My Angel, My Guardian (GL) - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Ying Xue was about to say more, but the banquet had already begun. The host was delivering the opening remarks. Ying Xing’er gave Ying Xue a small smile and walked toward Great-Grandmother.

“Great-Grandma, I hope you can forgive my actions in a moment,” Xing’er whispered into the old lady’s ear. Before the elderly woman could grasp what was happening, Xing’er stepped onto the stage and took the microphone from the host.

“Hello everyone, I am Ying Xing’er, the eldest great-granddaughter of the Ying family and the head of the Ying Family Organization. First, I wish Great-Grandmother a very happy birthday. Secondly, I am here to make a solemn announcement: as of today, I am resigning from my position as the head of the Ying Family Organization. Thank you.”

Xing’er’s words caused the faces of everyone present to change instantly. Ying Yu frowned thoughtfully; Ying Xue gripped her glass so tightly she looked ready to slap Xing’er; Shen Jingwen stood frozen, never imagining that Xing’er would take a casual, dismissive comment she had once made so seriously. Surprisingly, the only person whose expression remained calm was the old lady, as if she had seen this coming all along.

“Today is my big day. Your presence here honors me. Please, everyone, eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves,” the old lady said, walking slowly onto the stage to take the mic and smooth over the tension. She then led Xing’er offstage. Ying Xue tried to step forward to say something, but a single look from the old lady stopped her in her tracks. The old lady pulled Xing’er into the lounge.

“Everything happens for a reason. Tell me yours,” the old lady said, sitting on the sofa and looking at Xing’er standing before her. Xing’er sat down beside her with a cheeky grin, hugging her arm affectionately.

“Great-Grandma, I just want to live a stable life. I don’t want to live in a world of unknowns every day. I want to have a partner—someone I love and who loves me—and just live our own quiet little life. Great-Grandma, you love me the most; you’ll support me, right?”

“Is it you who wants a quiet life, or is it Shen Jingwen?” the old lady asked, raising an eyebrow.

Xing’er continued to act spoiled. “Great-Grandma, it’s my wish too. I remember Grandpa saying that being in the underworld means living with your head tucked into your waistband. Look at Great-Grandpa—he died so young. I don’t want Shen Jingwen to become the second ‘you.’ That might sound disrespectful, but I want to give her a peaceful life. Isn’t that what a member of the Ying family should do?”

The old lady remained silent for a long time, lost in thought. Finally, she sighed. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. She was old and just wanted to enjoy her remaining years in peace. If the youngsters wanted to stir things up, let them.

“I will talk to your Mommy. Now, go out and host the guests,” she said, patting Xing’er’s hand. Xing’er laughed, kissed the old lady on the cheek, and stood up. As she opened the door, she saw Ying Xue glaring at her as if she wanted to skin her alive.

“I’m going to go greet the guests!” Xing’er chirped, slipping past Ying Xue. Ying Xue tried to follow, but Ying Yu held her back.

“Go listen to what Grandma has to say. Xing’er must have her reasons,” Ying Yu said, pulling Ying Xue into the lounge.

“Grandma,” they both said in unison. The old lady looked up and nodded.

“Sit. Let’s discuss who will take over the Ying Family Organization.”

“Grandma, are you really going to let Xing’er be this reckless? The organization has never been passed to an outsider. If Xing’er won’t take it, who will? Are we supposed to give it to Aiai?”

“Hey, don’t go dragging my daughter into this,” Ying Yu cut in immediately. She had no intention of letting Aiai get involved in the chaos of the underworld.

“Enough. Xuexue, you will continue to manage the organization for a while. I’ll figure out the rest. Perhaps… it’s time we let the organization ‘turn white’ (go legitimate). We don’t need to be so aggressive; as long as we can protect ourselves, it’s enough.”

“Grandma, I can’t let the organization decline under my watch!” Ying Xue said, frowning. The old lady stood up, walked to her, and smiled.

“Child, the Ying family has been at this for nearly a hundred years. Aren’t you tired? This old lady is tired. Enough. I will handle this.” She patted Ying Xue’s arm and left. Ying Xue let out a heavy breath and sank into the sofa.

“Sister, Grandma is right,” Ying Yu said, sitting beside her. “Letting go doesn’t mean the family is declining. A tall tree catches the wind, and it’s lonely at the top—you know this. Do you really want Xing’er to live her life in fear? Think about how many times you’ve brushed with death over the years. Do you want that for her? Try to weaken the organization’s reach. Self-preservation is enough.”

Ying Yu patted her sister’s hand and left. Ying Xue sighed deeply. Who actually wanted to live a life on the edge? But without the protection of the organization, would the Ying family be bullied?

Meanwhile, Shen Jingwen pulled Xing’er into a quiet corner.

“Are you insane? It was a joke! How could you take it so seriously?” Jingwen demanded, her voice laced with anger. To abandon one’s responsibilities and family legacy for a single sentence from a woman—others might find it touching, but Shen Jingwen found it infuriating.

“I’m serious about you,” Xing’er replied. “Since you want a stable life, I’m working to give you one. I did this to show you I’m not just playing around.”

“But in my eyes, this is irresponsible. You suddenly announced you’re quitting everything—did you even think about the consequences? I’m telling you, I will not be with a ‘child’ who doesn’t understand the meaning of responsibility.”

Jingwen turned to leave, but Xing’er grabbed her arm. Xing’er was naturally very strong; she didn’t think she was using much force, but it actually hurt Jingwen enough to make her want to strike back.

“Let go! You’re hurting me!” Jingwen glared. Xing’er quickly released her, but a red handprint was already visible on the fair skin of her arm.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Shen Jingwen, what exactly do you want me to do? Before, you looked down on me because I was in the underworld. Now that I’ve quit, you call me reckless and irresponsible. Please tell me, what do I have to do for you to accept me? Just say it, and I’ll do it.”

For the first time, Xing’er was truly humble—lower than she had ever been, even with her two mothers.

“Just grow up, okay? I don’t like you. We can be friends, but as for being lovers or anything more… I’m sorry, I can’t do it.”

Jingwen rubbed her arm and walked away. Xing’er stood there, her mind a blank. For the first time, she felt a profound sense of lostness—about the future and about love. Why was everyone else’s romance so smooth, while hers was a constant uphill battle?

“Great-Grandma, I have some things to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first,” Jingwen said to the old lady. The old woman’s sharp eyes caught the red mark on Jingwen’s arm, and she nodded.

“I’ll have the driver take you. Go down; he’ll be waiting at the door.”

Knowing they must have argued, the old lady didn’t press further. Jingwen nodded apologetically and left. Once in the elevator, she let out a sigh of relief. She admitted she had felt a spark for Xing’er, but that didn’t mean she would be with her. She was in her thirties; she was past the age of believing in fairytales. To her, a stable life was worth more than anything.

She got into the car and gave the driver her address. Leaning back against the seat, she closed her eyes to rest. When they arrived, the driver spoke softly. “Miss Shen, we’re here.”

Jingwen opened her eyes, handed the driver a tip, and walked inside. Not long after she entered her home, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she sighed before finally answering.

“Are you home?” Xing’er’s voice came through, sounding deeply exhausted.

“Yes. I’m home.”

“Good. Get some rest then. And… I’m sorry about today.”

Xing’er hung up before Jingwen could respond. Jingwen stared at the dead phone for a moment, set it on the coffee table, and headed for the bathroom.