CH 67

Chapter 67: I Will Become Her Family

"Miss Qiao, please wait!"

Qiao Dai and Cheng Su were having a conversation by the park gate when suddenly an unfamiliar male voice echoed from a distance. Qiao Dai raised her head in confusion and scanned her surroundings, only to see a stranger standing not far away.

The man appeared somewhat anxious, nervously licking his lips. He walked directly towards Qiao Dai. Cheng Su lowered his head and noticed that Qiao Dai was still standing there motionless, so he immediately stepped back and stood in front of her.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Cheng Su stood between the man and Qiao Dai, his face displaying a displeased expression as he scrutinized the unexpected visitor, his tone sounding somewhat impatient.

Qiao Dai, concealed behind Cheng Su's tall figure, felt awkward and took a deep breath. Sweat dripped down her forehead due to the strong pressure emanating from Cheng Su.

Assistant Zhang, Ruan Mingyi's assistant, had been following Ruan Mingyi's orders, sending him to contact Qiao Dai. These past few days had been exhausting, either getting abruptly hung up on the phone or politely turned away. Eventually, he ended up on the production team's blacklist.

As the days went by, Ruan Mingyi became increasingly anxious, like an ant on a hot pan. Zhang, the assistant, secretly tracked Qiao Dai, searching for an opportunity to speak with her. When he learned that Qiao Dai had no filming work today and seemed to have gone out for a walk alone, Zhang immediately began looking for people and finally discovered Qiao Dai's whereabouts.

However, what Zhang never expected was to find Cheng Su together with Qiao Dai.

Recognizing Cheng Su, Assistant  Zhang feared him to the point of dread. Naturally, he wouldn't dare offend him. But Ruan Mingyi was growing impatient, so even though Assistant Zhang was terrified at the sight of Cheng Su, he had no choice but to gather his courage and approach, explaining honestly, "Mr. Cheng, I am Mr. Ruan's assistant, surnamed Zhang. Do you remember me?"

Assistant Zhang's teeth trembled uncontrollably. He nervously raised his head to observe the expression of the man standing across from him. However, Cheng Su only glanced sideways, pursed his lips, and seemed to be searching his memory. Clearly, Mr. Zhang, as a person, held no significance in Cheng Su's mind.

Cheng Su coldly replied, "I don't remember."

His sharp gaze was like a keen knife. Wherever his eyes fell, it felt as though the skin was being scraped inch by inch, as if someone was dragging a razor-sharp blade along the surface. Although the cutting edge of the chilling blade did not break the skin, the sense of intimidation was more fearful than the pain itself.

Assistant Zhang hardly knew how he managed to stand his ground under such a gaze, let alone summon the courage to say that he had come to find Qiao Dai.

At that moment, all Zhang, the assistant, wanted to do was flee.

He even had a hallucination, that uttering inappropriate words would instantly transform Cheng Su's gaze into a ruthless weapon, decisively severing his throat.

Suppressing his fear, Assistant Zhang, trembling with trepidation, looked towards Qiao Dai, who was standing behind Cheng Su as if seeking help. He stammered, "Miss Qiao, I've come to tell you about your origins. Your deceased parents are not your biological family. Your biological parents are searching for you!"

As Assistant Zhang spoke, he observed Cheng Su's changing expression. Although he couldn't determine Qiao Dai and Cheng Su's relationship, he believed that there was no close personal connection between them. Even if Cheng Su were Qiao Dai's boyfriend, he had no reason to meddle in her family matters. After all, Qiao Dai's biological parents had come looking for her. Could Cheng Su possibly block her from recognizing her own family?

However, to Assistant Zhang's surprise, upon hearing his words, Cheng Su's expression darkened. He sneered and coldly retorted, "Ruan Mingyi still has the audacity to come searching for his own child?"

Assistant Zhang, taken aback, trembled and looked at Cheng Su with a pale face. He stuttered, "Mr. Cheng, you...you..."

How could Cheng Su know about this matter?

With the realization of Cheng Su's words, Assistant Zhang's heart sank halfway. Anyone with common sense could sense the displeasure in Cheng Su's words, indicating that Cheng Su held a strong disdain for Ruan family’s actions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said such things. How could he possibly take Qiao Dai away from Cheng Su?

