Officialdom: The beautiful leader took me to the top

Song Ci grabbed her coat from the table and hurried downstairs. The cool breeze brushed her cheeks, but it couldn't dispel the doubts in her heart.

Outside the company gate, Li Ying stood next to a black Mercedes-Benz, her usual glitz and glamour gone.

She was wearing only a simple off-white knit sweater, and her hair was loosely tied up.

The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were faintly visible in the sunlight, making him look less sharp and more tired.

Upon seeing Song Ci emerge, the gatekeeper opened the gate on his own initiative.

Li Ying also stepped forward, adopting a very humble posture, "Thank you for being willing to come out and see me."

Song Ci pointed, "Let's talk in the car!"

After the two of them got into the passenger seat, Song Ci still deliberately kept his distance. "Alright, I'm out now. Stop beating around the bush and keep talking. What are you up to?"

Li Ying said, "I really came here to apologize to you!"

Song Ci coldly replied, "Do you think I would believe that?"

"It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. I know perfectly well what your purpose is in returning to China this time."

"I not only find what you're saying unpleasant to hear, but I also don't believe it at all!"

Li Ying explained, "Li Dong's aunt contacted me today, you know?"

Song Ci turned her head, vaguely guessing what was going on.

Could it be that my mother's change today is all related to my aunt, Li Zhihua?

But what exactly did Li Zhihua say to his mother that had this effect?

You have to understand that she tried so hard to persuade her mother to give up her desire for revenge, but all she got in return was repeated hurt!

Li Ying explained, "Li Dong's aunt talked to me for a long time. From the perspective of someone who has been through it, I suddenly realized that I might have made a mistake."

“I used to think that the honor of the family was more important than anything else.”

"To restore the family's glory and to avenge what happened back then, I am willing to pay any price, even if it means sacrificing your feelings or the Li family."

"Only today do I realize that the purpose of life is not only revenge, but also the most important people in our lives."

"If revenge truly leaves me all alone, what's the point even if I succeed in my revenge in the future?"

At this point, Li Ying's voice suddenly choked up.

He pulled a yellowed photograph out of his bag. The little girl in the photo had pigtails and was slightly younger than Niannian.

Li Ying ran her fingers over the creases on the edge of the photo. "The year I went abroad, you hugged my legs and cried, saying you didn't want me to leave."

"Do you remember how I was so resolute back then, and I pushed you to the ground with my hand?"

Song Ci's fingertips clenched tightly, and the sudden stinging pain brought tears to her eyes.

Her mother's ruthlessness was the most vivid wound of her childhood.

The long-buried memories were touched by Li Ying, causing her to turn her face away and look out the window, offering no response whatsoever.

Li Ying said, "Actually, I didn't want to leave back then, but I had no choice but to go."

“If I hadn’t left, I would be facing the same fate as your uncle.”

"If I don't leave, too many people won't be able to sleep soundly."

"To shut me up, they will not only hurt me, they will even hurt you."

"Only if I leave, giving up everything I have in China and away from home, can you grow up safely and peacefully!"

Song Ci took a deep breath, turned her head and asked, "So?"

"You've returned to China this time to take back everything you lost back then."

"They might even go so far as to stab me a few more times?"

Li Ying suddenly changed her form of address, "I was wrong, Ci Ci."

“I took my obsession as the mission of the family, but forgot that I am first and foremost a mother.”

"My conversation with Li Zhihua today wasn't pleasant, but it was Li Zhihua's wake-up call that made me suddenly realize something."

"I've fought for half my life, and now all I have left is you."

"If even you lose, then I'm a complete loser."

“I came here not to ask for your forgiveness, but simply to make amends for my impulsiveness and recklessness.”

“Yesterday at the Li family’s house, I spoke and acted somewhat impulsively, which resulted in Li Dong’s father being hospitalized.”

"I came here today to apologize to Li Dong's father."

"Don't worry, I won't acknowledge myself as your mother for now, so as to avoid putting you in an awkward position in the Li family."

"In short, I will first ease the tension with the Li family so that you won't be in a difficult situation."

"As for Li Dong, although I haven't fully accepted him yet, I'm willing to give him a chance."

"At the very least, I won't publicly oppose the two of you getting together, and I certainly won't cause any more trouble for the Li family!"

Are you satisfied with this level of sincerity?

Song Ci asked with a hint of disbelief, "Are you serious?"

Li Ying said, "I know that an apology is not enough for what happened in the past, but I want to try to make amends."

Song Ci didn't reply immediately, but looked at the woman in front of him who was both familiar and unfamiliar, feeling a mix of emotions.

Her mother's change was so sudden that she was at a loss for what to do.

Before today, her mother was against her getting together with Li Dong. How did she suddenly get persuaded by Li Dong's aunt?

Just then, Song Ci suddenly noticed a few barely noticeable strands of white hair at Li Ying's temples.

Although Song Ci's voice was still cold, it was a little softer than before, "If you really want to make amends, prove it with your actions."

"I can help you make connections with the Li family. As for whether Li Dong's father will forgive you, that depends on your sincerity!"

Li Ying's eyes lit up instantly. "Thank you, thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"I've already had someone buy the supplements, all suitable for the patient. Shall we set off now?"

Arrived at the hospital.

Song Ci didn't let Li Ying into the ward, but instead asked her to wait outside the door.

Inside the ward, only Li's mother was taking care of the patient.

Upon seeing Song Ci, Mr. Li sat up from his hospital bed. "Little Song, what brings you here?"

"I still have to work during the day, so I don't need to go to the hospital."

Li's mother also comforted him, saying, "The doctor who was making rounds just now said that your dad is recovering quite well. He'll have a check-up tomorrow, and if everything is fine, he can be discharged."

Hearing that Li's father was alright, Song Ci's guilt finally eased.

Song Ci said, "Dad, Mom, it's like this, but I didn't come alone today."

"Aunt Li, who visited the Li family last time, is here today as well."

"And this time, she came specifically to apologize!"

Upon hearing this, Li's mother immediately tensed up.

Li Ying's previous assertiveness left a deep impression on the Li family.

On the contrary, Mr. Li remained relatively calm, asking, "Your aunt is here? Where is she?"

"Xiao Song, quickly invite them in."

Song Ci nodded and then opened the ward door.

Li Ying, carrying the gifts in her hands, had a completely different attitude than last time. "Big brother, sister-in-law, I've come here specifically to apologize!"