Chapter 280: Painful and Torn

“Alright, both of you, stop arguing,” Liu Ruyan interjected. She placed a check in front of Xia Yangyang. “Yangyang, don’t be upset. Weiwei is young and naive; she means well. Since this caused trouble, take it back. Even at our worst, Shengyuan never lacked five million.”

Though soft-spoken, Liu Ruyan’s words were barbed. She easily dismissed Xia Weiwei’s actions as youthful ignorance, subtly blaming Xia Yangyang for inaction.

Xia Liangdong was frustrated and confused. The Xia family had once been immensely wealthy. Arguing over five million? It was unthinkable.

“Yangyang,” he said impatiently, “take this money and return it to Ah Chen. This is a family matter; we shouldn’t bother him.”

Xia Yangyang quietly pocketed the check. “Dad, I’ll find a way to help, but we can’t keep this money.”

Xia Liangdong sighed.

Xia Weiwei and Liu Ruyan exchanged a glance.

After dinner, Xia Liangdong and Liu Ruyan went to the study; Xia Yangyang returned to her room. Lying in bed, she thought long and hard, eventually going to the study. The door was ajar, and she overheard their conversation.

“Your daughter is proud; she wouldn’t ask Gu Qichen for help, so I let Weiwei try. Five million is a small amount, but it shows Ah Chen’s willingness. Shengyuan’s only hope is aid from the Gu family, but your daughter made a fuss over five million! She doesn’t come home once a month, yet she chases after this money. Asking her for help is impossible,” Liu Ruyan said.

“This shouldn’t have involved Yangyang,” Xia Liangdong replied. “If she asks for help, how will she face her in-laws? The Xia family may not be as prestigious as the Gu family, but Yangyang is my daughter, not a money tree.”

Liu Ruyan scoffed. “Xia Liangdong, you dote on her, considering every detail. But what about Weiwei? She’s nineteen, raised in luxury, dreaming of stardom. If the company goes bankrupt, what will her future be? What will her friends think? Yangyang is part of the Gu family, protected by their influence. What’s the harm in losing a little face? Is your eldest daughter’s face worth more than Weiwei’s future?”

Xia Liangdong remained silent. Liu Ruyan stormed out, unknowingly passing Xia Yangyang, who was on the other side of the study wall near the stairwell. Xia Yangyang sat on the stairs, deeply conflicted.

She longed for a marriage with Gu Qichen untainted by business interests, a marriage of equals, free from debt. But her family was in crisis, and she couldn't stand by. It was her father's company, and her mother had worked tirelessly.

Running her fingers through her hair, Xia Yangyang felt torn and in pain.