Chapter 123: Returning to the Liang Family

"Are you trying to ask me to clean up Liang Siquan’s mess again?" Liang Siquan’s voice remained unchanged, despite the seemingly warm words from his mother on the other end of the line.

Liang’s mother immediately protested, "Of course not. The last time we asked for your help, it was just because family should help each other out when they can. We realized that afterward, so we haven’t asked for your help again, have we?"

Only then did Liang Siyuan’s expression soften a little.

Half a year ago, the shortcomings of Liang Siquan’s earlier decisions became increasingly evident. No one else in the Liang family had the ability to save the situation. When it became clear that the family business was in dire straits, they thought of Liang Siyuan.

But what they had in mind was for Liang Siyuan to use his own company and assets to fill the holes left by the Liang family's business, and they even planned to get their hands on Zheng Suning’s assets...

Because of this, Liang Siyuan nearly severed ties with the Liang family.

He didn’t know what the Liang family did afterward, but the business managed to stabilize somewhat. Still, the serious damage done couldn’t be easily remedied, so even though the family’s affairs appeared prosperous on the surface, in reality, problems were everywhere.

So when his mother called, Liang Siyuan immediately thought she wanted him to pay for Liang Siquan’s mistakes yet again.

Now, hearing that wasn’t the case, his mood improved slightly.

But he wasn’t particularly eager to bring Qin Miaoyu back with him. Since his mother specifically wanted her to come, it was obvious that Qin Miaoyu was the real reason for the invitation.

"Do you have some purpose in asking for Miaoyu?"

"Siyuan, what kind of thing is that to say? I’m her birth mother. Does there have to be some purpose for me to want to see her?"

Liang Siyuan let out a derisive laugh, unwilling to dance around the subject with his mother. "I’ll ask her. If she wants to come, I’ll bring her. If not, then forget it."

He gestured for Qin Miaoyu to come over.

She walked up. "Second Brother, what’s going on?"

"Mom wants us to bring you back to the family house for dinner. If you don’t want to go, I’ll just tell her no."

Liang Siyuan was certain she wouldn’t want to go, which was why he phrased it that way. But her answer surprised him.

"Second Brother, I’ll go!"

"Miaoyu, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Don’t feel any pressure."

She smiled as she explained, "Don’t worry, Second Brother. I genuinely want to go."

Looking at the ongoing call interface, she said quietly, "I want to see what they’re up to."

Given the state of their relationship, with almost no genuine affection, the Liang family would only think of her if they needed something!

Seeing how insistent she was, Liang Siyuan sighed softly, and then said to his mother on the phone, "Alright, I’ll bring them home with me when the time comes."

"Good, ask Miaoyu what dishes she likes, so the kitchen can prepare them."

Knowing that Liang’s mother wanted to know her favorite dishes only made Qin Miaoyu more certain: this family dinner was likely a trap!

She just didn’t know what their real goal was this time.

The next afternoon, Qin Miaoyu went to the Liang house with her second brother and sister-in-law.

Liang Qibin had long known his little aunt was coming and had been hoping to catch the sound of their arrival at the door.

As soon as the doorbell rang, Liang Qibin ran straight to the entrance.

Wei Wei called after him, "Binbin, slow down! Take care of yourself!"

Hearing her, Liang Qibin slowed his pace as he went to open the door.

Sure enough, it was his little aunt and the others!

He shouted happily, "Little Aunt, Second Uncle, Second Aunt!"

Qin Miaoyu patted his head, and let herself be pulled inside by Liang Qibin.

Since there was still a distance to the living room, he wasn’t worried about anyone overhearing, and began telling her about his drawings over the past two days.

Seeing the close bond between aunt and nephew, Liang Siyuan and Zheng Suning, who followed behind, both had a hint of a smile in their eyes.

When they reached the living room, Wei Wei stood up, greeting them with a cool, reserved tone, "You’re here?"

Liang’s mother also greeted them, "Sit down quickly. As soon as Huiyi and Siquan are back, we’ll start dinner."

Qin Miaoyu glanced sideways; a year ago, Liang’s mother would’ve waited for them to greet her first.

She called out, "Mrs. Liang," and then sat down on the sofa.

This form of address made Liang’s mother, Xi Ruofen, look a little displeased.

"Miaoyu, after all this time, shouldn’t you change how you address me? Who keeps calling their birth mother Mrs. Liang? Look at Sixuan—she changed her form of address as soon as she was acknowledged."

Qin Miaoyu’s lips curled in a perfunctory smile. "She’s her, I’m me. Besides, you never intended to formally acknowledge me into the family, so does it really matter what I call you?"

Xi Ruofen pressed on, "It’s not that we don’t want to acknowledge you. We just hadn’t decided when to bring it up. Now that you’re back in Nancheng, we’ll get your surname changed and add you to the family register. Qin Miaoyu, Liang Miaoyu—Mom still thinks Liang Miaoyu sounds better, doesn’t it?"

"It’s fine. I’m used to being called Qin Miaoyu."

She had no intention of changing her surname—not because she was particularly attached to "Qin," but because she’d grown used to the name after so many years.

Besides, she didn’t much care for the surname "Liang" either, so she preferred to leave things as they were.

Suddenly, Liang’s mother’s eyes welled up with tears. "Miaoyu, are you still blaming us for what happened with Binbin…? We had no choice; you’re both our flesh and blood. We thought if it wasn’t appropriate, there was no need to tell you—and in the end, it wasn’t. We weren’t going to tell you at all, but who knew you’d find out on your own?"

Qin Miaoyu thought to herself how skillfully Liang’s mother played the part—making it sound as if all their actions were for her sake, when in reality, the only reason they acknowledged her was to use her for that matter.

As a result, their attitude toward her had always been indifferent—neither close nor concerned—while their affection for Liang Sixuan remained unchanged.

"Mrs. Liang, if you really want me to enjoy this meal, then let’s not bring up these things. No need to spoil everyone’s mood."

Hearing her say this, Liang’s mother didn’t mention it again, but instead sent someone to fetch something from her room.

A small box was brought back. Liang’s mother took it, opened it, and revealed a set of delicate jewelry—clearly quite valuable.

She handed it to Qin Miaoyu. "I meant to give this to you the day you came back to the family, but something came up and I forgot. Take it now."

Qin Miaoyu was about to refuse when a hand beside her took the box on her behalf.

It was Suning.

"Mom, since it’s so nice, I’ll accept it for Miaoyu."

Liang’s mother looked at Qin Miaoyu, curious to see her reaction.

Since Suning had already accepted it, Qin Miaoyu wouldn’t say anything to embarrass her; after all, Suning wouldn’t do her any harm.

So she said, "Thank you, Mrs. Liang."