C5 Why Don't You Want It??

The next day, as Yuan Hui returned from grocery shopping, she noticed a black Mercedes-Benz parked at the entrance of the dilapidated apartment building. She murmured to herself, "He's here."

She made her way up the narrow staircase to the fourth floor, passing walls plastered with layers of small advertisements. The rusty iron door appeared as if time had eaten away at it.

A man dressed in an upscale suit stood before the door.

Upon seeing Yuan Hui, he parted his lips slightly, as if he were about to speak.

Yuan Hui observed him for a moment before clearing her throat and saying, "Please, come in and have a seat."

She retrieved her keys and opened the screeching iron door. He stepped inside and took in the spartan room, a pang of discomfort striking his heart.

Yuan Hui, expressionless, poured a glass of water and set it before him. Turning to Yi Lanyou, who had emerged from within the room, she said, "He is your father."

Yi Lanyou's emotions were a tangle upon seeing Yi Haoen again. In her past life, his suicide had been a consequence of her own misdeeds. Though Yi Haoen had never been particularly affectionate towards Yi Lanyou, he had never shortchanged her financially. In fact, the last person he had spoken to before his death was her. It was then that Yi Haoen had called her Youyou for the first time and had opened up about his history with Yuan Hui.

In that conversation, Yi Haoen had made no attempt to conceal his love for Yuan Hui. After learning of Yi Haoen's suicide, Yuan Hui had taken her own life in the previous life. Yi Lanyou couldn't fathom how things had reached this point.

She wondered if there had been a misunderstanding between them or if there was some darker plot at play.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Yi Lanyou's right arm throbbed as if she could still feel the agony of bones being crushed under wheels, and a sinister chill flickered in her eyes.

She was resolute in her determination to not let things end this way. On her deathbed in her previous life, she had vowed that if given another chance, she would ensure they met a bitter end. The debts of the past life would be settled in this one.

Yi Haoen gazed into Yi Lanyou's eyes, detecting the deep-seated hatred within them. He was taken aback. Fang Fang's words rang true; she had indeed been nurtured by resentment. He was uncertain if there was still a chance for her to break free from the shackles of hatred.

Yuan Hui's gaze fell upon Yi Lanyou, observing her rigid back turned towards her. "What's on your mind?" she inquired.

"Nothing," Yi Lanyou responded, regaining her composure and looking at Yi Haoen. "Dad."

Yi Haoen nodded, took a sip of water, and frowned. Despite being boiled, the tap water still carried an odd taste. He cleared his throat and announced, "I've come to take Yi Lanyou back with me."

"I figured as much," Yuan Hui replied, having suspected as much upon spotting the car downstairs. She took a seat beside Yi Haoen and suggested, "You should discuss it with Youyou."

"What's your decision?" Yi Haoen asked Yi Lanyou, then added, "Your life will improve significantly if you come back with me. Your mother mentioned how much you miss City No. 1 High School. If you return with me, I'll cover your tuition fees."

Yi Lanyou's thoughts drifted to Lin Xiaorou, her acquaintance from City No. 1 High School, and her expression shifted ever so slightly.

Believing Yi Lanyou to be swayed, Yi Haoen pressed on, "It's not just about City No. 1 High School. If you agree to come back with me, I'll also provide a sum of money to your mother as compensation for raising you up until now."

"I don't want your money," Yuan Hui stated firmly.

"Why are you so obstinate?" Yi Haoen lamented, feeling that Yuan Hui hadn't changed a bit over the years.

Yuan Hui remained silent.

"Why won't you accept it?" Yi Haoen asked, his frustration reminiscent of the helplessness he felt seventeen years prior, unable to influence her decisions.

Yi Lanyou's lips twitched into a determined smile. She had made up her mind; she was going back to the Yi family. And it wasn't just about her return; she was resolved to find a way for Yuan Hui to rejoin the Yi family as well.