Chapter 99

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=1363950 This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com

Zuo Qinghuan remained silent, waiting for Qin Zheng's next words.

"Good tea leaves need to be paired with good water, or else the taste will suffer, don't you agree?" Qin Zheng asked, still in a gentle tone.

Zuo Qinghuan knew this was a trap question. Answering yes or no would both be incorrect, but not answering was also not an option.

"Grandpa, if you have something to say, please don't hesitate to tell me," Zuo Qinghuan knew well the metaphorical implications in Qin Zheng's words.

"The ancients said, 'Parent’s love for their children is profound and far-reaching.' She is the eldest daughter of the Qin family, and the Qin family has paved the way for her. There's no denying that with the influence of the Qin family, she can encounter fewer difficulties in her future life and achieve great success. But what can you offer her?"

I can give her a lot of love, Zuo Qinghuan thought to herself, but she didn't say it out loud. Perhaps in their eyes, love was not even worth mentioning. At the same time, Zuo Qinghuan also knew that being with Qin Wanshu might mean losing a lot.

"Wanshu has probably weighed everything. She doesn't care about these gains and losses," Zuo Qinghuan believed that when Qin Wanshu chose to be with her, she had already thought carefully about all the gains and losses. Her strongest support was Qin Wanshu's steadfast attitude.

"Indeed, because of her upbringing and education since childhood, Wanshu has a tolerance for people and things that ordinary people do not have. For example, she can accept both expensive branded clothing and street stall goods with equanimity, not caring whether what she wears is expensive. She may not care whether what she wears is from a street stall or a luxury brand, as long as she feels comfortable. But who would be willing to give her street stall goods? And how could someone who loves her bear to see her slighted?" Qin Zheng asked in return.

His words pricked at Zuo Qinghuan's pride. Indeed, Qin Wanshu might not care whether Zuo Qinghuan was outstanding enough, but how could someone who loved her bear to see her settle for someone who wasn't outstanding enough? Qin Wanshu deserved the best, whether it was things or people. But with her current self, Zuo Qinghuan couldn't give Qin Wanshu the best. In fact, for herself, Qin Wanshu had to give up many things that were originally hers— the wealth of the Qin family and the abilities bestowed upon her by the Qin family. Although Qin Wanshu had been showing a calm demeanor over the past three months, Zuo Qinghuan could still sense the faint sense of loss hidden within her. Qin Wanshu was destined not to live an ordinary life; she needed to spread her wings.

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=1363950 This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com

"Women naturally like to rely on someone stronger than themselves, and you are both women. She can provide you with enough support, but what about you? What gives you the right to provide her with the strength she can rely on? She could have soared higher, but she needs to lower her altitude to match yours. Why don't you elevate yourself to her height and fly together?" Qin Zheng continued to ask.

"I will work hard to make myself stronger," Zuo Qinghuan vowed. She might not be strong enough now, but she would strive for Qin Wanshu.

"Until now, you haven't given me any reasons to accept your relationship. Although Wanshu has always been firm-minded, if she insists on being with you, I can't do anything about it. I won't forcibly break you apart, but I absolutely won't accept your relationship either. A relationship without the recognition and blessings of family is not complete. And in my eyes, you just want to latch onto her because she is Qin Wanshu, the heiress of the Qin family, not because you truly love her. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so selfish, only wanting to bind her with your feelings and not even willing to fight for her family's acceptance." Qin Zheng dug a pit, tempting Zuo Qinghuan to jump in. He gave her the illusion that he didn't completely reject her unless she could satisfy him.

"What do I need to do to make you accept me then?" Zuo Qinghuan asked. She knew the reasons why Qin Zheng didn't accept her weren't because she was a woman but because she wasn't outstanding enough, at least that's the information he conveyed today.

"I want you to leave her for three years. During these three years, make yourself outstanding enough. If you can do that, come back, and I will genuinely accept you. If you can't meet the standard, don't entangle yourself with Wanshu anymore. Of course, this standard is quantifiable, so you can rest assured," Qin Zheng proposed. He wanted Zuo Qinghuan to willingly leave without blaming him and also to achieve the goal of breaking them apart. Qin Zheng believed that the feelings between women were too childish, and after three years apart, their feelings might fade away, and they would move on. Most importantly, achieving the outstanding standard he set within three years would be quite difficult for Zuo Qinghuan.

Zuo Qinghuan hesitated. Three years was too long; she couldn't bear to leave Qin Wanshu, even temporarily.

"What's wrong? Are you afraid your relationship won't withstand the test of time, or are you afraid you can't do it yourself?" Qin Zheng raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Will you agree to let us be together if I become outstanding enough?" Zuo Qinghuan asked seriously.

"At my age, would I still make empty promises? Of course, my word is my bond," Qin Zheng assured her. If love had such power to transform a person before his eyes, then he would acknowledge it.

"I need to go back and consider it," Zuo Qinghuan hesitated. She believed Qin Zheng wouldn't go back on his word, but three years seemed neither short nor long. She couldn't bear to leave Qin Wanshu, not to mention, what if she couldn't fulfill the condition? Most importantly, Zuo Qinghuan knew she truly felt inferior, and this feeling of inferiority made her despise herself.

Qin Zheng was very clever. He remained polite throughout the conversation, reasoning with Zuo Qinghuan objectively. He didn't focus on the ethical violation of two women being together but rather on their mismatch and Zuo Qinghuan's inherent sense of inferiority. At the same time, he gave her hope, making her lower her guard and accept the conditions he set forth. Clearly, Qin Zheng's psychological warfare had an effect; at least, Zuo Qinghuan was starting to relent.

As Zuo Qinghuan left the Qin residence, she ran into Shi Yunyang, who had come to see Qin Teng.

"Did the old man ask for you?" Shi Yunyang raised an eyebrow. Things became more interesting when Qin Zheng got involved, she thought to herself, planning to add fuel to the fire. In a way, Shi Yunyang had always been despicable, so it was only a matter of time before karma caught up with her.

Zuo Qinghuan nodded. In truth, she didn't even have the mood to deal with Shi Yunyang's antics.

"To be honest, I don't like you. Overestimating yourself is one thing, but you're just taking advantage of the situation," Shi Yunyang didn't bother hiding her disdain for Zuo Qinghuan.

"So, you also think I'm not good enough and don't deserve to have Qin Wanshu, huh?" Since Shi Yunyang had thrown diplomacy out the window, Zuo Qinghuan saw no reason to be polite either. If she disliked her, then Zuo Qinghuan felt no fondness for her either.

"Who has the right to claim Mount Fuji as their own based on their love alone?" Qin Wanshu shouldn't be someone's possession, and if she were to belong to anyone, it definitely shouldn't be Zuo Qinghuan. With that, Shi Yunyang turned and left.

Zuo Qinghuan was momentarily stunned by her words.

After leaving the Qin residence, Zuo Qinghuan didn't go straight home. Instead, she wandered aimlessly through the city, feeling lost amidst the bustling crowd.

Author's Note:

Writing efficiency is too low. It took me over three hours to write this chapter… 

It's past one o'clock again. I need to go to bed quickly as I have work in the morning...