Wen Li returned to the residential compound and handed the letter straight to her mother-in-law.
As for whether the elders would look down on her because of it or take out their anger on her, Wen Li didn’t care at all.
What she wanted most right now was to sever all ties with the Wen family!
The letter had been written in Xu Zhouye’s voice. At first glance, Xu’s mother’s heart skipped a beat.
She even thought her son might have done something foolish.
But then she felt it was impossible. That boy might have a sharp tongue and be a bit annoying, but he was upright and principled—he would never do anything immoral.
Besides, he liked Wen Li.
When he saw Wen Li once at the hospital, he had, for the first time ever, taken the initiative to ask about getting married.
Even the wedding candies—he had picked them out himself, leaning on crutches and dragging his injured leg along.
If he didn’t like Wen Li, then who would he like?!
Xu’s mother trusted her son and quickly calmed down.
Looking more carefully, she said, “This isn’t A-Ye’s handwriting either. It looks light and floaty—only the shape was copied, not the spirit.”
“A-Ye’s mouth is sharp; he never talks in such a timid, wishy-washy way. You can tell at a glance this is forged.”
Wen Li blushed a little. She had never seriously studied Xu Zhouye’s handwriting.
At first glance, it did look quite similar.
Wen Tiantian had grown up in the city, and since the two families had once had a marriage arrangement, she had known Xu Zhouye earlier than Wen Li.
Back then, Wen Li lacked confidence and didn’t dare to look too deeply into things—that was why she’d been fooled by a trick like this.
She said apologetically, “I didn’t recognize it before.”
Xu’s mother finally understood why the young couple’s relationship had felt so awkward.
So someone had been stirring up trouble behind the scenes!
“I thought it was because you and A-Ye were often apart that things felt distant. I didn’t expect it to be Wen Tiantian causing mischief.”
In truth, that was only part of the reason.
Wen Li’s upbringing had destined her to never give herself completely.
She always held something back.
She was the same with Xu Zhouye.
On top of being together so rarely, she lacked a sense of security, and so she really did keep a bit of distance from him.
She hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to see through it all.
Xu’s mother said, “Once you go join the army with him, the two of you should properly nurture your relationship. As long as you and A-Ye are doing well, we elders can be at ease.”
“As for the Wen family, your attitude is our attitude. If you don’t want anything to do with them, why should we bother with them?”
“Honestly, I’ve disliked them for a long time. I always felt they couldn’t tell right from wrong.”
Xu’s mother spoke frankly, without the slightest hint of blaming Wen Li or looking down on her.
Wen Li was deeply moved.
She admitted she’d been narrow-minded—on the way back, she’d even wondered whether, now that things had fallen out so badly with her natal family, her parents-in-law would think there was something wrong with her.
Thankfully, her mother-in-law was firmly on her side.
Wen Li let out a huge sigh of relief. “Mom, thank you.”
Xu’s mother was a woman herself—how could she not understand her daughter-in-law’s situation?
Those Wen family people must have frightened her, telling her that without her natal family backing her up, she’d be bullied in her husband’s family.
Xu’s mother cursed them soundly in her heart.
Every single one of them was a troublemaker—shameless! No wonder even their own biological daughter wanted nothing to do with them!
Xu’s mother said, “Let’s eat first. Qingqing is hungry.”
They had agreed to wait for Wen Li to come back to cook, but in fact Xu’s mother had already prepared the meal.
One meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a pot of steamed mixed-grain rice.
Xu’s mother took a small bowl, scooped a bit of each dish, sat on a little stool, and began feeding her grandson.
Wen Li went into the kitchen and burned the letter.
If things continued to escalate, it might give others an opportunity to smear them.
If that affected Xu Zhouye’s future, it wouldn’t be worth it.
In any case, Wen Tiantian’s true colors had already been exposed. As for the letter, it ended here.
After washing her hands, Wen Li went over and took the bowl from her mother-in-law. “I’ll feed Qingqing. You eat first.”
Xu’s mother looked at Qingqing with a beaming smile. The little guy looked sturdy and adorable—so cute!
