“Go if you want, I’m not forcing you.” Mother Tang saw everything clearly in her heart.
She knew Tang Yushen’s temperament better than anyone.
He did as he pleased, acting entirely on his own whims.
“Xiao Xi never had to socialize much when she was with the Xia family, and recently she hasn’t been feeling well. Naturally, I want to take care of my future wife and let her rest at home,” Tang Yushen said with a stern face. “It’s fine if we don’t meet those people outside.”
“Alright, alright, if you say we don’t meet, then we don’t. You care about her, only you care—do you think I don’t care about my future daughter-in-law?” Mother Tang frowned worriedly. “You should think about how this news got out.”
“Even without investigating, I can guess it was probably spread by the He family. The He family is complicated. Although Helu Yi is in poor health, he’s clever and deeply favored by the He elders. On his wedding day, Helu Yi had a heart attack, and his wife was taken by someone else. If this gets out, it would damage his reputation and turn him into gossip, just to provoke him.” Tang Yushen analyzed lightly. “Right?”
Xiao Xi was strictly controlled by the Xia family, so she definitely doesn’t have any enemies.
“And you have nothing to do with it?” Mother Tang shot him a sidelong glance. “You’re trying to wash your hands clean of it.”
“What does it have to do with me? I’ve already settled things with Helu Yi. He won’t turn down money.”
1.7 billion is no small amount.
What’s more important is that piece of land—excellent feng shui and environment. He’d really hate to part with it.
But for Xiao Xi, he’d even give Helu Yi two plots of land if necessary.
Only then did Mother Tang understand. “You settled it with money? Helu Yi would take your money? How much?”
“Money is secondary. The important thing is that Helu Yi has no feelings for her.” Tang Yushen smirked mischievously. “It just worked out in my favor.”
“What if they had really gotten married…”
“Even if they had married, they could still divorce. I only like Xia Qiaoxi.” When Tang Yushen mentioned Xiao Xi, his eyes grew deep and intense, as if burning with passion.
He missed Xiao Xi.
“Mom understands. I don’t ask for much from you two, just live well together.” Mother Tang stood up. “If you need me to do anything, just say the word.”
“Just don’t make things difficult for my treasure in your future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.”
Hearing this, Mother Tang said, “You’re not even married yet, and you’re already thinking about that? Do you think your mom is the kind of malicious mother-in-law who would make things hard for her daughter-in-law? What else are you thinking about?”
“I’ve thought about a lot. In the future, we’ll give you plenty of grandchildren to gather around your knees and let you enjoy the happiness of family.” In his previous life, not having children with Xia Qiaoxi was a regret for both of them.
In this life, if they have children, the Tang family has plenty of people willing to help raise them.
He’d enjoy the process even more.
Mother Tang pressed her temples. “Young people these days are something else.”
“You flatter me.”
Mother Tang picked up her bag. “I was worried that she might not feel the same way about you, but seeing how deeply you’ve fallen for her, there’s nothing more to say. I wish you happiness!”
“Thank you, Mom.” Tang Yushen chuckled softly.
With his parents taken care of and the Xia family settled, the only thing left was Xiao Xi.
Tang Yushen looked at his phone. Xia Qiaoxi hadn’t sent any messages.
Didn’t she miss him while she was at home?
What was she doing alone at home?
He was curious.
Extremely curious.
The reincarnated Xia Qiaoxi was different from before, and there was still much he needed to learn about her.
Inside Yu Xi Manor, the old butler picked up the antique landline phone beside the sofa. “The sun is strong today. Miss Xia has been staying home and hasn’t gone out. According to the servants, she requested painting supplies. She’s probably painting in her room.”
Tang Yushen asked, “Has she eaten anything?”
“Yes, but very little.”
“Did she ask about me?” Tang Yushen held a faint hope in his heart.
“Well… no.” The old butler didn’t dare deceive Tang Yushen.
He could only tell the truth.
Tang Yushen had already guessed as much – otherwise why wouldn’t she have sent him any messages?
That ungrateful little thing.
“I’ll be back for lunch at noon.”
Since Xiao Xi’er wasn’t coming to find him, he would go back to find her.
After Tang Yushen hung up, Chen Hei stood opposite him. “Boss, you’ve got dark circles under your eyes and the whites of your eyes are red – clearly you didn’t rest well last night. If you go back like this, Miss Xia will definitely worry.”
“This is called the self-injury stratagem,” Tang Yushen said, lying back with closed eyes. “I’ll rest for a while.”
Chen Hei carefully stepped out.
Though he called it a stratagem, he was actually afraid Miss Xia would worry, secretly catching up on sleep to restore his energy.
The boss had truly fallen in love.
Remarkable.
Miss Xia actually shared the same hobby as the boss – they both enjoyed painting.
Within the beautiful scenery of Yu Xi Manor, Xia Qiaoxi stood before her easel, the canvas depicting the manor’s lovely views.
Her visa and passport would take ten days to process. If she wanted to leave, she would have to wait ten more days.
And she couldn’t let Tang Yushen become suspicious.
How could she smoothly leave the capital city ten days from now?
Xia Qiaoxi left her room, her mind foggy from overthinking.
“Miss Xia, the young master said he’ll be back at noon to have lunch with you,” the old butler called up toward the second floor.
Xia Qiaoxi stood in the corridor. “I understand.”
“Miss Xia, it’s still early. Why not take a walk around? You’ll be the mistress here someday – you should familiarize yourself with the manor,” the old butler continued shouting.
“Am I allowed to go anywhere?”
“The young master said you may go anywhere your feet can take you,” the old butler replied with a kindly expression, looking upward.
“Alright.” Xia Qiaoxi was feeling bored anyway.
She ran her hand along the corridor railing, admiring the expensive paintings hanging on the walls, the antique vases casually placed in the hallway, and the creative crystal chandelier suspended from the fourth floor – beauty that dazzled the eyes.
Reaching the end of the corridor, Xia Qiaoxi pushed open a door.
She had only tested it tentatively, surprised when it opened easily.
Seeing the floating white curtains, she found herself walking in as if compelled by some mysterious force. She entered and closed the door behind her.
It was an art studio.
Paintings were displayed everywhere. Though each piece was different, they all depicted the same person.
It was her face.
No. She had never worn a cheongsam, nor Western dresses, nor Republic-era student uniforms, let alone traditional red wedding attire.
The woman in these paintings wasn’t her.
She was Tang Yushen’s white moonlight.
Suspecting it was one thing – actually seeing it was another.
She never knew there could be someone who looked so similar to her.
Every painting was signed in the bottom right corner with Tang Yushen’s name.
He had painted them all himself.
He truly loved the woman in these paintings – every piece revealed his emotions and meticulous care.
The woman in the paintings had beautiful eyes – sometimes bright and sunny, sometimes tear-filled, sometimes brimming with adoration.
Was this how she had looked when she loved him?
Xia Qiaoxi didn’t know how she walked out of the art studio, only feeling somewhat stifled and flustered in her heart.
Her already drowsy head grew even sleepier.
“Little Xi’er!”
Xia Qiaoxi lowered her head to look downward.