Chapter 54: Am I more worthy of your love now?

Feng Xiyue’s mother fell silent.

Meng Zhi’s gaze held none of the reverence a child typically shows an elder.
He spoke calmly, as if discussing something entirely detached from himself.

Even though she knew there was some sophistry in his words, she found herself unable to counter them.

After all, it wasn’t Meng Zhi who forced Feng Xiyue to skip school and chase music.
This matter didn’t fall on him.

But his words grated on her ears in an inexplicable way.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”

Meng Zhi nodded politely to Feng Xiyue’s mother, then walked back to Chen Xinya’s side, leaving the hospital with her.

Feng Xiyue’s mother frowned slightly as she watched their retreating figures.
A moment later, she turned to her daughter:
“So, after Meng Zhi’s little pep talk, you’re planning to keep defying me and running wild?”

To her surprise, Feng Xiyue shook her head.
Her eyes were clearer and more resolute than ever as she looked at her mother earnestly.

“Meng Zhi was right about one thing.”

“For something this small, I should handle it myself. There’s no need to trouble him.”

‘If I can’t even solve something this small…’
‘I don’t deserve to compete with a girl like Chen Xinya for him.’

“Let’s talk.”
Feng Xiyue’s tone carried a sense of release as she exhaled deeply.
“Tell me your bottom line.”

Her mother’s frown deepened.
She didn’t quite like the way her daughter was speaking now—it reminded her of the cold, calculated businessmen she dealt with.

No trace of emotion, just icy interests and transactions.

“I need you to be a good daughter, study hard, and at least get into a first-tier university. Otherwise, when people in our circle ask about my daughter, I’ll always feel inferior because of you.”

She expected Feng Xiyue to dodge and argue as usual, but to her surprise, Feng Xiyue agreed readily:
“A first-tier university, right? X University works?”

The woman paused, then nodded slowly.
“It’s fine, but—”

“Good. I can meet your demands.”
Feng Xiyue stared at her.
“In exchange, I want you to help me apply for a leave of absence.”

“A leave of absence? How will you—”

“I’ll self-study.”
Feng Xiyue’s tone was unwavering.
“This way, I don’t have to give up music, and I don’t have to go to that disgusting place.”

“As for attendance and the diploma, with your connection to the principal, that shouldn’t be hard to handle, right?”

It wasn’t hard.

But self-studying to get into X University…
Feng Xiyue’s mother hadn’t considered this solution.
To anyone else, it might sound like a pipe dream.

After a long silence, the woman looked deeply at Feng Xiyue.
“Studying requires complete focus. I find it hard to believe you.”

“Same here.”

Feng Xiyue’s eyes lowered slightly, but her voice was calm.
“But compared to us both fighting to the death and neither getting what we want, this is the best option.”

“I know you don’t actually care what kind of person I am. But you need the status of ‘my daughter’—you need to polish it with enough prestige to satisfy your ego.”

“Not only will I get into X University in a year, but I’ll also sign with a record label during college and make a name for myself in the music industry.”

“That way, the identity of ‘my daughter, the elite university student and musician’ should satisfy you, right?”
Feng Xiyue looked at her steadily.

Her mother fell into another long silence.

Honestly, she was a bit annoyed.

Not because her daughter’s demands were too outrageous.

But because she’d proposed a plan that was, shockingly, acceptable.

For a businesswoman, it was like negotiating a deal where the other party saw through her bottom line and psychological price, leaving no room to haggle.

No merchant enjoys that feeling.

“What if you fail?”

“Then I’ll give up music and follow your arrangements. Study abroad or whatever—you name it.”

“No. Words alone aren’t enough. That’s just empty promises.”

“You can test my progress every two months. If I don’t meet your expectations, you can pull the plug anytime.”

The woman’s gaze lingered for a moment before she added, “I’ll only cover your study materials and tutors.”

“Fine. I’ll earn my own living.”
Feng Xiyue nodded.

At this point, her mother knew she had no more leverage to push further.

The “rebellious girl” she’d barely paid attention to growing up had just successfully negotiated with her.

She’d done business with countless merchants in her life.

This time, she couldn’t gain the upper hand against her own daughter.

But maybe that was how it should be.

A vixen’s daughter is always a little vixen.
She was her daughter, after all.

If she followed her into business, she might not do worse than her.

“…Sigh.”

The woman let out a deep sigh, then waved a hand wearily.
“Two months, then. I’ll have someone prepare a mock exam. If you don’t pass the first-tier line, you’ll end this childish game.”

“Whether it’s a childish game…”
Feng Xiyue showed no trace of retreat or fear.
“We’ll see.”

The woman gave her a long look.

This time, she said nothing, only walked away slowly in her high heels.

The hospital remained busy, with no one sparing a thought for the mother-daughter dispute.

Only when the woman was completely out of sight did Feng Xiyue suddenly collapse onto the chair, as if drained of strength, gasping for air.

Her pale face looked like thin paper, her hair sticking to her forehead and ears with sweat.
After panting for a long time, the girl suddenly laughed.

Her lips parted, her mouth curving upward, her eyes glistening with tears.

‘I did it.’

‘I finally did it.’

‘What I couldn’t do until I died in my last life, I’ve finally done with my own hands in this one.’

Meng Zhi was right.
All this time, she’d made so many wrong choices.

But the biggest mistake was always thinking of running away.

Denying herself completely, believing that as long as Meng Zhi was there, everything would be fine.

When her laughter and tears had all poured out, Feng Xiyue wiped her face and composed herself.

“Phew… I’ve got a lot to do now.”

She stood up, stretching lazily like a cat.
Every cell in her body felt lighter, giving her a sense of ease and freedom she’d never known.

“Meng Zhi.”

“The me now… compared to the spoiled, childish girl from my last life.”

“…Am I someone you could like a little more?”
Feng Xiyue tilted her head, her hair falling messily over her eyes and the curve of her smile.