“Don’t mind us. Go eat.”
Feeding her eldest grandson was a pleasure for Xu’s mother.
She had no intention of giving that job up.
Wen Li was going to take the child to join the army. From then on, they’d only see their grandson during holidays, so Xu’s mother cherished every moment now.
Wen Li let them be.
Qingqing opened his mouth wide, like a little bird waiting to be fed.
Xu’s mother promptly fed him a spoonful of well-mixed rice, meat, and vegetables.
The food was delicious. As he ate, the little fellow kicked his tiny legs happily, in an excellent mood.
Qingqing looked like Xu Zhouye, but his skin took after Wen Li—fair and tender.
A doll-like little child, pink and jade-like—anyone who saw him would adore him!
Qingqing’s big black-and-white eyes swept around the room, as if searching for something.
Suddenly, he called out, “Daddy!”
Not seeing anyone or hearing a response, he called again, “Daddy!”
Xu’s mother laughed and sighed. “This morning you wouldn’t even let your dad hold you. Now you miss him, huh?”
The day Xu Zhouye came home, Qingqing didn’t recognize him at all.
He refused to be held.
He didn’t want Xu Zhouye to play with him either.
At night, when it was time to sleep, he even tried to chase Xu Zhouye out, telling him to go back to his own home.
It had infuriated Xu Zhouye.
He’d nearly spanked the little rascal!
Xu’s mother tapped Qingqing on the nose. “Next time you see your dad, will you even recognize him?”
Wen Li said, “Probably not.”
Children forget easily. If they don’t see someone for a while, they’re bound to forget them.
Thinking about it that way, Wen Li suddenly felt a bit sorry for Xu Zhouye.
And it only strengthened her resolve to go join him.
Qingqing turned to look at Wen Li. “Mama?”
It was obvious he was asking where his father had gone.
Wen Li explained gently, “Daddy went on a mission. In two months, Mommy will take you to see him.”
Even if they went to the base now, they wouldn’t be able to see Xu Zhouye anyway. It was better to stay home a little longer so the elders could spend more time with the child.
She could also sort out their luggage and bring along everything they’d need.
Once her space was activated, carrying things would be very convenient. If necessary, she could even mail things ahead.
Qingqing didn’t know what two months meant. He only knew that Daddy was gone.
Tears welled up in his big eyes, and even the food didn’t taste good anymore.
“I want Daddy.”
Wen Li comforted him, “We’ll see Daddy very soon. You eat well and sleep well, grow strong. Then when Daddy takes you out to play, you’ll be able to run fast.”
Qingqing nodded aggrievedly. “Play… with Daddy!”
He reached out to grab the spoon, wanting to feed himself.
Xu’s mother hurriedly said, “Grandma will feed you. You can’t hold it steady yet.”
Qingqing said, “I can—”
Xu’s mother said, “Grandma knows Qingqing is amazing. While you’re still a little baby, Grandma wants to feed you a few more times.”
The little guy was amused and instantly forgot all about his biological father.
He smiled brightly, opened his mouth, and waited to be fed.
Crying one moment, laughing the next—his emotions came quickly and went even faster, making Xu’s mother laugh too.
As she fed Qingqing, she praised him for being a good baby.
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious—worlds apart from the Wen family.
Wen Li sped up her eating and filled her stomach in less than five minutes.
She then swapped places with her mother-in-law to take over feeding.
Xu’s mother chided her gently, “We’re family. No need to be so polite.”
Wen Li replied, “I’m not being polite. I still need to pack later, and I’ll need you to watch Qingqing.”
Xu’s mother, though reluctant to part with her eldest grandson, didn’t say anything about keeping Qingqing behind.
“I’ll prepare some food for you to take—cured meat and sausages, a bit of each. When it’s New Year, the three of you can cook them yourselves.”
By the time Xu Zhouye finished his mission, it would be about New Year’s.
Wen Li couldn’t help wondering—when Xu Zhouye saw her and their child appear in front of him, what kind of reaction would he have?