Chapter 3 Is this how you act as a mother?

Today, Lin Zhixin wore a pure white knee-length dress. Her waist was slender, and she stood gracefully, like a white lily blooming in the morning mist, with dewdrops glistening on her skin.

"Aunt Xinxin!" Tongtong excitedly rushed into the woman's arms and hugged her waist tightly.

The servants watched, exchanging bewildered glances.

This young lady is quite capable.

Not only did President Xie tacitly allow her to freely enter and leave Guanlan Garden, but even the difficult young master treated her so intimately, just like a real mother and son.

You know, the young master usually ignores his wife.

It's true what they say, like brine setting tofu; one thing can subdue another.

Lin Zhixin gently stroked Tongtong's hair, radiating maternal love. She wore the crystal bracelet Tongtong had given her on her left wrist, and smiled sweetly at Xie Jinghuai.

"Brother Jinghuai, I've come to see my sister. Is she home?"

Xie Jinghuai's brows furrowed. "Didn't your sister go back to her parents' house last night?"

"No, what's wrong? Did your sister not come home all night?"

Lin Zhixin looked surprised and asked worriedly, "Brother Jinghuai, did you and my sister... have a fight?"

The man looked somewhat annoyed. "She doesn't know what's good for her."

Lin Zhixin smiled gently, "My sister is a bit stubborn, but they always make up before they fall asleep. Jinghuai, just apologize to her, and she'll definitely come home right away."

Xie Jinghuai's thin lips twitched slightly, his voice cold and devoid of warmth:

"Me, apologize to her? Does she deserve it?"

"That's right! Mommy was clearly in the wrong first. She inexplicably stopped coming home and ignored Daddy and me! If anyone should apologize, it should be Mommy!" Tongtong chimed in angrily.

"Xie Junheng, it's time for you to go to school," Xie Jinghuai reminded him expressionlessly.

"oh……"

Tongtong clung to Lin Zhixin, pleading, "Auntie, can you take me to school today? I miss you so much, I want to stay with you a little longer!"

Lin Zhixin was both amused and exasperated, and pinched his little face. "Tongtong, we were together for the past few days, we just separated yesterday."

"I wish I could be with my aunt every day. I wish you were my mommy!"

Tongtong's innocent words left everyone speechless!

Thankfully, my wife wasn't home, otherwise she would have been heartbroken if she had heard this!

"Tongtong, don't say that..." Lin Zhixin said with a hint of reproach, but she lifted her long eyelashes and looked at the handsome man in front of her with a shy and embarrassed expression.

Xie Jinghuai, however, remained calm, completely ignoring the child's words.

"Zhixin, then please take Tongtong to school."

Lin Zhixin was overjoyed and obediently hummed in agreement.

...

It was already nine o'clock when Jiang Shiyuan got up.

This was the first time since she married into the Xie family that she had a peaceful night's sleep and woke up naturally.

For the past five years, she has gotten up at six o'clock every morning to make coffee for Xie Jinghuai and put on a suit. She helps her son wash up, eats breakfast, and personally takes him to kindergarten. Only then does she rush off to work.

As a result, she was often late and was reprimanded by the female director in public countless times.

At first, she felt ashamed and embarrassed, but gradually, she became thicker-skinned and treated even the harshest words as nothing, focusing only on doing her job well.

In fact, as long as Xie Jinghuai gives the word, no one in the Xie family will dare to make things difficult for her.

However, her husband hates special treatment the most and has always advocated that everyone should rely on their own abilities and be treated equally.

Therefore, apart from Secretary Han, no one in the entire Xie Group knew that she was the dignified Mrs. Xie, the president of the company.

Originally, Jiang Shiyuan thought Xie Jinghuai was truly upright and honest.

Until he brazenly brought Lin Zhixin to auctions, parties, and even to the AI ​​summit that Jiang Shiyuan had always wanted to attend, as well as the concert a few days ago…

Jiang Shiyuan gradually regained consciousness.

That man was not a modern-day "Judge Xie" at all, but a scoundrel who was utterly despicable.

To him, his wife was merely a maid who had been engaged in prostitution for a long time. Lin Zhixin was the special person for whom he could repeatedly break the rules and boundaries.

