T/N: Extra part to thank Kieukieu for their NU review =).
Title: The Villain’s Mother
Translator: Fuyu
Chapter 197 - So she was saying he was old? (1)
Dismiss Li Jing at this critical juncture?
Even Ruan Xia mentally lit a row of candles in sympathy for this girl. Even though this was a novel world, Song Tingshen had never acted out-of-character. It made sense though. A successful man in his thirties wouldn’t be frightened by a girl using the trick of attempted suicde. Li Jing was able to heartlessly swallow medicine. What exactly was the outcome she wanted to achieve?
Did she want to scare Li Yuanhang so that he won’t force her to resign?
That was probably it. Song Tingshen should know that too.
If that was the case, Li Yuanhang’s life was too miserable, having a younger sister that would try commit suicide over such a minor matter.
Ruan Xia reflexively asked, “Are you not worried that Li Yuanhang will think you’re too cold-blooded?”
After all, Li Jing had recently been saved, and Song Tingshen was going to dismiss her soon after. If Li Jing found out, she guessed that Li Jing wouldn’t be able to bear the bad news. It would be a punch in the face to her.
Song Tingshen took a sip of milk. He didn’t naturally like to drink milk. Over time, he had been influenced by Ruan Xia’s habits and would go downstairs and make a cup of hot milk from powder on a whim. Eventually, he had gotten used to drinking milk.
“If he feels that way, then it means we’re already no longer suitable to be friends. Li Jing wanted to use her suicide attempt to show that she won’t resign. Old Li might be soft-hearted, so I can only break this path by dismissing her. This way Old Li won’t be caught in the middle. Moreover…”
He glanced at Ruan Xia. “I don’t like to indulge outsiders.”
What did he mean by that?
“The move of using suicde is effective on Old Li, but not me. If she can do this just because she doesn’t want to resign, then what about in the future? Will she want more? Will she use even more extreme methods to force the people around her to help her accomplish her goals?” Song Tingshen’s voice was a bit cold. “I don’t have any connection to her. I’m not her older brother or her friend. I have no obligation to indulge her.”
Song Tingshen had seen the issue very thoroughly and clearly. If he allowed Li Jing to taste sweetness this time, it would undoubtedly grow her greed. This time, she didn’t want to resign. What would she want next time?
Adults were like children. Children will try all sorts of shameless methods when they want a toy. If the parent compromised with the child because of this, then the child would know that method was useful. The next time the child wants something, he or she will use the same method.
Ruan Xia nodded. To ease the mood, she said, “You’re too charming. The age difference between Li Jing and you is quite big. A lot of young women like the uncle type. But I think that after this incident, she’ll be able to think things through.”
She could see that Song Tingshen wasn’t the type to be close to his friend’s younger sisters. Who knows? He and Li Jing might not have even exchanged many words. She could only say that Song Tingshen was too charming. He was mature, steady, handsome, and rich. When it came to choosing people that one admired and were out of reach, the uncle type would have more appealing points for women than the handsome young men type. It wasn’t strange that Li Jing would have a crush on Song Tingshen.
Age difference? Uncle?
Song Tingshen’s lips twitched. He looked at Ruan Xia and said, “You’re only a few years older than Li Jing.”
So she was saying he was old? No one wanted to be regarded as an uncle.