The moment these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Soon, Zhang Susu's surprise turned into delight. "Youli, what did you just say?"
Jiang Youli repeated, "Auntie, I'd like to recognize you and Uncle as my parents. Would that be alright?"
Jiang Yangxu, snapping out of his shock, no longer cared about his disdain for his biological daughter and immediately scolded, "Don’t make a scene in front of your grandfather!"
His own flesh and blood refusing to acknowledge him, instead choosing to call his elder brother "Father"!
What kind of absurdity was this?
Where did that leave his dignity?
And more importantly...
Originally, since his elder brother and sister-in-law had no children of their own, the Jiang Family’s future inheritance would undoubtedly go to his branch. But if his daughter really recognized them as her parents, who knew how the old man would redistribute the family assets!
Jiang Youli said earnestly, "I’m not making a scene."
Jiang Zhao sneered, "In the end, you just can’t let go of your status as the Jiang Family’s young miss. How desperate must you be to suggest something as ridiculous as recognizing Uncle and Aunt as your parents?"
Jiang Youli retorted, "How laughable. What do you mean I can’t let go? I am the Jiang Family’s young miss. You’re talking about Jiang Yonghe, aren’t you? She’s the one who isn’t a Jiang by blood, yet she clings shamelessly to this household."
Though Jiang Yonghe felt a sting at Jiang Youli’s words, a flicker of satisfaction also rose in her heart.
For her, this was actually the best of both worlds.
Not only could she stay in the Jiang Family without issue, but as long as Jiang Youli remained a Jiang daughter, there was still a chance to force her into marrying Qi Huan—now confined to a wheelchair!
Old Master Jiang hadn’t expected such a proposal either. After a brief moment of astonishment, he pondered and said, "It’s not impossible. But this depends on whether your uncle and aunt are willing."
Zhang Susu was more than willing. She had dreamed of having a precious daughter!
Jiang Yehan, observing his wife’s excitement, had already made up his mind to agree.
Before Zhang Susu and Jiang Yehan could speak, Qin Yulian objected, "No! Youli is my own flesh and blood, born after ten months of pregnancy. How can she call you two her parents?"
Jiang Yonghe, who had just relaxed at the thought of staying, felt a surge of panic at Qin Yulian’s words. But she quickly steadied herself.
She realized that no matter how much affection her mother held for her, she was no longer her biological daughter.
And this blood tie might one day become her downfall!
Jiang Youli scoffed, "Why not? Jiang Yonghe isn’t related to you by blood either, yet you dote on her and let her call you ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’"
Qin Yulian struggled to respond. "Th-That’s different... Yonghe has lived with us for twenty years. We’ve bonded..."
Ignoring her, Jiang Youli turned to Zhang Susu with sincerity. "Auntie, would you and Uncle be willing to become my parents?"
Zhang Susu’s hands trembled. She glanced at her husband for confirmation. "Han..."
Jiang Yehan nodded. "Susu, I know you’ve always wanted a daughter. Now, we finally have one."
Overjoyed, Zhang Susu embraced Jiang Youli, tears in her eyes. "My dear child, I’ll be your mother from now on. You’re my precious daughter."
"Sister-in-law, how could you?!" Qin Yulian protested, frantic.
Like her husband, she could scorn her own daughter, but she couldn’t bear the thought of her calling another woman "Mom"!
It was like having her pride trampled underfoot!
"Mom," Jiang Youli called naturally, filling Zhang Susu’s heart with warmth.
But to Qin Yulian, it was a knife to the heart. "Daughter, don’t be rash. I’m your real mother!"
Jiang Youli stepped back from Zhang Susu’s embrace and coldly met Qin Yulian’s gaze. "Auntie, don’t call me ‘daughter.’ Your daughter is Jiang Yonghe."
"Auntie?!" Qin Yulian’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Jiang Youli, I’m your mother, not your aunt!"
She moved to pull Jiang Youli toward her.
Old Master Jiang tapped his cane sharply. "Enough! It’s too late for regrets now! As the head of this family, I decree that from today, my granddaughter shall be registered under my eldest son and his wife."
"Dad..." Qin Yulian protested weakly.
"Don’t call me that!" Old Master Jiang snorted. "Your own daughter rejects you—this is the bed you’ve made!"
Qin Yulian was heartbroken. She never imagined her daughter would be so stubborn. Just a few harsh words, and she’d turned to her aunt instead!
Jiang Yangxu added, "Dad, Youli’s just acting out. This talk of recognizing them as her parents is nonsense. No matter what, she’s our flesh and blood. We’d never abandon her."
Jiang Youli cut in, "Don’t flatter yourselves. I’m not throwing a tantrum—I simply don’t want you as my parents anymore. Even if you kicked Jiang Yonghe out right now, I still wouldn’t take you back."
Jiang Yangxu’s expression darkened at his daughter’s defiance.
Jiang Youli continued, "If you don’t believe me, I’ll sign a formal agreement severing all ties with you. Permanently."
Qin Yulian and Jiang Yangxu were too furious to speak.
To prove her resolve, Jiang Youli retrieved her ID card and household register from her bag and handed them to Old Master Jiang.
"Grandfather, please arrange for my transfer to Uncle and Aunt’s household as soon as possible."
Old Master Jiang accepted the documents. "Consider it done."
He instructed his eldest son and daughter-in-law, "You’ve had a long journey today. Settle Youli in first, and we’ll gather for dinner later."
Jiang Yehan and Zhang Susu nodded. "Of course."
As they left the main hall and walked along the gravel path toward the eastern villa, Zhang Susu’s heart still raced. Did she really have a daughter now?
She actually had a daughter!
Heavens, she’d become a mother without even lifting a finger!
Jiang Yehan, noticing her distraction, steadied her when she nearly tripped over a pebble. With affectionate amusement, he murmured, "Careful. Don’t let our daughter laugh at you."
Zhang Susu composed herself, then hesitantly turned to Jiang Youli. "Youli, now that we’re alone... tell us honestly. This decision to recognize us as your parents—it wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment reaction, was it?"
Jiang Youli hadn’t expected her aunt—no, her mother now—to be so emotional. It only strengthened her resolve. "Of course not. I genuinely admire you both. From now on, you’re my parents."
Then she asked, "Unless... you don’t want me?"
Zhang Susu hurriedly reassured her, "Never! I just worried you might regret it later. If you’ve changed your mind, we can still ask your grandfather to halt the registration."
Jiang Youli answered firmly, "I won’t. Not in this lifetime."
Zhang Susu smiled with relief, "Good, Youli. From now on, you'll be like a daughter to me and your father. No one can ever take you away from us!"
