Is it meaningful to say this now that we almost fell into a trap? (Chapter 11)
Ji Wei had many guesses in her mind, but she never expected that the person who came would be Xie Fei's mother, Zhang Qingfang. She still remembered how Zhang Qingfang had scolded Lulu when she moved out of the Xie family.
"Xie Luyan, what kind of upbringing did your mother give you? You don't even know how to greet your grandmother?" Seeing that Ji Wei didn't say anything, Zhang Qingfang directly attacked Lulu.
Zhang Qingfang's expression was too fierce, and Lulu hugged Ji Wei's leg in fear, hiding behind her. Ji Wei gently comforted her before speaking: "Now you know you are Lulu's grandmother. In the past two years, why haven't you, as her grandmother, come to see her? So isn't it normal that she doesn't recognize you?"
"Ji Wei, you're supposed to be a teacher, yet you lack even basic filial piety. You've been living a carefree life these past two years with the money my son earned with his life, and now you actually want my Xie family's granddaughter to call someone else 'Dad.' Let me tell you, don't even think about it." After Xie Fei sacrificed his life in a heroic act, his workplace gave him a bonus, which is a sum of money that the Xie family still resents.
"What does it matter to you whether I remarry or not? Haven't you and your eldest son's family spent enough money your son risked his life for?" Aside from the reward for his act of bravery, which went directly to Ji Wei, they squandered all the other rewards and gifts from the rescued individuals. She had immediately deposited that reward into a savings account for Lulu's future, knowing the Xie family wouldn't let it go. Sure enough, not long after Xie Fei's funeral, they started demanding the money back, using every trick in the book. They couldn't get it from her, so they dropped their pretense and tried to kick her and her daughter out.
“How can it not matter? That thousand yuan was money my son earned with his life, not money for you and some other man to enjoy.” Zhang Qingfang pointed at her nose and cursed.
“I told you from the beginning that this money belongs only to Lulu.” Over the past two years, her family had tried to subtly ask her to hand over the money, but she had always stood firm. Li Shuhui’s dissatisfaction with her and Lulu was probably related to this. Later, they stopped mentioning the money and said they would wait until the money was due. In her past life, she always held onto this money and didn’t know how to be flexible. By the time Lulu came of age, this thousand yuan would be worthless.
"Who knows if you're telling the truth? In any case, we won't allow you to remarry, and we won't allow any of my Xie family's children to call anyone else 'Dad.'" Zhang Qingfang was being unreasonable. In her opinion, she had made herself very clear: as long as Ji Wei paid that money, she wouldn't interfere with her remarriage.
"Since you care so much about Xie Fei's child, fine, then take her back and raise her yourself. After all, she's Xie Fei's only bloodline. I won't fight you for it. As for that money, we can have it notarized by Xie Fei's supervisor. I'll personally hand it over to Lulu when she comes of age." Ji Wei knew that the Xie family's opposition to her remarriage was just a pretext. What they really wanted was that money. Two years ago, they used Lulu to threaten her, and two years later, they were using the same tactic.
"You said it yourself." As Zhang Qingfang spoke, she couldn't help but scrutinize Ji Wei's expression. Wasn't this girl very important to her? Was she really willing to send her back to the Xie family?
"Of course, wait here for me a moment, I'll go pack Lulu's things for you now." Ji Wei knew that if she showed any reluctance to part with Lulu at this moment, she would lose.
Zhang Qingfang didn't believe she was really willing to do it; she was just putting on an act in front of her. So she snorted and said, "Fine, go pack your things. I'll wait here."
Once out of Zhang Qingfang's sight, Ji Wei quickly picked up Lulu: "Lulu, Mommy was just playing a game with that grandma, so can you play along with Mommy?"
"What game?" Lulu's tone was filled with confusion and deep unease.
"The game of hide-and-seek, do you remember the hero dad your mother told you about?" Ji Wei softened her tone. Although she had grievances against the Xie family, she had no problem with Xie Fei.
"I remember Mom said Dad was a great hero who went to a very far place to save people." Lulu nodded emphatically.
