Faced with the sudden appearance of the live camera, Du Xiaoruo and Qiao An froze for three minutes. Then, the two of them frantically moved around in the small room, running in and out in a panic.
Mu Hua was also quite embarrassed, holding a live-streaming camera and trying to hide left and right, but the camera's movement was surprisingly consistent with Qiao An's, capturing both what should and shouldn't have been captured.
Qiao An, who had previously kept his abs a secret from Xiao Ruo, is now showing them to a nationwide audience via livestream. His livestream of "Anxin Private Kitchen" instantly surpassed one million viewers.
[I heard that Ha Zong's abs are being streamed live here? Why didn't I see them?]
[Hahaha, we're late upstairs! Mr. Ha is already dressed! Hahaha, I can't take it anymore, I need to laugh for a bit.]
[What's wrong? I just came in. Why are those abs so funny? Does Haha always have a Pleasant Goat tattooed on his abs?]
[Hahaha, upstairs, hahaha, what's funny isn't the abs, it's that Xiaoruo and Ha Zong are comparing whose abs are prettier at home, I've laughed so hard I've lost all my merit.]
[As expected, where there is a Crouching Dragon, there is a Young Phoenix, hahaha...]
Just then, Joan's phone, which he had carelessly tossed on the sofa, rang. He went over to look at the caller ID, then went outside to answer it.
After finishing the phone call, Qiao An went back into the house and dragged Du Xiaoruo out of the bathroom.
He greeted Mu Hua.
"We have an urgent matter to attend to at home, so don't wait for us for lunch."
Mu Hua looked at the data showing a doubling increase in the live stream, and then at the Qiao Du couple who had already joined the group. Why did he still feel a little regretful?
The comment section was also filled with sobs.
No way! We finally got to see each other, why are you leaving again?
【Ugh... I just arrived, and I haven't seen any of the abs you guys were talking about. I'll never love again.】
[Heavens above! I've done so much good all my life, why must my beloved leave me? Mr. Ha, just leave on your own! Give me back my wife!!!]
Mu Hua chuckled as she read everyone's comments, offering kind words of comfort to the audience on camera.
"Don't be so pessimistic, everyone. Tomorrow I'll livestream your wives and your resentful husbands."
In the live stream, a question was asked: "Teacher Mu, are you meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Ha again tomorrow?"
Mu Hua smiled mysteriously, "To be honest, I'm currently staying at Haha's house, their villa in Yingge. You haven't seen it yet, have you? I'll let you see it tomorrow."
[Really? Wow, what a dream collaboration! Teacher Mu Hua is actually staying at President Ha's house! What time does the live stream start tomorrow? I want to watch, I want to watch!]
Mu Hua thought for a moment, "How about 7 a.m. tomorrow? Xiao Shu and Lele have to go to school at 7:30 a.m., and we won't be able to see them if the live stream goes on too late."
Wow, great! I can see Xiaoshu and Lele too. I'll ask my mom to wake me up early.
【Teacher Mu Hua, it's settled then, okay? Deceiving children will diminish your merit.】
Qiao An started the car and drove towards the Jin family's old house. Along the way, Qiao An's expression was not good. Her lips were pursed and her eyes were filled with a coldness. Du Xiaoru had a feeling that something had happened.
In Du Xiaoruo's memory, Qiao An always had a relaxed air about him, as if he could control everything. She rarely saw him like this, and she couldn't help but feel nervous.
Jin Xingming recently started school, and Fan Yingjiao brought him back from Yuanyan to stay temporarily with Zhang Yanshu. For now, they are still officially mother and son, and Fan Yingjiao and Jin Qihuai know that they can only maintain their relationship by relying on Jin Xingming.
Zhang Yanshu felt a little sorry for Jin Xingming. This child was really born into such a foolish family.
With nannies and tutors readily available at home, Fan Yingjiao suggested sending her child to school here, and Zhang Yanshu readily agreed, figuring it was better than having his clueless parents take care of him.
After settling the children in, Fan Yingjiao stood awkwardly to the side, forcing a smile.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mom. I feel at ease with Jin Xingming with you. You are the kind of person who can raise good children."
Zhang Yanshu took a sip of tea with a calm expression, and said sarcastically, "No need to lie through your teeth. Whether I can raise a good child or not, just look at Jin Qihuai and you'll know."
Fan Yingjiao felt embarrassed after being rebuked by Zhang Yanshu, but at this moment, she had to endure it no matter how uncomfortable she felt, and still keep a smile on her face.
“Mom, Qi Huai is a good person. He is very filial to you and Dad. Even when he is in Yuanyan, he is always worried about your health and wants to come back to visit, but he is afraid of upsetting you.”
"Tell him we'll see a doctor if we're not feeling well. What's the point of seeing him? Can he perform surgery? Or prescribe medicine?"
Fan Yingjiao was already a little afraid of Zhang Yanshu, but she didn't dare to argue back, so she just smiled awkwardly.
Just then, the door opened, and the housekeeper called out, "Madam, it's Qiao An."
Zhang Yanshu put down his teacup, stood up with a smile, and personally went out to greet Qiao An, his attitude towards her completely different.
Zhang Yanshu's voice came from outside.
"Why didn't you call ahead? I could have had someone prepare something delicious for you."
Fan Yingjiao closed her eyes in despair, her heart sinking.
It seems Zhang Yanshu only recognizes Qiao An now. With such a large family fortune as the Jin family, Jin Qihuai only received a resort? This is practically like giving alms to a beggar.
Thinking that Jin Qihuai had been Jin Jin and his wife's son for over twenty years, I never expected them to be so heartless.
