Chapter 017 Chapter 17
Chapter 17 Adopting a Child
This was the second time Shen Baili met her stepfather Xie Chengyue's biological sister, Xie Liuzheng, the eldest daughter of the Xie family, after the family dinner.
This young lady perfectly fulfilled all her childhood fantasies about a pianist.
She is cold and stubborn, full of talent, and as beautiful as a fairy from heaven.
Time has not left many traces on her face; her eyes are clear and bright, reflecting an artist's purest expectations and projections of the world.
Shen Baili has never seen Xie Liuzheng's piano concert in person, but she can feel her musical talent just from the video.
"Hello, Aunt Xie, and Uncle." Shen Baili walked closer and greeted them politely.
"Hello." Xie Liuzheng looked into her eyes and nodded gently, without any friendly attitude.
She didn't dislike her brother's stepdaughter, who was quiet, well-behaved and energetic, but she wouldn't get close to her either.
Duan Xing was more thoughtful: "I heard that you were hospitalized some time ago. How is your recovery?"
Xie Liuzheng mentioned this to Duan Xing once, and he remembered it and showed care at the right time.
Compared to Xie Liuzheng's coldness, Duan Xing is very gentle and considerate, and he always easily wins the favor of others.
Shen Baili: "I'm fully recovered now. Thank you for your concern."
Different from the tough and domineering handsomeness of the men in the Xie family, Duan Xing gives people a very gentle feeling. He has a light complexion and does not give people any offensive feeling.
Based on the information about the wealthy family and the gossip from the servants, Shen Baili roughly understood the love story between the two.
Duan Xing fell in love with Xie Liuzheng at first sight, and then began a series of romantic pursuits.
Afterwards, Xie Liuzheng fell in love and married Duan Xing at the peak of her career. After marriage, Duan Xing did not let her give up her career. Instead, he quit his high-paying job in the Internet industry and accompanied his wife to perform around the world.
Later, Duan Xing opened an art training school, which made considerable profits and became well-known among wealthy people, thus gaining both fame and fortune.
Xie Liuzheng and Duan Xing sat together. When they were in the same frame, they were both talented and beautiful, and they looked quite a match.
During the conversation, Duan Xing naturally took care of Xie Liuzheng and was able to guide the topic well. He was a good listener and conversationalist.
Xie Liuzheng was beside Duan Xing, looking very relaxed, with a faint smile on her face, immersed in love.
Shen Baili stayed in the living room and chatted for a while, then went upstairs to do her homework, and she only finished it when dinner time came.
As her studies progressed, the amount of homework increased, and she studied very hard.
There are top geniuses in the world who understand things as soon as they learn them, can use them as soon as they put pen to paper, and have perfect comprehension abilities.
But Shen Baili is not like that. She is just a little smart, and hard work can make up for her shortcomings, so she can stand out among the countless candidates in Haicheng.
After entering high school, she did not slack off because her living environment had improved. Instead, because she no longer had to work part-time, she had more time to study. Studying was very tiring, and sometimes she would secretly wipe away tears because of the difficulty of chemistry problems.
But she always finds a way, she always comforts herself like this.
She looked at the small check marks on the test paper and was very satisfied. She drew a cute smiley face in the name column.
“Sui Sui is amazing!”
***
At dinner time, the family sat together.
The position of the dining table has changed a little.
Xie Zhiyu took the initiative to sit next to Shen Baili, while Xie Liuzheng sat next to Xie Chengyue.
Duan Xing noticed this detail and sat down next to Xie Liuzheng.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was pretty good. Duan Xing always managed to subtly bring up topics that interested everyone and never left anyone out.
Xie Zhiyu picked up some vegetables and seafood for Shen Baili, who was already used to it and buried her head in her eating.
Shen Wan and Xie Chengyue who were present saw it and took it for granted.
Xie Liuzheng was very surprised when she saw this scene. She knew her nephew's character. He was always very indifferent to people he didn't care about.
In the Xie family, the act of picking up food for others is extremely heartwarming.
