9
With the most urgent venture capital scam resolved, effectively preventing the Xu family’s bankruptcy at its source and the crucial entertainment company already established, just waiting for her cousin to handle the operations, Xu Zhaixing felt like the heavy burden she had carried since her rebirth was now half lifted. She could finally sleep soundly again.
The next day, Mother Xu’s workplace organized a medical checkup. Xu Zhaixing paid close attention to this from the morning, only feeling at ease after watching her mother leave with the health examination form.
Given the incubation period of esophageal cancer, her mother likely hadn’t developed the disease at this stage. As long as she started taking preventive measures now and improved her dietary habits, Xu Zhaixing believed it should be fine!
A few days later, the medical report was mailed home. Her mother didn’t take it too seriously, believing herself to be in excellent health. But as soon as Xu Zhaixing got her hands on the report, she eagerly opened it. Sure enough, it stated “suspected thickening of the esophageal wall with accompanying inflammation” and recommended further examination at the hospital.
Xu Zhaixing immediately rushed to find her mom. “Mom, the doctor says you need to go to the hospital for a follow-up! There’s something wrong with your esophagus!”
Mrs. Xu was browsing recent newspapers and magazines and didn’t have time to deal with her, nodding vaguely. “Alright, alright, I know.”
Xu Zhaixing had anticipated this. She pulled out the materials she had prepared long ago and slapped them down on the desk in front of her mother. “Mom! I’m serious! Look at these—these are the consequences of ignoring esophageal issues! Look here: thickening of the esophageal wall and esophagitis are precursors to esophageal cancer! The doctor recommended further examination. You need to listen to the doctor!”
Mrs. Xu, startled by the sudden noise, was about to scold her, but upon hearing her daughter’s words, she paused, instinctively looking at the notebook Xu Zhaixing had thrown down.
Inside the notebook were listed, point by point, the causes of esophageal cancer and which conditions were prone to worsening into it. There were also clippings from newspapers and magazines about esophageal cancer cases pasted inside.
Xu Zhaixing chattered on like a fretful old lady. “Think about your eating habits! Then look at the risk factors for esophageal cancer written here—you tick every box! I’ve told you before: eat slowly, don’t eat food that’s too hot or too salty, and don’t get angry all the time. What if you really get cancer one day? Could you bear to leave me all alone?”
Mrs. Xu was both amused and exasperated, but a thread of genuine emotion stirred inside her.
Her daughter had truly grown up. Before, she only knew about eating, playing, and having fun; her biggest concerns revolved around her room full of limited-edition dolls. Now, she was actually worrying about her mother’s health and had even gone to research the topic.
She solemnly put away the medical report and patted her daughter’s head. “Alright, Mom understands. I’ll go this weekend.”
Only then did Xu Zhaixing feel reassured, adding, “I’ll go with you!”
A touched expression crossed Mrs. Xu’s face. “Okay.”
As soon as the weekend arrived, Xu Zhaixing eagerly urged her mother to the hospital, reminding her, “Don’t drink water, don’t eat anything—you might need a gastroscopy. Did you bring your health insurance card and ID?”
For a moment, Mrs. Xu felt like she almost didn’t recognize her own daughter.
It was as if her daughter had grown up in the blink of an eye, becoming sensible. Issues that once required Mrs. Xu’s constant attention were now being handled by Xu Zhaixing herself, who was even turning around to worry about her mother.
No one understood better than a mother how her daughter had been raised in luxury, pampered all her life, a little princess who had everything handed to her.
But now, suddenly, she wasn’t acting like a little princess anymore. There was a newfound resilience about her that felt unfamiliar.
Mrs. Xu didn’t know what her daughter had experienced to cause such an overnight transformation, but a strange sense of sorrow welled up inside her.
Her eyes were even a bit red as they left the house.
Noticing her mother’s unusual demeanor, Xu Zhaixing asked, “Mom, what’s wrong?” Thinking her words from yesterday might have scared her, she reassured her, “Hey, I was just exaggerating yesterday to make a point! It’ll be fine! Today’s just a follow-up. It’s no big deal!”
