're a good woman, and you deserve to find your own happiness."
"You... have you really made up your mind? Do I... really have no chance at all?" Tang Yaqi looked at him with a heartbroken expression.
"Mhm. Tell me whatever you need, and I'll fulfill it. As for love, I can't give it anymore. For the rest of my life, my love belongs only to Jiang Mi and our daughter, Jiang Mianmian." Jiang Jingxiu stated, his words decisive and firm.
Tang Yaqi looked at the man before her, his gaze unwavering. When he spoke of himself, there was no flicker of emotion in his eyes, but when he mentioned Jiang Mi and their daughter, his eyes were filled with tenderness. Tang Yaqi knew that no matter how hard she tried, she could never win back this man's love. Even if she used some tricks to sow discord between him and Jiang Mi, what would be the point?
"Jingxiu Ge, since you've said it, I won't pester you anymore. But my feelings for you are truly hard to let go of. Can I consider you my brother? Don't worry, a real brother. I absolutely won't do anything that might cause Jiang Mi and Mianmian to misunderstand." Tang Yaqi wasn't foolish. She had already considered the consequences.
Jiang Jingxiu nodded, "Of course. I'll treat you like a sister too."
"Jingxiu Ge, you know my current situation. I've been away from the Tang family for a long time, and there's no longer a place for me there. My father's mistress has now given birth to a son. Even if I return to the Tang family, I'll have nothing. But I'm not reconciled. I want to reclaim everything that belongs to me!" Tang Yaqi was indeed foolish in the past, but after experiencing life and death, she was no longer the naive, sweet girl she once was. She knew clearly what she wanted, and even more clearly, she now needed to reclaim her own possessions, not some deceitful love.
Everything in the Tang family rightfully belonged to her. It was because of her carelessness that she fell into a trap, was almost killed, and had everything taken away from her. She was determined to get back everything that belonged to her.
"That's easy. It's only right. I'll go to the old family home first to make arrangements. Once everything is settled, you can go back. But Yaqi, I must remind you, I can help you for a while, but I can't help you forever. If you truly want to reclaim what's yours, it's not difficult. The hard part is being able to keep it, and that's where your own true abilities lie. After I help you achieve your wish, I won't have any further involvement with you. I don't want my wife and children to be unhappy."