In the main hall.
Xu Chengyi leaned back on the sofa, crossing her slender, fair legs, and looked down at her cheap father with a disdainful gaze. “How is Grandmother doing?”
Great families always share many similarities, especially when it comes to their private lives. In the Xu family’s male line, there was one legitimate son and three illegitimate ones. Xu Chengyi’s cheap father ranked fourth and was named Xu Yanle.
Everyone in the Xu household knew that Xu Yanle’s intelligence had all been traded for good looks, and he could never accomplish anything significant. So their expectations for him were simple—just eat, drink, and have fun.
Xu Yanle knew his head was empty, so he poured all his energy into making babies, hoping to rise in status through his children.
So, Xu Chengyi had four half-siblings from the same father.
He had been sharpening this one blade for over a decade, and now he finally had a daughter who married well. Putting everything else aside, he had at least made some contribution to the family.
Although this daughter had a bit of a temper, he was still quite pleased.
“Don’t worry, she’s doing just fine. I’ve hired someone specially to take care of her. What about you? How are things at the Song family?” he asked.
Xu Chengyi gave a noncommittal “Mm” and said, “It’s passable.”
He turned to look at Song Wenzhou and instructed, “Wenzhou, from now on, Chengyi is your wife. Even though your mind is damaged, you must remember that you are Chengyi’s husband and need to take good care of her. This child—she wasn’t by my side when she was young and has suffered a lot…”
These words stirred no emotion in Xu Chengyi’s heart. In fact, she felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. He had dumped her on a stranger, and now he was putting on a fake act of a loving father.
Getting the benefit and then playing the saint.
Song Wenzhou glanced at her from the corner of his eye and nodded lightly. “Understood.”
“Daddy, you said you’d take me to my dance class today!”
Suddenly, a girl of fifteen or sixteen ran over. Her big, pretty eyes sized up Xu Chengyi, and she called out obediently, “Fifth Sister, Fifth Brother-in-law.”
Xu Yanle introduced her. “This is your seventh sister.”
Xu Chengyi responded flatly, “Mm.”
The girl tugged at Xu Yanle. “Daddy, hurry up! We’re going to be late.”
Xu Yanle smiled. “Why don’t you two sit here for a while? I’ll take your seventh sister to her class first.”
Xu Chengyi gave another “Mm.”
Xu Yanle stood up. “Wait for me to come back.”
“Fifth Sister, Fifth Brother-in-law, we’re heading out now.”
The father and daughter walked out the door, chatting and laughing.
Xu Chengyi watched their departing figures, her lashes falling gently to veil the dimness in her eyes.
When they needed her, they greeted her with smiles and welcomed her back into the family.
Once they were done using her, she became a dispensable presence in this household—even her return visit wasn’t taken seriously.
Just as she was about to get up and leave, an elegantly dressed lady came clicking over in high heels.
The woman was named Zheng Yu, Xu Yanle’s third wife—in name, Xu Chengyi’s stepmother.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were coming back. It’s a rare weekend, so I slept in a bit longer,” Zheng Yu explained lightly.
Xu Chengyi stood up. “Then I won’t disturb your rest. We’ll be heading back.”
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you stay for lunch?” Elder Xu said as he walked over with his cane.
Xu Chengyi’s stomach, which had skipped breakfast, betrayed her with an uncooperative growl.
She agreed. “Alright.”
At lunchtime, the rest of the Xu family came downstairs one by one.
The second generation of the Xu family had only four branches, but the third generation had quite a few young members—all around her age and none yet married or established.
Elder Xu enjoyed the family joy of having children and grandchildren around him, so most of them lived in the old residence.
Xu Chengyi had trouble telling these siblings apart and couldn’t even be bothered to greet them. After all, they wouldn’t give her a kind face anyway.
Elder Xu counted the people present. “It’s the day of a daughter’s return visit. Where’s Fourth?”
Zheng Yu said, “He’s taking Little Seven to her dance class.”
The Old Master didn’t say anything more.
Xu Shutong raised her glass. “Today is Fifth Sister’s return visit. I wish Fifth Sister and Fifth Brother-in-law a lifetime of togetherness.”
As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Song Wenzhou.
Xu Chengyi raised her juice and clinked glasses with her. “Thank you, Second Sister.”
Xu Shutong gazed at Song Wenzhou with deep affection, then tipped her head back and downed the strong liquor.
Xu Chengyi looked at her, then at Song Wenzhou who was quietly eating, and rolled her eyes inwardly before continuing her meal.
After lunch, her cheap father returned.
Before they left, he pulled Xu Chengyi aside for a private talk.