The Reborn Mom: Trapped in Her Son's Rivalry Drama

Upon hearing the woman in the room declare a hunger strike, Ji Tingyang's previously gentle expression abruptly turned cold.

He walked over and pushed open the door.

The sight that greeted him was one of spilled porridge and vegetables scattered across the floor, with two lonely steamed buns rolling under the bed.

A woman with waist-length hair stood in the room, her silk nightgown perfectly accentuating her delicate, alluring figure. Her pale face, tinged with anger, and eyes brimming with tears, glared defiantly at Ji Tingyang, resembling a fragile flower determined not to submit to its predicament.

In her heart, Lin Xu couldn't help but marvel.

"Indeed, the female protagonist of the novel... one who elicits sympathy with a single glance."

Ji Tingyang stood frozen, his expression as icy as ever. "Butler, since Miss Wen refuses to eat, fire Zhang."

The maid, hearing this, rushed to Ji Tingyang with a panicked plea. "Mr. Ji, please don't fire me! I have two elderly parents to care for, and two children who need to be educated. If you fire me, my entire family will be destitute!"

Though the Ji family was difficult to please, their wages were high, enough to sustain an entire family. But if she were dismissed, it would be hard to find another job with such a generous salary.

Zhang continued to beg Ji Tingyang, but when she saw him unmoved, she turned her pleading gaze toward Wen Li.

"Miss Wen, please... speak a word for me... I beg you."

She knew Ji Shao would surely listen to this woman.

Wen Li bit her red lips, her eyes full of painful hesitation.

After a long pause, her heart softened.

"I'll eat... but don't fire her."

Ji Tingyang's expression softened slightly, and he stepped forward, taking the woman's delicate wrist in his hand. "Wen Li, stop threatening me with this hunger strike."

Wen Li's eyes welled with tears, her expression heart-rending.

Lin Xu, witnessing the entire scene from the doorway, was dumbfounded. In the haze of her dreams, she had seen her once obedient and kind eldest son transform into a ruthless villain. Yet seeing it unfold before her eyes still left her in shock.

Just as Wen Li, tearful and heartbroken, felt the threat hanging over her, a small hand reached out and slapped Ji Tingyang's arm.

"Ji Tingyang, so this is how you behave now—threatening people?"

Lin Xu angrily slapped his arm, signaling for him to release Wen Li.

Wen Li's expression was one of shock; she never expected anyone in the Ji family would dare strike Ji Tingyang.

Then, a wave of concern rose in her heart. This woman had dared to oppose Ji Tingyang for her sake. What if he decided to fire her again?

As Wen Li was about to speak up, she saw Ji Tingyang release her hand, his expression awkward. "I didn't threaten you."

Lin Xu glared at him in silence.

The familiar expression on her face triggered memories in Ji Tingyang's mind.

He remembered, as a child, when he didn't want to go to school and pretended to have a stomachache, Lin Xu would give him this same stern, silent stare.

It was only when he felt guilty and apologized that he was sent off to school.

Now, under the same gaze from Lin Xu, Ji Tingyang hesitated, his eyes flickering before he averted his gaze.

Lin Xu's voice cut through the tension. "How did I teach you when you were little?"

But Ji Tingyang was no longer that child. He frowned slightly, unable to resist snapping, "You weren't here for the past twenty years. You didn't fulfill your responsibilities, and now you're coming to tell me what to do?"

Lin Xu froze, her expression gradually softening. Her eyes filled with a hint of sorrow as she lowered her gaze and turned to leave.

Ji Tingyang's heart skipped a beat, and in a panic, he hurried after her.

Wen Li stood, bewildered, watching them.

Back in her room, Lin Xu was about to close the door when a large, warm hand reached in and stopped it.

Lin Xu glanced at Ji Tingyang expressionlessly, letting go of the door and sitting on the edge of the bed.

Ji Tingyang stepped in, awkwardly standing at the side. He had a flood of apologies on the tip of his tongue, but facing Lin Xu, they seemed hard to utter.

As he struggled internally, a single tear slipped down Lin Xu's cheek.

Ji Tingyang was instantly flustered. "I didn't mean to say that... please, don't cry."

Lin Xu choked on her words, "It wasn't my fault the accident happened. You don't comfort me, and yet you blame me for not taking care of you. When you were little, you were so obedient and always said I was your favorite. How did you come to hate me after just twenty years? Wuwu…"

The more she spoke, the more she felt wronged, and tears continued to pour from her eyes.

Ji Tingyang hurriedly searched his pockets but found no handkerchief, resorting to wiping her tears with his sleeve, repeatedly apologizing, "From now on, I'll listen to everything you say."

Lin Xu's tear-filled eyes glinted with a subtle cunning as she pressed her lips together, afraid she might inadvertently smile and reveal her trick.

When Ji Tingyang was young and disobedient, she used to fake cry like this, and within moments, he would relent, wiping away her tears and promising to listen to his mother from then on.

She thought that now he was grown, it might not work, but to her surprise, it still did.

Gurgle.

As Lin Xu continued to cry, a loud rumble emanated from her stomach. She and Ji Tingyang exchanged an awkward glance.

"...I'm hungry."

Ji Tingyang stood up. "I'll have Zhang prepare more breakfast."

Ten minutes later, Wen Li stared in astonishment at Lin Xu, seated at the head of the table, eating breakfast.

This woman had just defied Ji Tingyang, and yet she hadn't been kicked out?

As Wen Li wondered, Zhang came in with the breakfast.

The aroma of small steamed buns, dumplings, and a variety of main dishes like corn porridge and pumpkin porridge filled the air. It was a breakfast spread that looked more like a buffet.

Wen Li glanced at the food, her face clouded with disinterest. "I don't want to eat."

Ji Tingyang's brows furrowed deeply, and his eyes shot her a sharp look. "If Zhang's cooking doesn't suit your taste, she won't be working in the Ji household anymore."

Another threat.

Wen Li clenched her hands, her anger flaring as she looked at Zhang, who gave her a helpless look.

She gritted her teeth, about to speak, when she heard the sound of someone putting down their chopsticks.

"I don't want to eat either," Lin Xu sighed.

Wen Li's brows furrowed. Was she imitating her?

Ji Tingyang, however, didn't acknowledge Wen Li. As he looked at Lin Xu, his tone softened. "Why? You don't like these dishes? What would you like to eat? I'll have it made for you."

Lin Xu thought for a moment. "Is the rice noodle shop on Jiefang Road still open?"

Ji Tingyang nodded. "It's still open."

Lin Xu said, "I want their rice noodles."

Ji Tingyang immediately instructed the butler to go and buy them and asked if she had any preferences for lunch or dinner, ensuring everything would be prepared.

Lin Xu made a list of her desires, and Ji Tingyang agreed to all of them.

Wen Li watched, stunned, as Ji Tingyang, usually so cold and aloof, treated this woman with such gentleness.

In her memory, Ji Tingyang had always been distant, speaking in threats and orders, never once showing such consideration for anyone.

Who exactly was this woman?