“Choose? Only kids make choices, adults take it all!” Xia Mian boldly declared.
Ning Shaobai was briefly stunned, then laughed, “The three-entry one isn’t available; that’s for Chenchen, but any of the others are up for grabs.”
Just as Zhou Qianqian was recovering, she heard Xia Mian arrogantly claiming these courtyards for herself, “Then we should secure this one first. We’re in a hurry to settle down anyway, so let’s take it slowly.”
With her leg still hurting, Zhou Qianqian glared at Xia Mian with cold disdain, “A country girl talking big! These are the Huo family’s properties. Even if you have the money, which you obviously don’t, you wouldn’t be able to buy them!”
Xia Mian looked puzzledly at Ning Shaobai, “Who is she? Why is she so obnoxious? If I didn’t know better, I would think she was in charge of the Huo family!”
Just as Ning Shaobai was about to respond, the vermillion gate of Ning Shaoyun’s house opened, and a woman in her forties emerged. Seeing Ning Shaoyun and Ning Shaobai, she delightedly exclaimed, “I came checking because it was so loud outside. So you two are back!”
“Aunt Wei,” Ning Shaoyun smiled. She gestured at Xia Mian and introduced her, “This is Xia Mian and Xiao Feng I mentioned to you, and Xia Mian’s Second Aunt and her family.”
To Xia Mian, she said, “This is Aunt Wei, she’s taken care of Xiao Bai and me since we were little.”
Xia Mian and Xia Wenyue quickly greeted her, and Aunt Wei warmly said, “Come inside quickly, you must be exhausted from the trip. Dinner is ready; we were just waiting for you.”
She then glanced at Zhou Qianqian standing in the middle of the alley and shook her head, “Sticks like a dog-skin plaster, doesn’t she? Shaoyun, don’t bother with her; she’s just a jumping clown.”
Ning Shaoyun nodded indifferently, “Let’s ignore her, what a nuisance.”
Seeing even the normally mild-tempered Ning Shaoyun dismiss Zhou Qianqian so bluntly, it was clear she was quite the character.
The group, taking the hint, didn’t mention her further and followed Aunt Wei inside.
Behind them, the Huo family’s driver hesitated before finally speaking up, “Madam…”
Ning Shaoyun seemed to only just remember him now, turning around with a smile, “Xiao Li, is it? You better head back now. Mr. Huo is very busy; he certainly needs you. We’re sorry to have taken your time for two days already.”
Xiao Li rubbed his hands and said, “But Madam, Mr. Huo told me he’s waiting at home for you.”
Ning Shaoyun chuckled, “I know him. He must be very busy. We would only add to his chaos if we returned now. We’ll live here from now on and let Mr. Huo focus on his work.”
“But…” the driver seemed to want to say more, but Aunt Wei cheerfully intervened, “Then Xiao Li, we won’t keep you any longer. You’ve driven all day and must be tired, hurry back and rest.”
With that, she slammed the gate shut, leaving a helpless Xiao Li standing outside.
Zhou Qianqian, rubbing her leg, smiled at him, “Brother Li must be exhausted. They told you to go back and rest, so you should.”
The helpless expression on Xiao Li’s face faded, and he gave Zhou Qianqian a somewhat flattering smile, “Old Madam really dotes on you, Miss. She even gave you such a big courtyard.”
Zhou Qianqian nonchalantly said, “This courtyard isn’t worth much, the high-rise apartments are the real beauties.”
Xiao Li responded enviously, “It seems the madam is quite upset this time.”
Zhou Qianqian smiled smugly, “Let her be upset. Brother Xuewen is busy; he doesn’t have time to deal with her sulking.”
The gate to Ning Shaoyun’s house remained shut. Those who had just entered were either unaware of the schemes outside, or perhaps they simply didn’t care.
Only Chenchen asked, “Mom, aren’t we going home?”
Ning Shaoyun tilted her head, “Do you want to go back? But Xiao Feng is going to live here. If we go back, you won’t be able to play with him.”
