Free Web NovelChapter 220: THEY DON’T KNOW A SINGLE THING ABOUT THEIR SON
While laughter and warmth filled Liuxian’s estate, the atmosphere inside the Liu Family’s residence was considerably more restrained.
A maid quietly served freshly brewed tea before excusing herself, leaving only four people seated in the elegant living room as afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows.
Fu Wanqing lifted her teacup with practiced elegance before taking a slow sip, her composed expression revealing very little. Sitting beside her, Liu Youcheng quietly observed the unexpected guests, saying nothing as he allowed his wife to lead the conversation.
"We truly didn’t expect the children to get married so suddenly."
Zhou Meilin smiled warmly as she placed her teacup onto the saucer, her eyes sweeping across the luxurious living room before returning to Wanqing.
"Although everything happened rather quickly, becoming relatives with the Liu Family is something we’re genuinely happy about."
Wanqing returned the smile with equal courtesy.
"It was unexpected for us as well. Liuxian has always handled his own affairs, so his marriage came as a surprise to his father and I."
Xue Deyong laughed before nodding repeatedly.
"Our Guiying has always been very sensible. Ever since he was little, he understood the importance of putting the family first, so we never really had to worry about him."
Meilin smiled proudly before adding to her husband’s words.
"Whatever we arranged for him, he accepted without complaint. He has always been a very obedient child, and that’s probably why the marriage has gone so smoothly."
Wanqing slowly lowered her teacup onto the coffee table before looking at the couple with a gentle smile.
"He sounds like a very easy child to raise. Since Guiying is now part of our family, I’d like to know him a little better. What sort of things does he enjoy doing in his free time?"
The smiles on Deyong and Meilin’s faces stiffened almost imperceptibly.
The two of them looked at one another for several seconds before Deyong finally laughed to break the silence.
"He doesn’t really spend much time on hobbies."
Wanqing nodded thoughtfully before asking another question just as naturally as the first.
"I see. Then perhaps you know what food he enjoys the most. Liuxian has loved noodles ever since he was a little boy, although he still refuses to admit it."
Another silence quietly settled over the room.
Meilin instinctively looked toward her husband again, while Deyong lightly cleared his throat without answering the question.
Wanqing waited patiently.
The silence stretched long enough for the tea on the table to cool.
Eventually, Meilin forced a smile onto her face.
"I’ve... never really asked."
Wanqing simply nodded before taking another sip of tea.
Her expression remained perfectly courteous, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
"What about the foods he dislikes?"
Neither of them answered.
The silence that followed was even longer than before, and the only sound left inside the living room was the quiet ticking of the antique grandfather clock standing against the far wall.
Deyong eventually laughed awkwardly before setting his teacup down.
"Children change a lot after they grow up."
"They certainly do."
Wanqing smiled gently.
"Although some things are rather difficult for parents to forget."
Meilin immediately laughed, eager to move the conversation elsewhere.
"Actually, now that the children are married, we were hoping our two families could become much closer. After all, we’ll be seeing each other often from now on."
Deyong immediately nodded in agreement.
"There have been several projects our company has wanted to cooperate on over the years. Since we’re family now, perhaps there’ll be opportunities to discuss those matters in the future."
Wanqing quietly looked at the couple sitting opposite her.
Ever since they arrived, they had spoken about cooperation, family benefits and future opportunities, yet neither of them had asked how Guiying was doing, whether he was happy or even where the newlyweds were spending their time.
She calmly lifted her teacup before taking one final sip.
"We’ll see what we can do."
Her voice remained as gentle as before.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of rejection in her tone, yet it was obvious the conversation had reached its end.
Deyong understood immediately.
He stood with a smile before thanking the couple for their hospitality, while Meilin hurriedly echoed his words and offered a few more polite remarks before the two of them finally excused themselves.
Wanqing and Youcheng walked them to the front door.
After the final pleasantries were exchanged, the large wooden doors slowly closed behind the departing couple, leaving the residence noticeably quieter than before.
Wanqing stood silently for several moments before turning around and walking back into the living room.
Only after sitting down did she finally let out a slow breath.
"So..."
She picked up her teacup before gently turning it between her fingers.
"This is the family Liuxian married into."
Youcheng quietly looked at his wife without interrupting.
Wanqing lowered her eyes to the untouched tea before speaking again.
"They couldn’t answer a single question about their own son."
A faint crease appeared between her brows.
"They spoke about cooperation more than they spoke about the child they supposedly raised."
She finally looked toward her husband.
"If those two are his parents, I’m beginning to wonder what kind of person this Xue Guiying really is."
Youcheng remained silent for a few more moments before calmly setting his own teacup onto the table.
"I don’t like them either."
Wanqing looked at him.
"You noticed it too."
He nodded once.
"It was obvious."
Wanqing sighed quietly before leaning back against the sofa.
"I don’t understand why Liuxian would hide his marriage for so long if everything was as simple as they made it sound."
Youcheng folded his hands comfortably across his lap before meeting his wife’s gaze.
"I won’t judge Guiying because of his parents."
His voice remained calm and unhurried.
"I’ve never met the young man, and until I do, any opinion I form would be unfair."
Wanqing didn’t immediately answer.
She simply looked toward the front door through which Deyong and Meilin had disappeared only moments ago.
"I hope you’re right."
Her fingers slowly tightened around the warm teacup before gradually relaxing again.
"Because if he truly resembles the people who raised him..."
She quietly shook her head.
"I’m afraid Liuxian’s marriage won’t be nearly as happy as he believes."
