Conditions for Returning to the Family Lineage

Cecilia Gu was stunned.

In her dreams, Yun Nuo once told her: "I wish I could live a little longer, so I could take on all the burdens you resent... But I'm sorry, Cecilia, I really did my best..."

Cecilia reached out and touched her chest. It felt a little warm, and her heart was beating a little fast.

For the first time, Cecilia heard Yun Nuo's words confirmed from Max Mo's own mouth.

This feeling was truly bittersweet.

Cecilia gently closed her eyes, quietly feeling her sister—separated since birth, now parted by life and death—feeling her love and acceptance.

Sister, thank you.

"When I pursued Yun Nuo back then, part of it was because I was drawn to her soul, and part of it was because of the Mo Family's traditions. But when it comes to you, I never thought about family traditions." Max Mo stopped abruptly at this point.

The rest went unsaid—everyone understood.

Cecilia turned her gaze away, not wanting to meet his eyes.

No matter what kind of look he gave her, she was destined not to respond.

Her heart already belonged to Charles Yin; how could she give it to another man?

Even if it's tradition... tradition... so what?

Arriving at the Yun Family home, Cecilia slowly got out of the car with someone's help.

Behind her, Max Mo's voice sounded: "Cecilia, I won't force you to do anything. I'll wait for you right here, no matter when, no matter how late, I'll be here waiting for you. I wasn't joking earlier—I like you because of fate, not because you're the Yun Family's second daughter."

Cecilia's body stiffened, then she walked away without looking back.

Some feelings that mustn't be answered—it's best not to show pity from the start.

Love is unlike anything else; it's the one thing that can't be pitied.

Max Mo watched Cecilia's back, his blue eyes deep as the ocean.

Cecilia, I won't give up on you.

In this life and the last, you owe me an explanation.

Cecilia Gu slowly stepped through the gates of the Yun Family.

Last time she came, she was just the Yun Family's adopted daughter.

But today, she returned as the legitimate daughter of the Yun Family!

Mr. Yun and Mrs. Yun weren't waiting at the door—they were already at the ancestral hall.

Cecilia walked over slowly, spotting Mr. Yun and Mrs. Yun from afar, their faces etched with worry.

As soon as Cecilia got close, Mrs. Yun couldn't hold back anymore. She stepped forward and pulled Cecilia into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

No wonder the first time she met this girl, she felt a natural closeness. Turns out, she was her biological daughter!

Ever since Mrs. Yun learned Cecilia was her real daughter, she’d been on the verge of losing control emotionally.

She’d resented it, sure, but what good did that do?

Her daughter had suffered so much out there—could any of it be made up for?

Mr. Yun stood aside, his expression complicated as he watched his wife and daughter. He couldn't help but secretly wipe away tears from the corner of his eyes.

Cecilia gently patted Mrs. Yun's back, comforting her, "Mom, I'm home."

That word—'Mom'—almost broke Mrs. Yun’s heart.

This was her daughter!

She would never let anyone hurt her daughter again!

She’d already lost one daughter—she couldn’t lose another!

Suddenly, Mrs. Yun let go of Cecilia, not even bothering to wipe her tears. She grabbed Cecilia's hand, ready to leave. "Cecilia, let’s go! We don’t need this family! I’ve already buried my own child, and now you’re all I have left. I won’t let anyone hurt you! Let’s leave, I’ll divorce your father, we’ll get out of here. To hell with those damned family traditions!"

Cecilia felt a rush of warmth in her heart, her eyes growing hot.

She knew just how deep her parents’ love was for each other.

Now, her birth mother was ready to divorce her father to protect her. How could Cecilia not understand that feeling?

But she’d come back this time to repay Jane Gu for raising her.

She couldn't leave.

Cecilia pulled Mrs. Yun back, her eyes brimming with tears. "Mom, I can't leave. My adoptive mother raised me, and it wasn't easy. I can't be ungrateful or unfilial. If I abandon her, I’ll never have peace for the rest of my life."

Mrs. Yun shot a resentful look at her husband, and Mr. Yun looked equally heartbroken.

He opened his mouth, wanting to hug his daughter, but didn't dare. After all, the real culprit behind all this was his own mother—Madam Yun.

Cecilia nodded to Mr. Yun, "Dad, is Grandma here? I want to speak with her alone."

Mr. Yun nodded, "Your grandmother is inside. She's been waiting for you a long time."

