Chapter 100: I Don’t Want You Anymore
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Yu Zhi Yi, upon realizing what was happening, no longer paid attention to Yu Jiao Jiao’s petty schemes.
“But Yu Zi Xuan, what makes you think that after all your cruel words and siding with Yu Jiao Jiao to bully me, I would still forgive you? When one makes a mistake, they must face the consequences, mustn’t they?”
“From the moment you threw away the Protective Talisman, the Defensive Bracelet, and shattered the pillow I inscribed with a Spirit-Gathering Symbol; from the moment you stood by Yu Jiao Jiao and hurled insults at me… I decided I don’t want you anymore.”
“A mistake is a mistake. Any excuse is mere sophistry. Don’t even think about making amends, for the harm is already done and irreparable! These were your very words to me once.”
These words were what Yu Zi Xuan had said in the year his mind recovered. That year, Yu Jiao Jiao had intentionally pretended to be pushed by Yu Zhi Yi on the road he frequented daily, aiming to wound her heart. When Yu Zi Xuan supported Yu Jiao Jiao, he flew into a rage, harshly condemning Yu Zhi Yi as venomous.
At that time, Yu Zhi Yi still held a sliver of hope for him. If it had been another member of the Yu family hurling such accusations, she would have endured it. But it was him—and she couldn’t help but argue.
“The truth is easy to uncover. Why won’t you investigate before accusing me? Must I be condemned forever for a single mistake? Moreover, what mistake have I made?! I was just a newborn at the time—what could I possibly have done?!”
Yu Zi Xuan had responded coldly then: “So what? Even if you did nothing, the harm exists. You are not innocent.”
Now, she returned those words to Yu Zi Xuan: “Although forgetting the past isn’t your fault, the harm exists. You are not innocent.”
“So in the future, stop pestering me.”
With a sweep of her long sleeve, Yu Zi Xuan felt a gust of wind, causing him to stagger to the side involuntarily. By the time he steadied himself and looked up again, Yu Zhi Yi was already more than twenty meters away.
He collapsed to his knees in despair. “Sister Yi, don’t abandon me! I truly know I was wrong…”
By the time Yu Zhi Yi returned to the Du Mansion, her emotions had settled.
From this day forth, she resolved to sever ties with the Yu family entirely.
The Yu family’s fall from nobility to commoners was a fate they had earned. She would no longer strategize or plan for them.
Whether Yu Zi Xuan had regained his memory and sought forgiveness, or merely intended to manipulate her into supporting the Yu family, she would not oblige.
Some things, once broken, remain broken.
A shattered mirror cannot be made whole again, especially when it was already in pieces to begin with.
…
In the afternoon, the steward reported that someone had delivered an invitation.
Yu Zhi Yi, having few friends in the capital, speculated it could only be from the Yu family, the Marquis Wu’an’s Mansion, or Red Luan. She guessed correctly; the invitation was indeed from Red Luan.
However, instead of inviting her to the Splendid Embroidery Workshop, Red Luan invited her to visit the Graceful Phoenix Charity.
Yu Zhi Yi composed herself, donned plain attire, and headed out with Li Rou.
The Graceful Phoenix Charity was located on Changping Street.
Compared to Lin’an Street, where the Imperial Palace stood, Changping Street was far less bustling, but still saw considerable foot traffic. The charity’s shop was situated at the street’s end and was relatively modest in size. Despite its two-story structure, it appeared shabby compared to the establishments further down the road.
But this modest appearance was deceiving.
Inside, the space unfolded into a cleverly utilized interior.
The twenty-square-meter ground floor featured a tall counter immediately upon entry. This counter, custom-made to stand out from ordinary ones, prominently displayed the name “Graceful Phoenix Charity” in bold lettering facing the entrance.
To the left of the counter was a designated area, where a large Eight Immortals Table could accommodate three people per side for simultaneous writing. Beneath the table were twelve drawers, one allocated to each person.
Behind the counter stood a screen extending up to the second-floor ceiling, painted with a serene ink wash of mountains and rivers. Behind this screen lay a separate “client area.”
Red Luan had explained before that the client area was intended for entertaining potential donors and philanthropists. On regular days, it served as the workspace where she and Red Luan discussed matters and balanced accounts.
Upon rounding the screen, Yu Zhi Yi saw Red Luan already present, lounging on a redwood sofa, nibbling on pastries.
“You’re here?”
Red Luan hastily finished her bite and took a large sip of tea. Her alluring fox-like eyes, brimming with charm, were offset by her carefree demeanor, making her easy to approach.
Noticing Yu Zhi Yi’s somber mood, Red Luan frowned. “Did something happen?”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “Nothing.”
She found it odd that Red Luan, despite her typically stoic expression, could discern her emotions.
Seeing her unwillingness to elaborate, Red Luan refrained from probing further. Instead, she pushed two booklets toward Yu Zhi Yi. “Here, the one on the left contains our employee information. Most of them are out on errands, except for two currently checking inventory in the backyard.”
“The one on the right lists those in need and the assistance we’ve planned for them.”
Yu Zhi Yi picked up the left booklet first. It categorized twelve names based on their roles.
The manager, Wu Shan, oversaw general operations. Below him was Li Ping Le, the accountant responsible for verifying and disbursing funds. Li Zhong handled investigating those in need, while Yang Xue Tong coordinated aid logistics. The remaining staff were divided into two groups, each under either Li Zhong or Yang Xue Tong.
Excluding Yu Zhi Yi and Red Luan, the charity employed twelve people.
Red Luan remarked, “I’ve never done anything like this before, so we’re essentially fumbling our way forward step by step during this initial phase.”
“But don’t worry. I’ve already spoken with Auntie Red. We won’t be taking any more orders for now. Even after finishing the current batch of garments, I’ll reduce the number of pieces I make going forward to focus more time and energy on our charity work. I’m determined not to let our great endeavor collapse midway.”
Yu Zhi Yi hesitated. “Won’t that be unwise? Isn’t your ambition to prove your capability to your father?”
Red Luan’s fox-like eyes glinted mischievously. “Aren’t I proving myself already?”
Yu Zhi Yi was momentarily speechless.
Indeed, Red Luan’s achievements were undeniable.
While other embroideresses required years, even decades, to attain the title of Gold-Ranked Embroideress, Red Luan had done so in just one year. Not only had she made a name for herself in the capital, but she had also become the Splendid Embroidery Workshop’s top-tier embroideress, even surpassing the fame of the other four elite embroideresses.
If this wasn’t proof of ability, what was?
Red Luan chuckled. “I want my father to recognize my talents, but that doesn’t mean I plan to remain solely an embroideress. I have a hunch that our charity, if managed well, will achieve far greater accomplishments than my position at the Splendid Embroidery Workshop.”
“Once I’ve finished my current orders, I plan to resign from the workshop.”
“Resign?”
“Yes, I’ll be quitting the Splendid Embroidery Workshop and leaving the position of Gold-Ranked Embroideress vacant to inspire other embroideresses.”
Yu Zhi Yi was taken aback. “But you worked so hard to earn the title of Gold-Ranked Embroideress. Isn’t it a shame to give it up so soon? Besides, if your father sees this, he might think you lack perseverance, and all your efforts over the past year would go to waste.”