“Will this outfit work?” Wen Yunzhi emerged from the cloakroom, her nervousness evident as she looked at Xue Wenxuan.
This was her third outfit she has change since the afternoon.
“You looked good no matter what you wore,” Xue Wenxuan said with a smile.
He looked more like his father, handsome and gentle, and a smile could make people trust him.
But Wen Yunzhi still hesitated, asking, “Is it not good enough?”
Xue Wenxuan responded, “It’s already very good,” sitting on the sofa, watching her.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Wen Yunzhi returned to the cloakroom.
Xue Wenxuan couldn’t help but smile and sank into the depths of the sofa, lifting his hand to rest on his forehead.
This time, Wen Yunzhi emerged in a beige cotton and linen skirt, exuding a casual and gentle charm.
“This outfit is also great,” Xue Wenxuan said with a smile before Wen Yunzhi could inquire. “It’s both stylish and approachable.”
“Really?” Wen Yunzhi tugged at her skirt, looking down.
“Yes,” Xue Wenxuan stood up, standing beside his mother. “Mom, it’s not like you and Xia Wan haven’t seen each other before, and it’s almost time.”
“Yes, yes,” Wen Yunzhi said, adjusting her hair beside her ears. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
Mother and son got into the car, and Wen Yunzhi took a deep breath. Whenever Xue Wenke’s name was mentioned, Wen Yunzhi felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her.
“Mom,” Xue Wenxuan sounded a bit anxious as he drove. He encouraged her, saying, “When you meet him later, try not to get too excited.”
“I understand,” Wen Yunzhi replied.
“Additionally,” Xue Wenxuan continued, “Shen Xing also moved to the dormitory with Tangtang and the others this year, so be careful otherwise Shen Xing might also catch something is off.”
Wen Yunzhi’s grip on her phone tightened. “This is Shen Yan’s idea again, isn’t it?”
“Most likely,” Xue Wenxuan smiled. “He’s keeping a close eye on Tangtang.”
“This Shen Yan is quite scheming,” Wen Yunzhi commented. “He hasn’t approached Tang Tang, but he’s still so wary of those around him. Could it be that he’s afraid of competition?”
“Perhaps he genuinely likes Tangtang,” Xue Wenxuan smiled. “He used to be so carefree and independent, but now he seems to have changed his ways.”
Wen Yunzhi fell silent, feeling somewhat relieved that the topic had shifted away from her anxieties.
The timing was perfect; when they arrived at the Academy of Fine Arts, it was exactly five o’clock, dinner time.
The setting sun casts a scorching glow through the car window, warming the interior of the vehicle. As Wen Yunzhi dialed the phone, her hand felt a thin layer of sweat forming.
“Tangtang,” she greeted warmly as Su Tang picked up, “We’re here, you all can come down too.”
“We?” Su Tang sounded slightly puzzled. “Who else is there?”
“Your brother is here too,” Wen Yunzhi replied.
After ending the call, Wen Yunzhi retrieved a mirror from her bag and checked her appearance. She then settled back in her seat, gazing at the car’s door.
In about ten minutes, Su Tang arrived first, followed closely by two other figures—one taller and one shorter.
“Aren’t there four people in his dormitory?” Wen Yunzhi inquired, a hint of confusion in her voice.
The distance was a bit far, so she couldn’t clearly see the features of the two figures behind Su Tang, but based on their heights, the taller one appeared to be Shen Xing.
The other person had to be Xia Wan. Just as she was about to see clearly, Su Tang leapt in front of the car.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
He swung open the car door and peered inside, a mischievous grin on his face, effectively blocking Wen Yunzhi’s view.
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“Qtb vb sbe atlcx rtbeiv qjs?” Wef Qfczejc jrxfv klat j rwlif.
“In that case, I’ll let my brother treat me,” Su Tang said with a mischievous smile. “Auntie needs to save money for her retirement.”
Wen Yunzhi couldn’t help but chuckle at the playful banter. She tapped Su Tang on the forehead. “How old do you think I am?”