After washing up, Jiang Shiyuan sat down at the dining table to eat breakfast, but for some reason, she felt restless.

Just then, her phone rang; it was Tongtong's homeroom teacher calling.

Jiang Shiyuan hesitated for a moment before answering: "Hello, Teacher Li."

"Mrs. Xie Junheng, Xie Junheng's asthma has flared up! Our school has already called an ambulance to take him to the nearest hospital. Please come quickly and take care of your child!"

Ultimately, a mother's heart is connected to her child's. Jiang Shiyuan didn't even bother to eat, and rushed out the door.

...

"戈戈!"

When Jiang Shiyuan rushed into the ward, panting and almost soaked in sweat, her heart filled with anxiety, the scene before her eyes pierced her heart.

Her son, his face pale, sat weakly on the hospital bed, held tightly in the arms of Lin Zhixin, who was crying her eyes out.

Her husband, Xie Jinghuai, stood tall beside her, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

They were completely protecting them.

"Auntie, don't cry... I know you feel sorry for me."

Tongtong's condition had just stabilized, and she was still having some difficulty breathing, but she still reassured Lin Zhixin, "Look, I'm perfectly fine..."

Lin Zhixin sobbed uncontrollably, almost crying her eyes out, "Tongtong...you scared me to death! If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't be able to live anymore!"

Tongtong's eyes reddened, and she raised her little hand to wipe away the woman's tears, but looked at her mother with resentment.

Jiang Shiyuan felt a chill run through her body, as if she had fallen into an ice cave, and her slender legs trembled inside her trouser legs.

She had just suffered a miscarriage, and because she had rushed here, she tripped and fell while going up the stairs; her knee was still bleeding.

No matter how cold-hearted the child may be, he is still her flesh and blood, and she cannot completely sever ties with him in a short time.

But the way her son looked at her now showed no affection whatsoever; he looked more like an enemy.

"Jiang Shiyuan, is this how you act as a mother?" Xie Jinghuai strode up to her and questioned her sharply.

Jiang Shi met the man's phoenix eyes, which held a hint of anger, and asked in a measured tone:

What's wrong with me?

"What's wrong? How could you even ask that!"

Xie Jinghuai looked down at her, his tone icy, like a judge, "Your family background, your career, are a complete mess. I have never asked anything of you."

But why can't you even do the simplest thing like taking care of a child? You're being unreasonable and staying out all night. Do you even really love Tongtong?

You've disappointed me so much!

Lin Zhixin stared at the couple facing off, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"For five whole years, I devoted myself to my family and had no personal social life. I lived a very simple life, going back and forth between home and work every day. Except for working overtime, I never came home late even once."

Jiang Shiyuan's almond-shaped eyes were clear and cold as she retorted, each word sharp and eloquent, "So what if I didn't go home last night? Did I break some cardinal rule? Or am I a prisoner on bail who has to report to you every day to be considered safe?"

Tongtong stared blankly at her mother, who was usually so timid and cowardly, like a meat bun.

Lin Zhixin was also taken aback when she saw Jiang Shiyuan suddenly stand up.

The air was frozen, like frost.

Xie Jinghuai's resolute face was taut, and two red lines appeared in his deep eyes.

Then, a cold smile curled his thin lips, revealing a hint of mockery.

This dull, clumsy, and utterly unromantic woman actually has a temper?

Is she gaining status because of her son? She's getting more and more outrageous.

"Why did Tongtong suddenly have an asthma attack? Did she eat something she shouldn't have?" Jiang Shiyuan, tired of arguing with Xie Jinghuai, turned the conversation to the main point.

Xie Jinghuai spoke arrogantly, as if addressing a subordinate who had failed in their duties, "How should I know? This is a question you should be clarifying; it's your dereliction of duty as a mother!"

Jiang Shiyuan laughed; she simply couldn't believe these were the words of a carbon-based life form.

"Am I hermaphroditic? With Mom gone, are you, as the father, completely indifferent? Isn't Xie Junheng your child?"

The man stared in disbelief.

"Which law stipulates that children can only be raised by their mothers? I'm taking on this responsibility, and you think that everything I've done is owed to you and is a matter of course?"

Xie Jinghuai's face was as cold and icy as snow. "Jiang Shiyuan—!"

Just then, the ward door was pushed open.