"I never expected to get through to you again. Let's talk."

Lin Weiwei had never forgotten that voice. It was Xiao Se's stepmother calling. Shouldn't she be trying to help Uncle Xiao when he was in trouble? Why was she showing up at this time?

At the agreed time and place, she was at the Xiao family's jewelry store. At seven o'clock in the evening, the woman in the crimson fox fur coat appeared in front of her. The store used to be open at this time, but it was closed today. The formaldehyde smell was still there after the renovation. Li poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Lin Weiwei.

She, whom I hadn't seen for many days, once had a glamorous appearance, but now she looked completely out of place in this outfit. Her face was bare, and there were crow's feet around her eyes. Her eyelids were red and swollen, and her eyes were bloodshot. She must have been crying.

A red ring box was opened, and a gold ring with a full square diamond appeared in front of Lin Weiwei.

"There's nothing I can do, my son likes you too much. Even though I don't like you, this ring should still be returned to its rightful owner."

Lin Weiwei carefully took it off and put it on her ring finger. It was the engagement ring Xiao Se had given him. Later, she heard from Ma Fei that it was a family heirloom of the Xiao family, which was revealed to be given to the future daughter-in-law in the dying will of her birth mother.

"I'll take care of his father. I've arranged things at Hatton University; you two can study together there."

After hesitating for a long time, Li finally spoke up, because she really didn't know how to see Xiao Se, and she guessed that he wouldn't see her anyway.

What if I say no?

Lin Weiwei picked up her water glass, blew on it, and sipped it slowly. Xiao Se was no longer a child; he had the right to choose to stay. He had his classmates from the preparatory class seven and his father in Mangshi.

"He can't handle hardship; he's been funded by us since he was a child. He's lazy, idle, and a bit childish—all spoiled. He's the only son in the Xiao family; he only listens to you."

This is a mother's plea, so humble that she has to ask her daughter-in-law to persuade her; no one can change a child's mind.

As a mother, she was negligent. She wanted to give her child the best, but aren't all parents the same? Lin Weiwei had never been a mother, so she didn't know.

"No, you don't understand him! He's childish yet adorable, kind-hearted, a mischievous little rascal who bullies his classmates, but he only bullies bad guys, and he's quite popular. Your concern is misplaced, Ms. Li."

Babies raised in a greenhouse will always grow up; you can't imprison someone with the same mindset you had for them in childhood. Besides, he wasn't completely indifferent to Xiao Aotian; Xiao Se felt extremely guilty after the incident, and they both saw that.

Lin Weiwei put away the ring box and was about to leave; she wouldn't convey anything.

"You don't have children, you can't understand! While you're telling me I don't understand him, you don't understand how I, as a stepmother, desperately try to enter his heart."

"I have a child too! It's mine and Xiao Se's."

Li stared wide-eyed at Lin Weiwei's flat stomach. So fast...

Lin Weiwei took a few steps back. It was an unexpected child, and she had wanted to abort it countless times. But dreams don't lie. When she heard the word "Mom," she woke up in a daze.

"Those who have experienced it firsthand, how could they not understand? I may not understand the feelings of a stepmother, but I believe he has the right to choose. You've always been arranging his life—where he should study, what kind of people he should like—but no one has ever really asked him if he wants it or if he's happy."

Lin Weiwei became agitated and walked step by step toward Li Shi, cornering her against the wall.

"Yes, I'm an orphan, and I don't understand emotions. He once said I was heartless, but I do know what happiness is. Have you asked him if he feels happy?"

Happiness is being with the people you love and doing the things you love.

Her tears flowed uncontrollably, and in the dim light, the glistening drops fell into the water glass.

Li was utterly shocked. Lin Weiwei, usually so aloof, taciturn, and impolite, had spoken so eloquently.

"Okay... I understand."

Seeing that Lin Weiwei was unwilling to stay, Li got up, turned off the lamp, went outside, and locked the door after Lin Weiwei left.

"Li, do you know Li Yao?"

Lin Weiwei frowned. Both of them had the surname Li.

What exactly is their relationship? They are quite similar in appearance and behavior; both are assertive and inconsiderate of others' feelings.

I don't... know.

Li was taken aback by Lin Weiwei's question and hesitated for a long time before failing to answer. Indeed, she didn't know, because her younger brother had become a different person after going abroad; he had become unfamiliar and powerful.

A luxury car took Lin Weiwei to Ma Fei's house. When she left, her stepmother, Li, gave her money, but Lin Weiwei refused it.

She was blocked by a wall of people as soon as she went upstairs. There were big pink shoes. She took off her wig and put it on her head. "How could you be with that woman!"

"It's nothing, she offered me money, but I refused."

Lin Wei kept Li's request a secret, as revealing it would affect their mother-son relationship. She took his hand and led him back into the house, explaining that everyone had been busy until now and hadn't returned yet.

"Did she set any conditions? Hmph, I knew she wasn't a good person."

A pair of hands reached into his petticoat, and a stone pressed against him, causing him some pain. He grabbed her wrist and saw the diamond ring on Lin Weiwei's ring finger. How did this ring end up here?

"Are you addicted to wearing women's clothes?"

Silly girl, she's trying to get to the point and hasn't even realized what's going on. Suddenly, at this moment, I also really want to be a mother, at least then she won't be alone and bleak on her life's journey…

His eyes were dreamy, his skin soft and supple; he certainly had a good physique and was quite tall. His children would probably inherit his height.

"I'll change it right away."

Little did he know, as soon as Xiao Se entered the room, a woman was right behind him, changing clothes with him. She leaned against his back, looking at the wounds under the gauze; every bullet hole had been taken for her.

"you……"

Xiao Se was somewhat incredulous that she could take the initiative, and momentarily lost her composure, accidentally slipping and falling onto the bed.

"Do you prefer a boy or a girl?" Lin Weiwei's alluring breath touched his face, making his body tense. The pathetic thing had already given an honest answer.

"I love any offspring you gave birth to! One isn't enough, we need more for more fun!"

That wretched stallion! Suddenly feeling a little regretful about her thoughts, Lin Weiwei tried to get up, but the man forcibly blocked her in the corner, grabbing her ankles.

"Lin Weiwei! Is it okay to be so irresponsible when asking questions?"

"No, I... mmm mmm"

She didn't mean it; she just got scared when she heard that one wasn't enough. After all, she had no experience with childbirth.

That bastard, I underestimated him...