Chapter 1036: We Are Strangers

Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Master Ye, I get what you’re saying, but…” Ye Leng’an flashed a smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes when she glanced at Ye Hongxuan and Lian Mengzhu. “My option has always been my own, so I don’t need your stuff.”

She hadn’t expected Ye Hongxuan and Lian Mengzhu to show up today with a dowry. Unfortunately, she wasn’t into that kind of thing and wouldn’t take it.

“Leng’an, why are you so stubborn?” Lian Mengzhu sounded defeated and a bit flustered. “We’re not trying to make you do anything. We just want to give you a dowry. Can’t you appreciate that?”

“Why should I appreciate it?” Ye Leng’an scoffed. “You want to give me something. As the person involved, don’t I have the right to say no?”

“We didn’t mean it like that!” Lian Mengzhu rushed to explain. “We… we just wanted to do something nice for you. Why can’t you accept it?”

“Look, Master Ye and Madam Ye, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.” Ye Leng’an’s tone remained distant. “I have no connection to you. Can’t I turn you down? I let you in today to make this clear. I don’t want any more random visits from you. It’s causing me trouble.”

“But we do have a relationship…” Lian Mengzhu tried to argue, feeling the distance grow between them. However, before she could finish, Ye Leng’an cut her off.

“Don’t you see what’s happening here?” Ye Leng’an’s expression turned cold, devoid of any warmth. “We’re past the point of having any relationship. Even if you think I’m being cold or unreasonable, that’s fine. I just don’t want anything to do with you anymore. If you really care about me, then stop coming around. You were absent for twenty years. When you finally showed up, you flaunted your adopted daughter in front of me. Do you honestly think you can call yourselves parents to me now?”

Each word hit Ye Hongxuan and Lian Mengzhu like a punch, draining the color from their faces. They looked like they’d been hit hard. They’d tried to ignore this reality before, but now it was staring them in the face.

The courtyard fell into an uncomfortable silence.

After a long silence, Ye Hongxuan finally spoke up, his voice rough with emotion. “Leng’an, do you… hate us?”

He couldn’t meet Ye Leng’an’s eyes, afraid of what he might see in them. Lian Mengzhu felt the same, avoiding facing the truth.

“I don’t hate you,” Ye Leng’an replied flatly.

As Ye Hongxuan and Mengzhu looked up hopefully, Ye Leng’an’s next words shattered their expectations, leaving them cold.

“I feel nothing for you. No love, no hate.” Ye Leng’an’s tone was matter-of-fact, devoid of emotion. “We share blood, but we’re strangers. I once hoped for my birth parents, but seeing you erased that hope. You’re not my parents; you belong to Ye Wanwan. I understand you’ve raised Ye Wanwan for so many years, but I can’t accept you as my biological parents,” Ye Leng’an continued calmly. “Since you’ve chosen Ye Wanwan, cut all ties with me. It’s for the best.”

With that, Ye Leng’an pushed the storage bag back to Ye Hongxuan. “Don’t give me gifts like this again. We’ll be strangers from now on. No need for greetings. If you truly regret it, that’s how you can make it right.”

Hearing that, Ye Hongxuan and Lian Mengzhu felt a whirlwind of emotions inside. Their throats felt blocked, unable to utter a word.

Seeing the stunned look on Ye Hongxuan and Lian Mengzhu’s faces, Ye Leng’an remained unfazed. She got up and said before leaving, “Master Ye, Madam Ye, please leave.”

As Ye Leng’an left without hesitation, Ye Hongxuan and Mengzhu were speechless and pale. Lian Mengzhu couldn’t hold back her tears.

“Let’s go.” Ye Hongxuan’s voice was strained. “In the future, we shouldn’t interfere in her life.”

“But she’s our daughter!” Mengzhu repeated, trying to convince herself and Ye Hongxuan. “She is just being angry at us!”

“Enough,” Ye Hongxuan interrupted. “We must respect her choice.”

Leaving the Huangfu family, they wore grim expressions. However, they were relieved to attend the wedding. Though not parents, witnessing their daughter’s happiness was enough.

Later, Huangfu Ruiling was informed of Ye Hongxuan and Lian Mengzhu’s visit.