Chapter 42 Isolated and helpless
Jiang Zhiyu smiled indifferently, his eyebrows deliberately revealing a sadness that was difficult to conceal: "Maybe I came back at the wrong time, and my home is empty, and no one can pay attention to my return."
Jiang Hongshen slowly put down the bamboo slips in his hand, with an indescribable complex emotion in his eyes, and then he regained his usual composure: "Zhi Yu, you don't need to blame yourself so much. Family affairs are complicated, and we are also trapped in prison and cannot extricate ourselves."
Jiang Hongming showed a trace of confusion, his brows furrowed tightly, "But you are the blood of the family after all, and there should be someone to welcome you when you return. This kind of treatment is really hard to accept."
Jiang Shuyuan raised the corner of her mouth slightly, but her eyes were as sharp as a knife: "Second Uncle, you still can't see through people's hearts. Sister Zhiyu's return is not what the family expected."
Jiang Zhiyu's heart trembled slightly when he heard this, but he still maintained his calm on the surface: "Sister Shuyuan is right. I shouldn't have disturbed the peace of this family."
Jiang Hongshen witnessed this scene, and felt a little guilty. He said gently: "Zhi Yu, don't you understand? Although family affairs are complicated, your position has never changed. We are all your relatives, and we should not be so indifferent and make you feel lonely."
Jiang Hongming also immediately comforted her: "Yes, Zhiyu, you don't have to mind. Blood is thicker than water. We are a family. There is a solution to any problem."
Jiang Shuyuan sneered, "Family? Zhiyu, don't be fooled by their sweet words. In this family, you are just an insignificant existence. Do you think we welcome you?"
Jiang Zhiyu's face changed slightly when she heard this, but she calmed down immediately. She looked at Jiang Shuyuan calmly, without any fluctuation in her tone: "Do you think you can interfere with me?"
Jiang Hongshen pondered in silence, while Jiang Hongming frowned and was about to speak, but was interrupted by Jiang Shuyuan.
Jiang Shuyuan snorted coldly and continued, "Do you think this is a place you can come and go as you please? Zhiyu, have you forgotten? You think this is your home? You are wrong, this will belong to me, Jiang Shuyuan, from now on."
Jiang Zhiyu smiled slightly, with a hint of determination in his eyes: "Whether it's industry or family business, I don't care."
Jiang Hongshen finally spoke, his voice low and firm: "Zhi Yu, you are the daughter of our Jiang family. You must understand that this is not a safe haven for you to escape reality. Your behavior will affect the reputation of the entire family."
Jiang Hongming couldn't help but interrupt at this time: "Yes, Zhiyu, since you have returned to the family, you must abide by the family rules."
Jiang Zhiyu didn't plan to give up easily: "I can abide by the rules, but I also hope that the family can give me the respect I deserve. I am not an object, nor a pawn that can be manipulated at will."
Jiang Shuyuan's face turned even uglier when she heard this. She stared at Jiang Zhiyu and said sharply, "Are you threatening us? Zhiyu, what qualifications do you think you have?"
Jiang Zhiyu shook his head and replied calmly: "I am not threatening anyone. I just want to fight for my rights. This is my dignity as a human being."
"Ha, rights, dignity, these words coming out of your mouth are really hilarious. Don't you really know your importance in the Jiang family? Even if you are famous in the Imperial College, what's the use? In the Jiang family today, the most valued person is none other than me!" Jiang Shuyuan glanced at Jiang Zhiyu sharply and said sarcastically.
A hint of sadness flashed across Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, but she subtly suppressed her emotions and continued in a firm voice, "Status and power are ultimately fleeting. True dignity and power come from the strength deep within one's heart, not from the protection of one's family or the superficial recognition of others. What I pursue is the right to freely choose my own destiny as an independent and complete individual."
Jiang Shuyuan curled her lips in contempt, sneering at Jiang Zhiyu's persistence: "You are so naive and ridiculous. Do you think you can break free from the shackles of your family with the mere knowledge you learned in the Imperial College? Don't forget, the glory of the Jiang family still depends on me in the future. What qualifications do you have to fight for those so-called rights alone?"
Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath. She knew that this debate would not end easily.
She spoke slowly, her tone filled with unshakable conviction: "I am qualified because I am a human being. Everyone is born with the right to freedom and dignity, which is not controlled by any family or individual. I will fight tirelessly for my rights, even in the Jiang family."
As they talked, the atmosphere around them seemed to become increasingly tense, and this profound debate about power, dignity and personal values had just begun.
Jiang Shuyuan's face turned gloomy and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed.
She adjusted her collar gracefully, trying to respond to Jiang Zhiyu's insistence with a more graceful demeanor.
"Jiang Zhiyu, do you think that you can subvert the rules followed by our family with your personal strength alone? Don't forget that the traditions and order of the Jiang family are treasures condensed by countless ancestors with wisdom and sweat. Do you think that the so-called personal rights you pursue can really be compared with the glory and future of the Jiang family?" Jiang Shuyuan's words were loud and clear. She tried to use the weight of her family to crush Jiang Zhiyu's persistence into pieces.
Jiang Zhiyu did not back down at all in the face of Jiang Shuyuan's sharp words.
She faced Jiang Shuyuan's pressing gaze and said firmly and forcefully, "The glory and future of our family should never be built on sacrificing individual rights. I respect the family tradition, but I also firmly believe that times are changing and family rules should also progress with them. The value of individuals should not be ignored, because each of us is part of the family, and our happiness and satisfaction are also part of the family's glory."
Jiang Shuyuan's expression became increasingly gloomy as she realized that Jiang Zhiyu was not someone who could be easily persuaded.
She smiled contemptuously and said sarcastically: "Do you think your heretical ideas can be recognized by others? In this Jiang family, your voice is insignificant. Your arrogant behavior will only make you isolated and helpless."
Jiang Zhiyu smiled faintly but firmly at this moment. Her smile contained an unyielding strength: "Being isolated and helpless is not scary. What is really scary is losing yourself. I don't crave everyone's understanding and recognition, but I firmly believe that as long as I stick to my beliefs and work hard, one day my voice will penetrate the fog and my rights will be respected as they should be."
Jiang Shuyuan's face was as solemn as frost, and a trace of imperceptible anxiety flashed through the depths of her eyes. Jiang Zhiyu's persistence had obviously touched her sensitive heartstrings. She sat there, her back straight, and suppressed the other party with unquestionable majesty: "Jiang Zhiyu, do you think that the so-called personal value you talk about can be compared with the Jiang family's century-old glory? Your resistance is nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The reputation and status of the Jiang family were forged by the sweat and wisdom of the Jiang family members of all generations. Your little tricks are nothing but a meaningless farce."