"Okay." Cecilia wiped away her tears, patted Mrs. Yun's hand, and spoke softly but firmly, "I'm here to make a decision. I am a daughter of the Yun Family. No matter how much I deny it, that fact can't be erased. The family legacy—my sister couldn't bear it, so it falls to me. It's fine. I can handle it."

Cecilia gave Mr. Yun and Mrs. Yun a reassuring look and walked inside.

The Yun Family's ancestral hall looked a lot like the one in Yuanshan Village.

Except the Yun Family's ancestral hall was a three-courtyard compound.

Cecilia walked in slowly, her eyes taking in the lush greenery.

Even though it was snowing up north, here it was still spring, flowers blooming everywhere.

Cecilia took a deep breath and kept moving forward.

Every few steps, someone would bow to her.

Cecilia just nodded slightly and didn't reply.

With each step, her resolve grew stronger.

When Cecilia reached the real entrance of the ancestral hall, she looked up and saw Madam Yun kneeling before countless memorial tablets.

"Kneel. These are the ancestors of the Yun Family." Madam Yun heard footsteps behind her but didn't look up. She kept speaking: "Ancestors of the Yun Family, I have brought the 1,111th generation descendant."

Cecilia didn't say a word. She knelt on the prepared cushion and followed Madam Yun's rituals, bowing respectfully.

"Since you're back, you should change your surname and restore your identity as Yun Xi." Madam Yun said calmly. "I'll have your name added to the family register..."

"Hold on." After bowing, Cecilia rose slowly and turned to Madam Yun. "I’m not finished yet."

A sharp look flashed in Madam Yun’s eyes. "You want to bargain with me in front of the ancestors?"

"Yes, I want to bargain with you right here in front of the Yun Family ancestors!" Cecilia declared. "Before we start, shouldn’t I report to the ancestors how my dear grandmother, under the guise of protecting the Yun Family, swapped a newborn for a dead baby and sent me far away? Then left me to fend for myself, while the Yun Family ignored me? If the ancestors think you did right, I have nothing to say!"

Madam Yun’s face turned ashen instantly.

"What do you want?" Madam Yun had never realized her granddaughter could be so defiant.

Cecilia stood tall, her back to the memorial tablets, and walked away slowly. "Of course I want to bargain, Grandma—you said it yourself, didn’t you?"

Bargain...

Madam Yun’s face grew even darker.

Cecilia reached out and touched the red lacquered, gold-lettered couplet at the door. She spoke softly, "Why was I sent away, and why am I back now? Grandma knows better than anyone, right? When I was born, I didn’t even cry before you sent me away. Back then, I was helpless, and you held all the power. Of course you could do whatever you wanted. But things are different now! Even if you use Jane Gu to control me, even if you threaten me with her life, I’m not your pawn anymore. Do you understand, Grandma?"

Cecilia suddenly turned, her gaze sharp on Madam Yun.

Madam Yun was momentarily stunned.

For some reason, she suddenly felt Cecilia had changed.

Her aura wasn’t just merging with Yun Nuo’s—it was more like she’d become one of the ancestors herself…

"Jane Gu may be someone you adopted, but she raised me. I can’t just watch her die. I’ll come back to the Yun Family, but it won’t be that easy. If you want me back, you’ll have to show some sincerity." Cecilia sat down at the low table and spoke slowly, "You’re a smart woman, Grandma, so I won’t beat around the bush. I have three conditions: First, I decide when I get divorced. Second, I won’t change my surname—I’ll stay Cecilia Gu. If I have children, they’ll take the Yun name and carry on the family line. But don’t think you can use the name to control me. Third, aside from the family traditions, I won’t take on any other Yun Family duties."

"Are you kidding me!" Madam Yun frowned. "Do you even know what these conditions mean?"

"Of course I know." Cecilia replied calmly. "Honestly, I never cared about the Yun Family. My identity never mattered to me. I’ve lived as an ordinary person for twenty-three years, and it’s not so bad. Being a rich heiress means nothing to me. The Yun Family took in Yun Mengying before, right? If you’re not satisfied, just adopt someone else as the heir. I don’t care about the family fortune."

"Nonsense! How could they compare to you? You were born for this—you’re the one destined to lead the Yun Family to greatness." Madam Yun blurted out. "Yun Mengying was only registered under my name to confuse outsiders…"

Cecilia lifted her clear eyes to Madam Yun.

Just to confuse outsiders?