“Can we not go back?” Chenchen said excitedly, “I like it here, let’s live here so I can play with Xiao Feng.”
Xia Mian was somewhat curious. Chenchen was the only grandchild and eldest grandson of the Huo family. He should be doted upon and adored by his grandparents, and yet, he seemingly didn’t miss them at all. How indifferent must the Huo family be?
But then again, if they weren’t indifferent, they wouldn’t have abandoned him during the toughest times of his life.
Since Ning Shaoyun didn’t want to mention the Huo family, everyone else avoided the topic too. Besides, after a long day of travel, all Xia Mian could think about was getting some sleep.
Aunt Wei, who had cared for the Ning siblings since they were young, clearly had excellent domestic skills. A table was set with a variety of light yet hearty homemade dishes, arousing the group’s hunger, and hot water was ready for them after dinner. Once washed and dined, the fatigue of the day began to settle in, making it the perfect time to rest.
Xia Mian and Ning Shaoyun, each leading a child, came out of the bathroom in the adjoined wing, both kids rubbing their eyes sleepily.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the gate. Aunt Wei glanced at Ning Shaoyun and went to answer it. Soon, she returned with a tall, handsome man and said to Ning Shaoyun with a beaming smile, “Shaoyun, it’s your husband.”
Chenchen, who had been rubbing his eyes, suddenly perked up and excitedly called out to the visitor, “Dad!”
Huo Xuewen’s cold expression softened somewhat as he quickly stepped forward and scooped Chenchen into his arms.
Chenchen was surprised, “Dad?”
His dad usually didn’t hug him much, so Chenchen was thrilled, hugging Huo Xuewen’s neck and continuously calling ‘Dad’.
Huo Xuewen, visibly moved, stroked his son’s back, “Did you have fun staying at great-grandma’s house?” His usually stern voice softened.
As he asked, his gaze shifted towards Ning Shaoyun, but her expression remained distant and cool, “You’re here?”
Huo Xuewen nodded and murmured, “Well, there was a major issue with the materials on the Chengbei project yesterday; I really couldn’t get away, sorry.”
Ning Shaoyun replied, “I understand, it’s okay.”
Then Huo Xuewen really stopped talking.
“…” Xia Mian, watching this interaction, couldn’t tell if Huo Xuewen had come to apologize and pick his family up or if he was just venting for Zhou Qianqian. “Mr. Huo, did you go to the courtyard across the street this afternoon?” She couldn’t resist her curiosity and finally asked.
“Across the street?” Huo Xuewen looked puzzled, “What would I do over there? I’ve been at the construction site all day.” He looked at Ning Shaoyun, “I rushed to finish everything and only got back home this evening,” he added softly, “I thought you and Chenchen had gone home.”
It didn’t seem like he was lying, and Xia Mian tended to believe that Zhou Qianqian was deliberately stirring trouble.
However, Ning Shaoyun seemed completely indifferent, not caring whether what Huo Xuewen said was true or false.
Xia Mian could plainly see that Huo Xuewen was in serious trouble, but the person himself seemed oblivious to the gravity of his situation. When Ning Shaoyun fell silent, he didn’t speak up either, just silently watching her.
The silence was too awkward for Xia Mian. Just as she was about to slip away, Huo Xuewen glanced at her and found a topic.
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Translator’s note:
Hello everyone, I’m happy to announce that AerialRain now has gotten additional helps, which allow us to take two more projects! Let us introduce you to His Secret Guard and Marrying the Short-Lived Villain, both having historical settings. We are still adjusting our schedules here, so the two new titles will have irregular schedule for the time being. Hope you all enjoy them!
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Thank you for the chapters ❣️
Is this mr. Huo an awkward person.. who lack “communication” skill ?? 🤔
Thanks for the chapter!!!!
Thank you for the chapter !
Hopefully Mr Huo will wake up and save his marriage
If he’s worthy