After rebirth, I rejected the rich yandere lady

Zhu Changlin looked at his daughter. This time, he wasn't angered by the wariness in her eyes, perhaps because of the significance of this day.

He sighed.

"I won't try to explain anything. I am your father and also the Family Head of the Zhu Family. Many people rely on me for their livelihoods. When making decisions, choices have to be made. The words I speak to you today are as a father. Once you've made a decision, be resolute. Use half of your rebellious energy to truly take charge of your affairs. Regardless of success or failure, I think your mother would be happy."

Zhu Changlin slowly stood up. At that moment, his expression was inscrutable, softening only slightly when he uttered his last sentence.

"Xiao Yulan, happy birthday."

After saying this, he walked out of the reception hall.

Zhu Yulan watched silently as his figure receded, feeling somewhat dazed.

Towards this father, she couldn't muster much respect or affection, just a deep-seated resentment.

But today, that simple "happy birthday" somehow took her back to her childhood, back when her mother and elder sister were still around, back when her father hadn't yet assumed the role of Family Head.

Back then, his smile was far more frequent, and the house was always filled with laughter and joy.

But everything changed after her mother left.

She couldn't understand how a person could change so drastically.

"Are you still blaming Father?"

Zhu Xianglan sat beside her sister, resting her chin on her hands, watching Zhu Yulan's distant expression as she offered her a strawberry with a spoon.

"Shouldn't I?"

Zhu Yulan spoke faintly, not taking the strawberry by her mouth.

After all, since the departure of their mother and elder sister, she hadn't felt what could be called fatherly love or the warmth of a family.

Zhu Xianglan smiled, eating the strawberry herself. While chewing, she spoke.

"When a person occupies a certain position for too long, their emotions do indeed get gradually worn down. And with a family's blood ties, so many people depend on him for their meals, hoping for him to step down early.

Intrigue and infighting.

What he needs to maintain is a stable front without weaknesses."

Zhu Xianglan's gaze landed on her sister as she came to the end of her speech.

Zhu Yulan chuckled: "So we're his weakness? How convincing is this cliché from TV dramas?"

"I'm not trying to persuade you, just telling you the facts. Father was once just an insignificant member in the family clan, with no chance of becoming the Family Head. But Mother was the eldest daughter of a great family. Their love allowed Father to eventually compete amongst numerous heirs. Mother faced pressure from her own family; after all, she was once a dazzling heiress. How could she 'fall from grace' to marry someone on the fringes of a family clan?

Nonetheless, Father used this momentum, demonstrating his talent in business and management, forging his own achievements step by step.

Father's initial pursuit of status might have been to prove to everyone his capabilities, to show Mother's family that she hadn't chosen the wrong man. Sadly, Mother passed away before she saw that day… That initial intention slowly turned into a curse of sorts."

Zhu Xianglan continued slowly, a hint of moisture glistening at the corners of her eyes. People aren't born inherently good or bad.

It's the realities of life that slowly alter someone into a person they don't even recognize.

Zhu Yulan's hands trembled slightly. She understood these things, of course. But she didn't comprehend: "...Surely there are better ways. Even living a common life in peace would be better than this…right?"

"A common life is rife with petty troubles and mundane concerns. Everyone in this world is constrained in some way."

Zhu Xianglan shook her head. "Perhaps for Father, his method ensures that you won't have to live under others' scornful looks, nor will you have to endure hardship."

"That's just what he thinks... Sis, are you trying to say that everything he's done is right?" Zhu Yulan clenched her trembling fists.

"Of course, what he did wasn't right. He's not a good father, and he knows it too, which is why he doesn't expect your forgiveness."

Zhu Xianglan spoke softly and sighed. "For most of our lives, we are not in control of our actions, and most of the choices we make are mistaken. If we dwell and regret all the time, we will accomplish nothing in the end. He's not a good father, and there are many more than just us two depending on him for their lives.

What I mean is, you don't have to forgive him. He's an incompetent father, but there are aspects of him you need to learn from, right for you now."

Zhu Xianglan gently tapped her sister's forehead.

Zhu Yulan's eyes trembled. She understood the implication of her sister's words, but she was even more uncertain about how to handle her own emotions.

The memory of that contemptible yet warm and reliable figure emerged in her mind, and she bit her lip in silence.

"I don't know... I don't know what to say…"

Zhu Yulan didn't even understand her true feelings inside. She had concerns, about Nuannuan and Ming Yue... She didn't know how to face them if she spoke out like this.

Or perhaps, he never really saw her as a friend, and they couldn't even remain friends after this...

"Silly little sister, is what you lack friends?"