Chapter 222 - Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk (2)
The next day, one of the Li Corporation's banquet halls was filled with members of the press, who were waiting for the official statement from the family regarding Mu Jianyu's sudden death and the rumors about Li Xiuying's long absence.
"Do you think that Mu Jianyu lost his mind after Lady Li divorced him?" One of the reporters asked his companion in a loud voice.
For the first time, the Li family had held a press conference to explain their side. Next to the Shen family, the Li family rarely involved themselves nor pay much attention to the rumors going around about their family members. They've never cared about how they were perceived.
The other man shrugged. "It could be. There were rumors between the two. It didn't help that Shen Zichen was also involved in it. It must be really hard for Mu Jianyu after their separation."
Hushed conversations filled the hall until the whole Li family, together with their lawyer, entered from the side entrance and made their way to the stage. Zheng Yue naturally took her spot on the podium, her eyes sweeping over them as the frantic journalists took pictures of the family, especially of Li Chuntao, whom they had mistakenly assumed as Li Xiuying.
Along with the Old Master and Old Madam Li, Li Chuntao stood next to her cousin, Li Jingren. He was her Uncle Yuren and Aunt Yue's only son, the successor of the Li Corporation. All of them were wearing black suits and had stiff, serious expressions on their faces, as if they were mourning over Mu Jianyu's death.
The camera flashes almost blinded Li Chuntao, but she tried to contain her annoyance and lowered her gaze instead. Today, her family was about to announce her sister's death, and how it was the cause of Mu Jianyu's suicide. It was the only plausible reason they could come up with to protect their family and the children Lin Meirong had left behind.
Since the public was more familiar with Zheng Yue, being a previous film empress at the peak of her career, she would be the one representing and to read the official statement from the Li family.
"Today, with a heavy heart, we're here to confirm not only one, but two deaths within the family." She started as the media scampered to grab a spot in front for a better shot of the whole family.
"Mu Jianyu's death was a huge blow to our family. None of us expected it to happen. Even though he and Li Xiuying were already divorced, he's still considered part of our family."
It wasn't a secret that Mu Jianyu didn't have any living relatives at this point, other than the daughter he adopted a year ago. However, none of them knew the status of his relationship with his ex-wife's family.
"We would also like to confirm the passing of our dearest Li Xiuying." Zheng Yue continued, her face was one with a pained expression. She couldn't help herself as she remembered her niece's final moment in Li Chuntao's arms.
The grief, the pain, the helplessness. A year had already passed but the pain had remained fresh in their hearts.
The second statement was something that caught the journalists by surprise. None of them had expected to hear those words from her lips. Then who was the woman who was standing behind her if Li Xiuying was already dead? Even though it's been almost a year since Li Xiuying decided to lay low and not show herself in public, wasn't this too much?
Was this the reason Mu Jianyu took his own life? Even after their divorce, Mu Jianyu still loved his ex-wife to the extent that he couldn't continue living without her?
"Yes, our Ying has passed away, and this fact might have left a detrimental shock and pain on Mu Jianyu, given how much they loved and cherished each other before their separation. Do not be mistaken." Zheng Yue then took a side glance to her only surviving niece. "The woman in front of you right now is the younger twin of our family, Li Chuntao."
Li Chuntao gave them a respectful bow before putting her icy mask back in place. She'd already expected that people would be confused seeing her right now. She and her twin sister were identical anyway. It's only normal that they couldn't differentiate who's who between them.
The press conference continued in a blur for Li Chuntao. Her Aunt Yue had easily answered each of the questions thrown at her without revealing too much information about Li Xiuying's death. She only mentioned that Li Xiuying had suffered complications that eventually led to her untimely death.
Her remains had been cremated and had been kept in the Li family's mausoleum. The public could only accept the family's explanation regarding Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu's death.
Some were curious about Shen Zichen's involvement, but the former film empress had assured them that there was nothing going on between Li Xiuying and the Young Master Shen as they'd been close since childhood and it was normal for them to look after each other.
The Li family remained silent throughout the conference. Since Li Xiuying and Mu Jianyu's deaths had already been confirmed, Li Chuntao need not explain herself any further.
Right now, she only wanted to go back to the villa where her husband and daughter were waiting for her return. A pang of regret hit Li Chuntao as she realized that she had almost lost her chance to be truly happy because she wasn't able to let go of her sister.
This was the end for her revenge. No matter if this wasn't the ending she had on her mind before she started. There's no need for her to dwell on the past any longer. With Lin Meirong's death and Mu Jianyu's suicide, the only thing left for her was to move on.
A heavy burden had been lifted in her heart and Li Chuntao knew she could finally move on with her life.
"Ying, in this lifetime and the next ones, I wish to always be your sister."
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