Eleven was still in her pajamas when she heard Aunt Fang calling and came out of the bedroom. Rubbing her eyes that hadnāt fully opened yet, she yawned and asked, "Who is it...? Itās so early in the morning. What do they want with me?"
"Itās... your mother," Aunt Fang said, seemingly uncertain.
That was because Eleven had told her she was an orphan, without father or mother. Aunt Fang didnāt use the internet, so she didnāt know about the things being circulated online.
Suddenly, someone turning up at the door claiming to be her mother, Aunt Fang couldnāt help but doubt.
But Eleven snapped to attention in an instant, regretfully clutching her forehead.
If only she had kept silent...
She could have pretended not to be home.
Luo Qing must be at the door by now; even if Eleven wanted to claim she wasnāt in, she probably had already been heard.
"Got it, Iāll change my clothes and come down."
She had woken up sluggish, limbs heavy, disinterestedly picking out any piece of clothing.
Knowing Eleven allowed it, Aunt Fang let Luo Qing in and made her a cup of tea; it would be impolite not to.
"How should I address you?"
"The family name of my husbandās home is Shang."
"Madam Shang, please have some tea. The lady will be down shortly after she changes."
"Thank you."
Luo Qing sipped her tea, observing everything in the villa.
The decor was quite European, it had everything one could need, completely furnished, with a design of warm tones that upon first glance felt very cozy.
Thinking that her daughter had been living in such a place for the past few years made her feel a bit better.
What she failed to do, he had done...
"Our Thousand, has she been living here all along?"
"Eh?" Aunt Fang blinked, then smiled and said, "She has been for the past four years; this Mr. Nian and the lady donāt always live here anymore..."
"Has it been all the time for the past four years?"
"Yes, the lady occasionally stays over at friendsā places for a few nights, but she mainly resides here."
"How are they doing? Are they doing well?"
"Very well!" Aunt Fang said, smiling knowingly, "The sir is incredibly good to the lady; Iāve never seen a man who pampers his wife so much! They hardly ever fight, just that this year... there seem to be more conflicts."
Probably because of the divorce.
Before and after the divorce, Mr. Nian and the lady would frequently have conflicts, big and small.
Luo Qing had an idea as well; it must have been the divorce causing the discord.
Aunt Fang was about to continue speaking when she saw the second-floor door open.
Eleven came downstairs and sat across Luo Qing, speaking with unfamiliarity, "Madam Shang, is there something you need? Isnāt the Shang family supposed to be quite busy today?"
Aunt Fang, who was tidying the coffee table, was taken aback.
The Shang family?
This Madam Shang...
Was she the Madam Shang from that Shang family?
This...
"Iāve just been approved for a dayās discharge from the hospital. I donāt need to worry about the Shang familyās affairs. Her father and brother will handle it. Iāve come to see you."
Luo Qing had gotten used to Elevenās coldness by now.
She didnāt feel hurt anymore; thinking about it, when she had behaved that way back then, what kind of pain must her daughter have suffered? Now, what face or right did she have to feel hurt?
"I understand."
"Youāre not going today? Second Treasure is going too, is it just you staying at home alone?"
Eleven almost choked on her water.
"Second Treasure? My Second Treasure?"
Seeing her surprised expression, Luo Qing nodded, "Jiujiu and Cute, yes. How come, you didnāt know?"
"..."
Damn!
When did they say they were going? She had no idea about any of this!
Eleven hurriedly dialed Jiujiuās number, but the call was already in progress.