Chapter 173

Just like in Duan Lingwu's second life memories, He Tingyao panicked.

However, compared to before, the expression on her face this time was much more sincere.

"Mommy, don't go. Mommy, don't leave me and my brother. Yaoyao will be obedient from now on and will never trust anyone again."

Ling Wu ignored her, "I'm leaving. He Cheng will find you a new mother, and she will love you very much too."

"No way! Only Mom loves Yaoyao and her brother the most!"

"What if that person is your Aunt Song?" Ling Wu gently wiped He Tingyao's tear-streaked face and asked softly.

Upon hearing this, He Tingyao frowned and retorted without hesitation, "She's not worthy!"

Song Yue, standing outside the door, froze completely with anger on her face, her complexion turning pale and flushed.

Inside the room, He Tingyao grabbed Ling Wu's sleeve and said earnestly, "I love Mom the most."

Ling Wu patted her head, her eyes filled with tears, yet she was still smiling.

“But He Cheng doesn’t like Mom, Lanlan doesn’t like Mom either, and the aunties and uncles in the villa don’t like Mom either. Mom isn’t happy at all, so…”

"As long as Mom doesn't leave, Yaoyao will make her brother like Mom too! And she won't let the servants bully Mom!" But she never mentioned making He Cheng like her.

But Lingwu didn't answer. Instead, she turned to look at the birds perched on the trees outside the window and murmured, "Freedom."

He Tingyao, who only had a general understanding of the word, still remembered it.

When He Tingyao left, she turned back and looked at Ling Wu, who was fast asleep on the bed due to exhaustion.

Duan Lingwu is truly beautiful. Even though she's sick, has just cried, and is even frowning, she's still incredibly beautiful...

After that day, Lingwu stopped picking up the twins every day like she used to, and she stopped doing everything herself.

After recovering, she would occasionally sit in the courtyard, holding a book in her hands, or look up at the birds in the sky with longing in her eyes.

She lived a leisurely and comfortable life, but He Tinglan and He Tingyao were very unhappy.

Duan Lingwu had always taken meticulous care of them: milk at the right temperature, aromatherapy they both liked, clothes that matched their aesthetic sense, and a good morning kiss and a good night kiss every day—all of that was gone.

The two of them went from being indifferent at first to gradually becoming annoyed!

But whenever they went to Lingwu's side, she would only glance at them indifferently, continue reading without saying a word, or look up at the blue sky.

Only after she had left them feeling cold enough, and the two children were almost bursting with suppressed laughter, did Lingwu put down her book and give them her first smile of the week.

He Tingyao was wearing an elaborate princess dress, her cute and adorable face was adorable, and her big, watery eyes were blinking at Ling Wu.

He Tinglan was wearing a suit jacket, and even his usually indifferent young face managed a forced smile.

They bear no resemblance to He Cheng whatsoever, yet they are still exquisitely handsome; it's obvious that both their biological parents are beautiful.

"Mom!" He Tingyao called out sweetly, her heart filled with excitement after being neglected for so long.

But she didn't forget to tug at He Tinglan's sleeve.

He Tinglan, who had been pulled, then coldly called out, "Aunt Duan."

He Tingyao tugged at it again, but this time He Tinglan refused to say another word.

Seeing this, Lingwu picked up her book again and stopped talking.

He Tinglan spoke coldly: "Stepmother!"

Ling Wu's gaze fell on him, but she did not refute, "If you don't want to shout, you don't have to."

He Tinglan's genes contain the tyrannical genes of his biological father, the person Bei Banban liked.

In his eyes, human life is worthless, and if there were no legal constraints or age restrictions, he would truly dare to do whatever he wants.

Duan Lingwu nearly died several times, all at his hands. If she hadn't been so young, she probably would have disappeared from this world without anyone noticing.

Upon hearing this, He Tinglan raised his indifferent eyes and looked at Ling Wu.

His stepmother was truly beautiful, more beautiful than any celebrity he had ever seen or any person dressed up in full regalia combined.

If she dies, he will have a hard time finding another one.

As He Tinglan was pondering this, he saw Ling Wu staring directly into his eyes, her gaze seemingly able to see through everything and understand his thoughts.

After his rare moment of excitement, he felt a chill run down his spine.

But the next moment, he saw the woman in front of him redden her eyes, and two strings of clear tears like pearls hung on her beautiful face.

He Tingyao, on the other hand, turned her face completely cold towards He Tinglan!

Just as He Tingyao wanted to make amends.

Seeing the bewildered look on He Tinglan's face, Lingwu got up, leaving the book behind, and went upstairs.

All the servants she encountered along the way treated her with respect, and when they worked, they tried their best to catch Lingwu's eye.

Only after Ling Wu's figure disappeared did the group of servants exchange hostile glances.

Since his wife recovered from her illness, he has become increasingly generous, but he is only generous when it is for her own good.

If they go to great lengths to take care of the young master and mistress, the lady will only offer a verbal compliment, but will not give them anything tangible, such as jewelry, cash, or handbags...

Therefore, the group of servants only offered superficial flattery. Although everything that was required was provided, they did not pay much attention to the two children.

In contrast, they treat Ling Wu like royalty!

Meanwhile, Song Yue, who was envious, was excluded by everyone. From her original position of being able to command the wind and rain and having the final say, she was now in this state, and she was so angry that she wanted to grind her teeth.

Every time he saw Ling Wu's extravagant spending, he wanted to apologize and make peace, but Ling Wu ignored him every time.

Therefore, she could only take good care of He Tinglan and He Tingyao.

But the two were still just children, and Duan Lingwu's meticulousness was unmatched in the past, so she was tormented by the two little babies and wanted to curse them out on the spot countless times!

Several times, however, she almost blurted out a swear word, but He Tinglan's gaze made her forget everything in shock.

Inside the room

Jiang Du served a cup of Cangshan Snow Green tea, its delicate flavor pleasing to the eye, which the lady seemed to particularly enjoy.

He stood behind Ling Wu with his eyes lowered, and spoke in a low voice:

"Madam, the master will be back tonight."

Lingwu took a sip. "Tell them who performed best tonight, and I'll take them shopping in a few days." She meant shopping, but actually, everything she bought would include a share for that person. If there was anything they liked, she could tell them; after all, it was just a small amount.

Jiang Du pursed his lips and said, "Yes."

A gentle smile returned to his lips as he hesitated, "Then... if it were me, would you take me with you, Madam?"

Lingwu placed the tea on the table, making a crisp sound.

The man who had been behind her was now standing in front of her. He leaned slightly forward and said in a deep voice, "I have overstepped my bounds."

The atmosphere was quiet, and Jiang Du's heart sank to the bottom.

Ling Wu's heavenly voice rang out: "I was originally going to take you out. The villa has been in good order all this time, thanks in no small part to Butler Jiang."

Jiang Du's heart seemed to start beating again, and this time, his tone was inevitably serious:

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam." Fortunately, Madam did not seem displeased.

He always seemed to like bending over, but even so, his upright back was still as straight as a bamboo shoot.

Tonight, I will finally see my husband in name only.

Thinking of this, Ling Wu's expression remained gentle and calm.