“Yes, that grandma outside is Dad’s mother. You go back with her to find the things Dad left behind. Mom will come to pick you up in a couple of days, okay?” Ji Wei thought this was the worst possible outcome. She was gambling that Zhang Qingfang wouldn’t be willing to take Lulu back.
"Can Lulu not go?" Although Lulu was curious about her hero father, she was still a little scared at the thought of being separated from him.
"Then Mom will try again." Ji Wei couldn't bring herself to be ruthless, so she went to find Huang Jing as soon as she got back to her dorm.
Standing at the school gate, Zhang Qingfang wasn't feeling so relaxed. She wondered, what if she picked up that brat and Ji Wei really didn't come to pick her up? Just as she was hesitating whether Ji Wei was faking it or not, she heard someone's voice next to her: "Hey, did you hear? Teacher Ji is getting remarried."
"Really? But doesn't Teacher Ji have a daughter? Is the man's family willing to accept her?" someone asked, puzzled.
“People are getting smarter and smarter these days, so they definitely wouldn’t want to. Originally, Teacher Ji planned to keep it at her parents’ home, but her younger brother and sister-in-law didn’t want to, so Teacher Ji had no choice but to bring it to the school. I heard she plans to find an opportunity to send it to her relatives’ home in the countryside.” The person who spoke the last sentence lowered their voice.
"Although Teacher Ji's actions are a bit cruel, as a woman myself, I can understand her. After remarrying, she will definitely have more children, and it would be inconvenient to take the previous child with her. She would also be easily manipulated by her in-laws. It would be better for her to be ruthless and send the child away herself." The voices of the group faded into the distance, and Zhang Qingfang was taken aback. Ji Wei was remarrying, so wouldn't that girl become a real burden? The Ji family deliberately leaked the information to her, probably because they didn't want to raise the girl anymore. She had actually fallen for their trap and was now taking the initiative to solve her problem. Luckily, she had almost fallen for it.
Back then, she insisted on taking that girl with her when she left, probably to gain a good reputation and prepare for her remarriage. They hadn't realized that Ji Wei was so scheming before. Thinking of this, Zhang Qingfang saw Ji Wei carrying a snakeskin bag in one hand and leading the girl out with the other.
If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. Just a couple of days ago, when we moved here from home, all of Lulu's winter clothes were still in the bag. All she had to do was stuff the rest of her clothes and shoes in, and then act like she couldn't wait: "Mom, all of Lulu's clothes are here. Lulu is Xie Fei's only child, and I trust you'll take good care of her." With that, Ji Wei handed the bag directly to Zhang Qingfang, then squatted down and told Lulu, "Lulu, do you remember what Mom just said? This is Grandma. From now on, you'll be living with them."
Ji Wei had just explained the "rules of the game" to Lulu again, so she wasn't afraid at all. She nodded and then politely greeted Zhang Qingfang, "Hello, Grandma."
Ji Wei's change in attitude made Zhang Qingfang even more cautious. Could what those people said earlier be true? At this moment, Ji Shengzhou appeared with two cousins, looking at Ji Wei with concern: "Sister, did that old hag bully you?"
"Why are you here?" Ji Wei already had a guess in her mind, and a coldness began to spread in her eyes.
"I heard someone was causing you trouble, so I quickly brought people over," Ji Shengzhou said somewhat awkwardly.
At this moment, Ji's cousin also spoke up: "That's right, Weiwei, don't worry, the people of our Ji family are not people who can be bullied by others."
“Second brother, you’ve misunderstood. Mom came here to take Lulu back to the Xie family. She knows I’m getting remarried and is worried that Lulu will be mistreated, so she plans to take Lulu back.” Ji Wei finished speaking and looked at Zhang Qingfang: “Mom, I don’t have class this afternoon. Let’s go to Xie Fei’s workplace and have his former boss notarize the marriage.”
Ji Shengzhou and the other two were stunned. The Xie family was so kind, but no matter what, they thought it was a good thing. Especially Ji Shengzhou, who thought that without Lulu, they should be able to make other requests to Gu Zhiyuan. So he said happily, "Aunt Zhang, we misunderstood. My second brother just happened to come by tricycle. He will take you and Lulu back now."