Duan Xing put some pork ribs and corn into her bowl: "Wife, you have lost weight recently, eat more."
Xie Liuzheng felt a little warm in his heart: "Yeah."
Shen Wan saw their interaction, smiled slightly, and when she lowered her eyes, she saw a few more pieces of stir-fried beef in the bowl.
She looked at Xie Chengyue, who was drinking soup, and she couldn't see his expression.
Shen Wan's lips curled up slightly.
With two more people at the table, there is more warmth.
…
After dinner, Xie Liuzheng learned from Shen Wan that the engagement had been cancelled.
"They're going too far!"
Xie Liuzheng was very angry. She didn't expect Sang Ya to do such a shameless thing and hurt her nephew's feelings.
She found Xie Zhiyu alone, and all the caring words she wanted to say to her nephew were blocked on her lips. She was silent for a few seconds: "If you want to drink, you can find me."
"We can chat, too," she added.
Xie Zhiyu reacted almost instantly: "You know I broke off the engagement?"
"Yeah." Xie Liuzheng nodded: "Why don't you call me?"
She wanted to pat her nephew on the head, but he was too tall, so she changed her hand and patted his shoulder: "Don't be sad."
"Sang Ya is not worth your pain."
Her words of comfort were very dry. Xie Liuzheng or the Xie family were not very used to warm situations. They were all trained in an elite way, but were not very good at expressing their emotions to their family members.
Xie Zhiyu: “I know.”
"Don't worry, aunt."
Xie Liuzheng: "That's good."
They were speechless.
Xie Zhiyu took the initiative to speak: "Aunt, I haven't congratulated you on the successful conclusion of your world tour yet."
He looked at Xie Liuzheng and said solemnly: "Congratulations, Ms. Xie Liuzheng, an outstanding pianist in China."
Thinking of the words that Shen Baili and the others were not good at expressing to their family, Xie Zhiyu pursed his lips and prepared himself mentally.
"I am so proud of you, Ms. Xie Liuzheng."
Xie Liuzheng widened his eyes slightly, unable to hide the surprise on his face: "Zhiyu you..."
She hugged her nephew and said, "It's okay if you want to cry."
Does my nephew like mulberry buds so much?
He's been injured so badly that his behavior has become strange.
Xie Liuzheng was both angry and distressed: "How about... I introduce you to someone? The girls in our band are all very good... What kind of girls do you like?"
Xie Zhiyu's abnormal behavior made the usually cold Xie Liuzheng become talkative.
Xie Liuzheng disagrees with the idea that the quickest way to heal a broken heart is to jump into another relationship.
But it's good to walk around more and meet new friends. I can take this opportunity to relax and have a good rest.
Xie Zhiyu: “…No need.”
He said helplessly: "I am not emotionally hurt, aunt."
Xie Liuzheng let him go and carefully confirmed that he was not forcing a smile.
"Then why are you acting so strange?" Xie Liuzheng asked, "Do you have a cold?"
"I'm not sick." Xie Zhiyu confessed: "I just wanted to compliment you, that's all."
Xie Liuzheng obviously didn't believe it.
"There's something wrong with you."
"You got into trouble? You want me to say something good for you?"
Xie Tingsi has done this kind of thing many times, but it is too rare for it to happen to Xie Zhiyu.
"Sure." Xie Liuzheng agreed straightforwardly without asking any questions.
Xie Zhiyu: “…”
"I didn't do any harm."
Xie Liuzheng folded his hands over his chest: "Really? I don't believe it."
“…”
Xie Zhiyu supported his head and said, "I really have something to ask of you."
"I heard that one of your students' father is a high school chemistry teacher. I want to find a chemistry tutor for Shiraki... Shiraki. Can you give me the teacher's contact information?"
In fact, Xie Zhiyu has already found several chemistry tutors, but he is not very satisfied with any of them.
Xie Liuzheng: "Chemistry teacher?"
She had mixed feelings: "Are you looking for a chemistry tutor specifically for your step-sister whom you just met?"
"Why don't you let your assistant handle this kind of trivial matter?" Xie Liuzheng was puzzled.
