Chapter 283: 195 Jiangjiang vs Xiaojiaoke, Fangirl and Tsundere (2 More Updates)_3
"itâs fine, you already have your hands full taking care of the kids, just enjoy your meal. My fifth brother and I will take care of things here," Tang Wan said with a smile.
"Itâs too much trouble for you."
"Donât mention it." Jiang Jinsang actually quite liked Taotao. The little girl was very well-behaved, nothing like Jiangjiang, who, if not watched, could turn the world upside down.
Jiangjiang had initially felt some resistance towards Taotao, as she too called Shen Zhixian âmomâ.
Itâs just that adults are selfish, let alone children. He always felt that the mom he had just gotten was going to be snatched away. However, Fan Mingyu had taken him aside privately and seriously told him,
"Thatâs your biological sister, itâs only that you were separated when you were too young, and didnât recognize each other. You should take extra care of her. She isnât trying to snatch anything away; she and your mom naturally belong to this family. Theyâve just been away for too long and are now coming home."
"Biological sister? Coming home?" Jiangjiang wasnât quite able to understand adult issues.
However, Jiangjiang found she wasnât aggressive or threatening, and he no longer harbored any hostility towards her.
**
After dinner, Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang took the two kids to the second floor, while the rest of the adults stayed in the living room and spoke openly without the children around.
"Does the Xie Family know you have children?" the elderly lady chuckled. "They havenât let slip a single word. Their family sure knows how to keep their mouths shut."
"Maybe itâs because of my unusual situation. If people knew about a child born out of wedlock, rumors would likely fly even more. Itâs also for my consideration," Shen Zhixian explained.
Despite society being open and tolerant enough, single mothers whoâd never been married but had children were still inevitably viewed with curious eyes.
"Thatâs understandable," Fan Mingyu nodded.
Jiang Yanting raised an eyebrow, "Is that why they tampered with your information too?"
"I donât mind, but if outsiders knew, it would inevitably lead to gossip about Taotao," Shen Zhixian expressed, revealing all her secrets and feeling much lighter for it.
"Donât worry, now we are here," the elderly lady smiled; in high spirits, she didnât bring up other matters concerning the Xie Family. "From now on, you donât have to worry about these things. Yanting will handle everything."
Before they knew it, it was nearly 10 PM, and Tang Wan came down from upstairs.
"Miss Tang, where are Taotao and Jiangjiang?" Shen Zhixian immediately stood up.
"Theyâre tired from playing, so my fifth brother and I helped them bathe. Jiangjiang is telling Taotao a story," Tang Wan smiled. "The snow outside is pretty heavy. The forecast mentioned that there might be a blizzard tonight, and some sections of the road are already covered in snow; theyâve been closed. Would you like to stay here tonight?"
"Yes, please stay; itâs late and snowing, so itâs not safe," the elderly lady quickly added.
Fan Mingyu immediately followed up, "Exactly, the kids have also bathed, and they definitely donât want to leave."
...
The elderly lady was naturally a very enthusiastic person, and with several people backing her up, Shen Zhixian simply couldnât refuse and agreed to stay.
**
At the Xie Familyâs home,
Old Master Xie sat by the window, touching his knee, watching the heavy falling snow outside and glancing at the clock from time to time. How come those two havenât returned yet?
The wait ended up with the news that Shen Zhixian was not returning tonight.
"Sheâs staying at the Jiang Family? And what about Taotao?"
"Sheâs here as well," Shen Zhixian coughed, "The snowâs too heavy."
"No worries, Iâll have Xie Duo go pick you up."
"Itâs late, Xie Duo would arrive by 11:30, and by the time we got home, itâd be past 1 AM."
"Well..." the old man tentatively asked, "How does the Jiang Family treat you? Have you laid it all out? They havenât given you a hard time, have they?"
"They like Taotao a lot."
"Do they?" Old Master Xieâs heart was a mix of emotions. Rationally, he should be happy for them that the Jiang Family didnât mind their past, but he also felt something was off and always had a premonition...
It seemed like once the mother and daughter went over, they might never return to the Xie Family.
"Grandpa, has my aunt not returned yet?" Xie Duo came downstairs, still dealing with work as there was plenty before the New Year.
"They said sheâs staying at the Jiang house; it looks like it was a good meal."
"Really?" Xie Duo went to make a cup of coffee.
"If she can find happiness, I, even if I close my eyes, can rest in peace and assurance. We, the Xie family, owe her too much. The Jiang Family...is quite reliable. Even if Jiang Yanting doesnât love her, he has a great sense of responsibility, and your auntâs latter half of her life would be quite good."
Xie Duo gave a wry smile, lowered his head, and sipped his coffee, a strong espresso without any sugar, tasting as bitter as Coptis rhizome.
An unspoken bitterness.