From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Hearing this, Su Qing let out another cold laugh and retorted defiantly:

"So, back when you were young, when you first got together with my dad, what kind of so-called practical basis did you have? To be honest, it's really laughable to say that."

"Su Qing, I don't want to argue with you. What I'm telling you are all the most realistic issues in the adult world."

Su's mother's voice remained calm and steady.

"First of all, you are a daughter of the Su family. Your every word and action represents the face of the entire Su family. If you openly date a man of vastly different social status, outsiders will not see it as a passionate romance, but rather as your foolishness, your lack of discretion, and your disregard for the family's reputation."

"Secondly, you do self-media and create content, and even if you like to travel and take risks, your family has never completely stopped you. But you shouldn't expose your private feelings to the public eye. Now everyone is digging into your family background and hyping up your relationship. This has already damaged the reputation of the Su family business and its external cooperation. Including the perception of the major shareholders, everything has been negatively affected."

"Third, and most importantly."

Su's mother's tone became slightly more forceful, but she still maintained her composure.

"You're young now, and you always think that love can overcome all difficulties in the world. But your father and I have lived for decades and have seen too many girls like you who make choices based on impulse."

"Lin Ye has endured a lot of hardship, relying entirely on his own desperate struggle to climb up the mountain. I don't deny that he can endure hardship and dares to take risks. The fact that he was able to survive this trip to the no-man's land is enough to prove that he is quite capable."

Upon hearing this, I was slightly taken aback.

I originally thought that Su's parents would deny everything about me without distinguishing right from wrong, and even directly accuse me of trying to climb the social ladder by marrying into a wealthy family.

Unexpectedly, even knowing that I was likely right next to Su Qing, she still objectively acknowledged my abilities.

This level of refined manners and speech is something that is rarely found in ordinary people I have met in the past.

But what follows is the cold and cruel truth of the adult world.

"But individual ability cannot bridge the huge gap between social classes."

"You two are on completely different levels in terms of perspective, upbringing, values, and the resources you will have access to in the future."

"What you see now is his courage and his genuine care for you. But what about ten years from now? The circles you move in, the people and things you encounter every day, may be things he could never experience in his entire life."

"By then, the initial love will be gradually worn away by the accumulated gaps in reality, leaving only endless conflicts and an unbridgeable generation gap."

Su Qing tried to interrupt and refute several times, but each time her mother preemptively silenced her.

"You always use my and your father's experiences as examples. Let me make it clear to you that back then, I was only more educated than your father; my family's financial situation wasn't that great."

"Moreover, at that time your father had already accumulated a lot of connections and a solid business foundation in the pharmaceutical factory. He just lacked a diploma. When I was with him, the two of us were truly complementary."

Su Qing finally seized an opening and immediately retorted, "Then Lin Ye and I can complement each other! He's quick-witted and adventurous, while I have a broader perspective. I can help him in many ways, and we complement each other."

I stood aside, listening to Su Qing's desperate attempt to defend me in front of her mother, and my heart was filled with mixed feelings.

In an instant, a wave of overwhelming emotion washed over me, followed by a heavy sense of guilt.

But I have to admit in my heart that every word Su's mother said was a stark reality.

That chasm between us is not so easy to cross.

Even though Su Qing's every word was in defense of me, Su's mother remained calm and did not get angry.

"I'm not targeting Lin Ye personally; I'm just taking responsibility for the next few decades of your life."

"I've seen too many girls gamble their entire lives on a fleeting infatuation, only to waste their prime years and end up losing everything. I just don't want you to repeat that mistake..."

To be fair, there wasn't much malice in those words.

These are not the wicked parents who cruelly separate lovers in traditional stories.

This is simply from the perspective of an elder, based on practical considerations.

But it is precisely because of this that it makes people feel most powerless.

You simply can't hate them; their motivations all seem to be "for your own good."

But this heavy sentiment of "I'm doing this for your own good" feels like a boulder weighing down on our love.

Su Qing's body trembled slightly, but her inner strength remained unwavering, and her voice was firm and resolute:

"I admit that everything you said is true, but a stable and smooth life is not the only answer to living a normal life."

"From childhood to adulthood, I've lived a life of luxury, and I've never lacked anything materially. What I truly lack is a genuine heart without any ulterior motives or calculations, and someone who can make me genuinely happy."

She paused, then her voice suddenly became more forceful: "And, I've said it countless times. You always use the excuse of doing what's best for me to negate every choice I make. Does being a parent give you the right to control your child's entire life?"

Su Qing gave a cold laugh, her tone turning icy: "Let me rephrase the question. If it were my sister choosing a man from Lin Ye's background, would you still object so strongly?"

These words were like a heavy punch, and the other end of the phone fell into a long silence.

Taking advantage of the silence, Su Qing continued coldly, "To put it bluntly, in your hearts, you all assume that all the decisions I make are impulsive, childish, and lack careful consideration. If it were my sister, no matter what choice she made, you would all assume that she was absolutely right, wouldn't you?"

"Who told you that we never stopped your sister from doing certain things?"

Su's mother's emotions finally began to fluctuate, and her voice was no longer as flat as before.

Seizing the opportunity, Su Qing pressed on relentlessly: "Really? How come I never knew? What is it?"

Su's mother was clearly unwilling to delve deeper into this topic. After a brief silence, she directly changed the subject, her tone turning cold.

"If you insist on taking this path, I will not force you any further."

"But starting today, all resources in the family will be temporarily suspended for you. Think carefully about all the consequences that will follow."

"Your father is not aware of this matter yet. Once he finds out, we hope you can find time to come back and talk to us in person."

The call ended abruptly after he finished speaking.

All that could be heard from the receiver was a busy tone.

Su Qing held her phone, head bowed, and remained silent for two or three seconds.

I originally thought she would break down in tears, feeling wronged.

But when she raised her head, there was no vulnerability in her eyes, only a stubborn and tenacious spirit that refused to give up.

"See that?"

She turned to look at me, a faint, bitter smile on her face.

"My parents never yell or scream unreasonably. They just stand in a superior position and judge every choice I make."

"But the more they oppose it, the more I will follow you."