"I..."
Cui Xuemei's lips trembled slightly.
Her instinct was to refuse Chu Ci's demand. After all, Chu Ci was a living, breathing money tree. If they really cut ties, where would she get the money to keep playing mahjong?
Cui Xuemei had grown used to getting money from Chu Ci whenever she asked lately. If she agreed to cut ties with him, she dared not imagine how miserable her life would become.
But looking into Chu Ci's indifferent eyes, the words "I don't agree" stuck in Cui Xuemei's throat for over ten seconds, and she still failed to say them.
Chu Ci's gaze was far too cold.
He used to look at her with deep attachment, and Cui Xuemei had been confident she could keep him under her thumb. But now... she could no longer quite figure out what he was thinking.
"Cici, how can you be so heartless?"
Cui Xuemei raised her eyes, a faint sheen of tears in them, trying to arouse Chu Ci's sympathy this way.
At the sight, Chu Ci gave a casual scoff. He lowered his eyes to Cui Xuemei before him. "If you won't agree to cut ties, then return all the money I've sent you over the years... I have records of all the large transfers. I've consulted a lawyer who specializes in this. Since you never raised me all these years, I have no obligation to support you either. If I sue you, you'll have to return every last cent."
Naturally, Chu Ci had made all this up to bluff her.
As for technical terms like "large transfer records," "lawyer," "court," and "support," Lele had taught him those. Cui Xuemei had always lived in a small county town. She had little schooling, let alone any opportunity to come into contact with the law or the courts. The moment she heard Chu Ci demand that she return all the money, she panicked.
"I... I'm your biological mother! Isn't supporting me only right and proper? Besides, you gave me that money willingly. What right do you have to demand it back?"
The more Cui Xuemei spoke, the faster her words came.
"Then have you fulfilled a mother's duties? Did you take care of me before I came of age? Did you raise me for even a single day? And now you're talking to me about what's 'right and proper'? Don't you find yourself utterly ridiculous?"
Chu Ci couldn't be bothered to argue with Cui Xuemei. She was the typical sort who wouldn't shed a tear until she saw the coffin. "If you won't agree to cut ties with me, then I'll see you in court."
With that, he let go.
"Wait..."
Seeing Chu Ci turn to leave, Cui Xuemei couldn't help growing anxious. "Are you really going to take me to court?"
To Cui Xuemei, "court" was a very distant place. In her limited understanding, only people of bad character were taken to court. If things between her and Chu Ci really went that far... she would never have the face to stay here again.
"Yes."
Chu Ci nodded.
"...I agree."
After weighing the pros and cons, Cui Xuemei agreed after all.
"Good."
Chu Ci took out his phone and opened the video recording screen.
Lele had already taught him how to use a phone, including making audio and video recordings. Lele had reminded him that if he worked in the entertainment industry, it was best to carry a voice recorder at all times to guard against being backstabbed.
Chu Ci had only transmigrated here recently and hadn't had time to buy a voice recorder. Fortunately, his phone could record audio and video too.
"Then please say to the camera that you voluntarily sever your mother-son relationship with Chu Ci, that from now on, you and Chu Ci will go your separate ways and never interfere in each other's affairs again..."
Cui Xuemei froze for a moment.
Her original plan had actually been to placate Chu Ci first, then find a suitable opportunity to continue building their relationship. She hadn't expected him to be so heartless.
"Cici, do we really have to take things this far?"
"Yes."
Chu Ci nodded without hesitation.
The original owner might have gone soft, but he wouldn't.
Since he had decided to take the original owner's place and become an outstanding actor, he would nip certain bad things that might happen in the future firmly in the bud.
Cui Xuemei, for instance.
If he really became an outstanding actor, Cui Xuemei would certainly try every possible way to hound him.
On his path to becoming an outstanding actor, he would encounter all sorts of rivals. If he insisted on refusing to give Cui Xuemei money, his future rivals would exploit this and make a huge issue out of the original owner's "lack of filial piety."
On his way here, Chu Ci had browsed a few posts on Weibo and realized just how formidable this generation of netizens could be. Following the principle that "the fewer complications, the better," he decided to cut ties with Cui Xuemei completely right now.
Seeing Chu Ci's indifferent expression, Cui Xuemei belatedly realized there truly was no room left for negotiation.
How could someone change so much?
Cui Xuemei looked up at Chu Ci's handsome face. He clearly still had the same looks, the same eyes, the same skin tone, the same build... yet all she could see in those beautiful eyes was endless disgust and mockery.
A sense of helplessness gradually settled over her heart. Looking at the phone's camera, Cui Xuemei gave a bitter smile. "I voluntarily sever my mother-son relationship with Chu Ci. From now on, Chu Ci and I will go our separate ways and never interfere in each other's affairs again..."
"No."
Chu Ci wasn't very satisfied with Cui Xuemei's expression. "Nothing about your expression looks voluntary. Do it again."
Cui Xuemei took a deep breath. Sensing the faint gazes studying her, she spoke with a hint of anger. "Chu Ci, don't push me too far..."
"You don't have to record it."
Chu Ci made to put his phone away. "Then I'll see you in court. I've transferred at least seven or eight hundred thousand yuan to you over the years, haven't I? Unless I'm mistaken, that's no small sum to you, is it?"
At the figure "seven or eight hundred thousand," the surrounding spectators sucked in another sharp breath.
That money was enough to buy an apartment in the small county town.
"I also sent you transfers and red packets on holidays. Those must add up to another hundred thousand yuan, right? Are you sure..."
"I'll record it."
Cui Xuemei gritted her teeth. "I'll record it, all right!?"
Chu Ci nodded reluctantly. "Then make your expression a little more natural."
"Fine."
Looking into the camera, Cui Xuemei forced a smile onto her face. "I voluntarily sever my relationship-my mother-son relationship with Chu Ci. From now on, Chu Ci and I will go our separate ways and never interfere in each other's affairs again..."
"OK."
Chu Ci made an "OK" gesture.
As long as he had this video, Cui Xuemei would have reservations about what she did in the future.