A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 175 The Unexpected Incident at the Shopping Mall

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, gently bathing every corner of the bustling metropolis of Shanghai. The streets and alleys teemed with traffic, people busy with their own lives. Li Yuan, a businesswoman who had honed her skills and courage over many years, transforming the Li Group into a renowned enterprise in the industry, finally had some rare leisure time today. She decided to go shopping with her daughter, Li Shiqing, enjoying this precious mother-daughter time together.

Li Shiqing, as the marketing manager of a subsidiary of the Li Group, is young, capable, and full of energy. She not only inherited her mother's business acumen but also possesses her own unique fashion sense. The mother and daughter strolled hand-in-hand through the shopping mall's corridors, their laughter echoing. Li Yuan, looking at the dazzling array of goods before her, beamed with happiness, as if transported back to those warm and cherished memories.

"Shiqing, what do you think of this dress? It suits you very well." Li Yuan picked up an exquisite dress and held it up against Li Shiqing.

Li Shiqing looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes sparkling: "Mom, you look so beautiful! You still have such good taste."

"Haha, I'm your mother, of course I know what suits you," Li Yuan said with a smile. "Come on, let's give it a try."

Just as Li Shiqing stepped into the fitting room, Li Yuan spotted a familiar figure in a corner of the mall. Her smile froze instantly, and her heart began to race. It was her ex-husband—Wang Qiang.

Wang Qiang was once a young man full of dreams, but the hardships of life gradually eroded his fighting spirit, leaving him despondent. After his divorce, his life was far from ideal, and he now works as a cleaner in this shopping mall. At this moment, he is holding a broom, head down, sweeping the floor, completely unaware of Li Yuan's gaze.

Li Shiqing came out of the fitting room after changing her clothes. Seeing that her mother's expression was not right, she asked with concern, "Mom, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Yuan snapped out of her daze and forced a smile: "It's okay, Shi Qing, you look really beautiful in this dress, let's buy it."

Just as they were about to pay the bill, Wang Qiang looked up and his gaze met that of Li Yuan and Li Shiqing. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Li Yuan, I really didn't expect to run into you here." Wang Qiang stepped forward and said casually.

Li Yuan took a deep breath, trying her best to remain calm: "Wang Qiang, it's been a long time."

Wang Qiang looked Li Yuan and Li Shiqing up and down, a hint of disdain in his eyes: "After all these years, you've been living quite a successful life. But all you can do is housework and keep the house in order."

Upon hearing this, Li Shiqing flew into a rage: "What are you saying? My mother is the chairperson of the Li Group, a very influential figure in the business world. How dare you say such things about her!"

Wang Qiang sneered: "So what if you're the chairman? Women, in the end, still have to return to the family. As for you, Shi Qing, what's the point of a young woman pursuing a career? It would be better to get married and have children early, and be a good wife and mother."

"You're being completely unreasonable!" Li Shiqing exclaimed, her face flushed with anger. "I'm doing just fine at the company, why should I listen to you? I have my own ideals and pursuits, and I don't want to end up like you, having my edges worn down by life and becoming a failure!"

Wang Qiang was enraged by Li Shiqing's words. He raised his voice: "You little brat, how can you talk to your elders like that? I'm doing this for your own good, don't be ungrateful!"

"For my own good? You don't understand me at all, and you've never cared about me!" Li Shiqing retorted angrily. "What have you done for me all these years? What right do you have to tell me what to do with my life!"

The argument between the mother and daughter and Wang Qiang grew louder and louder, attracting the attention of many people around. People gathered around, pointing and whispering amongst themselves.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, Zhang Chen and his parents arrived at the shopping center. Zhang Chen immediately spotted Li Shiqing and Li Yuan surrounded by the crowd. His heart tightened, and he quickly pulled his parents to squeeze through.

"Shi Qing, what happened?" Zhang Chen asked with concern.

When Li Shiqing saw Zhang Chen, it was like seeing a savior. Tears of grievance welled up in her eyes: "Zhang Chen, he's my former father again. He's spouting nonsense here, insulting me and my mother."

Zhang Chen frowned, looked at Wang Qiang, and said with a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes: "Uncle, how can you say that? Shi Qing and Aunt Li are both very outstanding people. They have their own lifestyle and pursuits. You should respect them."

Wang Qiang glanced at Zhang Chen disdainfully: "What, it's you again? Who gives you the right to speak here?"

Zhang Chen's father stepped forward and said in a calm but authoritative tone, "Sir, whatever your conflict with them may be, you shouldn't make a scene in public. We can resolve any issues calmly."

Wang Qiang, however, disagreed: "Stop pretending to be nice people. This is our family matter, and it's none of your business as outsiders."

Zhang Chen's mother couldn't help but speak up: "You can't make a fuss about family matters like this. Shi Qing is a good girl, and she has the right to choose her own path in life. It's too much for you to say such things about her."

The argument between the two sides grew increasingly heated, with neither willing to back down. Just then, the shopping center manager rushed over. Seeing Zhang Chen's father, he quickly and respectfully stepped forward, nodding, "Chairman Zhang, what brings you here?"

Everyone was stunned when they heard the name "Chairman Zhang". Li Yuan and Li Shiqing looked at Zhang Chen's father in surprise, never expecting that he was the big boss of this shopping center.

Wang Qiang's eyes widened, an expression of disbelief on his face. He never imagined he had been so presumptuous in front of his boss.

Zhang Chen's father said calmly, "What's going on here? Why is it so noisy?"

The shopping center manager quickly recounted what had happened. After listening, Zhang Chen's father's expression turned serious: "Sir, your behavior has seriously disrupted the normal order of the shopping center. We cannot tolerate such a thing happening."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qiang panicked: "Chairman Zhang, I was wrong, I didn't mean it. Please forgive me this time."

Zhang Chen's father gave him a cold look: "Work is something to be taken seriously, not something to vent your emotions on. With your attitude, you're not suited to work here. Please pack your things and leave."

Wang Qiang wanted to say something more, but seeing the determined look in Zhang Chen's father's eyes, he knew that it would be futile to say anything more, so he had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and the shopping mall returned to its usual tranquility. Li Yuan looked at Zhang Chen and his parents gratefully: "Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I don't know how things would have ended today."

Zhang Chen's father smiled and said, "Chairman Li, you're too kind. Shi Qing is Zhang Chen's girlfriend, so naturally we can't stand by and watch her suffer. Besides, Wang Qiang's behavior was indeed excessive; we were just doing what we should do."

Li Shiqing walked to Zhang Chen's side and held his hand tightly: "Zhang Chen, thank you, and thank you to your uncle and aunt. I don't know what I would have done today if it weren't for you."

Zhang Chen looked at Li Shiqing tenderly: "Silly girl, why are you being so polite with me? No matter what happens in the future, I will always be by your side."

Looking at the young couple, Li Yuan smiled with relief. She knew her daughter had found someone she could rely on, someone who could accompany her through life's storms. This unexpected encounter at the shopping mall further solidified her belief that she and her daughter had made the right choice. They didn't need others' opinions; they only needed to firmly walk their own path and pursue their dreams.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Li Yuan, Li Shiqing, and Zhang Chen walked hand in hand out of the shopping mall. Their figures gradually disappeared into the streets and alleys, leaving behind a story of courage, perseverance, and love. And this story will continue to be written in this vibrant city…