Imposter Young Master
Chapter 849 - 853: No Other Man Can Replace

Chapter 849: Chapter 853: No Other Man Can Replace

Zhang Miao glanced at the middle-aged woman, paused, and then sighed before sitting down again, "So that’s how it is."

The middle-aged woman walked over, and Xiao Haotian hurriedly gave up his seat, "Auntie, please sit."

Xiao Haotian’s attitude was very respectful.

The middle-aged woman didn’t stand on ceremony and sat directly opposite Zhang Miao.

She gave Zhang Miao a look and said coldly, "This has nothing to do with Haotian. It was I who asked him to arrange this meeting with you."

At this moment, the coffee Zhang Miao ordered was served, and, taking a sip, she said indifferently, "And? Mother dear."

Yes, this middle-aged woman was none other than Mulan, once a palace maid in the Gothic Kingdom and the biological mother of Zhang Miao.

Mulan seemed somewhat discontent with Zhang Miao’s indifferent tone, "What kind of tone is that? I have worked hard raising you, teaching you how to fight, how to use a gun, and even raised money for your genetic modification surgery. Shouldn’t you be grateful? What, now that you’ve grown wings, you start to dislike your mother?"

Zhang Miao glanced at Mulan, saying indifferently, "You indeed did a lot for me, but you’re clearer about your purposes than I am, aren’t you? Aside from giving me life, I have no other reason to thank you."

Mulan’s face darkened.

Seeing this, Xiao Haotian, who was standing to the side, hurriedly said, "Miao Miao, Auntie has a heart condition, you know that, don’t you? Can’t you speak a little more kindly?"

"Never mind," Mulan waved her hand off.

She took a deep breath and then calmed down again, "Miao Miao, I heard you’re getting married?"

"That’s right."

"The young man from the Yang family in Hangcheng?"

"Yes."

"You cannot marry him!" Mulan said coldly.

Zhang Miao didn’t utter a word, she picked up her coffee, took a sip, set it down, and then said faintly, "Mother dear, you’ve controlled the first twenty-three years of my life, do you intend to continue controlling it?"

"You’ve grown up, and I have no intention of controlling you," Mulan paused, then continued coldly, "But this man is no good at all. I saw him holding hands with a pretty girl. With the wedding imminent, he’s openly cheating; how can I be at ease entrusting you to such a man?"

Zhang Miao wasn’t stirred, she glanced at Mulan and said faintly, "Then what kind of man does mother think I should look for?"

Mulan looked at Xiao Haotian by her side, "I think Xiao Haotian is quite suitable."

"Hmm..." Zhang Miao, propping her right hand against her left cheek, looked at Xiao Haotian, and said faintly, "Xiao Haotian, tell me honestly, what benefit did you give my mother?"

"Miao Miao, don’t make wild accusations and slander! You tell me, what about that Yang Gang is better than Xiao Haotian?" Mulan said angrily.

Xiao Haotian couldn’t help but say, "Even if you don’t choose me, there are many other good candidates. Why choose someone like Yang Gang, a flirtatious, irresponsible fellow? Just because of a child..."

Zhang Miao sat up straight, looked out the window, and remained silent.

"From the moment I was born, I was raised by you as a tool for combat, not allowed to fall in love, nor to even have my own independent consciousness. My birth was to aid Zhang Yu in seizing the throne of the Gothic Kingdom and to avenge his mother. Other people’s childhoods are colorful, but mine was only red—the blood of enemies, and my own," Zhang Miao began after a pause.

Mulan’s face was clouded, and she said nothing.

"When I was about to break down, wanting to end this dark life with suicide, I met Little Xi and Yang Gang. The first time I met Yang Gang, he was only eight years old; he took my hand and said, ’Sister, you are so pretty.’ At that moment, I suddenly cried. That was the first time anyone had ever complimented me. I gave up the thought of suicide because if I died, my body would decay, and I would no longer be pretty. It was Gang who gave me the courage and strength to continue living, something that no other man could ever replace," she concluded softly.

Xiao Haotian’s face was awkward.

After a moment, Zhang Miao calmly said, "Yang Gang was the first man who proposed to me. At the age of 18, I realized for the first time that I was not only a killing machine but also a woman."

"But you don’t love Yang Gang at all, do you? Haven’t you always regarded Yang Gang as a younger brother?" Xiao Haotian was anxious.

Zhang Miao smoothed her bangs and spoke indifferently, "Love and marriage don’t necessarily relate directly. There are many who fall in love after getting married."

"Miao Miao, you’re gambling! If you can’t fall in love with Yang Gang after getting married, won’t your life be ruined by him!"

Zhang Miao fell silent again. After a short while, she replied lightly, "You’re right, I don’t love Gang Zi now. But if I am fortunate enough to fall in love with a man in this lifetime, that man will definitely be Yang Gang."

"Ridiculous! Absurd!" Mulan said with a darkened face, "Zhang Miao, you’re being irresponsible to your own life! I can see that Yang Gang truly likes the girl he holds hands with. Even if you end up loving him, what’s the use? He doesn’t love you. Aren’t you making yourself even more miserable and pitiful?"

"This is my own business," Zhang Miao said calmly.

"Humph! Do whatever you want, I don’t care anymore!"

"Thank you for that," Zhang Miao said, then glanced at the time, stood up, and spoke lightly, "I should go back. My sister-in-law knew I was coming to see Xiao Haotian. If I don’t return soon, it may cause some misunderstandings."

No sooner had Zhang Miao finished speaking than three or four middle-aged women, dressed in rich and auspicious attire, entered the café.

Among them was Mrs. Yu Xiang of the Song family.

As soon as Yu Xiang entered the café, she saw the trio of Zhang Miao and a sly smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

The other ladies also saw the trio and began whispering amongst themselves.

"Isn’t that the new bride of the Yang family? What is she doing here, meeting someone in private?"

"It’s not just a simple private meeting, right? That lady seems to be the mother of the man. This bride from the Yang family is meeting a man and his mother..."

"Wow! I get it! The child in the bride of Yang’s belly must be that man’s, and they’re probably meeting here today to discuss getting back together or something."

"No, no, it could also be that she was instructed by a former lover to marry into the Yang family with the aim of seizing the Yang family’s wealth!"

"Wow, how vicious women’s hearts can be."

"I always said the Yang family bride was no good woman. Think about it, she’s so beautiful, what kind of man can’t she find? Why on earth would she marry that unreliable Yang boy? She definitely has ulterior motives."

"Mmm-hmm, makes sense."

...

These whispers reached Zhang Miao’s ears almost without missing a word. She didn’t say anything in return, just spoke lightly, "I should be leaving."

Mulan did not speak.

Zhang Miao took a few steps, then stopped, turned around to look at Mulan, and said, "Mother, I’ve always wanted to ask you a question. To you, am I merely a tool for revenge? Have you ever, even a little bit, regarded me as your daughter?"

"No," Mulan said coldly.

Zhang Miao gave a wry smile. She opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything. Pain flickered in her eyes, and her melancholic expression was distressing to see.

"I see, then take care. I’ll be going first."