Chapter 103

Meng Wanqiu glanced around and saw a well-maintained middle-aged beautiful woman standing not far from their family.

It was mid-March, and the temperature in the north was still quite low. Yet, she wore a dark red cheongsam, accessorized with a mink shawl, appearing remarkably elegant and graceful. Her hair was neatly tied back, and she had a beautiful figure, with curvaceous curves. The slight wrinkles around her eyes didn't detract from her elegance.

Noticing Meng Wanqiu's expression, Pei Xingzhi looked in her direction and discovered the identity of the visitor. His expression instantly turned cold.

Meng Wanqiu looked at him. "Do you know him?"

Pei Xingzhi retracted his gaze, held Meng Wanqiu's hand, and explained to her, "It's Xu Huizhu."

Meng Wanqiu suddenly realized and then shook the man's big hand back.

Seeing the concern in Meng Wanqiu's eyes, Pei Xingzhi smiled lightly and said, "It's okay. She's just a stranger to me now."

Xu Huizhu was unaware of the couple's whispers. Seeing that Meng Wanqiu and Pei Xingzhi noticed her, she simply walked towards them.

"Xingzhi, why don't you introduce yourself?"

Xu Huizhu had a decent smile on her face and greeted Pei Xingzhi softly.

Compared to Xu Huizhu's attitude, Pei Xingzhi was much colder. "Mrs. Tao, given our current relationship, I don't think I have any obligation to introduce you to anything."

Xu Huizhu's smile froze for a moment, then immediately returned to normal. She didn't take Pei Xingzhi's indifference to heart. Or rather, she had already anticipated Pei Xingzhi's attitude.

Meng Wanqiu muttered in his heart: This Xu Huizhu is indeed not an ordinary person. With this ability to change her face instantly, I wonder how many years it will take an ordinary person to practice to learn it.

Xu Huizhu ignored Pei Xingzhi's cold face, took a few steps forward, and greeted Meng Wanqiu, "Hello, I am Xingzhi's mother."

After saying that, she looked at Xixi again with a gentle look in her eyes and took out a finger piano from her bag. "Xixi, is that you? I'm your grandma. Come, take it. This is a gift from grandma for you."

Xixi looked at the strange grandma with some curiosity. She said she was Daddy's mother. Daddy's mother, isn't that Xixi's grandma?

But, Xixi has never seen her before!

But Xixi is not stupid. She can feel that her parents do not welcome this grandma who suddenly appears, so of course she has to unite with her parents.

Therefore, Xixi did not take the finger piano handed to her by Xu Huizhu.

"Thank you, but Mom and Dad haven't given their permission. I can't take things from strangers."

Xu Huizhu explained softly, "Grandma is not a stranger, Grandma is——"

Before Xu Huizhu finished speaking, Pei Xingzhi smiled and kissed his daughter on the cheek affectionately, "Xixi did the right thing. We can't take things from strangers."

Pei Xingzhi's word "stranger" is much more lethal than Xixi's.

The color drained from Xu Huizhu's face instantly.

It's okay for the children, Lian Xingzhi also thinks that her biological mother is just a stranger now.

Xu Huizhu's heart trembled, and she felt sadness and a hint of hidden humiliation.

Meng Wanqiu took the child from Pei Xingzhi's arms and then said to Xu Huizhu, "If Mrs. Tao is not feeling well, you should go home early. Otherwise, if she collapses here, with so many people on the road, we won't be able to explain it to you even if we both speak our mouths."

Xu Huizhu's face turned even paler. This daughter-in-law has a really sharp tongue.

Not only did they mock her for being old and taking advantage of her seniority, they also warned her not to bother them anymore.

Before coming, she had already inquired about the situation of Xingzhi's wife, and Xu Huizhu was satisfied with this daughter-in-law.

She has outstanding looks and good temperament. She was admitted to B University together with her son and gave birth to a well-behaved and lovely granddaughter.

Although her family is not so well off, the above advantages are enough to make up for her shortcomings.

Now that we meet, I didn't expect that the other person has such a strong temper.

"Take the kids to the park in front to play for a while, I'll be right back."

Meng Wanqiu nodded, holding the child as she passed by Xu Huizhu. When they passed each other, she said lightly, "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Meng Wanqiu. Although you don't seem to care what my name is, I'll still tell you out of courtesy. Goodbye, Mrs. Tao!"

Xu Huizhu clenched her fists, her eyes dark as she watched Meng Wanqiu leave with the child in her arms.

"Mrs. Tao, you don't have to stare at my wife and daughter anymore. You've condescended to come see me this time. What's the matter? Just tell me."

Xu Huizhu sighed, her eyelids drooping, and a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Xingzhi, I know you blame me for letting you go to the countryside instead of Xiaowei, but Mom had her own difficulties. At that time, Mom had just married into the Tao family, and the Tao children didn't accept her. Mom couldn't stand up, so how could she protect you and bring you back to me? Moreover, in the political environment at that time, your background as a Pei family would only bring you trouble. Sending you to the countryside was the best option. Staying in the capital would only bring you endless troubles—"

“That’s enough!”

