Chapter 74: Some Walls Must Be Hit

At those words, the matriarch of the Shen family immediately stepped forward and took Liu Ruyan’s hand.

“Lady Ye, what are you saying? She’s just a child, she doesn’t understand a thing. You don’t need to take her seriously.”

Liu Ruyan remained still, creating a deadlock between the two sides. After all, Qin Miao was seated right beside the matriarch, and her position there clearly signified her allegiance. Liu Ruyan’s reaction was nothing more than an open expression of her dissatisfaction with the matriarch, using Qin Miao as a pretext.

This only made everyone else all the more curious: what could have driven her to such lengths?

Ye Yaoyao silently munched on her fruit, giving Liu Ruyan a mental thumbs up.

Well done!

Only by putting both the matriarch and Qin Miao in an awkward position could their arrogance be curbed in the future.

Head lowered in secret satisfaction, Ye Yaoyao sensed Shen Yan’s gaze and shot him a fierce glare.

What?

Was it wrong for her to feel pleased?

If it weren’t for Shen Yan, would any of this have happened?

He still had the nerve to look at her.

With that thought, Ye Yaoyao rolled her eyes discreetly, only to hear her name called the next moment.

“Yaoyao.”

“Eh? What is it?” Ye Yaoyao felt like a student caught daydreaming in class.

“Lady Ye, I think Yaoyao is a fine choice. Didn’t you say you wanted a goddaughter? She’s perfect,” the matriarch forced a smile.

Who knew what stroke of luck had landed this girl in Lady Ye’s favor?

Unfortunately, her relationship with the girl was at an awkward impasse.

Now, with both Ye Yaoyao and Qin Miao brought to the forefront, everyone’s eyes fell on Ye Yaoyao. Comparing the two, it became clear to all that Shen Yan had poor taste.

Anyone with eyes could see who the better choice was. Yet Shen Yan still hesitated?

Liu Ruyan, having achieved her goal, smiled genuinely.

“The matriarch understands me best. She knows how much I like Yaoyao.”

She looked at Ye Yaoyao, her gaze complicated, her face all smiles, while inside she wanted nothing more than to overturn the table.

This foolish Shen family—so blind and ungrateful toward the precious daughter she cherished.

With the matriarch in charge, it was no wonder the family’s fortunes were declining.

As for Ye Yaoyao’s hidden parentage, Liu Ruyan cared only for her daughter’s happiness.

“So your name is Yaoyao? What a lovely name.”

With a slightly stiff expression, Liu Ruyan spoke, “From now on, you are my daughter. Would you be willing to call me ‘Mother’?”

Good heavens, the embarrassment made Ye Yaoyao’s toes curl so hard she could have dug a hole in the floor.

“Thank you for your kind offer, Lady Ye, but that won’t be necessary. I’m not in the habit of casually accepting godmothers,” Ye Yaoyao declined.

There was no need.

If, with the matriarch’s attitude, she learned that Ye Yaoyao could now connect with the Ye family, who knew how much trouble she would bring?

A peaceful life was the greatest joy. Ye Yaoyao had no intention of trading her future tranquility for a moment’s satisfaction.

Liu Ruyan was very pleased with her reply.

It seemed Yaoyao had behaved herself all these years, never acknowledging any dubious relatives.

Yaoyao’s mother could only be herself! Not even a godmother would do.

The rest, however, looked at Ye Yaoyao with newfound admiration. Her refusal was unexpected.

Online gossip claimed Ye Yaoyao had grown up in an orphanage, and that the Shen family bullied her because of it.

Becoming the Ye matriarch’s goddaughter was her best chance at a better life, yet she had refused?

Why?

Qin Miao clenched her fists, nails digging into her flesh, glaring at Ye Yaoyao with indignation.

Why was it that everything she coveted, Ye Yaoyao could obtain with such ease?

Afraid that Liu Ruyan would take offense, the matriarch hurried to smooth things over. “Child, what are you saying? Being chosen by Lady Ye is a blessing.”

“Being born from her womb would be a greater one,” Ye Yaoyao retorted, unable to stand the matriarch’s insincere flattery. “Besides, I’m an adult and make my own decisions. The matriarch of the Shen family has nothing to do with me, so please don’t presume to speak for me.”

Satisfying!

Liu Ruyan rejoiced inwardly—this was how you put someone in their place.

At this moment, the others seemed to understand why Liu Ruyan favored Ye Yaoyao.

Both women were forthright, speaking their minds, unlike Qin Miao who always spoke in riddles.

With that, Ye Yaoyao lowered her head to eat, leaving the matriarch alone in her embarrassment.

The banquet continued in an awkward atmosphere.

After the meal came the time for casual conversation.

Because of the earlier scene at the table, everyone kept sneaking glances at Ye Yaoyao and Liu Ruyan as they chatted.

Liu Ruyan pulled Ye Yaoyao into a corner, grumbling in a low voice, “Yaoyao, these people are all blind fools who have no taste. Come home with me, and never have anything to do with the Shen family again.”

She dared not imagine how much worse things would be behind closed doors if Qin Miao and the matriarch could be so domineering in public.

How much had her daughter suffered among Shen Yan’s people?

“It’s all in the past. Besides, don’t I have you to back me up?” Ye Yaoyao wanted to act spoiled, but restrained herself in case anyone saw.

“Why didn’t you acknowledge me just now?”

“It would have been a hassle.”

Then she changed the subject. “Mom, didn’t you say you weren’t coming? Why did you suddenly show up?”

“I heard you were here, so I came just to support you,” Liu Ruyan sighed. “I couldn’t bear to see you bullied.”

“No one can bully me. I noticed you barely ate just now.”

“With this crowd, I couldn’t stomach a thing,” Liu Ruyan said disdainfully.

“Then remember to eat when we get home.”

“You’re coming home with me,” Liu Ruyan insisted.

That was why she came looking for Ye Yaoyao as soon as the crowd dispersed.

These people had wicked minds. If she’d acted cold toward Ye Yaoyao after being refused at the table, they would have gotten clever ideas, thinking she resented her daughter and using it as an excuse to play tricks behind her back—claiming it was all for her good.

Idiots, the lot of them!

“Alright,” Ye Yaoyao conceded.

“We’ll leave now,” Liu Ruyan pressed her advantage.

“Fine,” Ye Yaoyao replied with a doting smile.

Liu Ruyan took Ye Yaoyao’s arm and went to bid farewell to the matriarch.

“Madam, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving. We have things to attend to,” she said.

“You’re leaving already?” The matriarch was reluctant. “Lady Ye, you rarely come out. Stay a little longer, won’t you?”

“No. There are too many people here. I prefer peace and quiet.”

With those words, Liu Ruyan led Ye Yaoyao away, giving the matriarch no chance to persuade them otherwise.

Once they were gone and seated in the car, Ye Yaoyao immediately threw herself into Liu Ruyan’s arms. “Mom, I’m so happy to see you.”

“I can’t say the same. Moments ago, I wanted nothing more than to flip that table,” Liu Ruyan sighed heavily. “But it’s alright. Some walls must be hit to wake us up.”