Xue Wenxuan, who had taken care of him since he was young, smiled. “Listen to your words.”
Satisfied with his banter, Su Tang hopped into the back seat and waved outside. “Fu Ling, this way!”
As he moved away, Wen Yunzhi and Xue Wenxuan finally saw the two individuals walking together.
The taller one was Shen Xing, but the other person was not Xia Wan. He was a clean and handsome young man, his two small tiger teeth peeking out when he smiled.
But there was no Xia Wan in site.
“Hello, Auntie,” Fu Ling greeted warmly, “Hello, Brother.”
“You’re Fu Ling,” Wen Yunzhi smiled, “I’ve heard Tangtang mention you quite often.”
“Brother, Auntie,” Shen Xing offered his brief greetings, keeping his words to a minimum.
Wen Yunzhi greeted him in return and scanned the area outside unconsciously. People were bustling around the entrance of the Academy of Fine Arts, but the one figure she longed to see was nowhere in sight.
“What about Wanwan?” Wen Yunzhi watched for a while, growing somewhat anxious. “Didn’t Wanwan share the dormitory with you? Why hasn’t he come down yet?”
“It’s your misfortune to arrive at this moment but he has taken leave,” Su Tang said.
He then turned to Fu Ling and Shen Xing, “My aunt is a big fan of Xia Wan.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Wenxuan started the car and commented, “That’s quite a coincidence.”
Wen Yunzhi couldn’t help but worry. “Why did he take leave? Is he unwell?”
“It doesn’t seem like it,” Su Tang replied. “Xia Wan only mentioned that something had come up at home, and he wouldn’t be able to leave for a while, so he requested a couple of days off.”
“Oh,” Wen Yunzhi replied with a mixture of relief and disappointment in her tone.
At a traffic light, Xue Wenxuan gently held Wen Yunzhi’s hand, noticing that her hand felt a bit cold, and her eyes betrayed her sense of disappointment.
Out of the blue, Shen Xing, who had been quiet since getting into the car, spoke up. “It seems that Xia Wan’s father is ill and hospitalized.”
Su Tang protested immediately upon hearing this revelation. “Why didn’t he tell me? He told you and not me?”
Shen Xing clarified without revealing the source of his information, “Xia Wan didn’t tell me directly.”
Su Tang was concerned, “Should we visit Uncle at the hospital? Do you know which hospital they’re in?”
“I know the hospital name, but since Xia Wan didn’t mention it, let’s not go for now,” Shen Xing suggested.
Fu Ling also joined the discussion “We can visit quietly so as not to disrupt Uncle’s recovery.”
While the youngsters continued to discuss, Wen Yunzhi listened in for a moment before deciding, “We’ll go to the hospital later, Wenxuan and I are going to visit a patient.”
Xue Wenxuan glanced at his mother upon hearing this, while Su Tang quickly moved to the front seat, asking eagerly, “Who are you visiting?”
“You don’t know them,” Wen Yunzhi remarked with a smile.
Xue Wenxuan selected a Hong Kong-style restaurant not far from the school, as it usually appealed to the younger crowd. However, Wen Yunzhi had no appetite and barely touched her food. She only managed to take a few bites before setting her utensils down.
Shen Xing as always remained composed and polite throughout the meal, reflecting his mature demeanor.
Afterwards, once they had dropped off the kids back at school, Wen Yunzhi turned to Xue Wenxuan and asked, “How about we visit the hospital?”
Xue Wenxuan nodded and steered the car towards the hospital.
Meanwhile, Xia Wan had undergone an operation and was feeling somewhat better today, taking the opportunity to catch up on some sleep. As he awoke, he found himself in a hospital room with white walls and a fading sunset outside the window. He lay there in silence for a while, gradually making out the voices of Zhang Ruicheng chatting with the family members of the patient in the adjacent bed.
They were discussing dietary issues for the patient, which foods to avoid, and which to consume more of. Zhang Ruicheng was diligently taking notes on his phone.
After listening for a while, Xia Wan asked Zhang Ruicheng, “Uncle Zhang, how long have I been asleep?”
