Liu Daqing cut to the chase. "Yan Xixi, you shouldn’t feel wronged either. Donglin had no choice. There are things he did for the sake of the family that you can’t even imagine. During that period of over two months, his life was hanging by a thread every minute. To my knowledge, the opposition clandestinely deployed hundreds of people to capture him. If it weren’t for his early training, coupled with a bit of luck, perhaps you’d be wailing in front of his tombstone today..."

She nodded. "I’m overjoyed that he was able to return alive."

Liu Daqing also nodded. "The agony I endured during those two months was no less than yours. I had countless sleepless nights, with nightmares of my bloodied son appearing before me. Every time I woke up, I was desperate with fear that I might never see him again..."

Yan Xixi stared at her hair, which was almost completely snow-white. Suddenly, a flicker of pity touched her heart—after all, this woman who once held so much power hadn’t necessarily led a smooth and happy life.

"Your performance this time was acceptable," Liu Daqing continued. "You were a bit reckless, but your courage is commendable, and your reaction was quick."

She admitted, "I was reckless and foolish."

Liu Daqing laughed heartily. "It’s natural for young people to be foolish. The important thing is courage! Without courage, one can’t learn true wisdom in a lifetime."

"In a family like ours, particularly one with few offspring, all the responsibilities have fallen on Donglin alone. As his mother, I do have my personal biases. Yes, Yan Xixi, from the very beginning, I disliked you because I was afraid you couldn’t shoulder burdens alongside him."

...

"I’ve always hoped my son would marry an influential woman who could support him. At the very least, she couldn’t be a mere freeloader or a decorative vase, and certainly not a woman incapable of surviving without a man. You come from no significant background, which is a huge disadvantage. Fortunately, you were admitted to Harvard. At least you’ll be able to gradually understand Donglin’s work and the responsibilities he shoulders. This time, you haven’t held Donglin back. In my book, you’ve officially passed."

Yan Xixi breathed a long sigh of relief.

"I’m old, and the time I have left to help my son is growing shorter," Liu Daqing said. "And to be frank about Donglin’s sister, she’s just been fortunate. The outside world may praise her abilities, but I know my own daughter. She’s been spoiled rotten since childhood. Without the family, she’s nothing and can’t withstand any real storms. If there are greater storms ahead, the help she could offer would be extremely limited. It would be good enough if she didn’t require Donglin to look after her..."

When Liu Daqing passed on, only the siblings would remain. The brother, naturally, would have to look after the sister.

"Donglin already has one burden, so I hope you won’t become another! This might be my selfishness..."

Even if a mother were a hundred and her daughter seventy, she would still see her daughter as naive and fragile. As the mother, it’s natural for her to prioritize her own child. This was only natural.

"Yan Xixi, since you’re committing to spend your life with Donglin, you have to share his burdens for a lifetime. I hope you’ll be a great tree that weathers storms with him, not a parasitic vine that clings to him to survive. Do you understand?"

She remained silent for a long moment, then finally murmured, "Yes, I understand."

"Remember, Donglin doesn’t need a decorative vase! And you don’t have the privilege to be one!"

"I’ll certainly remember."

"I’m returning to Switzerland tomorrow. From now on, you two must look after yourselves."

"Thank you. I’ll remember."

Throughout their conversation, Yan Xixi was extremely polite and deferential.

Liu Daqing personally accompanied her to the main gate.

"It’s secluded here and difficult to hail a taxi. I’ll have my driver take you."

She didn’t refuse. "Thank you. I really appreciate today’s lunch."

Suddenly, Liu Daqing’s gaze sharpened. "Yan Xixi, you didn’t call me ’Empress Dowager’ today!!"

She had been saying "Thank you," "Please," and "Hello," being exceptionally polite and respectful, and listening attentively to the admonishments. Yet, she never once uttered "Empress Dowager."

"The past two times you came to our house, you called me ’Empress Dowager’!"

That playful term was a sign of affection—it’s only with close family that one dares to be completely unreserved and at ease.

Liu Daqing glared at her. Why didn’t she call me that today?

She, too, felt that strange sense of detachment, just like her son.

Yan Xixi remained non-committal, merely bowed slightly and said, "Take care."

Only after the car was far out of sight did Liu Daqing mutter to herself, seemingly confused, "Is she holding a grudge against me, or against that boy Donglin?"