She had only been on tour abroad for a few months, but it felt like she hadn't been back for ten years. The atmosphere at home had changed drastically.
Xie Liuzheng couldn't tell whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. Was there something important being hidden from her?
"Besides the broken engagement, did anything else happen in the Xie family?" Xie Liuzheng looked solemn.
Xie Zhiyu: “No.”
"Why do you ask?"
Xie Liuzheng smiled and shook her head. She knew she couldn't get anything out of him, so she decided to observe for herself: "It's okay."
"I'll send you the contact information later."
"Thank you, auntie."
***
On the way back, Xie Liuzheng couldn't help but talk about this matter with Duan Xing.
Duan Xing heard this and said: "Zhi Yu has a strong sense of responsibility. My eldest brother is busy with work, so he is in charge of all the affairs of the Xie family."
"But he was pretty nice to Bai Li."
Xie Liuzheng agreed with her point of view: "Hubby, you have a good impression of my step-niece."
Duan Xing looked ahead and said casually, "She is quite quiet."
Being quiet and refined means sticking to one's duty, not dreaming of things that one should not have, and not meddling in other people's affairs.
Xie Liuzheng: "She is indeed very quiet."
"I quite like her. She's pretty and cute."
Duan Xing was surprised and said, "I thought you prefer cheerful and lively girls."
Xie Liuzheng curled up the corners of his mouth, not disguising his strict nature: "She is beautiful."
“I like all beautiful things. Seeing them makes me feel good.”
"Then does my wife like me?" Duan Xing smiled.
"I like it." Xie Liuzheng said without hesitation.
If it weren't for the fact that President Duan was handsome and provided sufficient emotional value, Xie Liuzheng would not have chosen him among all the outstanding suitors.
