Chapter 480 - 420: Lofty Ideal
Chapter 480: Chapter 420: Lofty Ideal
Xiao Man said to Yang Liu’er, "Since you were able to persuade Luo Chunxiang to get a divorce, why are you still thinking about marrying Bai Junfan?"
Yang Liu’er paused and sighed. "We’re a bit different, aren’t we? In my previous life, at least Brother Jun Fan lived with me when he came home. He would discuss things with me and even saved up some private money for me to buy nice things. But Luo Chunxiang had it so much worse. Even though I was at the Bai family home back then sharing the workload so she wasn’t as exhausted, her life was even harder because no one paid her any attention. Bai Lihua didn’t treat her as his wife, and Bai Qingyue and Wu... they constantly ganged up on and belittled her. Even Shun Ma found ways to torment her. Back then, she still had a bit of fight in her and would refuse to eat, locking herself in her room all day. She literally made herself sick from bottling it all up, and she died just a few days after being hospitalized. After she died, she was taken directly to a funeral home, secretly cremated, and that was it. There was no ceremony at all. Looking at her now, I’m afraid she isn’t far from death either."
"Bai Lihua is a bad man, but how much better is Bai Junfan? If he truly cherished you, would he have tolerated you being bullied relentlessly by the Bai family, only to die at the hands of Tang Yaxuan in the end? Your experience and Luo Chunxiang’s are fundamentally the same. Don’t deny it."
Yang Liu’er walked with her head down. After a long moment, she looked up, her eyes filled with confusion. "I understand perfectly well in my heart. Everything you said is right, but... I just can’t let go of Brother Jun Fan. I’m sorry."
Xiao Man smiled. "You’re apologizing to me? There’s no need. I’m just an observer, offering my opinion. I have absolutely no intention of interfering in your life or changing your path."
Yang Liu’er nodded, trying to thoroughly explain her own actions and Luo Chunxiang’s. "Actually, in my previous life, the reason I stayed so stubbornly at the Bai Mansion wasn’t just because of Brother Jun Fan, but also because I had a son. It’s the same for Luo Chunxiang now. She might have given up all hope in Bai Lihua, but her three children are her own flesh and blood. She couldn’t bear to leave them even if it killed her! Yes, that’s the reason! Don’t think of us as fools. Any mother can become incredibly fierce for her children!"
"You’re the one who said that; I never called you fools, so don’t go accusing me. As for that Luo Chunxiang, her complexion looks terrible. I suspect there’s already something wrong with her health. When you have a moment, give her a call. Tell her to go to the traditional Chinese medicine department at the Ren De Hospital, which the Sun Family opened, after the winter break is over. I’ll be starting my practice there next semester. I can give her some acupuncture and prescribe some nourishing remedies to help her body recover."
"Really? The famous doctor is finally making her debut? That’s wonderful! Let me thank you on behalf of Aunt Chunxiang first!" Yang Liu’er’s mood brightened, and she exclaimed with delight.
Xiao Man shot her a look. "Are you trying to get me in trouble by shouting like that? What famous doctor? The members of the Sun Family are the real famous doctors. I’ll just be an intern there."
"I know, I know! Wow, the Sun Family opened a hospital? They’re so rich! It’s true that money makes money, growing bigger and bigger like a snowball... Huh? I remember now! De Ren Hospital, the Sun Family? It really is them! In my past life, they were incredible. They opened so many hospitals! Near our... ah, near the Bai Mansion, there was a Sun’s Hospital and a pharmaceutical company. The quality and effectiveness of their medicines were excellent. When people went to the pharmacy, if they could buy the Sun Family’s medicine, they wouldn’t choose any other brand!"
"Are they really that good?"
"Of course! Why would I lie to you? So, their business is only just beginning now." Thinking of her own future clothing company, Yang Liu’er felt a sudden rush of excitement, and her face flushed red. "The Sun Family is just getting started, so I have to work hard too! In a few decades, I’ll become a tycoon that people look up to, just like them!"