Not interested in listening to Xu Huizhu's sophistry, Pei Xingzhi interrupted coldly, "Mrs. Tao, just because I don't say something doesn't mean I've forgotten or casually put it behind me, but because of me, Pei Xingzhi, I don't want to have any contact with you anymore."

Xu Huizhu's body swayed unsteadily, as if she was deeply hurt by Pei Xingzhi's words.

She gathered her mink coat, lowered her eyes to look at the ground, and exhaled lightly. The breath instantly turned into white mist and suddenly dissipated into the air.

"Whether you believe it or not, I love you, Xingzhi. Since you don't want me to bother you, I'll leave first. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can always come to me."

Pei Xingzhi's expression didn't change at all.

But in my heart I was mocking how someone could do something to hurt others and then say it was for their own good.

After saying this to Pei Xingzhi, Xu Huizhu turned and left. On the road not far away, there was a car waiting.

Pei Xingzhi looked away indifferently.

The car passed by Pei Xingzhi. Xu Huizhu glanced out indifferently. It seemed that she had underestimated Xingzhi.

The other party is not as easy to fool as the children of the Tao family.

The purpose of Xu Huizhu's visit to Pei Xingzhi this time was to win back Pei Xingzhi's heart.

But now it is clear that she failed.

However, Xu Huizhu was not very disappointed. Although she felt a little regretful about losing her son, it was not something she could not lose now.

She, Xu Huizhu, is now the wife of the XX committee member who is admired by everyone. Although her children are not her biological children, her second son and youngest daughter have been almost completely won over.

The eldest son was not close enough to him, but was polite to him. But she had raised the other's child, and in the eyes of her grandson, she was his real grandmother.

Xu Huizhu had a very beautiful idea.

Little did she know that soon she would lose everything she had.

——

Tao Ya grew up under the love of her parents. She knows that her current mother is not her biological mother, but Tao Ya doesn't care because her current mother treats her very well.

Tao Ya's biological mother divorced her father Tao Yongchang and immigrated abroad when she was very young, so as far as Tao Ya can remember, her mother has always been Xu Huizhu.

Tao Ya is very satisfied with her family: a gentle and refined father, an elegant and decent mother, and two doting brothers.

This year, she was admitted to the Art University as she wished and became a college student.

Her father and mother held a party for her. That day, Tao Ya wore a beautiful princess dress and danced a waltz with her brother.

After the banquet, looking at her parents, brothers and sisters-in-law who were all in pairs, Tao Ya couldn't help but fantasize about her future partner.

The other person must be handsome, tall, well-educated and capable, devoted to her and a man of integrity.

But after two months of enrollment, Tao Ya was very disappointed with her long-awaited college life. Although there were some good-looking boys in the school, none of them were her type.

Thinking of this, Tao Ya looked bitter and lost.

Is her college life going to be so dull?

"Xiaoya, let's go out and play. I heard our college is having a social event with the Polytechnic University next door. It's over at People's Park."

The roommate's voice brought Tao Ya back to her senses. She was stunned for a moment, thinking about what her roommate said.

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

If our school doesn’t have it, you can look for it in other schools.

She just didn't believe that she, Tao Ya, who was good in appearance, family background, ability and quality, would not be able to find someone she liked.

A song awakens the dreamer.

"Ah, go, go, Ranran, what do the boys from the University of Science and Technology look like?" Tao Ya threw herself on her roommate and asked him about the boys from the neighboring school.

"I don't know about the others, but I heard that the campus hunk from the University of Science and Technology is also going. He's so handsome, and I heard that he's a rare talent. Yaya, you're so beautiful, there's definitely a chance. Alas, if I were prettier, I would have gotten the chance myself." Roommate Ran Ran said nice things to Tao Ya and even belittled himself.

But to be honest, there are few girls who are bad looking if they can get into an art university. My roommate Ran Ran is actually very pretty, but she is a different type from Tao Ya.

Tao Ya was the type of innocent school girl, while Ran Ran was more flamboyant. However, flamboyant looks didn't conform to current aesthetic standards. Furthermore, Ran Ran's family background was modest, and she wasn't as good at dressing up as Tao Ya, so Ran Ran felt she couldn't compare to Tao Ya.

"Ah, what are you talking about? You don't even know what the other person looks like. Besides, you're pretty too, there will definitely be boys who like you."

Tao Ya was brought up in a pampered environment, but she is not ignorant of the ways of the world.

She was happy about Ran Ran's praise and also praised him politely.

"Okay, Ranran, let's not talk about this anymore. Hurry up and help me pick out some clothes."

"I've worn this one before, and it feels a bit outdated. Is a long skirt better or a short one? Or maybe I should wear pants? Mom said these pants really show off my waist..."

