Chapter 36: Biggest regret
Zhang Mei, responded with a chilling tone. "You useless child! Where were you when your sister was being humiliated? Did you not care about your own family?"
Li Na's roared with fury "I can't always protect Li Jing when she makes foolish decisions, but she made her own choices. I can't control everything!"
Zhang Mei yelled back. "How dare you call my daughter foolish? You're selfish little girl"
Li Na looked directly into her mother's eyes. "Am I not your daughter too? " Li Na's voice quivered with emotion. "Instead of reprimanding Li Jing for her behavior this evening, you're here hurling insults at me. It's almost like you all are obsessed with me, and I truly don't understand it."
With her gaze unwavering. "Answer this honestly, are you really my mother? Because the way I'm being treated makes me question the love and care a mother should provide." Her words hung in the air, heavy.
Zhang Mei walked up to Li Na as she stared down at her, her voice sharp and cold. "Don't you dare question my motherhood! You ungrateful little thing. I clothed and fed you for the past 18 years, and this is the thanks I get. I wish I weren't your mother either. My biggest regret was giving birth to you!" Her words cut through the air like a sharp blade.
Li Jing, who had been listening in on the conversation from the edge of the stairs, couldn't hide her delight. A wicked grin formed on her face.
Even after two lives, Li Na knew that Zhang Mei was hopeless. She'd developed such a hatred over the years that she couldn't tell right from wrong. She was truly hopeless.
Li Na sneered in her heart, wondering why she couldn't have been reborn into a different family. Li Na felt it was time to cleanse her heart of every hurt caused by this mother of her's, which was buried deep within her soul.
"You know what, Zhang Mei? You haven't exactly been the best mother either."
"Your selfishness, ignorance, and unnecessary cruelty have scarred me deeply. I didn't choose to be a part of this dysfunctional family."
"I never wished for a life where I'd be surrounded by snakes, each one vying for their own selfish interests," Li Na continued, "And my biggest regret, Zhang Mei, is being your daughter. You are nothing but an embarrassment to good mothers in the world."
With her head held high, Li Na said, "You will reap what you sow." She walked past her and up the stairs.
Zhang yelled, "Where do you think you're going, you abominable thing?" She staggered and fell as she tried to chase Li Na up the stairs, but all she could do was hurl insults.
Zhang Mei pointed and said to Li Na, "I am your mother, I brought you into the world, and I can take you out of it, do you hear me?"
Huff, huff, huff. Zhang Mei struggled to get to her feet. She shifted her gaze to Li Na's direction with hatred in her eyes.
Li Jing, noticing Li Na walking up the stairs, hurriedly walked to her room.
Li Na slumped down on her bedroom door as soon as she walked in. She thought to herself, "I have to leave this house as soon as possible."
…
The next day, Li Na woke up, freshened up, and left the house early, not wanting to run into anyone. She hailed a cab and went to a café.
As she walked in, she spotted Gong Li already seated. Surprised to see her there early, Li Na approached her and took a seat opposite her, while Gong Li remained engrossed with her phone, seemingly unaware of Li Na's presence.
When Gong Li felt a presence in front of her, she looked up and saw Li Na seated opposite her. A smile graced her lips as she put down her phone. "You're here! How have you been?" she said.
Li Na returned the smile and replied, "Thank you for coming last minute." Gong Li responded warmly, "Anything for you." Li Na nodded appreciatively.
Gong Li smiled at the suggested ordering pancakes and Li Na agreed, "Sounds delicious. Let's give them a try." They placed their order and settled into a conversation.
As they waited, Li Na took a deep breath and began, "I called you here to propose a partnership." Gong Li was slightly taken aback, repeating the word "partnership."
Li Na pressed on, "I'm a jewelry designer myself, and I have a collection ready to launch. I'm currently looking for a distributor, and you seem like a perfect match for what I envision."
Li Na showed Gong Li some sketches of her designs. Gong li was taken aback when she saw it. She wondered how a young girl like Li Na could have such talent.
Gong Li spoke while her gaze was still fixed on the sketch. "These are truly amazing; they seem to have been done by a professional."
Li Na smiled modestly as Gong Li praised her sketches. "Thank you for the compliment," she replied. "I've put a lot of effort into refining my designs and ensuring they stand out. I believe they have the potential to make a significant impact in the market."
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