Xiao Man couldn’t help but laugh. "Such lofty ambitions, but your philosophy is on a completely different level from theirs. The Sun Family doesn’t practice medicine and produce pharmaceuticals just to make money. First and foremost, they are following their ancestral teachings to practice medicine with a benevolent heart and help the people. And it’s not like you said, that they’re just starting their medical enterprise now. Their medical heritage has been passed down for seven or eight hundred years. They have been doctors for generations, benefiting the common people. The Imperial Doctor Sun I met lived to be ninety-seven."
Yang Liu’er was in awe, but after a moment, she said gleefully, "You can’t say my philosophy is on a lower level. Making clothes is pretty much the same as making medicine and practicing as a doctor. They treat illnesses and save people, and I beautify people’s lives. We’re both doing good deeds and serving the people!"
Xiao Man: "..."
’I’m speechless. Defeated by her specious argument.’
The two took a car to the Sun Mansion. It was still early, but there were other early guests like them scattered about the main hall, being entertained by members of the Sun family.
The star of the evening, Second Miss Sun, Sun Meirong, came over to greet them politely and enthusiastically before excusing herself. She still had some preparations to finish and was quite busy.
Sun Yiming hurried over upon hearing of their arrival, smiling at Xiao Man. "Did something happen? I can’t believe you’re actually early!"
Xiao Man looked speechlessly at Yang Liu’er. ’It’s all this woman’s fault. She acted as if she was afraid they would change their minds and not let her come to the party, insisting they leave immediately. In her frantic rush, I didn’t even pay attention to the time, and so we ended up arriving early.’
As they were talking, Sun Yinong also came over. Xiao Man introduced Yang Liu’er, and then Sun Yiming pulled Xiao Man away to give her a tour of the newly purchased house, with Sun Yinong and Yang Liu’er following behind.
Xiao Man had been to the old Sun family residence, which, while quaint and antique, seemed a bit dated. This newly purchased mansion wasn’t brand new either, but its European-style architecture was very sturdy. A fresh coat of paint and some renovations had given it a completely new look. The two-story building was stylish inside and out, and its spacious, bright living room was perfect for hosting banquets and parties. This was likely why the younger generation of the Sun family had taken a liking to it and snatched it up. Above the living room, a beautiful, multi-tiered, giant crystal chandelier shone brilliantly.
The number of guests gradually increased, and Sun Meirong was getting overwhelmed. She sent someone to call Sun Yiming and Sun Yinong over to help greet people. Sun Yiming, knowing Xiao Man’s personality, didn’t ask her to help. He just told her and Yang Liu’er to go have fun and get something to eat. The Sun brothers were strikingly handsome and elegant, deeply admired by the young ladies present. Once they were caught in that crowd, it would be difficult for them to escape.
Xiao Man and Yang Liu’er each got a glass of juice and wandered around together, looking at the other guests’ clothes and accessories. Yang Liu’er was like someone possessed, chattering nonstop about fashion design. ’I don’t want to reveal that I’m also a reincarnator,’ Xiao Man thought, so she just listened quietly to the prattling. ’Even though I know all about future fashion trends, I can’t just blurt them out.’ She decided to let Yang Liu’er figure things out on her own.
It was a birthday party for a young person, so naturally, the invited guests were all young men and women of similar ages. Many of them knew Xiao Man. Even when the two of them walked to a more secluded side veranda, they still ran into acquaintances or familiar faces, exchanging greetings and making small talk to pass the time.
When they returned to the living room, they saw even more familiar people. Pang Xiaoji, Cheng Yaji, and a few others surrounded them, looking at Yang Liu’er curiously and asking who she was. Jun Rui stood with a few other young men not far away, glancing over from time to time. Xiao Man deliberately avoided his gaze. After the incident with Jun Ran, the only ones who maintained contact between their two families were the two old grandfathers, and even they only played chess and discussed superficial matters. All other interactions had basically ceased.
Therefore, Jun Rui and Xiao Man hadn’t seen each other in a long time. It wasn’t for lack of opportunity, of course. Whenever their peers in their social circle organized a gathering, Xiao Man would deliberately make sure to be absent.
’I know Jun Rui is different from Jun Ran, but there’s no denying they’re brother and sister. We definitely can’t face each other happily, so why even bother?’