Considering this, Assistant Zhang made up his mind and shouted to Qiao Dai, "Miss Qiao, Mr. Ruan and the Ruan  family miss you greatly. They want to bring you back home. Don't you want to meet your biological parents?"

This was Assistant Zhang's belief. Qiao Dai, after all, was just a teenager, inexperienced and immature. Instead of confronting Cheng Su head-on, it was better to appeal to Qiao Dai's emotions. Assistant Zhang didn't believe that there was a child in this world who had no curiosity about their biological parents.

"I don't want to. Please leave."

However, this line of thought only lasted for a moment in the assistants’ mind. In the next second, Qiao Dai straightforwardly refused. She poked out half of her body from behind Cheng Su. Her originally petite figure appeared even more fragile in contrast to Cheng Su's, so when Qiao Dai peered out from behind Cheng Su, it felt as if one were seeing a delicate deer cautiously emerging from the forest.

However, it was precisely this gentle and fragile young girl who firmly and resolutely rejected the offer with unwavering determination. This was something that Zhang, the assistant, had never anticipated.

It was impossible. How could Qiao Dai remain so calm?

Those are her biological parents. Isn't she curious about her own origins?

Zhang, the assistant, felt a bit dizzy but continued to persuade, hoping that Qiao Dai would change her mind.

"Mr. Ruan is a prominent figure in this industry. He has considerable connections in the entertainment circle. If you go to the Ruan family, Mr. Ruan can definitely help you secure better resources—advertisements, shows, even films and TV dramas. Miss Qiao, they just want to make it up to you, have a conversation with you!"

Assistant Zhang explained rapidly, wiping the sweat off his forehead. He stared intently at Qiao Dai, his heart pounding, while feeling restless inside.

No one would refuse such conditions, right?

Ruan Mingyi had previously sent people to investigate Qiao Dai's background. She came from a financially difficult family, so Assistant Zhang was convinced that Qiao Dai would be swayed upon hearing the generous offer. After all, these were resources that others could only dream of. Who could resist such temptation?

Upon hearing Assistant Zhang's words, Qiao Dai simply looked up at him. Her eyes were clear and bright, as if there was a shimmer flowing within them under the sunlight. At this moment, her eyes seemed somewhat puzzled and inquisitive. She asked, "If they just want to make it up to me, then why can't they give me those things you mentioned whenever they want? Why do they have to wait until I go to their home?"

Assistant Zhang was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond to her question.

"Well..."

Assistant Zhang felt utterly embarrassed by the question, realizing that despite Qiao Dai's innocent appearance, she had a sharp insight. Her question hit the mark, leaving him at a loss for words.

Indeed, if Mr. Ruan truly wanted to make amends, he could have taken action earlier. Why did he have to wait for Qiao Dai to agree to go to his family?

It seemed that Mr. Ruan's desire to find his child was never genuine. He was willing to compensate his child, but only after considering the benefits involved. Only if Qiao Dai agreed to go to the Ruan family would he extend a helping hand to his own child.

But what if Qiao Dai didn't want to go?

If Qiao Dai refused to go to the Ruan family, to acknowledge herself as part of the Ruan family, would Mr. Ruan still be willing to compensate his estranged child based on the bond of blood?

The answer was probably no.

Mr. Ruan he is nothing but a shrewd businessman, and he values profit in everything he does. Even if he knows that Qiao Dai is his own child, he would wait for her to humble herself and obediently perform well in the Ruan family before investing his capital. He would never engage in a loss-making deal.

But is there any transaction in this world that doesn't require an investment? Not to mention that the value of family cannot be measured by self-interest. If Mr. Ruan is unwilling to bestow his affection, how could Qiao Dai be willing to go to this unfamiliar family that lacks genuine warmth?

Zhang, the assistant, opened his mouth but found himself unable to say anything because he realized that the only thing that could potentially sway Qiao Dai's thoughts was the Ruan family's status and power. But if Qiao Dai didn't care about those things, it would be impossible to change her mind.

Seeing Assistant Zhang, who had run out of words, and after Qiao Dai expressed her own intentions, Cheng Su, who had been silent all along, moved. He looked at Assistant Zhang coldly and said, "Go and tell Ruan Mingyi that if he wants sincerity, he should give sincerity. If they are not genuinely accepting Qiao Dai, then they should never appear in front of her again. Get lost."

