Because they wanted to test the kitchen, there were ingredients and seasonings, and Shen Jingshu, feeling bored sitting alone, also went to the kitchen. Watching Ye Qiu skillfully chop vegetables and wash pots, she couldn’t help but fall into silence.
It turned out that the real Shen Family daughter she envied and was jealous of wasn’t soone who couldn’t do anything, but rather soone who could endure hardship better than her.
"When did you learn to cook?" she asked softly.
"I think it was when I was six. Our family was quite poor at the ti. Mom and Dad went to pay the grain and ca back late, Grandma was sick and couldn’t get out of bed. Big brother said he was hungry, so I went and cooked, didn’t expect to like it right away, and it turned out pretty good. You can taste it later." Ye Qiu spoke lightly, but Shen Jingshu could sense the hardships she went through at that ti. She also realized that Ye Qiu hadn’t always grown up being pampered and spoiled; she faced hardship during her childhood too.
"Have you ever blad them? For not earnestly searching for you after you were lost?" In the end, she still asked this question.
"Nothing to bla." Ye Qiu answered openly while stir-frying, "Grandma, Mom and Dad, and brother all love . eting them is the luckiest thing in my life."
Shen Jingshu could tell that Ye Qiu genuinely loved her family. Her tone revealed the closeness between them, unlike herself, where there always seed to be a barrier, never daring to take a wrong step or act recklessly.
"Aside from emotional matters, you seem to have other concerns?" Ye Qiu asked. She wasn’t one to ddle, especially when it ca to Shen Jingshu, whether intentionally or unintentionally hurting "her" in the past life. But this life’s task was not to seek revenge or hurt anyone, so she asked anyway.
With Ye Qiu’s words, Shen Jingshu seed to find an outlet for her emotions. She chuckled bitterly and said, "I knew from a young age that I grew up in an orphanage. Dad adopted back to fool Mom into taking your place. Although Mom and Dad’s love for is sincere, I never dared to have my own thoughts from start to finish. I studied violin, practiced dance, aid to be first, like a puppet, being the obedient daughter."
"Do you hate them?"
Hate?
Shen Jingshu shook her head. She didn’t hate them because she knew everything she had was given by the Shen Family. Without them, she’d be a nobody, an orphan. And eventually, she did truly enjoy the violin, didn’t she? Their expectations for her were for her own good.
Thinking about this, Shen Jingshu’s recent dissatisfaction with the Shen Family seed to dissipate sowhat.
"Do you hate that they forced you and Shen Jing’an apart?"
Shen Jingshu remained silent this ti. Despite constantly reminding herself she had no right to resent, she still felt unwilling. If they loved , why couldn’t they love a little more? Were they so afraid I’d ruin their reputation or their son? As an orphan, am I only a thing for them to manipulate, truly unable to have other emotions?
"It seems you have so resentnt, but you also feel you have no right to hate them, isn’t that right?"
Shen Jingshu felt a bit embarrassed by Ye Qiu’s straightforwardness, even wanting to escape.
"Would you like to hear my suggestion?"
"Alright."
"Let guess, my biological parents asked you to go abroad to separate you two, to calm down and carefully think about your feelings."
"Yes."
"Do you feel hurt by their actions? Because you’re the adopted daughter, so it was you who left, not Shen Jing’an, right?"
Shen Jingshu said nothing, as Ye Qiu’s words struck a chord in her heart.
"I understand your grievances. Growing up in the Shen Family already included pressure; now I’ve returned, and everyone isn’t paying as much attention to you, so feeling the contrast is normal."
"I didn’t, I’m not jealous of you."
Ye Qiu shook her head: "I’m not saying you’re jealous of . I’m saying changes in identity always co with rumors, even if you’re prepared ntally, still it’s impacting. Then Song Tianji says he’s not going to marry you, that he likes , you’d naturally feel more indignant, thinking everyone is snobbish, looking down on you as a foster daughter."
Ye Qiu saw her embarrassed expression and continued: "Then Shen Jing’an tells Mom and Dad he likes you, and they’re shocked, certainly strongly opposing, even using forceful thods. I guess it was Shen Jing’an who revealed your relationship, right?"
"How do you know?"
"Because you’re scared, afraid of disappointing Mom and Dad, fearing what they’d think of you. But Shen Jing’an isn’t afraid as he’s the heir, regardless of the situation, they wouldn’t abandon him. So he acted boldly, revealing your love seed brave but it hard you and Mom and Dad."
Ye Qiu washed the pot, moving on to the next dish: "He loves you deeply but was too reckless. In your grievance, did you consider Mom and Dad’s feelings? They always regarded you as their own daughter. Son and daughter falling in love, even without blood relation, seed to violate ethical norms from their perspective, naturally, their first reaction was opposition. That’s why I don’t think there’s anything wrong with temporarily separating you two."
"So, are we wrong?"
"There’s no right or wrong in matters of emotion. Two people loving each other isn’t wrong, but your identities make it hard to accept."
Shen Jingshu said dejectedly: "Even you think we should end this relationship, right?"
"If you truly love each other sincerely, then no matter what challenges co in the future, you’ll face them together. I wish you both well. I just think the way and timing you chose to tell Mom and Dad were wrong. If gradual, if you were both older and considered mature by others, maybe they’d oppose but not as intensely."
"I understand now, thank you. Hearing your words makes feel ashad." Shen Jingshu felt relieved, the gloom in her eyes completely faded away.
"It’s best if you could understand. Going abroad isn’t a bad thing; I’ve heard your violin performance, it’s very good. You’re truly wasted in C University."
"Thank you for the complint." Shen Jingshu’s eyes brightened, no longer gloomy or cold, as if she viewed Ye Qiu as a best friend, sowhat dependent.
Ye Qiu opened her mouth but didn’t reject her goodwill, feeling awkward since she didn’t really want to beco good friends with Shen Jingshu.
"Try it, the flavor shouldn’t disappoint."
Shen Jingshu looked at the dish full of color, aroma, and taste, picked up a piece with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, the brightness in her eyes deepened, happily curving her lips, sincerely exclaid: "It’s delicious, I’ve never had such tasty food!"
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