Seeing Tao Ya pulling out so many beautiful clothes from the closet, Ran Ran's eyes flashed with envy, and then quickly disappeared, "Yaya, you have a good figure, and you look good in anything you wear."

"Oh, stop this. There seems to be something wrong with these clothes." Tao Ya said in distress with her chin resting on her hand, her eyebrows drooping.

Ran Ran: “…”

She is indeed a lady from a wealthy family.

"Oh, I'm so annoyed. I won't pick anymore. Ranran, come with me to buy clothes again. After we finish buying clothes, I will treat you to roast duck at Quanjude." Tao Ya hugged Ranran's bed and said coquettishly.

Ran Ran blushed a little. The last time she and Tao Ya went to eat Peking duck, they were laughed at by another Beijing native in the same dormitory because they had never eaten it before and didn't know the process of eating Peking duck.

The key point is that Tao Ya was also surprised at the time. "There are people who have never eaten roast duck. Yaya, are you from the countryside?"

Ran Ran looked embarrassed. She knew that Tao Ya had no bad intentions, but it was really infuriating that she said it so carelessly.

Although she is not from the capital, her father is a small government official and her mother is an elementary school teacher. Her family background is not bad in her hometown, and is even very good.

But in the eyes of these young ladies, it seems that except for the capital, everywhere else is like the countryside.

Because of that incident, Ran Ran had a bad impression of Quanjude.

So, when Ran Ran heard Tao Ya invite her to Quanjude again, her first reaction was to refuse.

But later, after Tao Ya's repeated requests, she finally went with Tao Ya.

As expected, Ran Ran once again encountered a critical hit due to regional and class differences.

It turns out that the price of a skirt is her family's living expenses for a year.

On the day of the social gathering, Tao Ya, wearing a light green miniskirt, a Sissi-like bun, and white high-heeled shoes, immediately attracted everyone's attention.

The men were amazed, but the women were envious and jealous.

Tao Ya was no longer surprised by everyone's reactions. However, when she saw the handsome boy from the University of Science and Technology that Ran Ran mentioned, her heart sank at the infatuated look in his eyes.

The other person is not her type.

"Hey, Fengdong, how are you? Why don't you thank me quickly? I heard that some girls from the art university are coming here for a social gathering. Look at those girls, each one is as beautiful as a flower. Wow, you must be so envious."

Meng Fengdong nodded lightly. All the men and women in the Meng family were very good-looking, and his sister Meng Wanqiu was the best among them.

After getting used to his sister's stunning appearance, Meng Fengdong felt particularly calm when he looked at these girls from the art university.

But his classmate and roommate misunderstood his reaction, "What do you think? Are you stunned? I feel your feelings, brother. You're welcome!"

"You've been stuck in school all day, studying and training. You've become stupid. Looking at those rough guys, your taste has lowered. I'm bringing you out to refresh your eyes."

Meng Fengdong didn't bother to pay attention to him. He just looked at the big black goose swimming slowly in the lake. He didn't know if he could catch it and eat it. He was a little greedy.

"Hey, what are you doing? Go away, I'm calling someone!"

"Hey, little girl, you're so pretty. Come out and play with me. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, including food, drink, accommodation and transportation."

"Yeah, little sister, where are you from? Can you leave me your address?"

Three big men who looked like street urchins surrounded two girls and started to touch them. People around them saw it but did not dare to intervene for fear of getting into trouble.

Meng Fengdong noticed this side, narrowed his eyes, and walked over with his roommate who was chattering non-stop.

Tao Ya looked at these people with disgust. She left the group because she didn't want to have contact with boys she didn't like. Unexpectedly, she was harassed by a few ignorant thugs.

Ran Ran protected Tao Ya by her side, her face cold as she scolded the men who were trying to stop them. She wasn't being brave by standing in front of Tao Ya. In fact, she was terrified, and cold sweat broke out on her back.

However, it was she who asked Tao Ya to come out for the social gathering. If something happened, if something like this happened, she had the responsibility to protect her.

"I'll say it again, please move aside. Our classmates are not far away. If you continue like this, I will call the police." Ran Ran warned in a stern tone.

The man was stunned, then he laughed.

One of them even laughed heartily, holding her belly. "Hahahaha, little sister, do you think the brothers were scared? Don't worry, we are not bad people——"

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Tao Ya raised her eyes and saw a tall and handsome boy in black casual clothes walking towards her, blocking her and scolding these thugs in a cold voice.

Meng Fengdong was taller than all the other men, and the hooligans who were being looked down upon by him were in a particularly bad mood. "What's your business, you little brat? Who the hell are you from? Do you even know who your grandfather is?"

Meng Fengdong smiled.

The roommate next to me also laughed, "Look, asking us which road we are from?"

The smiles of the two men stung each other's eyes. The three of them looked at each other, rolled up their sleeves, and attacked the two men with their sandbag-sized fists.

Meng Fengdong's eyes narrowed.