"I only just learned of this and haven't yet inquired how she came to know He Meiwei."
"Then why not call your mother at once and ask?" She settled beside him.
"Alright, I'll call her now." He closed his book, retrieved his phone, and dialed Long's mother, activating the speaker.
"Mother, how did you come to know He Meiwei?"
On the other end, Long's mother replied, "I happened upon her unexpectedly on Mount Qifu. Think about it—she once cared for you, and you arranged the matching donor and medical expenses for her surgery. How could you not lend her a hand? She was penniless, barely affording medicine. I truly pity her. Had she not ended things with you back then, perhaps she would now be your wife. I even offered to cover her medical bills, but she refused. That girl is truly admirable—mature beyond her years and deeply understanding."
Long Yubei exchanged a glance with Gu Lili, who seized the phone from him. "Mother praises her so highly; it seems I must learn from her example."
Hearing Gu Lili's voice, Long's mother's heart skipped a beat, realizing her words had been overheard. Slightly vexed and never fond of Gu Lili, she retorted brusquely, "Indeed, you should learn well. Your position as Yubei's wife is no accident—it's the fruit of the efforts of those who came before."
"'Those who came before?' What kind of trees were planted? Yubei never once touched her while they were together, and it was she who ended things. It was only because of her secret that Yubei helped find a donor for her. Isn't that enough? Mother, whether you place her in the company or pay her medical bills, please do not use Yubei's name. This has nothing to do with him. If I catch her again behaving shamelessly near us, I will show her no mercy."
She tossed the phone back to Long Yubei and rose without waiting for a reply.
"You—" Long's mother fumed, "Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Mother," Long Yubei said sternly, "This is truly none of your concern."
"She is pitiful; she only ended things because she didn't want to burden you with her illness."
"Pitiful? What about me, the one she abandoned without reason?" Long Yubei's voice lowered. "There is no right or wrong here. Let the past be past. Do not bring it up again."
Long's mother slammed the phone down, fuming, then tore the talisman Gu Lili had given her to shreds. "Whose talisman is this supposed to be?"
"Mother, what are you doing?" Long Fengxi watched in astonishment.
"I'm infuriated by your brother and sister-in-law!"
"What happened to them?"
Long's mother briefly recounted the story. Fengxi shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with my brother and sister-in-law. You tore up the talisman she gave you. I heard those things are very effective."
"I don't want anything from her!"
Fengxi clicked her tongue. "Seeing you like this makes me dread marriage. I'm scared I'll meet a mother-in-law like you. I wonder if every matron of a wealthy family suffers from 'empress syndrome'—it's terrifying."
"First find a husband before talking about marriage," Long's mother shot her a glare. "Fengxi, if you ever meet that He Meiwei, you'll see how different she is from your sister-in-law."
"I don't want to meet her," Fengxi replied lazily. "I want to get along well with my sister-in-law. As for my brother's ex, I have zero interest."
"Why do you want to befriend her?"
Fengxi smiled faintly. "Because I think my sister-in-law is amazing—she can see ghosts. Truly an extraordinary woman."