Chapter 360

One hundred and sixty-eight page Family

[8:17]

Although my mother referred to her relationship with Wu Qinglan as “the closest,” she didn’t specify what kind of relationship it was. Thus, while Wu Qinglan felt touched, she realized that the distance between them hadn’t narrowed at all, and she hadn’t even secured any identity…

In my opinion, she’s merely a close friend, a confidante at best. My mother’s heart still places her as the most important person—her mother.

Orange went out to take care of the stray cats at the cat house.

Of course, this time they were prepared for the cold and wouldn’t shiver.

Never having experienced winter as a human, Orange underestimated the north wind after losing its insulating fur. Wearing light clothing, she froze on the way here. So she took a lined long pants from Xiao Kai’s wardrobe and put it over her leggings. The thick pants were bulky, prioritizing warmth over style, looking odd under her dress, but Orange didn’t mind much since she only moved around indoors.

The cat house in the courtyard was packed with various colored strays huddled together for warmth, so the temperature wasn’t a major issue. More concerning was their lack of oxygen rather than freezing to death. There were nearly thirty cats, likely all the strays in the village. However, living here came with a price—almost every cat had undergone an ovariohysterectomy.

After a warm breakfast, we continued our heartfelt conversation in the living room, discussing everything from daily life to variety shows. As long as it helped my mother step out of her shadow, I was willing to chat with her all day.

For me, it was also a form of therapy. Comforting my mother was like comforting myself.

“So Xiaole went to work for Miss Lu Zi, and Linhua went to your grandfather’s place as a supervisor and strategist?”

Since Linhua and Xiaole didn’t come home today, my mother naturally asked about them, and I answered honestly.

“Assistant is a polite term; she’s more like a guinea pig. Since no one has studied the restraint before, Xiaole’s trip there carries some risk. If not handled properly, Zijiang might remove it.”

“What do you mean by ‘remove it’? Don’t talk about danger!”

My seventeen-year-old mother looked flustered, which was quite endearing and always tempted me to tease her.

“Ah, I hope that child can return soon… YIng left me early, returned once, and took my son away. Am I destined to live alone?”

How did we start feeling pessimistic again?

“Mum, I’m still here.”

I leaned in, resting my head on my mother’s shoulder, holding her arm, and slumped onto the sofa with her.

“Besides, Shanxia brought good news from Lord Hai and a proposal from Mother regarding the restraint. This gave me confidence and renewed hope… Wait, I need to take a call.”

Xiao Kai’s phone suddenly rang, and I walked to the window to answer it.

It was Miss Lingqing, which meant it was probably Uncle Lubifang.

So I asked first, “Hey, Boss?”

“You’re calling me Boss even now, it feels a bit distant.”

The voice on the other end was Lubifang’s.

Even Zijiang and Lijiang called her Boss, so why did calling her Boss feel distant?

“Can I call you Aunt-in-law then?”

“Oh, of course.”

“So, Aunt-in-law, why are you calling? Is there any progress from Zijiang’s research team?”

“You’re too eager. There’s almost no reference material for restraint studies, so it won’t be quick. That child can’t wait to see you, so I plan to send her over first.”

That child referred to Xiao Shanxia.

I asked, “You’re sending Shanxia over? Wait, isn’t Shanxia with Uncle?”

As half of Mother’s body, even if they weren’t seen as the same entity, they were at least considered siblings. Reluctantly, I could only call him “Uncle.”

Tsk, being treated as younger.

Aunt-in-law Lubifang explained, “Sending Shanxia to the temple would expose her to Cang’er’s curse, so Beihaixue kept her here. But the girl is restless, so I’ll send her back first and tidy up since she’ll be staying.”

“Wait! Aunt-in-law, you’re moving here too?!”

Surprise.

Though the village houses were quaint, they were far inferior to the luxurious villa by the Jinhe River. Clearly, Shanxia staying there would be better. Why move back?

“Haha, because the girl wants to live next door. And if she lives there, she can commute to Biyang Middle School. After discussing with Beihaixue, we decided to move here. It’s not far by car, and the villa will become our office.”

This made the village seem like a good school district, and our land had investment value. Unfortunately, it’s expensive to demolish, so it hasn’t been targeted yet.

“Living next door is nice too. When are you coming?”

“We’re heading over now. Just wanted to let you know.”

“Okay, we’ll wait.”

“Xiaoying, I was harsh earlier. Hope you don’t take it to heart.”

I expected her to hang up first, but she apologized instead.

I thought it was for threatening me with a strict attitude before.

“You don’t have to apologize. Even if you were harsh, it was for Xiao Kai. I understand your feelings. Back then, someone needed to wake me up. From that perspective, I should thank you.”

“No, I lost control then. Sigh, I’ll apologize properly when I get there. Just wait.”

She hung up.

I laughed bitterly and sat back on the sofa, telling Mom about Shanxia arriving early.

