The kidnapping of Lu Rourou in Milan had absolutely no effect on her appetite.
Xie Wantang sat down and ate heartily.
She was even a bit carefree and unconcerned.
All the servants in the household saw it.
The Lu family had kept the news of Lu Rourou’s kidnapping in a foreign country tightly under wraps, so Xie Bailu and her mother hadn’t heard a word about it.
The two of them sat at the dining table with Xie Wantang. As Xie Wantang blew on the steam rising from her bowl and was about to eat her third wonton, Mother Xie couldn’t wait any longer. “Wantang, was everything you said yesterday at the Lu family’s old residence true?”
“…”
Xie Wantang frowned. She had said a lot at the Lu family’s old residence yesterday—which part was she referring to?
Mother Xie seemed to sense Xie Wantang’s confusion and explained, “The part where you said you wanted to divorce Lu Yanshen and let your sister take your place?”
“Oh.” Xie Wantang nodded and chuckled. “Yes, if you can persuade Lu Yanshen, I’ll cooperate.”
Mother Xie smiled happily, and a hint of coyness appeared on Xie Bailu’s heavily powdered face.
“Then it’s settled. You can’t go back on your word.”
“When have I ever gone back on my word, Mrs. Xie?” Xie Wantang raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly.
Over the years, she had never called Mrs. Xie, her biological mother, “Mom.”
Although she had come into this world through her womb, apart from the umbilical cord that once connected them, there was no other emotional bond between them.
So, she couldn’t bring herself to be affectionate toward Mrs. Xie.
Naturally, Mrs. Xie felt the same way about her.
Xie Bailu was the obedient daughter she had raised with her own hands, the one she had kept by her side. Their mother-daughter relationship was naturally close.
Xie Wantang wasn’t the least bit envious because she had a mother with whom she shared a wonderful relationship.
“But let me make this clear upfront: whatever you and Xie Bailu do to Lu Yanshen is entirely your own business. Don’t expect me to help, and don’t even think about dragging me into it.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not counting on you,” Xie Bailu snorted lightly. “Just don’t hold us back.”
“Fine. Is there anything else? If not, you can leave. As you can see, Lu Yanshen isn’t home today, so there’s no target for you to work on.”
“…”
Feeling snubbed, Xie Bailu and her mother left dejectedly.
Once in the car, Xie Bailu grabbed Mother Xie’s wrist. “Mom, don’t you think Xie Wantang is acting strange?”
“Hah, when has she ever acted normal? She’s just a country bumpkin. Back then, she was easily fooled into marrying Lu Yanshen when he was still in a wheelchair—just a silly girl.”
“Not only did we get the Lu family’s betrothal gifts for free, but the Lu family didn’t ask for a single cent in dowry. Now that Lu Yanshen has recovered, she doesn’t want to keep her position as Mrs. Lu. If she’s going to let someone else benefit sooner or later, why not let you, her older sister, benefit instead? Don’t you think?”
Xie Bailu smiled. “You’re right, Mom. But what if Lu Yanshen refuses?”
“Can’t you think of other ways? Once you’ve cooked the rice with him, even if he’s unwilling, he’ll have to take responsibility for you. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
At that moment, the “country bumpkin” Xie Wantang, as described by Mother Xie, was packing her bags. She didn’t know how long Lu Yanshen’s trip to Milan would take, but it had been a long time since she had returned home.
She missed home, and she missed her family even more—the ones with whom she shared a beautiful, mutual affection.
Xie Wantang dragged her luggage downstairs, and both the butler and Mother Li promptly came out to stop her. “Madam, the master instructed before he left that you cannot leave with your luggage.”
“Lu Yanshen said that?” Xie Wantang raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, if you wish to leave, you must call the master. Only with his permission can you go.”
“…”
Xie Wantang was almost amused with anger. This time, Lu Yanshen had truly gone too far. Was he now controlling her personal freedom?
“Fine, call him, right? Okay, I’ll call.”
Xie Wantang didn’t bother arguing with the servants. Regardless of whether Lu Yanshen had actually given such an order, making a call was no big deal.
For the first call, she dialed Lu Yanshen. However, his phone was turned off—perhaps he was busy, the battery had died, or he was still on a plane.
For the second call, Xie Wantang directly dialed Old Madam, putting it on speakerphone. Old Madam answered quickly. “Tangtang, what’s wrong?”
“Grandma, it’s been a long time since I’ve visited my parents’ home. I want to go back for a while. Lu Yanshen’s phone is off, and the butler and Mother Li won’t let me leave. They said Lu Yanshen instructed them not to let me take my luggage and go.”
Old Madam paused for a moment. “…That boy might be worried you’ll run away again. If you’re homesick, it’s not far to visit your parents. Grandma gives you permission. Let me speak to the butler.”
“Grandma, I’m going back to my parents’ home in Haishi, not the Xie family.”
“Is that so? Well, Grandma still gives you permission. Go back, take some time to adjust your mood, and when you return, do me a favor and forgive that clueless boy one more time, okay?”
“Alright, for Grandma’s sake, I’ll give him one more chance,” Xie Wantang agreed.
Refusing now wouldn’t help. Lu Yanshen wasn’t here, so discussing divorce matters was impossible. Going against Grandma’s words would only lead to more time-consuming arguments.
It simply wasn’t worth it.
“Tangtang is such a good girl,” Old Madam praised.
“Grandma, I need to catch my flight, so I won’t chat any longer.”
“Alright, let Grandma know when you arrive safely.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, Xie Wantang looked at the butler and Mother Li, and the two no longer stopped her.
Leaving the Lu family home, Xie Wantang headed straight for the airport.
Several hours later, the plane landed at Haishi’s Blue Sky Airport.
In less than an hour, the taxi Xie Wantang was riding in stopped at Haishi’s exclusive, high-end residential area, where land was worth its weight in gold.
The neighborhood Xie Wantang was heading to had armed guards stationed at the entrance, and outside taxis were not allowed inside. Xie Wantang asked the driver to stop outside the safe zone near the gate.
She got out of the car, dragging her luggage.
Xie Wantang hadn’t informed her family about returning home, so when she swiped her face to enter the Qin family estate—the wealthiest family in Haishi—the Qin couple, who had received no prior notice, were stunned by the delightful surprise.
“Oh, Tangbao, when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell us in advance?” Madam Qin, Xie Ningmeng, rushed over and hugged Xie Wantang, overjoyed.
“Tangbao wanted to surprise Dad, Mom, and my brothers, so I came back secretly,” Xie Wantang said, holding Xie Ningmeng tightly.
In her heart, Mother Xie from Sijiu City was not her mother—Xie Ningmeng was.
“Your brothers are not so fortunate, they’re not home, only your father and I are here. How long do you plan to stay this time? I’ll call your brothers—they haven’t seen you in so long. Just last week they were complaining to me, saying my Tangbao has no conscience.”
“How could my Tangbao have no conscience? Isn’t she home now?” Xie Ningmeng was overjoyed.
Father Qin, Qin Siyuan, walked over, his gaze deep and thoughtful as he looked at Xie Wantang. “Has our Tangbao been wronged over there?”
“…”