Chapter 480: The Underworld’s Fake Heiress Rises to Archery Champion (33)

Chapter 480: "The Fake Mafia Princess's Rise to Archery Champion (33)"

Something fishy is going on.

On this day, as soon as Tang Qing stepped into the Tang family’s gate, Shen Qiuyue was unexpectedly in the living room.

After the truth about the real and fake heiresses was exposed, the relationship between Shen Qiuyue and Tang Qing had entered an awkward state.

In this household, the two had never openly crossed paths again. The timing was always coincidental—Tang Qing would just arrive home as Shen Qiuyue was heading out…

Or, to put it another way, Shen Qiuyue had been deliberately avoiding Tang Qing.

"You’re back?"

"Try some…"

Hesitating slightly on the term of address, Shen Qiuyue, remembering her husband's instructions, forced a smile and continued, "Try the dessert I made for you."

It had been too long since she’d heard that term of address.

Shen Qiuyue felt awkward saying it, and even she found it unfamiliar to her own ears.

From a few steps away, Tang Qing glanced over.

Shen Qiuyue still remembered her preferences—she had prepared the Cantonese sweet soup that the original Tang Qing had always loved.

"Is something the matter?" Tang Qing’s somewhat icy voice asked, and Shen Qiuyue’s expression froze in surprise!

What was this?

Tang Qing’s voice?

In all these years, Shen Qiuyue had never seen Tang Qing act so coldly.

In her memory, although Tang Qing had a bad temper, she had always been somewhat softer and more affectionate toward her…

As if reminded of something, Shen Qiuyue’s tone unconsciously turned stiff. "It’s nothing."

"I just thought… it’s been so long, and I haven’t properly looked after you."

"Tang Qing, it’s been quite some time since we, mother and daughter, last saw each other."

With a somewhat sentimental tone, Shen Qiuyue’s eyes remained fixed on Tang Qing, as if she couldn’t get enough of looking at her.

Unexpectedly, the warm scene she had imagined did not unfold.

Instead, Tang Qing directly called her out!

Standing just a few steps away, Tang Qing smiled brightly and said, "Isn’t this a bit fake?"

"Mom, don’t you know exactly why we haven’t been seeing each other?"

Back when the truth about the real and fake heiresses had just come to light.

Finally finding her true daughter, Shen Qiuyue broke into hysterical sobs, and though only for a moment, Tang Qing clearly sensed the hatred directed at her!

Shen Qiuyue was furious at herself for having mistaken her daughter for over a decade, resenting this impostor who had stolen the life that should have belonged to Tang Yi...

It was likely due to this resentment that Shen Qiuyue deliberately ignored Tang Qing for a long time afterward.

It was precisely this neglect that pushed the original Tang Qing over the edge.

"Tang Qing, are you blaming me?"

Softening her tone, Shen Qiuyue spoke again, "You know, our family's been through hell lately."

"Mom probably just hasn’t wrapped her head around all this yet."

Tang Qing shot back: "So you think I should have adjusted?"

Once again stung by Tang Qing’s words, Shen Qiuyue’s expression darkened. She couldn’t help but say, "You’ve changed..."

Tang Qing: "And you haven’t?"

"Just say it. Why set up such an 'ambush dinner' out of the blue? What exactly do you want to tell me?"

Having no patience for beating around the bush, Tang Qing sat back coolly, staring directly at this woman who was once her mother.

"Is it about my recent competition?"

"Or have you suddenly realized I still have some use and decided to take back this discarded daughter?"

Bullseye!

With her intentions exposed, Shen Qiuyue’s smile vanished. She said, "Tang Qing, don't be so crude."

"We are still family, after all."

The words "family" seemed to hit a raw nerve in Tang Qing!

Her eyes flashed with fury!

Her gaze turned fierce!

She spat through clenched teeth: "What kind of sick joke are you telling me?"

"Not long ago, Tang Junshan went out of his way to send someone to remind me to remember where I belong..."

"Shen Qiuyue, I want to ask you, what exactly is the 'place' you want me to know?"

Tang Junshan’s actions back then were clearly a warning—to not covet what wasn’t hers!

The position of the young lady belonged to Tang Yi, the engagement belonged to Tang Yi, everything in this household belonged to Tang Yi.

From that day on, Tang Junshan made it crystal clear that she had already been kicked out of this family...

She was just merely a temporary support for Tang Yi.

Replaceable.

Tang Qing’s words completely floored Shen Qiuyue!

The proper, refined woman, in her rage, swept the dessert off the table!

"Are you insane?" Shen Qiuyue snapped.

"What did you just call me?"

"Do you even remember I’m your mother—"

Before she could finish, Tang Qing cut her off sharply, "Take a good look at yourself first."

"Be honest with yourself—which one of us abandoned the other first?"

The bond Shen Qiuyue herself had broken, now she wanted to pretend nothing ever happened.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Shen Qiuyue had expected that reaching out to Tang Qing was likely to fail, but she never imagined Tang Qing would be this defiant!

She didn't take her seriously at all!

Her blood pressure spiking, Shen Qiuyue struggled to steady her breathing and shed all pretense, getting straight to the point. "You have no say in this now!"

"You think just because your wings have hardened, you can fly the Tang family coop? Impossible!"

"I’ve already spoken with your father. Soon, we’ll hold another press conference to clear up the matter between you and Tang Yi."

"Tang Yi is our daughter, and you… you will be our adopted daughter. You’ll still be a daughter of this house."

Tang Qing laughed scornfully, "So now I’m not a bodyguard anymore?"

Knowing Tang Qing would only have venom to spew, Shen Qiuyue deliberately ignored that remark.

She went on to lay out Tang Junshan’s terms: adopted daughter, family harmony, and contributing to the Tang family’s business transformation. The most critical step.

If Tang Qing refused to cooperate, Tang Junshan would completely destroy her chances of competing.

A genius who can’t compete will never see the light of day.

Shen Qiuyue coaxed, "I know you’re angry."

"But no matter how upset you are, I advise you to think this through carefully."

"Setting aside your relationship with our family, Tang Qing… don’t sabotage your future."

If she has the chance to become a glorious world champion, why would she want to be trampled back into the mud?

"Tang Qing, you know your father’s temper."

"There’s no need to go against him—after all… you can’t win against him."

There are too many ways in their world to make sure she never competes again—all it takes is a ruined hand.

Shen Qiuyue had thought these words would break Tang Qing's resistance, but instead, Tang Qing’s response was even sharper than she expected.

Right in front of Shen Qiuyue, Tang Qing turned on her heel to leave, throwing over her shoulder, "Fine, go ahead and tell Tang Junshan."

"Tell him I refuse. If he's got the nerve, let him destroy me."