"Pah! Ji Wei, you little whore! My son hasn't been gone long and you're already planning to remarry, and even get rid of the child? You wish! We're going to find Xiao Fei's boss right now. No matter who you remarry, you must take Lulu with you." Zhang Qingfang made her demands.
"Mom, how could you go back on your word?" Ji Wei gave her a reproachful look.
“Yes, Auntie, Lulu is Xie Fei’s only bloodline, she should be raised by you.” Second Brother Ji frowned as he looked at Zhang Qingfang.
At this moment, Huang Jing, the helper Ji Wei had found, arrived. She stepped forward and said, "Weiwei, why are you still here? Director Fu just asked for you. The kindergarten in Quanshui Village is accepting transfer students, but the tuition is a bit expensive. They also need to assess Lulu's self-care ability. You should take Lulu there quickly, or you'll miss this opportunity."
"Sister Huang, I can't leave right now. Could you please take Lulu there for me?" Ji Wei asked Huang Jing with a troubled expression.
"Then can you teach two classes for me this afternoon?" Huang Jing proposed her condition.
Although Ji Wei was somewhat reluctant, she still gritted her teeth and agreed: "Okay, then please say a good word to the teachers who are conducting the assessment."
Although Ji Wei lowered her voice for the last sentence, Zhang Qingfang still heard it clearly. Sure enough, this woman wanted to get rid of this brat and remarry. If she really took that girl away, wouldn't that be exactly what she wanted? So today, she had to go to Xiao Fei's boss for advice.
Lulu obediently followed Teacher Huang away, knowing that this was also part of the "game".
"Ji Wei, are you planning to abandon Lulu in the countryside? You heartless woman, let me tell you, I absolutely disagree," Zhang Qingfang said, raising her voice.
"If you don't agree to take her away, that's fine. I've raised her for two years, it's your turn now." Ji Wei said impatiently. Now that Lulu had left, she could speak freely.
“That’s right, Lulu is Xie Fei’s only child, so it should be your Xie family’s responsibility to raise her.” Ji Shengzhou couldn’t wait to send Lulu away.
“Which child doesn’t grow up with their parents? Ji Wei, you’re coming with me to find Xiao Fei’s boss right now,” Zhang Qingfang said, grabbing Ji Wei’s wrist and pulling her away.
"Let go of my sister." Ji Shengzhou said, winking at his second brother, Ji Er, who was standing next to him.
"Ji Wei, if you dare send Lulu to the countryside, I'll come to your school every day and make a scene." Zhang Qingfang was used to being fierce, and Ji Shengzhou and his second brother were actually at a loss with her for the time being.
"What exactly do you want?" Ji Wei frowned as she looked at her.
“You’re getting remarried, so I need to get some security for Lulu.” As she said this, Zhang Qingfang nodded to herself. Yes, she wanted to get some security for Lulu. She didn’t believe that her in-laws wouldn’t have any objections if she brought a child with her. Humph, she almost fell for the Ji family’s trick.
“Fine, if you don’t want to pick up Lulu, that’s fine. I’ll take care of her. Is that alright?” Ji Wei said with a look of compromise.
“No, you have to come with me to Xiaofei’s boss to make a promise,” Zhang Qingfang said quickly.
This was exactly Ji Wei's goal. After Xie Fei passed away, Xie Fei's younger brother, Xie Laoyao, took over his job. With Xie Fei's superiors stepping in, they would have to consider Xie Laoyao's continued presence at the company if they wanted to use Lulu to threaten her again.
"Sister, don't pay attention to her, go to class. I'll handle things here with Second Brother and the others." Ji Shengzhou knew it was time for him to show his skills.
Seeing this, Ji Wei couldn't help but sneer: "Ji Shengzhou, is it meaningful to say such things at a time like this? Wasn't she the one you brought here?"
A note from the author:
----------------------
[Standing-eared rabbit head] Still randomly giving away 20 small red envelopes, please add this to your favorites [pity]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com