Chapter Three: A Forced Union Bears No Sweet Fruit

Qi Yue had been a food video creator for a long time, never once accepting advertisements, let alone taking money to whitewash someone’s reputation. Who could have imagined that a single livestream of grocery shopping at the supermarket would get her attacked like this?

“I didn’t take any money, and I never said I’d help anyone clear their name,” Qi Yue said, frowning at the barrage of annoying comments. Relief only came when she saw some viewers step in to defend her. “Believe it if you want, if not, so be it.”

“I’ve always had a clear conscience,” she added, not bothering to say more. She simply ended the livestream, leaving the quarrelsome viewers with no argument to continue.

After paying, Qi Yue picked up a heavy bag of groceries, ready to queue up and leave, unaware that Sang Yijia was waiting nearby.

“I’m sorry,” Sang Yijia apologized, unsure how things had come to this. “I’ll clarify everything on Weibo soon.”

Qi Yue felt unlucky, but Sang Yijia’s attitude was sincere. After all, it was Qi Yue herself who had approached her first. No matter how upset she was, she couldn’t place all the blame on Sang Yijia. “I share some responsibility.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“And besides, you did nothing wrong.” Qi Yue met those clear, dark eyes, parted her lips as if to say more, but fell silent and hurried off.

Sang Yijia watched her retreating figure, her brow furrowing as she recounted the events in a message to her manager.

—

That evening.

Sang Yijia stepped out of her ride-share, closed the door with a click, and looked up to see her mother emerging from the villa’s main entrance.

“I’ve told you so many times to buy a car. Now you let ride-shares come in again.” This was a highly private neighborhood; none of the neighbors liked outsiders coming in.

But every time Sang Yijia came home, she took a ride-share. Her mother always told her to buy a car, but she never listened.

“Mom.” Sang Yijia clenched her palms, trying to appear normal, but her mother saw right through her.

“There are no overnight grudges between father and daughter. Just talk things through with your dad when you go in.” Her mother took her inside. “Your eldest, second, and third brothers are all coming home tonight.”

“I’ve already spoken to your dad about that dating show you want to join,” her mother continued, pausing mid-step. “But I made it clear to him—this is your last chance.”

“If that Shen Jin still doesn't like you…” Her mother didn’t finish before Sang Yijia cut her off.

“Mom, I won’t pursue it anymore.” Sang Yijia looked down at her mother’s arm wrapped around hers, her mother’s hand warm over her own—a simple gesture of care. The director-mother at the orphanage had been kind to each of them, and Sang Yijia was grateful. Yet, she still longed for a unique, singular mother’s love.

Though she’d told herself from the beginning that she didn’t need parental affection, deep down, she knew exactly what she wanted.

Even Sang Yijia’s mother hadn’t expected such a response. She stared at her, wide-eyed and stunned for several seconds. “Jiajia, are you serious?”

“Yes.” Sang Yijia nodded, her eyes gentle but her tone firm. “Mom, don’t worry. I won’t like Shen Jin anymore.”

Her mother was elated but also uneasy, half-doubting. “Jiajia, are you telling the truth? You’re not lying to me?”

“It’s true, Mom.” Sang Yijia held her mother’s arm, then leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder, almost coquettishly. “Shen Jin likes Lan Qing. I see that clearly now. I won’t do anything foolish again.”

She remembered in the original story how attentive Shen Jin was to Lan Qing, caring for her in every detail, while the original Sang Yijia…

Her lips pressed together, eyes lowered. “Mom, I’ve come to understand that some things can’t be forced.”

Her mother was glad to see her daughter move on but hated to see her precious child downcast. “Jiajia, anyone who passes you up isn’t worth it. The right one will come.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll have your brothers look for some successful young men. Surely one of them will suit you.” Her mother was never fond of the entertainment industry—she believed a proper, stable career was what truly mattered.

Sang Yijia was caught off guard by this turn, her mouth twitching as she was ushered inside before she could protest.

“Dear, our daughter’s home!” Her mother’s joy was genuine as she led Sang Yijia in, calling out toward the interior.

Sang Yijia glanced around, nerves on edge. She was instantly stunned by the decor—a house awash in gold, nearly blinding her.

“Hmph, must I kneel to welcome her home?” came a deep, gruff voice from the living room.

Startled, Sang Yijia looked over and saw that the man’s newspaper was upside down. At that, her heart settled, her anxiety fading away.

“Dad, I’m home.” She walked over, a bright, radiant smile curving her lips.

Sang Zheng snorted, finally lowering the newspaper and realizing it had been upside down. He cast her a sidelong glance, pretending she hadn’t noticed, and quietly folded the paper.

She saw all his little gestures, her heart warming. “Dad, I’m your daughter. Always have been, always will be.”

She repeated the words she’d sent him in a message.

“Dad, I don’t like Shen Jin anymore.” As she spoke, her gaze landed on the grapes on the coffee table, and she suddenly remembered the fruit she’d bought was still in the ride-share. Regret pricked her—would she be able to get them back?

Sang Zheng glanced at her and scoffed, “How many times have you said that?”

“Was it ever true?” He simply didn’t believe she could change. “Isn’t this just another attempt to date Shen Jin through that variety show?”

Sang Yijia was silent for a moment before slowly explaining, “Dad, this time it’s real.”

“I can prove it to you.”

“Then bring home a boyfriend. Otherwise, I don’t believe you.” He’d heard her say it too many times—he was immune now.

Sang Yijia: “…”

“Don’t listen to your father,” her mother said with a bright smile as she returned to sit beside them. “If Jiajia really brings a boyfriend home, you’ll be the first to cry to me.”

Sang Zheng’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How could that happen?!”

“It doesn’t matter if you believe it now. In time, we’ll see,” her mother replied cheerfully, then turned to Sang Yijia. “Your brothers will be home soon.”

“Aunt Chen made all your favorite dishes tonight.” After three months apart, her mother thought Jiajia looked thinner than ever. “I know being in showbiz means staying slim, but Jiajia, you don’t have to diet. If you lose any more weight, it’ll affect your health.”

“Eat more tonight.” Her mother kept chattering, fussing over her with little details.

Sang Yijia sat quietly, listening without interruption, until a call from her manager broke the moment, plunging the living room into an abrupt, awkward silence.