Free Web NovelChapter 422: Chapter 422: Yanxi 30
Just as Xu Yanxi said, if one did the math, that child would indeed be about the same age as Tan You.
"Trying to get one over on me, are you?" Tan You teased. "Just so you don’t get too smug, I have to tell you something a little unpleasant."
Yanxi’s expression gradually settled. She stared at Tan You for a few moments. "What bad news? I feel like I’ve seen enough terrible things. Nothing should be able to get to me anymore."
"Don’t be so sure," Tan You said slowly. "Your biological mother, Song Mei... she went to see your dad yesterday."
"What did you say?" The cleaver in Yanxi’s hand fell heavily onto the cutting board. In the living room, Sheng Zhou and Jin Xiuyu, who were busy working, both looked over at once. They saw Yanxi’s face had hardened, as if she’d just heard some bad news.
Sheng Zhou put down his wrench and walked to the kitchen. "What’s wrong? Need my help?"
Yanxi picked up the cleaver and composed herself. "It’s nothing, just a small thing. Is the cat tree finished?"
"Just the finishing touches left," Sheng Zhou said, studying Yanxi’s face. Seeing that she had regained her usual composure, he walked back into the living room.
Jin Xiuyu, who was holding up the cat tree, grumbled, "Uncle, hurry and help me! Shuangshuang already jumped into the cat condo. I’m only halfway done assembling it and I have to keep holding it up. This thing’s heavy."
Sheng Zhou went over to support his side of the cat tree, but he still kept half an eye on Yanxi. He watched as she washed her hands and then started making a call.
When Sheng Zhou heard her say "Dad," he couldn’t help but glance over. ’Is there a problem at home?’
Yanxi was much more direct. The moment the call connected, she asked Xu Jinwu, "Did Song Mei go see you?"
Xu Jinwu was still in the mood to joke. "Did you install security cameras in the house? How do you know about this already?"
"Don’t change the subject. Why was she there? Did she run out of money?" Yanxi was blunt. Her opinion of Song Mei was abysmal. After all, this was the woman who had abandoned her husband and daughter to chase a wealthy lifestyle. She’d even sworn she would never return to this small, rural town. ’So why is she looking for Dad now?’
"She actually didn’t ask for money," Xu Jinwu said, hearing the edge in Yanxi’s voice. He dropped the joking tone and explained Song Mei’s reason for visiting. "She just came to ask if you were married, if you had any children, that sort of thing."
"How strange," Yanxi scoffed. "After all these years of complete silence, she suddenly decides to show her ’belated concern’?"
Xu Jinwu hesitated. Yanxi glanced up and saw Tan You’s mocking smile, and her back suddenly went rigid. "She didn’t just say those two things, did she? What else?"
"There was," Xu Jinwu admitted, no longer holding back. "The man she’s with now has a son. He’s three years older than you, unmarried, no children... Apparently, he works at City Hall. He’s already a secretary-general..."
"To hell with her!" Yanxi was genuinely furious now. "Where does she get the nerve? You didn’t agree, did you?"
"How could I?" Xu Jinwu’s self-preservation instincts kicked in. "This is your life. I would never make a decision like that for you. It has to be someone you like. Besides, I don’t approve of her candidate. It’s morally and ethically wrong."
"Think about it. He’s her stepson, and you’re her biological daughter..."
Yanxi felt so nauseous she thought she might throw up last night’s dinner. "She really has no shame at all. Good thing you turned her down for me. You didn’t tell her where I live, did you?"
"I didn’t tell her. But from the way she acts, it seems her husband’s family is quite powerful. If she really puts her mind to it, she could probably find you, don’t you think?" Xu Jinwu sounded worried. "If she comes looking for you, you call me immediately."
"You’re my daughter. I won’t let her bully you, no matter what." Xu Jinwu’s voice grew louder. Truth be told, not many police officers are known for their even temper.
"I know. Do I look like someone who’s easily bullied?" Yanxi’s mood had improved considerably. At least her dad was on her side. "She really didn’t ask you for money? From what you said, her stepson is already grown up. Even if her husband’s family is wealthy, wouldn’t the stepson be on guard against her?"
Xu Jinwu sighed. "Who knows? We cut ties thirty years ago. Now she’s a rich man’s wife, and I’m just an old farmer. We’ve been living in different worlds for ages."
"Speaking of money, I should be the one asking her for it, shouldn’t I?" Xu Jinwu was even in the mood to joke. "She hasn’t paid a single cent in child support since the divorce. If you actually calculated it all, it would be quite a sum."
"As long as she didn’t ask you for money, that’s what matters," Yanxi said, her mood returning to normal. "You weren’t too upset by it, were you?"
"I was a little angry, actually," Xu Jinwu admitted. "Not because I saw her, but because of that ridiculous suggestion she made. I sicced the dog on her and chased her out."
"Good for you," Yanxi finally laughed. "When I get back in a few days, I’ll give Big Yellow an extra chicken leg. If you ask me, you shouldn’t have even let her in the door."
Her phone call lasted for over ten minutes. During that time, Sheng Zhou went in and out of the kitchen a few times. The groceries they’d ordered from the supermarket had arrived, but Yanxi was so absorbed in her call that she didn’t notice anything else.
Just then, the cat tree assembly was finished. With nothing else to do, the man and the young man decided to help Yanxi with the prep work, like washing the vegetables.
The sound of the running water carried over the phone. Xu Jinwu asked curiously, "Are you getting ready to cook now? You haven’t eaten yet? It’s so late."
Yanxi laughed. "Yeah, I’m having one of my students over for dinner today. I’ve been really busy lately. I told you before that Teacher Song had a little accident, so I’ve been filling in as the homeroom teacher for a while."
"I know, you told me," Xu Jinwu’s voice was loud, as if he was afraid Yanxi couldn’t hear him. "It must have been tough lately, huh? Have you been eating properly? You haven’t lost weight, have you?"
"I’ve lost about three pounds, but not from starving myself, just from being tired. But all the hard work ended today, so I can finally rest during the winter break." Seeing some leafy greens nearby, Yanxi casually took over the task of cleaning them while she continued talking to Xu Jinwu.
"We’re getting ingredients ready for hot pot right now..."
Sheng Zhou had clearly heard Xu Jinwu’s side of the conversation, as Yanxi had put the call on speakerphone. Jin Xiuyu even chimed in from time to time. Only Sheng Zhou remained silent. ’It’s a matter of adult propriety,’ he thought. ’I get it.’
They chatted for a few more moments. Just before hanging up, Yanxi stressed again, "If Song Mei ever comes to see you again, you have to tell me right away."
"Alright, I’ll tell you right away," Xu Jinwu said, resigned. "And what will you do when I tell you? She’s still your biological mother, even if you haven’t seen her in years... Never mind. We’ll talk about it in detail when you come home."