“Just a little over an hour,” Zhang Ruicheng replied, “Did you need more sleep?”
Xia Chengzhang asked, “Were you feeling cold while sleeping?”
“It wasn’t cold,” Xia Wan replied. He stood up, examined the liquid in the IV bag, and remarked, “The air conditioner temperature seems just right.”
The medicine in the infusion bag was running low, so Xia Wan bent down and pressed the call button while chuckling. “The best part is that I’m young and full of energy.”
As they were joking and laughing, the ward’s door suddenly opened. Xia Wan initially thought it was a nurse coming to change the dressing, but when he turned around, he saw that it was Huo Yu.
Xia Wan greeted him with a smile. “Eldest master, why are you here again?”
“I’ve come to check if you need any help,” Huo Yu replied calmly. He then looked at Xia Wan and added, “I’m here to stay with you tonight.”
Xia Wan raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes, the bruises under his eyes evident, as he said, “No need, I’ll stay with my dad for one more night, and I’ll return to school tomorrow. I won’t be tired.”
Xia Chengzhang chimed in “Indeed, you should focus on your business and it’s already late. Your company has just started, and that’s important.”
Huo Yu insisted firmly, “I’d still come even if it’s late”
Huo Yu’s expression was earnest and sincere, without a hint of politeness or pretense. Xia Wan looked at him, feeling a bit perplexed by his genuine concern.
Just then, Zhang Ruicheng’s phone rang, indicating that Zhang Nan had come to pick him up, and he was waiting downstairs.
“Old Xia,” Zhang Ruicheng said, “I’ll head back for now and come to keep you company tomorrow.”
“Go ahead,” Xia Chengzhang replied. “I appreciate your help these past days.”
Xia Wan got up and said, “I’ll walk you out, Uncle Zhang.”
After Xia Wan and Zhang Ruicheng left, Xia Chengzhang said, “If you’re busy, don’t feel obligated to visit all the time. Wanwan can take care of himself just fine.”
“I’m not as busy as Xia Wan thinks.” Huo Yu chuckled then added, “I’m worried he won’t be able to handle it after staying up two nights in a row.”
Xia Chengzhang thought how Huo Yu was taking Xia Wan’s well-being seriously. A small smile escaped from the corner of his mouth. “At his age, he’s full of energy and can handle the occasional late night.”
Huo Yu, his eyes downcast, seemed lost in thought, but a faint smile played on his lips.
“Ohh, Mr. Huo is also here.” At that moment, Aunt Zhang, carrying a food box, entered the ward. She greeted Xia Chengzhang, “I saw Xia Wan downstairs just now.”
Xia Chengzhang replied, “Yes, he went to send off Zhang Ruicheng”
Aunt Zhang placed the food box on the cabinet, and when she opened it, the delightful aroma of the food filled the room.
Huo Yu paused briefly, then reached for the bib that was on the side of the chair. Following Xia Wan’s example, he gently held Xia Chengzhang’s head with his palm and proceeded to fasten the bib for him.
When Xia Wan came in, he saw such a scene that left a deep impression.
The warm, red light of the sunset shone through the window, gently illuminating Huo Yu as he carefully tied a bib around Xia Chengzhang’s neck. His focused expression showed how serious he was, and the sunlight made his eyes look unusually soft.
Xia Wan noticed Huo Yu wasn’t very skilled, but he managed to fasten the buckle for Xia Chengzhang steadily. Then, he lifted his thick eyelashes and smiled warmly at Xia Chengzhang.
For some reason, Xia Wan paused at the door.
Xia Chengzhang had just undergone surgery and hadn’t showered for two days, so he wasn’t exactly clean at the moment.
Huo Yu had a mild case of mysophobia.
Seeing the genuine smile on Huo Yu’s lips, Xia Wan’s heart fluttered slightly.
For a moment, the image of him in his mind seemed to alter subtly.
A little gentler, a little more reliable… and more dependable.
He approached slowly, standing side by side with Huo Yu, and asked Xia Chengzhang with a smile, “Dad, who do you think is better at putting on your bib, me or Huo Yu?”