"Then I have to take good care of my face and not let my wife dislike it." Duan Xing joked.
Xie Liuzheng laughed out loud: "Then our future is in your hands, husband."
Duan Xing smiled at her, his narrow eyes filled with her: "Leave it to me."
…
Xie Liuzheng thought about it and suddenly said, "Husband, let's adopt a child."
Duan Xinggang parked the car in the underground garage and turned around suddenly: "Wife, what did you say?"
Xie Liuzheng turned around, held his face with both hands and squeezed it: "I said, I agree."
"Let's go to the orphanage and adopt a child."
“對不起，讓你承擔了那麽多。”謝流筝有些失落，她很想和愛人擁有一個血脈相同的孩子。
但是她受孕困難，做了很多次試管，都沒能懷孕。
謝流筝檢查出體質問題的時候，認真跟段行談過這件事情，比起孩子，他更關心她。
謝流筝事業穩定後，也想要一個孩子，嘗試了幾年都沒能成功，段行反而安慰她，并且承受着來自婆家的壓力。
段行是家裏的獨子，他的父母都是公務員，思想比較傳統，可想而知他的壓力。
段行的親戚一直勸他們領養一個孩子，謝流筝一直沒松口，段行尊重她的意見，說服了他的父母。
這段婚姻，他付出得更多，一直包容着她的私心和小脾氣。
“老婆，能和你在一起是我這輩子最大的幸福。”段行抱住她：“沒有孩子也沒關系，我們兩個人幸福過一輩子。”
“我不想你受委屈。”
謝流筝摸着他的短發：“我沒覺得委屈，我想和你撫養一個孩子長大，就把她當作我們自己的孩子。”
“改天我們去福利院一趟吧。”
段行将她抱得更緊了：“謝謝你，老婆大人。”
謝流筝回抱住他：“你喜歡男孩還是女孩啊？”
段行：“老婆你呢？”
“你喜歡的，我就喜歡。”謝流筝想了想，堅持自己的顏控屬性：“合我眼緣的。”
“嗯！”段行親吻了她的頭發：“都聽老婆大人的。”
謝流筝眉眼一彎，清冷美麗的臉龐變得明媚起來。
***
海城某醫院。
桑芽趴在病床上，疼得冷汗都出來了，她覺得這幾天就是活受罪。
醫護人員之前看到她的傷勢，都吓了一跳，以為她遭遇了家.暴，悄悄問她需不需要幫助。
桑芽支支吾吾，拒絕了他們的幫助，只說自己不小心的。
當事人不同意，醫護人員沒有辦法，只能多關注她，以防在醫院受到二次傷害。
住院這幾天，顧烨梁想來看桑芽，被她拒絕了。
爺爺正在氣頭上，見到顧烨梁鐵定得生氣，她可不想挨打。
背部的傷，很不方便，動一下就疼，還不能壓着。
她只能趴着睡，每天都睡不好，人都憔悴了不少。
桑枝來看望她，以一種看神奇物種的目光看着她。
桑芽喝着堂姐偷偷給她買的奶茶，甜甜的味道讓她感覺好受了許多。
“堂姐，我臉上有什麽髒東西嗎？”
“你表情好奇怪。”
桑枝搬了個凳子，小聲問道：“你和謝知聿退婚了？為了一個私生子？”
桑芽下意識反問：“你怎麽知道？”
桑枝從她的回答得到了答案：“你……”
她一時間想不出什麽詞來形容她：“你腦子沒病吧？”
“你看上那個私生子什麽了？”
桑芽不喜歡她的語氣：“阿烨很好，他不比謝知聿差的。”
謝知聿不過是有一個好出身，如果把他放到顧烨梁的處境，他做得不一定比阿烨好。
“？？？？”桑枝滿臉問號：“哪裏好了？”
“你不會被他下降頭了吧？？？”
桑芽繃着臉：“你再這樣，我就要生氣了。”
“你不會還和顧烨梁有聯系吧？”桑枝聽她的話，覺得不太對勁。
“爺爺都被你氣住院了，你還沒和他分手？？”
桑枝覺得桑芽變得陌生起來。
桑芽目光閃躲：“堂姐，你別和爺爺說，求你了。”
桑枝眼珠子一轉：“那你得給我封口費，L家新出的包我挺喜歡的。”
桑芽知道這次錢包得大出血：“我給你買！求求你了，堂姐。”
桑枝勉為其難的點頭：“行吧，誰讓我是你姐姐呢？”
桑芽和顧烨梁在一起，她高興還來不及，怎麽會拆散呢？
桑枝喜滋滋地想，謝知聿和桑芽解除了婚約，會不會和她訂婚啊，她也是爺爺的孫女啊。
爺爺真偏心，這麽好的婚事給了桑芽，偏偏蠢貨還不知道珍惜。
