Chapter 26: Are You Willing?

"Mrs. Shi came to me a couple of days ago to resign. She said she wanted to focus on raising you and supporting your education, so she would no longer continue as the housekeeper for the Jiang family. To be honest, both the master and I were quite surprised.

Mrs. Shi has done excellent work at the Jiang residence all these years. Her sudden resignation caught us off guard. But she truly is a wonderful mother, caring for you so deeply. And you have lived up to her efforts, doing well in your studies, maintaining such a gentle disposition, and never making her hard work here at the Jiang family difficult for her.

Therefore, the master and I have discussed this, and we would like to hear your thoughts, Zhaodi—do you like the Jiang family, and would you like to continue staying here?

If you and Mrs. Shi are willing to remain with the Jiang family for another two years, we will hire an additional private tutor to help with your schoolwork. Two years from now, regardless of your grades, we guarantee your direct admission into our school's high school division. Of course, if you wish to attend a different school, we can also assist with your transfer.

Furthermore, once you finish your college entrance exams, the Jiang family will continue to cover your university tuition in full. This way, Mrs. Shi will no longer have to struggle so hard to provide for your education. What do you think, Zhaodi?" Mrs. Jiang continued.

"Why two years?" Shi Zhaodi could not help but blurt out.

"You are a clever child, so I will not hide the truth from you. The situation is this: as you know, our son’s health has been fragile, and he has been undergoing treatment and recovery for many years. His doctors have stated that if Hao'en can go two consecutive years without a flare-up, there is a possibility he will make a full recovery.

If not for that foolish new maid yesterday, our son would have already gone a very long time without an episode. Hao'en is very fond of you, and I believe you would be willing to help him through these next two years. Once that time passes, he will go abroad, and you and Mrs. Shi can finally live the life you desire," Mrs. Jiang explained.

Shi Zhaodi understood Mrs. Jiang's words clearly.

She was needed to accompany Jiang Hao'en for these two years, to ensure he remained healthy and free of episodes, and after that, everything would have nothing to do with her.

She would still have to leave the Jiang family and leave Jiang Hao'en behind.

Just as her mother had said, they and the Jiang family belonged to two different worlds.

No matter how much she cared for Jiang Hao'en, the Jiang family would never allow them to be together.

"Zhaodi, are you willing?" Mrs. Jiang asked with a smile, though her tone carried an unshakeable firmness.

"As long as my mother agrees, I am willing," Shi Zhaodi finally replied.

The one person she could never disobey was her mother.

As long as her mother gave her consent, she had a thousand reasons to stay and keep Jiang Hao'en company, even if it were only for two years.

In the end, Mrs. Shi agreed to stay with the Jiang family for two more years, and Shi Zhaodi continued to live there with her mother.

Many years later, Shi Zhaodi would learn exactly what methods the Jiang family had used to coerce her mother into agreeing, and subsequently, to keep her there.

But by the time she discovered the truth, nothing could ever be changed.