Huo Yu couldn’t help but chuckle, finding Xia Wan’s remark somewhat cheeky.
Xia Chengzhang laughed as well. He gently patted Xia Wan’s side with one hand, “Don’t make me laugh too much. It might hurt.”
Traces of Xia Wan’s recent sleep were still evident on his face – faint imprints, like light red marks, stretching from his cheeks to the corners of his smiling mouth.
Huo Yu unconsciously moved closer to him, raising his hand to lightly press on the red mark.
“What?” Xia Wan asked.
While Huo Yu pulled Xia Wan towards him. He teasingly said, “Were you sleeping? Your face is covered in drool.”
Xia Wan was startled and quickly leaned in closer to Aunt Zhang, asking, “Aunt Zhang, do I have a drool on my face?”
Aunt Zhang suppressed a chuckle and replied, “If Mr. Huo said you do.”
Xia Wan was alarmed and headed for the bathroom to check in the mirror.
“You two go out and grab something to eat,” Xia Chengzhang smiled, ushering them out. “I can’t eat while you two are here making me laugh so much.”
Xia Wan responded promptly, “That’s impossible. My dear Dad can’t go hungry.”
Xia Chengzhang, intrigued by his response, quipped, “Xiao Yu is here. Think carefully and then tell me who you love the most.”
Huo Yu couldn’t help but smile, his dark eyes fixed on Xia Wan.
“My favourite is always Dad,” Xia Wan said with a smile, “I’d say the same to anyone here.”
Xia Wan’s gaze shifted towards the door, and he spotted Wen Yunzhi there.
Wen Yunzhi’s face appeared slightly pale, but she managed a smile when their eyes met.
“Auntie?” Xia Wan exclaimed in surprise.
Huo Yu walked over and greeted politely, “Mr. Wen, Wenxuan, what brings you here?”
“We came to visit a patient,” Xue Wenxuan explained, “We didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“It’s quite a coincidence,” Huo Yu replied.
“Wan Wan,” Wen Yunzhi looked at Xia Wan steadily, “I heard that your father is sick, is it true?”
“Yes,” Xia Wan nodded in confirmation.
Wen Yunzhi hesitated for a moment before asking, “Can we go in and take a look?”
Xia Wan glanced at Xia Chengzhang, who smiled and nodded in agreement.
I somehow always feel that Mdm Wen is too pushy… I know it’s gonna end well, but still. Don’t ruin Xia Wan and Xia Chengzhang’s happy little family that Huo Yu wants to join.
Thank you for the update!
Thank You for the new chapter (⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝) ෆ
I don’t have children, so I can’t understand madam Wan’s feelings at all, but I heard that many parents who lose their children feel like they betray their children when they stop waiting children’s returning or stop their searching. Maybe that’s why she is behave like this
Thank you for your translation ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
The general sentiment here is… Why is the plot suddenly progressing too fast? Is it just me or does the plot suddenly accelerated?
Its such a detriment to the otherwise patient and non-assuming stance that that family has when it came to verifying Xiawans identity just a few chapters before the exposition of Mr. Xias hospitalization.
No, it’s not going fast. The thing is that Mrs Wen before all of this was already attracted to Xia Wan. But when she got news from her son that when Xia Wan’s father went back to his town there was no mention of pregnancy so the question was where did he get the baby out of nowhere? Hence she was able to deduce that Xia Wan is really the baby whom she was looking for ages. We have to look from a mother’s pov.
I understand why the mother is pushy after all she was grieving for her child for 18 years and now seeing/hearing some sort of proof with a very high possibility that her child is alive right now and literally so close, yet so far from her… I mean it’s understandable she’d be rushing to reunite with her kid.
Also, is Xia Wan even aware that Xia Cheng is not his real father? 🫢
The Xia family is horrible as a whole but Xia Chengzhang seems to really love and care for Xia Wan. I hope he doesn’t become a hateful cannon fodder and it becomes a very black and white XCZ (bad, actually evil and scheming) vs WYZ (good, can do no wrong)