Mrs. Xu felt even more emotional. She hugged her daughter and stroked her head. “Mom knows. Mom will be fine. Our Zhaixing hasn’t grown up yet. How could Mom bear to leave you?”
Her words nearly made Xu Zhaixing cry.
Once at the hospital, Mrs. Xu went for her examination while Xu Zhaixing waited in the hallway. In countless days and nights of the past, she had also sat like this in empty, cold hospital corridors, clinging to slim hopes and praying for miracles.
After her mother passed away, she had developed a fear of hospitals, of the smell of disinfectant. But she had to keep coming because her paralyzed father still needed treatment. She dreaded this place yet had to step into it over and over again.
In the end, she had become nearly numb to it all.
How fortunate to have a second chance.
It turns out that if you hold onto hope, miracles really can happen.
After Mrs. Xu finished her tests, the two had lunch at a restaurant near the hospital and returned in the afternoon to get the report. As Xu Zhaixing had expected, her mother had not developed cancer at this stage. She only had esophageal inflammation and wall thickening. The doctor went over the report, emphasizing dietary discipline and scheduling regular follow-ups.
With no major issues, both were in high spirits. After leaving the hospital, they even went shopping for a while. Mrs. Xu bought a huge pile of clothes and shoes for Xu Zhaixing as if they were free, declaring each outfit “so pretty” as she tried them on.
The mother and daughter happily shopped all afternoon. Laden with so many bags they couldn’t carry them all, they ended up calling Mr. Xu’s driver to pick them up. They were chatting and laughing on the way home, but the moment they stepped inside, they sensed the atmosphere was off.
Dinner was already laid out on the table, but Mr. Xu was sitting in the living room. Aunt Liu stood by the kitchen doorway, looking tense and silent. Looking further, they saw another person sitting in the living room. Judging by the back, it was undoubtedly Xu Zhiwen, the one with ulterior motives.
Hearing the door open, both men turned. Mr. Xu quickly stubbed out his cigarette, stood up with a smile, and said, “You’re back? I was just about to call you. The food’s almost cold!”
Mrs. Xu nodded with a smile and walked over. “Second Brother is here.”
Xu Zhiwen’s expression was unpleasant and acknowledged her stiffly.
Mrs. Xu said, “Let’s eat together. Aunt Liu, check if the food needs reheating. Oh, would you two brothers like a drink? Second Brother, did you drive here?”
Xu Zhiwen glanced at Mr. Xu and suddenly gave a cold laugh. “I’m not eating. How can I eat when I’m already full of anger?”
Mrs. Xu tried to smooth things over. “Oh dear, what’s going on? We’re all family. Can’t things be discussed properly?”
Xu Zhiwen, as if seizing an opportunity, shot to his feet. “Family? Ask Third Brother! Does he treat me like family? Like his Second Brother?!”
Mr. and Mrs. Xu exchanged a look but remained silent.
Xu Zhaixing walked over, dropped the shopping bags onto the sofa, and smiled sweetly. “Second Uncle, what could possibly make you so angry?”
Mrs. Xu scolded her, “Go eat. Grown-ups’ matters, children shouldn’t always butt in.”
Xu Zhaixing stood with her arms crossed, still smiling, but her tone turned chilly. “No, I’m just curious. What could be worth you coming to our home and throwing such a tantrum? Anyone who didn’t know better might think we’re living in your house without paying rent.”
Just who do you think you are, coming to our home to throw a fit, yelling at this and that?
Is this your house or ours?
Are you even worthy of such consideration?
Xu Zhaixing was boiling with rage. If not for her parents’ presence, she would have let loose a string of curses right then.
Deep down, Mrs. Xu had never really liked Xu Zhiwen either, finding him petty and hypocritical. But with family, you still had to maintain some surface courtesy.
