But the most widely circulated version was that Ji Lanyi had died over a decade ago, murdered in a conspiracy by Yun Shen and Kang Jinse, to make room for Jinse and to take over Ji’s assets. Almost everyone believed this version because Ji Lanyi had disappeared without a trace, as if she had evaporated from the world, and Yun Shen had not reported it to the police or registered her as a missing person, seemingly accepting her disappearance completely. This was abnormal and seemed to confirm the theory of Ji Lanyi’s death. However, since no one reported the crime and there was no concrete evidence, it all remained internet rumors in the end. At first, Yan Song also thought that Ji Lanyi had been killed by Yun Shen, and he worried about how much Yun Ya would be affected by the online rumors. But now, seeing Yun Ya and Ji Die’s attitudes, he intuitively felt that there was something more complicated behind it all, at least the tale of Ji Lanyi’s death or disappearance was nothing like the rumors online. The more he learned about Yun Ya, the more his heart ached for her. In such a family, with such relatives, having lacked a mother’s love from childhood and having a congenitally deaf mute foolish brother, what exactly had her frail shoulders endured? His own happy family life only accentuated the tragedy of Yun Ya’s family, deepening his sympathy for her. Ji Die sighed, "Miss, what misunderstandings do you have towards your mother? She is your biological mother, after all. There should be no overnight resentment between mother and daughter..." This time, Yun Ya truly couldn’t hold back anymore and shot Ji Die a cold glance, "Don’t try to brainwash me. Since your mistress is so wonderful, then go find her. I won’t stop you. If you do see her one day, please relay a message for me: ’Not killing me when I was born was the biggest mistake she made in her life.’" With that, she put down her chopsticks and returned to her bedroom. Yun Miao felt the atmosphere turn heavy and glanced at Yun Ya’s retreating figure. What happened? Why is nobody happy anymore? Ji Die couldn’t help but tear up. As a child, she had noticed Yun Ya’s inexplicable hatred towards her mother. Initially, she thought it was because the child missed her mother too much, but now it became clear that it was not so simple. Yun Ya truly hated her mother. Yan Song put down his chopsticks and got up to follow her. Yun Ya sneered to herself, knowing that she couldn’t rely on Ji Die. As a child, Ji Die was meek and easily led astray. Yun Ya sympathized with her, as Ji Die, with great difficulty, had brought both siblings up, being more of a mother to them than Ji Lanyi ever was. However, deep down, Ji Die had a servile nature, blindly obedient to Ji Lanyi, even more so than a dog. Indeed, she was an orphan brought back from the orphanage by her grandfather. Thinking that Ji Lanyi had no mother and no siblings, and he was busy with work, he wanted to find a girl of similar age to be Lanyi’s playmate, to prevent her childhood from being lonely. Growing up together, if Ji Lanyi was the proud Princess, then Ji Die was the humble handmaiden. Ji Lanyi was adept at domesticating people, brainwashing them psychologically, turning Ji Die into the most loyal person to her over the years. Even if Ji Lanyi asked for her life, Ji Die would give it without hesitation, such was her blind loyalty. Yet Yun Ya still had expectations of her—Ji Yunya, how ridiculous you are. Tears came as quickly as if a string of pearls had snapped. The pain was real. Ji Die had always been like a mother to her, yet how does one feel when you discover that the person you trust the most has betrayed you? Piercingly cold, profoundly painful. That was exactly what she was feeling now. Drying her tears, she sneered, "Since this is the case, don’t blame me for being merciless." Ji Die’s reaction just now confirmed something for her, and though alarming, it seemed inevitable upon reflection. After decades of silence, are you finally coming back? Let me show you if the daughter you nurtured yourself is as heartless and ruthless as you are. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fire·net A cold glint passed through Yun Ya’s eyes, and her thin lips pressed tightly together. Suddenly, she fell into a warm embrace, enveloped from behind, with arms wrapped around her waist and a face buried in her hair. The chill on her body gradually dissipated as waves of warmth flowed over her heart. "Don’t be afraid, nobody in this world can hurt you."