Chapter 423 - Community Service
Xin Qian stepped up and continued, "You're not that close to your son, eh?"
He Susu was lost for words before she answered, "That's only because when I met him, he was already a grown-up. He didn't need a mother at that age."
Xin Qian smiled at her strangely, "You met Xu Mey around the same time you met your son, no?" He Susu was silent and she went on, "Then how come she managed to get all your love and care. Shouldn't you be compensating your son for everything he missed out on? But what are you doing? Instead of actually giving him the reassurance that he has a mother to lean on, you're actually here claiming that he must be in the wrong."
When Xu Mey saw that Xin Qian's words were making He Susu uncomfortable, she stepped up. Although she couldn't deny Xin Qian's words, she wasn't gonna let her speak like this to her mother-in-law.
"And who are you to lecture her?" said Xu Mey fiercely. "At least, she didn't know her son is alive for all those years. But you! You abandoned your own child. So, how are you preaching here with a straight face?"
Xin Qian didn't feel upset at all. She had gotten used to her daughter talking like this with her. And she also realized why she did it, so she didn't get angry at all.
"First, you should learn to be a good mother than try to teach someone else!"
Xin Qian sighed out, "As if you're doing an any better job? In fact, you're actually proving that you're my daughter. You're just as bad at being a mother like me, if not worse."
"You!" Xu Mey was enraged. "Don't compare me with yourself!" Xu Mey was reminded of how Jie had actually compared her with this woman last night as well. That's why she had lost her temper so easily. She still couldn't bring herself to forget that this woman left her, abandoned her! No matter how much she tried to convince herself that it didn't matter. It was that one knot that she couldn't untie!
"I really shouldn't compare you with myself," said Xin Qian. "At least, I had a reason to leave you behind. What's your excuse for abandoning your kids?"
"I'm not you! I'd never abandon my kids! Not for anything!" shouted Xu Mey with red eyes.
"But what you're doing is worse..." Xin Qian had a sad smile on her face as she continued, "In my case, I was completely gone from your world. So, someone could fill my absence. And the women beside you actually did fill my absence. But you..." She looked straight at Xu Mey, "You're actually here, and yet, your kids feel your absence. You're there and yet not there for them. Isn't it crueler? They are neither able to hold on to their mother nor can they let her go."
She looked at everyone in this room one by one as she spoke, "Every person in this room is important to you. They are dear to you. I understand that but why are all these people allowed to speak in your relationship? It's a marriage, not a community service.
"I heard you even have a family chat group on WeChat and that's where you share everything about your family. Please, do tell me, if there is anyone entitled to privacy in your home or not? Why does everyone have to know about everything that goes on in your family? Are you trying to find some kind of sense of accomplishment?
"But aren't you very successful already? A winner at both life, love, and family. Oh, and let's not forget friendship! How cute!" Of course, her tone was sarcastic and everyone could tell that. But no one could utter a word right now.
None of them could find fault with her words. Even Xu Mey couldn't find any way to continue this argument. After all, she also just realized how much she was missing out on.
"This is not how a relationship works," told Xin Qian. "It's a recipe of disaster. You're playing a dangerous game by letting everyone point their finger at your husband. You just asked why they assumed that Jie must have done something wrong. Ask yourself! Who allowed them? Of course, you did. You gave the right to each and every person in this room to step up and say their point regarding your relationship."
"Qian, don't you think you're wrong? We are also her family. We are worried and that's why we are trying to help." Li Man stated looking at Xin Qian who usually wouldn't speak this much.
"But none of you even asked the involved parties whether they needed your help or not? The other person didn't ask for it and yet you're stubbornly offering it. What does that make you?" Xin Qian looked at her own daughter-in-law and said, "But the fault here lies with you as well, Azalea. Before calling your mother to inform her that Xu Mey came home with you, you should have first asked Xu Mey or your brother why she came."
Xu Mey clenched her jaw and took a deep breath as she came to stand before Xin Qian and shouted, "Why are you saying this now? Huh? Isn't it too late for you to try and teach me this? If you're so concerned, you should have stayed in my life back then!" Her nails dug into her palms. "I was momentarily muddleheaded and left the home, what about you?"
"If you can be momentarily muddleheaded, why can't she be manipulated?"
Everyone's attention shifted towards the door where Jun Li Na stood with a furious look on her face.
"But just because she left you, are you trying to take revenge on your kids now?"
She entered the house with a solemn look and right behind her Wu Wang also ran inside. Although he left earlier, he got stuck in traffic and somehow Jun Li Na came before him.