財富、身份地位、還有個帥老公，桑枝都不敢想這個婚約落在她頭上，她會是一個多麽幸福的女孩子？
但是這些之前都屬于桑芽，對方還不珍惜。
桑枝想到這裏，立刻有點不開心了，她将奶茶遞給桑芽的嘴邊：“你別浪費。”
桑芽就着喝了一口，指了指自己解釋道：“我趴着不方便拿奶茶杯子。”
桑枝撇撇嘴，吐槽道：“你就不能坐起來嗎？別人不知道的還以為你腿被打斷了。”
“算了，我給你拿着，你快點喝，等一下被我媽發現了，我們都得挨罵。”
桑芽燦爛一笑，撒嬌道：“好，堂姐你最好啦。”
桑枝笑着看她大口喝奶茶，嘴甜心毒：“你是我妹妹，我不疼你疼誰。”
她心裏惡狠狠地想，奶茶不利益傷口恢複，很容易留疤。
“你多喝點。”背上多留點疤。
桑芽突然想起來：“堂姐，你怎麽知道我退婚了。”
她覺得委屈，以為爺爺會保密的，轉念一想，堂姐知道了也沒關系。
反正堂姐和她站在同一戰線。
“我聽到了爺爺和我爸媽說的話。”桑枝笑着看着桑芽喝完奶茶，随口回答道。
“你說爺爺什麽時候消氣？”桑芽嘆了口氣。
桑老拒絕見桑芽，讓她好好反省。
桑枝神游天外：“某一天吧。”
桑芽：“唉，是我的錯。”
她想起身，結果扯到背部的傷口，疼得直抽氣。
桑芽吓一跳：“你沒事吧？”
看着堂妹狼狽的模樣，她心裏暗爽。
哈哈哈哈你也有今天！爺爺永遠也不會原諒你了！傻子！
不過，他爸媽明天登門道歉，她要以什麽理由跟着一起去呢？
桑方帶着表弟桑越進了病房，胖墩墩的桑越第一眼就發現了看到床頭櫃上的奶茶，大聲道：“你們吃獨食！喝奶茶不帶我，我要告訴爸爸媽媽！”
他體重超标了，這些天不得不嚴格控制飲食，桑越每天饞得心慌，結果兩個姐姐偷吃竟然不帶他。
桑越委屈，桑越要大聲告狀。
桑芽和桑枝被她這一嗓子給吓了一跳，她們剛看向目光，靈活的小胖子已經跑到走廊大喊了。
完蛋了！
……
确實完蛋了。
十分鐘後，桑芽和桑枝兩姐妹被罵得狗血淋頭，還雙雙被扣了零花錢。
桑越因為在醫院大吵大鬧也被醫生批評了，還被他爸打了屁股，哭得哇哇亂叫。
桑方：……
世界紛紛擾擾，我好想回家。
***
桑芽大伯父登門道歉的時候，沈白梨在學校上體育課。
之前地理課占用了體育課的時間，這節課地理老師還給體育老師了。
所以下午，一班和二班一起上體育課。
體育老師：“同學們，我們按照慣例，先跑兩個圈熱一下身。”
“全體都有，向左轉。”
“又是跑步？”祝之桃小聲抱怨：“我們偷偷藏起來吧？”
喬伊：“我要鍛煉身體。”
沈白梨：“我也是。”
桑方：“我拒絕。”
祝之桃：“好吧，你們給我打掩護。”
說完，趁着體育老師不注意，祝之桃和幾個同學一起躲在大樹下，等到第二圈的時候，又回歸隊伍。
看着氣喘籲籲的同學們，她為自己的機智點了個贊。
等一班全體跑完步，體育老師安排體育委員帶幾個同學去器材室取運動器材，讓學生們自行選擇運動方式。
“解散，自由活動。”
沈白梨幾人去小賣部買完冰棍回來，發現操場圍滿了人。
“哇，桑方在打籃球诶！”祝之桃發現了在球場上跑動的桑方。
“一班和二班的男生在打籃球比賽。”
她們站在一個坡上，可以看到全場。
祝之桃發出驚呼：“我的天，一中兩大男神也在打籃球！！！！”
喬伊和沈白梨看着激動的少女，發出疑惑：“什麽男神？”
“二班的孟九安和陸鳴謙啊！你們不會連這個都不知道吧？？？”
祝之桃熱情為小夥伴科普。
“他們長得可帥了，我們班好多女同學都說他們是從小說裏走出來的男主，溫柔白月光校草和桀骜陽光校霸。”
“論壇上大家都在談論這個，同學們天天為了争論孟九安和陸鳴謙誰是一中校草吵起來。”
“他們都好養眼啊，長得帥在哪裏都是焦點啊。”
沈白梨咬了口冰棍，冰涼涼的。
她往操場看去。
少年們在陽光下奔跑，肆意揮灑着汗水，青春洋溢，連空氣都好像變得炙熱了起來。
沈白梨一眼鎖定了兩大“男神”，她認識陸鳴謙，兩人都是班長，偶爾會有交流。
陸鳴謙的确符合溫柔白月光這個形容詞，那個另外一個……
場上的少年矯健靈活，帶着籃球繞開了對手，帶着球穿過重重阻礙，猛地一躍而起，來了一個帥氣的蓋帽灌籃。
哨聲一響，比賽結束。
二班取得勝利。
他的手放開籃筐，輕輕一躍，穩穩落在了地上，明明平常的舉動，有他做起來卻特別有魅力。
球場上喝彩聲此起彼伏，孟九安和陸鳴謙走在一起，兩人邊說笑邊往場外走。
Lu Mingqian wiped his sweat with the towel handed to him by his teammates. The sweat slightly wet his forehead, giving him a kind of abstinence-like sexiness.