Cheng Su knew exactly what kind of person Ruan Mingyi was.

He was mean-spirited, narrow-minded, and never sincerely welcomed Qiao Dai in the family. Even if Qiao Dai went, she would not be happy. In that case, there was no need to give Ruan Mingyi any consideration. They should all just leave and stop bothering Qiao Dai.

"Sorry for the disturbance, I'm leaving now!"

Assistant Zhang trembled in fear and didn't dare to stay any longer. After saying he was sorry, he turned and hurriedly left, afraid that if he stayed for another moment, Cheng Su might "invite" him to leave.

After hearing Assistant Zhang's relayed message, Ruan Mingyi, who was already overwhelmed with debt problems, was so furious that he ended up in the hospital. He gritted his teeth and said, "I don't have such a child! Don't regret it, from now on, I'll treat it as if I never had such an unfilial child!"

Ruan Ting broke down in tears. How did their family end up like this? They were all blood relatives. How did they become so estranged?

Zhang, the assistant, shook his head inwardly, thinking to himself: The Ruan family itself is in trouble, so what's the point of talking about regrets? If there is any regret, it would be the regret of not escaping from this pit. The Ruan family is on the verge of collapse, and he needs to find a way out for himself.

Ruan Mingyi was completely oblivious to his subordinate's thoughts. He still believed that the Ruan family would rise again one day, and when that day came, it would be the time when Qiao Dai deeply regretted her choices.

Because of this, Ruan Mingyi forbade anyone in the Ruan family, including Mrs. Ruan and Ruan Tao, from mentioning the mix-up with the child again. No one was allowed to approach Qiao Dai. He wanted to pretend as if it had never happened.

But the mirror had already cracked, and no matter how much they pretended that nothing had happened, every time they looked in the mirror, they would still see the visible cracks. It was an irreparable chasm between them—a family that had already reached the edge of disintegration.

Mrs. Ruan once secretly obtained Cheng Su's contact information and called him, begging him to let her see Qiao Dai.

Upon hearing Mrs. Ruan's sincere and heartfelt voice through the phone, Cheng Su's tone softened slightly, but he still maintained a cold and distant demeanor as he replied, "I believe you have some genuine feelings for Qiao Dai, but your sincerity is useless."

Mrs. Ruan was taken aback, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

Her mind went blank, and suddenly she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

Yes, she was such a weak person. She knew that there were conflicts between her husband and daughter, but she still clung to the hope of having the family sit together, wishing for Qiao Dai and Ruan Tao to be well, and for everyone to peacefully coexist as a family of four.

But it was impossible. She knew it was impossible. Yet, looking at the broken home, the increasingly cold atmosphere, she couldn't bear it anymore. That was why she wanted Qiao Dai to change her mind, come to her parents' side, and piece together a complete family.

Even though there was actually no reason for Qiao Dai to cherish this family.

She felt heartache for her long-lost biological child, but she couldn't wholeheartedly stand by Qiao Dai's side. She couldn't protect her child, so she could only stand between Ruan Mingyi and Qiao Dai, repeatedly trying to persuade them to tolerate each other and maintain the last bit of dignity in the family.

In the end, the day-to-day conflicts eroded the warmth in this family, leaving behind a cold cage and four numb puppets. They all played the role of deceiving others, as well as deceiving themselves, in this theater of family and false beauty.

Did she really want to drag her child into such a family?

"I understand."

Mrs. Ruan was crying uncontrollably. She couldn't cut ties with the Ruan family and, because of her selfishness, she wanted to involve Qiao Dai. The last thing she could do for Qiao Dai was to disappear from her world.

"Cheng Su."

Finally, before hanging up the phone, Mrs. Ruan called out Cheng Su's name. After hesitating for a while, she swallowed her emotions and asked, "Is what I'm doing really the right thing? If I do this, Qiao Dai won't have any family left."

Cheng Su took a deep breath and replied in a deep voice, "She doesn't need your kind of family."

An arrogant and domineering father, a weak and indecisive mother, a possessive sister...

Cheng Su thought to himself that Qiao Dai shouldn't have such terrible family members.

She should have had a more perfect family.

With that thought, Cheng Su paused for a moment.

In the midst of the quiet atmosphere, after a while, Cheng Su spoke again.

"I will become her family."

He would strive to become Qiao Dai's family. That would be enough.