“Is it something? Can’t you let Mom see it? Why are you so nervous?”
Xia Mingyu looked at Tuantuan suspiciously.
“Nothing…”
Tuantuan chuckled, forcing a cute, obedient smile in an attempt to brush it off.
Seeing his nervousness, Yuanyuan suddenly remembered—oh right, his brother went to ask this new dad for money!
Money was very important! They absolutely had to have it!
Yuanyuan quickly hugged Xia Mingyu’s arm and helped cover for him.
“Mom, I need to pee…”
“Pee? Are you sure? I remember Tuantuan just said he was going to the toilet.”
“Be honest. What are you two hiding from Mom?”
“Tuantuan, let go. Mom needs to see what’s in your pockets.”
A mother knows her sons best. Xia Mingyu had raised them herself—how could she not understand them?
One lie from Tuantuan might pass, but Yuanyuan trying again? That wasn’t going to work.
She looked at them seriously, determined to find out the truth.
The remaining villagers nearby also turned to look.
If she took the money out here, everyone would know they had so much of it.
“Don’t show wealth in public”—Tuantuan understood this principle even at his age.
So he frowned and looked at his mother pleadingly.
“Mom… let’s go somewhere else to talk…”
Xia Mingyu looked at him calmly, expression serious.
“I promise I’ll tell the truth!” Tuantuan even raised his hand in a military salute.
His chubby little hand made the gesture look especially cute.
“I’ll tell the truth too!” Yuanyuan followed immediately, copying him and nodding earnestly.
Xia Mingyu almost melted from how adorable they were.
She forced herself not to laugh.
“I’ll take them to the restroom.”
She explained to everyone, then carried the two children away.
After walking to a secluded spot where no one was around, she finally set them down.
Before she could ask again, Tuantuan quickly took out the money himself.
“Mom, this is money.”
Two thousand yuan stuffed his four pockets full.
Xia Mingyu froze in shock.
Back when they fled here years ago, they only had two thousand yuan in total…
“This was given to me by that uncle! I didn’t ask for it—he insisted on giving it. He said if I didn’t take it, he wouldn’t be happy.”
“Mom, he saved me, he’s our benefactor. I can’t make him unhappy, right?”
Tuantuan looked at her innocently, pushing all responsibility onto Sikong Huai.
After all, that man wasn’t a good person anyway—adding one more “crime” didn’t matter, he thought guiltily.
“When did he give this to you?”
“Was it when you ran out from the team leader’s house? He had already left then, right? You chased after him yourself?”
Xia Mingyu quickly recalled.
At the time Sikong Huai left, Tuantuan’s pockets were empty.
So he must have chased him.
Whether the money was given willingly or asked for—it still came after he followed him.
She understood immediately.
She knew her sons were smart, and they must have heard the villagers’ talk.
She didn’t blame him.
Instead, she gently touched his soft cheek.
“Do you already know?”
“…Mm.”
The twins looked at each other and finally nodded.
“Is he our biological father?”
Tuantuan asked directly.
“Mom, don’t be afraid of the bad man. We’ll protect you. We even tricked him out of money for you!”
Yuanyuan added excitedly, eyes shining at the pile of money.
Xia Mingyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“So you really know now… yes, he is your biological father.”
“But do you have any other thoughts? Just… about his money?”
She had expected them to want to go with him.
After all, Sikong Huai was handsome, capable, and from a good background—any child would be better off with him.
But no matter what, she would never let them leave.
They were her children.
“It’s okay, Mom. If he gives us money, you won’t have to work so hard anymore.”
The twins nodded firmly.
They simply wanted someone to share her burden.
As for a father, they did long for one—but in their hearts, their mother came first.
“I’m sorry… I made you worry.”
Xia Mingyu hugged them tightly, deeply moved.
They cared so much about money because life had been too hard.
And the capital…
After thirteen years, would their home still be there?
Her parents? Her older brother? Would she ever hear from them again?
Her eyes reddened slightly as buried memories resurfaced, and her heart ached quietly.
Meanwhile, inside the interrogation room.
Qiao Hongye stared at Sikong Huai’s face in disbelief.
Identical to Tuantuan and Yuanyuan—no one needed further proof.
Even Li Zhaodi was already terrified into silence, trembling as she was brought in.
But Qiao Hongye still tried to struggle.
“Xia Mingyu is my wife! You slept with her and had children—you’re the one who wronged me!”
“Even if you’re a commander, you’re the one at fault!”
“If anything, you should be punished!”
But his voice lacked confidence.
The rank difference alone crushed him.
Sikong Huai sneered and threw a file onto the table.
“You are not qualified to question me.”
“The matter between me and Comrade Xia will be explained by me personally. Who do you think you are?”
“You claim she is your wife, but according to investigation, your unit never received a marriage registration report. Your marital status is blank in the military records.”
“You are not legally married to her.”
Sikong Huai’s voice was cold as he looked at him with disdain.
Qiao Hongye’s face changed slightly.
So fast… he already found out…
Then what about what he did five years ago…
Before he could continue thinking, Sikong Huai cut off his thoughts completely.
“Liu Mazi from Dongpo Production Brigade—you know him, don’t you?”
His icy gaze locked onto Qiao Hongye.
Qiao Hongye’s heart instantly tightened.