Meng Jiuan lifted the hem of his clothes and casually wiped the sweat off his body. His well-defined abdominal muscles were exposed to the air, and the sweat slid down along the ravines, which was both sexy and seductive.
The spectators outside the stadium screamed in amazement at the actions of the two handsome guys.
The two people just standing there formed the most beautiful landscape.
The sun is shining and the young people are full of vigor and vitality.
"So handsome, so handsome!" Zhu Zhitao jumped up and down on the spot: "Why does Class 2 have two handsome guys? Can't we give one to our class?"
"Seeing their handsome faces every day motivates me to study harder."
Qiao Yi and Shen Baili: "..."
As if sensing their gazes, Lu Mingqian and Meng Jiuan raised their heads at the same time and looked towards Shen Baili.
Lu Mingqian spotted Shen Baili and waved to her.
Shen Baili nodded lightly as a response, and inadvertently met those defiant eyes, then calmly looked away.
Zhu Zhitao: "Oh my god, they are looking at us. Ahhh, I am a little dizzy."
Joey: "Then I'll support you."
"…You should read less novels and more textbooks."
"I'm afraid you'll go crazy."
Zhu Zhitao Xizi held her heart and said: "This is spiritual food! Spiritual food!"
"Studying is hard enough, I need to look at some handsome guys to replenish my energy."
Shen Baili secretly memorized Meng Jiuan's appearance, thinking about something.
What they didn't know was that the boys on the playground started a discussion because of Shen Baili.
"Shen Baili is so beautiful."
"She is the undisputed school beauty of No. 1 Middle School, my goddess!"
"In the forum's campus beauty poll, Shen Baili received the most votes, and I contributed to that."
"Why isn't she in our class? It shouldn't be difficult for us to transfer from Class 1 to Class 2, right?"
Meng Jiuan thought of the gaze of the girl not far away, and he pricked up his ears to listen.
Ji Qi ran over with a bag and threw a bottle of water to him, which he caught.
"Why are your ears so red?" Ji Qi noticed the highlight.
Meng Jiuan gulped down half a bottle of water: "Hot."
Ji Qi handed the remaining bottle of water to Lu Mingqian and said, "It's really hot. You deserve it. You didn't play ball indoors but had to come to the playground."
Lu Mingqian took the water and said, "Thank you."
"It was windy outside, so it was fun to play," he explained.
Meng Jiuan touched his mineral water and smiled: "I agree."
Ji Qi rolled his eyes: "What's wrong."
Then he got hit with two big slugs.
Ji Qi was angry but dared not say anything: "By the way, Anzi, is your grandfather's birthday coming soon?"
Meng Jiuan: "Well, there will be a birthday party on November 9th."
"That means there's only a little over a month left!" Ji Qi calculated the time.
Lu Mingqian: "My dad lost a lot of hair recently while preparing for his birthday."
"Hahaha, my dad is the same. He's almost bald." Ji Qi laughed.
Meng Jiuan: "I'm also thinking about a birthday present for Grandpa."
"How about I give you a pair of limited edition sneakers?"
"Not very good."
“…This time I agree with Ji Qi’s opinion.”
Meng Jiuan: “…”
***
A few days passed.
After school, Shen Baili went to pick cherry tomatoes with Shen Wan.
Shen Wan suddenly talked about Xie Liuzheng and felt a little worried.
Xie Liuzheng is very easy to get along with. These days, he often has afternoon tea with Shen Wan and talks about Xie Chengyue's childhood.
Today, her sister-in-law left her with a big problem.
Shen Baili asked curiously, "What happened to Aunt Xie?"
Shen Wan said softly, "Liu Zheng and Duan Xing are going to the welfare home to adopt a child. Please ask me to test your uncle Xie's attitude."
"bite!"
Shen Baili triggered a key plot.