“That’s great. The child has suffered a lot recently. Thinking about it, Xiao Kai’s situation isn’t much different. If Shanxia can come back, Xiao Kai must be able to come back too.”

Mother seemed to find a good reason to convince herself.

Shanxia was sent into a false dream by Lord Hai, and Xiao Kai was taken to a mysterious space beyond the world by Tian Dao. At first glance, it seemed similar, but bringing them back would be vastly different. At least, Tian Dao wouldn’t bring Xiao Kai back willingly.

“How can they be the same… Ah! Ouch! Pain!”

Wu Qinglan was about to speak the truth, but Yuzu’s four sharp fangs bit her thumb.

I smiled too. “Yes, Xiao Kai will definitely come back.”

Letting Mom delude herself isn’t bad.

From the Jinhe River to here, it’s just a riverside road. After about ten minutes, a black sedan stopped at the courtyard gate.

“Oh, they’re here.”

Yuzu jumped onto the windowsill.

“Oh! It’s Sister Cat!”

Orange was still outside talking to the cats, and Shanxia immediately stuck to her when she entered the courtyard.

“Shanxia? You’re here so early!”

“Because Shanxia wanted to see everyone!”

Orange squatted down and pinched Shanxia’s face, stopping her from reaching for the stray cats in the cat house.

“Don’t touch the wild cats. They’re dirty! There’s a furry little animal inside. Go play with it. It’s cleaner.”

“Huh?”

Yuzu shook its tiny ears and stood up.

Orange misled Shanxia, shifting her focus.

Lubifang and Sister Lingqing got out of the car.

Maybe because she had lived as an old person in her past life, Aunt-in-law seemed very sensitive to the cold, wrapped in an expensive down jacket that hid her figure.

In contrast, Sister Lingqing was simpler, wearing a neat black suit with a high-neck sweater underneath…

She wore stiff leather shoes and rushed into the warm house ahead of her boss.

Sister Lingqing complained, “Haha, it’s so cold today.”

“…Why not wear more clothes?”

“I don’t work outdoors. It’s fine for a short walk.”

After them, Orange led Shanxia into the house, making the living room lively.

“Sister Xiaowei! Sister Ying! Oh! Furry!”

Such small animals like Yuzu had a strong appeal for Shanxia.

“Everyone calls me Yuzu! Please don’t be so rough!”

After greeting everyone, Shanxia hugged Yuzu and squeezed between me and Mom, leaving Wu Qinglan pointing at herself.

“Shanxia doesn’t remember me?”

Shanxia turned her head away from Wu Qinglan and whispered, “No, Mom said Miss Wu is irresponsible, so she doesn’t want me to talk to you!”

Wu Qinglan glared angrily at Aunt-in-law.

“…Lubifang! What do you mean? Trying to cause trouble between me and Shanxia?”

“Is there anything wrong with what I said? Can you be a role model for this child? Miss Runaway, if you have any sense of responsibility, why not go see Cang’er?”

When mentioning Grandfather, Wu Qinglan looked panicked. Aunt-in-law glanced at Mom, relaxing her tense expression.

“Let’s not talk about unpleasant things today. Xiaowei, we never had a chance to chat. Let’s talk now.”

Aunt-in-law sat on the other side of Mom.

They each fell in love with two halves of the same soul. I couldn’t explain their relationship clearly.

Perhaps realizing this, Mom’s voice was hesitant.

“Miss Bi Fang…”

“Xiaowei, just call me Big Sister Bi Fang. If Ning Ying is Beihaixue’s sister, as her brother-in-law, you can call me Big Sister, right? Besides, they both owe you. You don’t need to be so humble. We are family now.”

“Family…?”

Thinking of what I just said to Yuzu, Mom paused and smiled in relief.

“Shanxia is also my niece, right?”

Shanxia, pointed out by Mom, looked up happily.

She asked, “Then what should Shanxia call Sister Xiaowei?”

“Brother-in-law… No.”

Mom shook her head and smiled bitterly, “Just call me Aunt. Call me Brother-in-law when I revert.”

“Okay! Aunt! Aunt!”

Like before with Grandma, Shanxia hugged Mom tightly, and Aunt-in-law Lubifang smiled and stretched out her hand to me.

“Xiaoying, want to come?”

Was she asking me to hug her too?

“Mmm…”

“Why, are you still shy? Come on, we are family.”

Saying such words, she started exuding the warmth and kindness of an elder.

I was a bit introverted.

Though I was quick with Xiao Kai, dealing with others directly, especially those who couldn’t read minds, made me resistant. After all, I spent most of my life in the Divine Court with Lord Hai, hardly speaking to anyone else.

Seeing my hesitation, Aunt-in-law deliberately asked, “What’s wrong? Do you dislike me, Xiaoying?”

Her tone had a hint of playfulness, and her composed image crumbled slightly.