Chapter 158: It’s Not My Fault, It’s Yours

Chapter 158

"Because I offended a young lady, I was later transferred to the housekeeping department. One day, while delivering items, I happened to go to your mother's room."

"I saw that young lady kneeling in front of your mother, apologizing to her."

Li Jiang's gaze became momentarily unfocused.

The events of the past seemed to be vividly before his eyes.

Wei Wenyu's image was still clearly imprinted in his heart.

For someone from Li Family Village who had recently experienced the disdain of this young lady, this scene was absolutely shocking.

Wei Wenyu was different from the ill-tempered rich young ladies of Jiang City.

She appeared graceful and poised, exuding a true aura of high society.

When she reached out to help the young lady up, she also casually took a bottle of water from Li Jiang's hand, saying "thank you."

There was a sense of effortless elegance about her.

It was a kind of beauty rarely seen in Li Family Village, or even in the town, the city, or even in the lavish Jiang City.

Li Jiang took a deep breath, composing himself, and continued: "They stayed at the Golden Osmanthus Hotel for a while. Your mother would go out alone every other day. It was said she was visiting her mother, your maternal grandmother."

"Your grandmother and grandfather divorced early on, and she had been in poor health, receiving treatment in Jiang City. Your mother would come to Jiang City regularly to visit her. It was because of this that she met your biological father."

"But it might have been better if they hadn't met..."

"One day, a square-faced man came to the hotel and had a big argument with your mother. You probably know who this man is, right?"

"It's Wei Lin."

"They argued in the hotel garden, and I overheard a few words. It was roughly about how she and your father weren't suitable for each other and such. Your mother disagreed, and they parted on bad terms..."

"At that time, I even thought Wei Lin might have feelings for your mother and couldn't bear to see her with someone else."

"Half a month later, your biological father's vacation probably ended, and he left first."

"Your mother left with Wei Lin."

Li Jiang suddenly stopped and asked, "Why are you crying again? Aren't I telling you what you wanted to know?"

Li Xiaoya wiped her tears with an expressionless face.

The more he described her mother's beautiful image from back then, compared to how she was in Li Family Village... the more upset she became.

"I liked your mother very much. I took meticulous care of her and never thought of harming her. I only hoped that one day I could touch her heart. But she was too cold and heartless. I took you both in, helped her hide her whereabouts, avoided her father's search... but she still, always, never saw me." Li Jiang's tone gradually turned cold.

Clearly, Wei Wenyu had never had any feelings for him, which was a great blow to him.

"Your liking was harming her," Li Xiaoya said chokingly.

She felt very sad.

If her mother hadn't wanted to keep her, this child, couldn't she have returned to her grandfather's side much earlier? She wouldn't have had to suffer later on at all.

"Xiaoya, what are you saying?" Li Jiang's expression changed. "You're saying my love was harming her?"

"You took Mom back to Li Family Village, not because you wanted to protect her, but because you wanted Mom's love. You knew she wouldn't adapt there, but you still did it, because you wanted to use the people around to pressure her."

"Xiaoya, what are you saying?"

"You knew what Li Family Village was like, but you still did this... You didn't like Mom, you were a thief. You were like someone who saw a beautiful thing in a shop window and wanted to possess it. That's all you were!"

Li Jiang's face darkened, and he lifted Li Xiaoya from the ground: "Look at you, look at you, why do you have to say these things to anger your father?"

"Then I'll have to tell you... Do you remember when you were little? Once, your mother asked you to make a choice for her."

"Actually, your mother's attitude had already wavered. Because at that time, I often took you horseback riding, and you looked very happy. Your mother might have thought that I could also be a good father to you..."

"But that year, a girl from the neighboring village came to visit relatives. She liked your mother very much and felt that your mother didn't belong here. After talking with your mother, she decided to help contact your mother's family."

"Your mother was very clever. She knew that the power of the clan was irresistible. The villages here all communicated with each other, and the villagers were connected by a strong defense through their shared surname."

"If someone discovered that the girl was passing messages for her, that girl's fate wouldn't be good."

"But in a place like this, it's not easy to find such a kind person. That was an opportunity your mother had been waiting for for a long time."

"Your mother was too conflicted. She needed a bit of courage. You were her courage. You made the choice for her, but unfortunately... you chose wrong."

"That girl was caught by her brother, and later she was married into our village. Somehow, she ended up jumping into the river. Your mother felt it was her fault, she became depressed and fell seriously ill."

"You see, this was actually your fault. You made the wrong choice. That girl died, and your mother died too."

"I never thought your mother would try to run away. I never thought she would do this to me. I was too heartbroken, I was too angry, that's why I left you and left Li Family Village..."

"Everything could have been fine, Xiaoya... Your biological father had disappeared, and I came to take care of you both. I didn't mind that you were someone else's child, I treated you as my own, I was careful and accommodating to her in every way, even the villagers were jealous..."

"But everything was ruined, ruined by that choice you made."

"Xiaoya, how can you blame your father?"