Sis Lan's eyes were locked on the photo when she spoke. Although they seemed indifferent on the surface, at the same time, there was a tint of warmth emitted from them as if she wanted to imprint the scene in the photo into her memory.
"Indeed, she lived a short life. She wasn't even 30 when she passed away. The elders of the Manoban family are still having a hard time accepting her untimely death," Jennie continued.
Sis Lan lowered her eyes as she spoke, "I've said whatever I should. Marco and Chittip came to me before, and I've already told them what I know."
Jennie did not reply her directly. Instead, she informed her, "Aunty had two children, Suho and Yeji. Suho passed away in a car accident five years ago, and his grave is right beside Aunty's. I'm sure you already know about it."
She then continued as she gave Sis Lan a casual look. Despite her expression not changing much, her fingers that were placed on her lap fidgeted slightly.
"They were adopted under Marco because the Manoban family didn't want them to feel any different than any other children, but they both knew they weren't the real children of Marco. Aside from mourning over their mother, Zixi Manoban's death over the years, they also want to find the irresponsible man back then. Don't you find it ironic that it's been 30 years and they still have no idea who their father is?"
Jennie's voice was calm. She looked downwards and sighed. "You were the closest to Aunty back then. I'm sure you know who that person is, don't you?" She then fixed an even gaze on Sis Lan.
Sis Lan laughed coldly and shook her head. "I don't know. You came to the wrong person! I don't know anything at all! Isn't it just nice to let things be as it is right now? Why is it necessary to find that person? I don't understand. Why would you give up your peaceful life right now and look for the answer? Even if you found the answer, what's the point?"
Sis Lan sounded a little stirred up, but Jennie just listened quietly.
"As long as everyone's fine, Zi Manoban's children should be fine as well. This is what Zi Manoban would have hoped to see. You people just need to take care of and protect her children. That's it! Why bother with others? There are some answers you're better off not knowing, so why be fixated on it?"
Jennie was startled. Sis Lan seemed like she was protecting Zi Manoban and that person. Her face was getting redder as she seemed to be expressing her anger.
"Why? If we use the excuse to keep a so-called peaceful life, I'd feel really sad for Yeji and Suho. No matter what, this shouldn't become the barrier for a child to know about his or her real family. Even if they might not know what to do with it afterward, they should at least know where they came from and who gave them their life."
"There are things that we might not know is the right thing to do. Just like my visit to you today, I'm not sure if it's the right move. I only know that something urged me to do so — Yeji's sense of loss and sadness, the long-suppressed pain of Grandfather and Grandmother, Father and Mother's regret, Lisa's concern... I understand. They seem very trivial to you because you don't feel it, but they do."
Sis Lan seemed amused.
"I don't want to comment if Aunty is right or wrong, but no matter what, hiding the truth is both unfair and irresponsible to Suho and Yeji. Yes, a peaceful life is great. After all, as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss." Jennie smiled, but there was a pinch of irony hidden behind her smile.
"It's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, Miss Kim. Let the past stay in the past. This might help to maintain peace for everyone, and also a respect for the deceased. Zi Manoban didn't tell anyone who that person was even right before her death, so I'm sure she had her reasons. Why do you guys care now?"
Sis Lan blinked before she turned around and looked at the hanging orchids by the window as her tone became heavy. "I suggest you give up on this and stop finding out more because the answer might not be beneficial for you. Zi Manoban... She's a smart, silly woman. It pains me to know what happened to her. She's brave, but she didn't have a choice. That man has a family. They did it in the spur of the moment, but don't blame Zi Manoban as well because she only found out the man was married when she was pregnant with their first child. Her emotions had been abnormal ever since then, and I was actually partially responsible for that. Back then, I could... and now given all of this, would it be any different?"
That man had a family?
Was this the reason why Zi Manoban told Marco that man could not marry her?
"I advised Zi Manoban to abort the child. She was at the peak of her career. With her progress, she could eventually make into Hollywood, but Zi Manoban insisted on keeping the child. I was pained to see her sacrifice her career. You have to understand that it's extremely difficult to cultivate someone. She really disappointed me, but at the same time, I was heartbroken for her. She's a kind and innocent person not like how other people called her rebellious."
Sis Lan felt a pang of ache as she recalled the past. Jennie could see the amount of care she felt for Zixi Manoban.
"I'm sure Aunty is grateful for everything you've done for her," Jennie spoke up. Hopefully, it helped to comfort her.
"Okay, you can go back now. I've said whatever I can. Don't come here anymore. I'm afraid this year will be the last time I'll visit her. It's time for me to move on."
Sis Lan put on a smile which seemed pale and cold like the autumn rain to Jennie.
It was obvious that she did not want to continue this conversation anymore. Jennie watched her for a while and eventually asked her one last question
YOU ARE READING
The Most Loving Marriage In History: Master Manoban's Pampered Wife Book 3
Romance"Missus, time to fulfil your duties!" Lisa demanded as he pulled Jennie closer with his arms intimately wrapped around her waist. It was a meticulously planned feast for the powerful. Her fiancé had knelt down on one knee and proposed to her sister...
