Xia Mian was indeed not curious; She had heard too many stories about mistresses, stepmothers, illegitimate children, and disputes over family fortunes among the riches, either from online gossip or from TV drama and other media. Instead, chatting about clothes and fashion with Ning Shaoyun was much more enjoyable for her.
From time to time, she took her attention away to observe the two children, and sure enough, Chenchen was quite the big brother. Although a bit bossy, he was also responsible and taught seriously: Rubik’s cubes, puzzles, checkers… Xiao Feng obediently learned, and his eyes gradually lit up with the playfulness of a child.
Xia Mian brought out double-skin milk and banana pies for the two little guys.
Chenchen sat upright, eating with a spoon bite by bite, very refined, truly like a young gentleman.
Xiao Feng’s eating manners were not bad, but having gone hungry before and without anyone to teach him, he ate ferociously, almost burying his head in the bowl with eagerness.
“You shouldn’t eat like that,” Chenchen suddenly put down his bowl and said seriously.
Xiao Feng looked up at him, puzzled, “Uh?”
Ning Shaoyun was about to call out her son but was stopped by Xia Mian. Although protective of Xiao Feng, Xia Mian believed he needed to experience many things by himself. Except with kids who had malicious intentions like Xuanxuan’s, normal disputes between children actually helped Xiao Feng understand the world.
“Sit up straight, use the spoon to take your food and put it in your mouth,” Chenchen demonstrated, and after taking a bite, he said to Xiao Feng, “Now you eat.”
Xiao Feng sat up straight and mimicked Chenchen’s demonstration. After finishing the bite, he set down his spoon and looked up.
Chenchen nodded in approval, “Very good, eat like this.”
So, the two newly-made friends sat opposite each other, one seriously demonstrating and the other eagerly learning, both methodically enjoying their dessert.
After finishing the double-skin milk in the bowl, Xiao Feng eagerly watched the banana pie, waiting for Brother Chenchen to teach him how to eat it too. It was his first time being guided like this in play, and he was very happy.
Xia Mian watched Xiao Feng’s glowing face and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Ning Shaoyun also smiled, “It’s because Xiao Feng is clever; he learns after just one lesson. Chenchen has a younger friend at home too, but he isn’t very patient and doesn’t like to take care of him.” She added regretfully, “It’s a pity you’re leaving tomorrow. I think Chenchen and Xiao Feng get along quite well.”
Xia Mian felt a bit of regret too. It wasn’t easy for Xiao Feng to finally have a playmate, and it reinforced her desire to settle down quickly.
The two little guys were having a great time. When it was time to leave, Chenchen didn’t want to go home, and Ning Shaoyun had to coax, “It’s very late. Xiao Feng needs to rest.”
Chenchen looked at the bright-eyed Xiao Feng and didn’t believe it, “Mom, didn’t you say we rest when the lights rest? The lights at little brother’s house haven’t rested yet; he isn’t sleepy.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the lights in the living room flickered twice and then went out.
Xia Mian: “…”
The reluctant Chenchen was taken home by his mother.
Once in bed, Xiao Feng, still full of energy, looked at Xia Mian with excitement, “Brother Chenchen said he has a plane, and he’ll bring it tomorrow to play with me!”
Xia Mian sighed softly and smiled, “Tomorrow, Xiao Feng will go with Auntie back to your grandma’s house. When we come back after a while, if Brother Chenchen is still around, you two can play again. If he isn’t here, then after you graduate from kindergarten, Auntie will take you to Yan City to find him, okay?”
Xiao Feng sat up quickly and looked at Xia Mian, “Is Brother Chenchen’s home also in Yan City?”
“Yes, Brother Chenchen is from Yan City,” Xia Mian replied with a smile.
Xiao Feng quickly stopped worrying about whether he would be able to see Chenchen tomorrow, “We’ll go to Yan City too!” His face lit up.
“Right,” Xia Mian said. “But before that, we have to keep this a secret. We can’t let anyone know, or else we won’t be able to go.”
Xiao Feng’s expression became serious, and he hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand, shaking his head, “Xiao Feng won’t tell anyone.”
“Good boy!” Xia Mian kissed his tender face.
…
Before leaving, Xia Mian laid the groundwork needed for the storm to brew for the Zhang family. She flipped through the telephone directory next to the landline and found the Huang family’s number.
“Tell Huang Xiaojuan to come home immediately,” as soon as the call connected, Xia Mian went straight to the point, “She’s being accused of theft. They say she stole someone’s passbook and hasn’t returned it, and the amount is over thirty thousand yuan, which makes it a serious crime with a minimum sentence of five years in prison. If she can’t be found, she’ll be considered a fugitive, and her sentence will be even more severe. If you hide her at home, you could be arrested for harboring a criminal suspect and might even face charges as an accomplice.”
“Oh, and one more thing: Huang Xiaojuan said the money she and her husband used to buy their house was borrowed from her family, over forty thousand. How much has she paid back? Do you have a promissory note? Only a promissory note can prove her claims are true.”
The person who initially answered the call was an old lady, but halfway through, the receiver changed into a man. “Yes, she said she borrowed it from you. Only a promissory note can prove her claims are true.” Xia Mian explained very carefully.
She then added casually, “And you know, even between relatives, how could you not have a promissory note with such a large sum of money? If she doesn’t pay you back later, you can take the note to court to demand payment.”
“…”
“Of course the court will take the promissory note seriously. Who would write such a document for no reason? As long as you can produce a promissory note, the law will make sure that the debtor will pay back the money… Alas, these days, you cannot simply depend on good faith, even when dealing with relatives.”
Hearing the increasingly labored breathing from the other end, Xia Mian hung up the phone with satisfaction. After all, who doesn’t have greedy relatives? The Huang family was poor to begin with and favored sons over daughters, which made life very difficult for Huang Xiaojuan and her sisters. That’s why she shamelessly became a mistress and got pregnant before marriage.
It was for this reason that Zhang Qiming despised his in-laws. And the Huang family also knew how to behave when necessary, not wanting to offend their most successful son-in-law. But if there were forty thousand yuan involved… hehe!!
After hanging up the phone, Xia Mian went to collect the piece of raw pork that she had left hanging in the open since yesterday. She then placed the fly-covered meat into the dirty burlap sack that once belonged to Xiao Feng.
Now that her preparations were done, she looked around the much emptier living room, threw the key into her pocket, and set off!
She realized for the first time just how cunning she could be! Xia Mian merrily hummed a tune as she led Xiao Feng downstairs, slightly regretting that she wouldn’t be able to see the vile couple’s reactions to her spectacular ‘gift.’
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.
Hehehehe what a lovely gift Xia Mian has left for them. That smell won’t be going away anytime soon and they’ll also have to call a locksmith (ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ ﾐ ┻━┻