No one blamed Xia Mingyu.
After all, she had been an innocent victim from start to finish, and everyone had witnessed the suffering she endured over the years.
Li Zhaodi trembled with fear, growing even more terrified. If she were driven out, where could she possibly go?
There was no way she could return to her parents’ home!
The moment she went back, her younger brother and sister-in-law would beat her and chase her out!
If Qiao Hongye remained unaffected in the military, she might still be able to follow him as a dependent. But if he were implicated, both she and her son would end up homeless!
No! Absolutely not—she couldn’t admit to this!
“It’s all nonsense!”
“Xia Mingyu, you have no evidence! How dare you slander us like this? I…”
“Evidence? Your son admitted it himself. What more evidence do you need? The police officers and many others heard it with their own ears!”
Xia Mingyu curled her lips into a cold smile.
“Don’t worry, the police are already investigating. Once the evidence is found, you won’t have time to shout anymore. Qiao Hongye might even face execution!”
Xia Mingyu deliberately frightened Li Zhaodi, who was so terrified that she lost control of her bladder.
A puddle of foul, yellowish urine spread across the floor, stinking so badly that everyone grew even more disgusted and resentful toward her.
It was hard to imagine how, over the past five years, Xia Mingyu had managed to raise two children while also taking care of her.
“This is the truth, but the children are innocent. No matter who their father is, they are mine.”
“I hope everyone won’t dislike Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan or say inappropriate things in front of the children. Thank you all—Ming Yu has always remembered your kindness.”
After speaking the truth in one breath and seeing Li Zhaodi trembling in fear, Xia Mingyu felt a sense of relief.
Suppressing her anger, she held Yuan Yuan in her arms and bowed deeply to the villagers.
It was both a gesture of gratitude and a plea.
They still had to live in the village, and she naturally didn’t want the villagers to resent her and her two children. Otherwise, life would be very difficult.
At this moment, Xia Mingyu had no idea that the children’s biological father was on his way and that they would not remain in this small place but instead return to their hometown.
Yuan Yuan didn’t fully understand what was happening, but he could sense the tension in the air.
Seeing Xia Mingyu bow while holding him, he instinctively clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, murmuring softly.
“Please, everyone”
The adorable, chubby-cheeked little boy making such a pleading gesture struck everyone as both endearing and heartbreaking.
Some sentimental individuals turned away to wipe their tears.
What a tragedy—the poor child doesn’t even know who his father is!
How could such sensible and lovely children end up in such a situation?!
Lu Ning was on the verge of tears too. Xia Mingyu had suffered so much, and the Tuan Tuan Yuan Yuan brothers had it just as hard. It was all his friend’s fault for being so irresponsible!
When Si Konghuai arrived tomorrow, he would definitely give him a good beating to vent some of the anger for Xia Mingyu and her children!
Back then, Xia Mingyu had been drugged and didn’t know what was happening, but was Si Konghuai drugged too?
Even if he was, didn’t he realize what had happened after he sobered up?
All excuses—what a scumbag, so irresponsible!
Lu Ning never expected that his childhood friend, with his thick eyebrows, big eyes, and handsome, aloof demeanor, would turn out to be such a person!
Si Konghuai had no idea he was about to get an earful, still playing with Tuantuan while preparing for the trip.
He packed several sets of clothes, brought his bankbook, and bought many gifts.
“Am I missing anything?”
Si Konghuai pressed his thin lips together, feeling somewhat nervous. He had no experience in this, so he could only try to prepare as much as possible.
Moreover, he didn’t know how long he would stay there. He had already taken leave and wouldn’t return until he gained Xia Mingyu’s forgiveness.
“These things definitely aren’t enough, but you can’t carry that much with Tuantuan. How about I go with you? It would show we’re taking this seriously.”
Sikong Old Master was growing increasingly anxious.
He finally had a great-grandson, and now they were about to be separated again, with no telling when they’d reunite. Plus, he wanted to meet Yuanyuan and his granddaughter-in-law!
“No.”
“What would your presence accomplish? That would just pressure her. I’m the one who made mistakes—I don’t want to force her.”
“This time, I need to have a proper talk with Comrade Xia. If she’s willing, I’ll bring her and the children to Jing Shi. If not, I won’t push her.”
Si Konghuai’s eyes were profound, his handsome face stern.
His tall stature and upright demeanor exuded a sense of security.
Sikong Old Master believed that as long as Si Konghuai could speak and act appropriately, the children’s mother would surely be willing to come.
After all, Si Konghuai had height, looks, family background, money, and power—he lacked nothing and was practically perfect.
But his one major flaw was his inability to communicate!
His words either lectured people or choked them to death—what decent girl could tolerate that?
Especially since he had already wronged Xia Mingyu; she probably disliked him from the start!
If Si Konghuai still couldn’t speak properly, she really wouldn’t want anything to do with him!
Even he wouldn’t want himself in that situation!
Sikong Old Master understood this clearly, which made him even more frantic.
“I won’t pressure her—I’ll absolutely respect her wishes. If she refuses to come back with you, I’ll move there myself. I can still be with my great-grandchild that way!”
“You can go wherever you want and cool off!”
He had his great-grandson now and had forgotten about his grandson.
“But I’m eager to meet my granddaughter-in-law and my great-grandchild! If I go, I can even help you out a bit. If that doesn’t work, we can notify your parents and have them come along too.”
Sikong Old Master suggested.
Having Si Konghuai and Xia Mingyu together would be ideal—with both parents, the family would be complete.
Si Konghuai’s parents were stationed with another military unit, not in Jing Shi.
“No.”
Si Konghuai coldly rejected all of the old master’s suggestions.
“You stubborn brat, you never listen to anything I say! Then why did you even ask me!”
The old master fumed, his beard bristling, ready to lay hands on him.
“Just asking casually.”
Back when Si Konghuai went on his first mission, he hadn’t been nervous, but now, about to meet Xia Mingyu, he was uncharacteristically anxious.
He wondered what Xia Mingyu looked like and how she would react.
Thinking of this, Si Konghuai couldn’t help but stroke Tuantuan’s head and asked, as if fishing for information.
“Tuantuan, do you remember what your mother looks like?”
“Of course I remember! How could I forget what my mother looks like!”
“My mother is so beautiful—long hair, gentle and pretty, the very best mother in the whole wide world!”
Tuantuan declared loudly, bringing up his mother made him instantly alert.
Tuantuan chattered incessantly about the three of them, spilling all their stories without reservation.
Si Konghuai gained more understanding about Tuan Tuan Yuan Yuan and Xia Mingyu through this.
Xia Mingyu was tender-hearted and kind, always eager to help the vulnerable.
Si Konghuai pondered thoughtfully; perhaps his plan needed some adjustments.
Adopting a battle-ready mindset, Si Konghuai devised a strategy to win over Xia Mingyu.
When the time came, he boarded the train with Tuantuan and an array of gifts.
The four of them were about to meet!