Hearing Xu Zhaixing’s words and seeing her husband silently taking the scolding, her own anger flared. She suppressed it, replying coolly, “Second Brother, since you’ve come to our home, there’s no need for veiled attacks. Tell us, how exactly did our Old Xu offend you?”
Xu Zhiwen, who had been wielding his status as the elder brother, now faced with his young niece and sister-in-law challenging him, looked even more displeased.
Mr. Xu, deeply influenced by traditional values, uneducated, and placing great importance on family bonds and seniority, naturally listened when his elder brother reprimanded him. Seeing his daughter and wife confronting his brother now, he hurriedly tried to mediate. “Alright, let’s not say any more. This is my fault. Second Brother, don’t be angry—”
Before he could finish, Xu Zhaixing interrupted bluntly, “Why is it your fault? Even a judge needs to hear both sides in court. Without explaining the situation to everyone, how can we know who’s right and who’s wrong?”
Mr. Xu was genuinely taken aback by his daughter’s eloquence and stared at her in surprise.
Mrs. Xu wasn’t a fool either. After all this time, she had guessed why Xu Zhiwen had come. “Is this about the investment for Xu Yan? What, does Second Brother have an issue with that?”
Issue? He was practically ready to kill someone.
His funding chain had been broken for a long time, and his partners were already considering withdrawing their investments. He had finally managed to persuade Mr. Xu to invest and fill this financial black hole. But just because of a funeral, the money he had in his grasp flew away, right into the pocket of that Xu Yan, whom he saw as having no real connection to the Xu family.
Today, he had come happily with the contract, only to receive this news. He had nearly dropped dead on the spot right in front of Mr. Xu. He even began resenting his elder brother—why did he have to die now, of all times? Summoning that Xu Yan here was practically going to be the death of him.
Naturally, he couldn’t swallow his anger, repeatedly insisting that Xu Yan was an outsider coming to swindle money. He hadn’t expected Mr. Xu to defend Xu Yan so staunchly, saying he was his elder brother’s only child, not an outsider, upright in character, and certainly not a swindler.
And so, the argument had begun.
Xu Zhiwen only had ways to deal with Mr. Xu, who was honest-tempered and mild-mannered. Now, faced with Mrs. Xu and Xu Zhaixing’s confrontations, his earlier arrogance instantly evaporated. He switched to an expression of disappointed frustration. “That Xu Yan left the Xu family when he was young, siding with his mother all along. Who knows what bad habits he picked up abroad all these years. He says he’s investing in a company and you actually believe him? He might just use the money to buy marijuana and drugs!”
Xu Zhaixing nearly laughed out of sheer anger. “Criticize all you want, but why resort to slander?”
Xu Zhiwen was now well aware this girl disliked him. Ignoring her, he continued with a look of heartache directed at Mr. Xu. “Do you think I’d ever harm you? In the entire Xu family, no one hopes for your success more than your Second Brother! I always think of you in everything, but you—you turn around and throw such a huge sum of money to that outsider of unknown origins!”
Mr. Xu was awkward with words. He wanted to defend himself but couldn’t get a word in, letting Xu Zhiwen carry on with his pained accusations. After finishing, Xu Zhiwen added, “As for this matter, you think about how you’re going to handle it!”
Xu Zhaixing finally couldn’t hold back anymore. Ignoring her father’s furious glare and her mother’s attempts to pull her back, she stepped forward. “Then tell us, how exactly do you want it handled?”
Xu Zhiwen: “…”
Before he could speak, Xu Zhaixing, as if seeing right through him, gave a scornful look. “Would it be to withdraw the investment from Xu Yan before the money is spent? And then give it to you?”
Mr. Xu raised his voice. “Zhaixing!”
Xu Zhaixing showed no fear. She sneered at Xu Zhiwen. “Let me think… this money is my dad’s own money, right? His own money, he can use it however he wants. What does it have to do with you? Since when did you start meddling with our family’s finances? Even Pan Gu splitting heaven and earth didn’t grant you such audacity, did he?”
Xu Zhiwen: “…………”
Mr. Xu: “…………”
Mrs. Xu: “…………”
**