Chapter 274: Steely Determination

“When did this start?”

“About two months ago.”

“End it.”

Liu Hengtian didn’t say much else. That single “End it” struck Liu Yue like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned.

Chen Ru and the oldest sister and second brother remained silent—there was nothing they could do to help her.

If word got out that the third miss of the Liu family liked women, it would become the laughingstock of the entire Kyoto.

For Chen Ru, a literary master who had taught for decades yet failed to educate her own children, it was nothing short of a bitter irony.

“Why?” Liu Yue clenched her teeth, staring straight at her imposing father, nearly shouting.

Since childhood, she had been terrified of him. Even a slightly stern tone from him would make her worry about being scolded.

So she had always been obedient.

But now she no longer wanted to be controlled by her parents. She, Liu Yue, had grown up and should have her own opinions and choices—not be a puppet in their hands.

“Xiaoyue, do you know what you’re doing?” Chen Ru’s tone wasn’t as harsh as Liu Hengtian’s, but she would never agree to her daughter loving a woman.

Whether for the sake of the family or as a mother.

“Mom, of course I know. I just like Xiaoyan. That’s an unchangeable fact.” Liu Yue’s words were resolute.

Chen Ru sighed. She could see that her once well-behaved youngest daughter had changed. She was no longer listening to them and was determined to be a lesbian.

“Enough!!!”

Suddenly, Liu Hengtian slammed his palm onto the glass table in the middle of the sofa. The top layer of glass shattered into pieces.

The force behind that slap was unrestrained, showing just how furious he was.

“Fact? What fact? The fact you’re talking about is disregarding the family and your parents to mess around?”

“I’m not messing around! I genuinely like Xiaoyan, Dad. You just don’t understand.”

Liu Yue’s cry of “Dad” seemed to touch the softest part of Liu Hengtian’s heart. His sharp gaze softened.

For a moment, he fell silent.

“Xiaoyue, do you know that if this gets out, our Liu family will become a joke in Kyo City? Your father and I don’t want to restrict you. Remember last time with the Zhao family’s matchmaking? Didn’t your father cancel it because you didn’t want it? Do you know what your father lost because of that? We don’t care who you like, but at least don’t be so rebellious.”

“Mom, I understand everything you’re saying, but Mom, it’s the 21st century now. Our country and the international community have recognized the legality of homosexuality. Why can’t it be?”

“Because you are the third miss of the Liu family. Isn’t that reason enough? Anyone else can, but not you.” Liu Hengtian stood up and roared furiously.

Perhaps because Liu Hengtian’s temper was too frightening, Liu Yue was stunned and kept her head down without answering.

“Hengtian,” Chen Ru tugged at Liu Hengtian’s hand, signaling him to sit down. But he was stubborn; it took several tugs before he reluctantly sat.

“Don’t be so harsh. I believe Xiaoyue just finds this new and interesting. Maybe after a while, she’ll lose interest.”

“Hmph!” Liu Hengtian snorted coldly without responding.

After calming her husband, Chen Ru earnestly tried to persuade Liu Yue.

But no matter how much she talked, the stubborn girl remained unmoved, her small hands clenched tightly, maintaining silence.

“Xiaoyue!” Chen Ru got up and sat beside Liu Yue, stroking her hair and speaking softly. “Are you not even going to listen to your mother?”

Tears welled up in Liu Yue’s eyes as she looked at Chen Ru with her big, watery eyes.

“Mom, I’ve listened to you since I was little, but this time I’m sorry. I really can’t give up on Xiaoyan.”

Chen Ru was speechless. Just what kind of woman was this Chen Xiaoyan, that she could bewitch her youngest daughter like this?

“Xiaoyue, this is your fault. How can you not think about the family, your father and mother, and your brother and sister? How will they be able to hold their heads up in front of others in the future?”

“I…”

“The Liu family isn’t united internally. There are plenty of people who want to see our branch fall. If something happens to us, they can rise to power and take over the entire Liu family.”

Hearing these words from her mother, Liu Yue began to waver, a trace of hesitation stirring in her heart.

“Xiaoyue, look at us and tell me, are you really going to put the family that loves you in a difficult position for her sake?”

Liu Yue glanced at each of the four people, her hands tightly intertwined, her thumbnails digging into her flesh until blood seeped out.

She struggled, she panicked, she was lost. The pressure weighing down on her was about to crush her.

Unable to bear it, she chose to escape.

She stood up and ran to her room without a second thought, locked the door, and hid under the covers.

Watching her youngest daughter flee, Chen Ru’s face was full of worry.

“Dad, Mom, don’t pressure little sister too much. Maybe she’ll come around later.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The oldest sister and second brother’s consolation had no effect; instead, it poured oil on the fire.

“Heh, come around? She’s already made up her mind like a steely determination. Is there any room for coming around? Li Xiang!” Liu Hengtian laughed coldly, then called out loudly.

At that moment, a middle-aged man with graying sideburns walked in.

“Head of the family.”

“Go to the third miss’s room and take out the game helmet. From now on, the third miss is not allowed to take a single step outside this house.”

This middle-aged man named Li Xiang wore a gray Zhongshan suit. Although he was short, no one present would underestimate him.

Because he was Liu Hengtian’s guard, having protected him for decades. Over the years, numerous assassination attempts had been intercepted by him and his men.

“Yes, Head of the family.”

Not allowed to take a single step outside the house—this was house arrest for Liu Yue.

Chen Ru was startled and quickly advised, “Hengtian, don’t rush. Let me go and talk to her again.”

“If you have the leisure, go ahead. But my order will not change.” With that, Liu Hengtian left the living room directly.

“Hey, this man.” Chen Ru watched his retreating figure, displeased.

‘Throwing a tantrum at me, huh?’

‘Hmph, you’re sleeping in the study tonight.’

“Mom, then we…” The oldest sister and second brother stood up. They had already started their own families and couldn’t stay long.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“Then go back. Take care of yourselves.”

“Alright, Mom. Please talk some sense into little sister, and also try to reason with Dad. After all, we’re family.”

“Mom understands. Drive safely.”

“Okay.”

The oldest sister and second brother also left.

Chen Ru sat down, asked someone to clean up the glass shards, steeped a cup of Biluochun tea, and settled in to enjoy her tea.

Xiaoyan!

Xianjie!

This game is quite interesting.

But Chen Ru was more curious about Chen Xiaoyan. What kind of magic did this girl possess?

That she could completely turn Xiaoyue around.

“What are you doing?” At that moment, Chen Ru heard Liu Yue’s exclamation. Frowning, she set down her teacup and walked over.