255: Chapter 255 The Caring Sister

"I know that as an outsider, I don't have the right to interfere in your affairs, but I feel there are some things I should remind you of."

"It's fine to be pessimistic, but don't vent all your negativity on your closest family members."

"There's a saying back home called 'acting tough at home.' I don't know if you're like that, but I used to be. I was timid toward outsiders but arrogant and domineering toward my family."

"I couldn't understand why I was like that before, but later I figured it out."

Having said this, she suddenly stopped and didn't continue further.

Seeing her silence, Shen Ya grew anxious. Wu Ya instinctively placed her hand on Shen Ya's shoulder as Shen Ya asked her, "What did you figure out?"

Looking at the hand on her shoulder, Shen Ya gave a small, triumphant smile.

"I figured out the reason why I acted that way."

"The reason I did it was because I knew my family loved me very much. I knew that no matter what I did, they would never abandon me, which is why I felt so entitled to lose my temper with them."

Hearing this, Wu Ya released her hand and lowered her head in thought.

"I know you've just returned to the country and your health has just recovered. Staying home all day must be boring, and seeing how hard your brother works, you want to do something to share his burden."

"But how should I put it..."

Wu Ya frowned, racking her brain for some tactful words.

"In reality, in your brother's eyes, as long as you are safe and happy, that's enough."

"He's not trying to stop you from finding a job, nor is he trying to control you; he just wants you to be well."

As she finished, Shen Ya's eyes welled with tears.

She pursed her lips, desperately trying to keep her tears from falling.

"I know, but I'm just restless. I see him working so hard every day, taking care of Youyou and taking care of me."

"I want to prove myself to him. I want to tell him that I can take care of myself and be just as great as he is, but... but..."

By the time she finished, Shen Ya was sobbing uncontrollably.

Feeling sorry for her, Wu Ya pulled her by the shoulder and embraced her.

"I understand, I really do. But we can't rush these things, can we?"

"Actually, I used to be just like you, but I was even more extreme."

"Back then, to prove myself to my family, I skipped school and ran away from home to work in an illegal factory for a full six months."

Working in an illegal factory?

For a full six months!

That single sentence carried a massive amount of information.

After hearing this, Shen Ya even forgot to cry. She asked in a daze, "Why did you skip school to work in an illegal factory? Wasn't it exhausting?"

Wu Ya smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Of course it was exhausting. How could it not be?"

"The reason I skipped school back then was because of some disputes with my family."

"At the time, I was dead set on proving to them that I could do well without school, and then I... sigh, I blame myself. I'm a very stubborn person who tends to get stuck in a rut."

"Once I set my mind on something, no one can talk me out of it, so I had to learn the hard way."

"Those six months in the illegal factory were not easy. I woke up earlier than a pig and went to bed later than a dog. My body ached every day from the exhaustion. I still have lingering pains from that time."

Shen Ya was stunned by her story, her eyes filled with sympathy.

"Ah? You even got sick back then?"

"Are you okay now? Did you go to the hospital to get checked out?"

Wu Ya nodded.

"Of course. As soon as my parents found me, they immediately rushed me to the hospital. It's no exaggeration to say that all my wages from those six months went into medical bills."

The corners of Shen Ya's mouth curled up slightly as she said, "Then didn't you suffer for nothing?"

Wu Ya shrugged indifferently.

"I did suffer for nothing, it's true. But that experience also taught me one thing: never underestimate your family's concern for you."

"Of course, certain special circumstances are another matter, but I see that your brother is very good to you and truly loves you. Perhaps you could try to accept your own imperfections."

"Or perhaps you could try having a serious, heart-to-heart talk with him."

As she finished, Shen Ya let out a deep sigh.

"It's not that I haven't thought about talking to him, but every time I see that look of concern in his eyes, I can't say a word."

"To be honest, I feel like even having these thoughts is extremely disrespectful and rebellious toward my brother. Oh, I don't know how to put it..."

Seeing Shen Ya lower her head again as she spoke.

Wu Ya frowned and took her by the chin, forcing her to look up.

"Xiao Ya, although we've only just met, we're similar in age. I feel I can share some heart-to-heart words with you."

"You don't need to feel that your thoughts are disrespectful or rebellious. As they say, you're just going through a rebellious phase."

"But why do people have a rebellious phase? It's simply because their own ideas differ from the subjective views of others, so they label this stage's thoughts as 'rebellion'."

"If you want to pursue what you love without looking back, just like I did, then go for it. You don't need to worry about what he thinks."

"But before you do, you should have a good talk with him and be honest about everything on your mind. Only then can he understand and respect you."

These words struck a chord deep within Shen Ya.

Indeed.

What she wanted wasn't just freedom, but also Shen Yan's respect.

She always felt that Shen Yan treated her like a canary that might die at any moment if he wasn't careful.

He wanted to control everything, holding her in his hands for fear of dropping her, keeping her in his mouth for fear of her melting.

But she was already in her twenties, not a child anymore.

If this continued, she feared she would truly become useless.

"Sister Xiao Wu, you're right. I should have an open and honest talk with him. Only then can he understand my thoughts and respect my decisions."

Having finally persuaded Shen Ya, Wu Ya felt a sense of relief.

"Good, as long as you've figured it out. Find a time to talk to him yourself."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what you've said to me tonight. Not even your brother."

Shen Ya raised an eyebrow and teased, "Really? Didn't you say you were his spy?"

Wu Ya tilted her head.

"spy?"

"What's that?"

Shen Ya hadn't expected Wu Ya not to know the meaning of the word 'spy'. She rubbed her palms together and said, "It's... didn't you say you were the lobbyist sent by my brother?"