Fan Yingjiao stood awkwardly in the room when Zhang Yanshu walked in, holding Xiaoruo's hand. He glanced at her, his tone somewhat impatient.
“Go back now. From now on, you and Jin Qihuai should manage that resort well. That will ensure you’ll be well-off for the rest of your lives. Don’t think about anything else. Not a single penny of this family’s business came from your efforts. Remember, greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.”
After Zhang Yanshu finished speaking, Fan Yingjiao finally lost her temper and walked out of the main room.
Jin Jin walked in from outside, and Fan Yingjiao brushed past him. Her shoulder bumped heavily into Jin Jin's arm, and she stormed out angrily.
"Hey, stop right there! Who are you giving that attitude to? What did I say wrong? Does this family have anything to do with you two?"
Zhang Yanshu pointed at Fan Yingjiao's head and started cursing, "Do you believe I'll send you all back to the village to farm tomorrow?"
"Forget it, forget it." Jin Jin pressed Zhang Yanshu's arm down. "What's the big deal that's worth getting angry about?"
The door slammed shut with a bang. Zhang Yanshu kicked Jin Jin's shin in anger, "Why are you stopping me? You've already torn her mouth apart."
Jin Jin wasn't angry; she coaxed him gently for a long time.
Once Zhang Yanshu had calmed down, Qiao An spoke up, "Mom and Dad, I came here today because I have something to tell you."
He got up, walked to the door, and closed it behind him.
Qiao An walked back to sit down next to Zhang Yanshu, looking somewhat helpless. "I just received a call from my lawyer, saying that he wants to make Qiao Rukun's will public."
Qiao Rukun's will will be made public sooner or later, and even if it is made public, his 47% stake will no longer pose any threat to Qiao An. Why is he acting as if he is facing a great enemy?
Sensing that this was unusual, Zhang Yanshu's anger turned into worry.
Du Xiaoruo took Qiao An's hand, which was resting on the armrest of the armchair, and intertwined their fingers, as if it were a silent comfort.
Qiao An took her hand in return, his gray-blue eyes sweeping over them. Seeing only the people he trusted most, he finally realized that he was no longer fighting alone.
"What I want to talk to you about is Lele's matter," Qiao An said in a deep voice.
His words were followed by a moment of silence.
In fact, Du Xiaoruo had already guessed that Lele was not Qiao An's son. She could tell how naive this man was just by kissing him. He would never do something like having a child out of wedlock at the age of 18. Moreover, no one had revealed anything about Lele's mother. It all seemed very strange.
Seeing Qiao An stammering, Zhang Yanshu was so anxious he wanted to punch him a couple of times, and urged him on.
"Say what you want to say quickly, you child, are you trying to worry us to death? What happened to Lele?"
Qiao An glanced guiltily at her short-tempered mother and obediently confessed.
“Lele was brought back by Qiao Rukun. He entrusted Lele to me to raise. I only had one thought: I couldn’t let Lele fall into Jin Xizhen’s hands like I did, so I have been raising Lele.”
It was quite unexpected that Lele was the child Qiao Rukun brought back. After Qiao An finished speaking, the room fell silent, and everyone looked somewhat surprised.
Fearing Zhang Yanshu would beat him up for what he was about to say, Qiao An moved closer to Du Xiaoruo before continuing.
"It was only later that I gradually came to my senses. I guessed that Lele was Qiao Rukun's son, a child he had with someone else outside of their marriage."
Du Xiaoruo's pupils dilated in astonishment. How could Qiao Rukun entrust his child to Qiao An's care? Wasn't that tantamount to handing over his own child to his enemy?
Zhang Yanshu, however, remained remarkably calm. She picked up the now-cold tea, took a sip, and said indifferently,
“It’s possible. Qiao Rukun has always been very good at judging people. Look at the whole game he’s played. If any one link in the chain goes off track, he’ll lose everything. But he’s taken advantage of Jin Xizhen’s ruthlessness and selfishness, Zhang Hongge’s cowardice and timidity, and your father and I’m easygoing by nature. That’s why your identity has been kept a secret for so many years. He dared to entrust Lele to you because he knew you were kind-hearted and wouldn’t burden Lele even if you knew about her background.”
Qiao An nodded. Her mother was still her mother; she had hit the nail on the head.
"About six months after handing Lele over to me, Qiao Rukun passed away. However, his will was never made public. Now that Jin Xizhen and her two children are all in prison, he only released the will after confirming that Lele is safe. I guess Lele will be the sole heir to the will."
Qiao An thought that raising her enemy's child would anger Jin Jin and Zhang Yanshu, but they only sighed a few times, after all, Lele was innocent, he was just a baby at that time.
“An’er, you did the right thing. Don’t let the grudges of the previous generation drag innocent children into this. You’ve raised Lele very well too.” Jin Jin raised his hand and patted Qiao An’s shoulder.
After pondering for a while, Jin Jin said again, "But all of this is still speculation. Before things are settled, don't think the worst."
Qiao An frowned slightly, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
“But if the will is made public now, Lele will inevitably know his identity. I’m afraid he won’t be able to accept it. Our Lele is still so young, and he’s very single-minded. The lawyer called to specifically instruct us to make the will public in Lele’s presence.”
Du Xiaoruo finally understood why Qiao An's expression had been so unpleasant. The crux of the matter was that he was worried that Lele wouldn't be able to accept the truth.
Jin Jin and Zhang Yanshu exchanged a glance, also feeling that this matter was a bit tricky. After all, children of Lele's age are at an age where they are sensible and very sensitive. Suddenly telling him such a big thing might cause him to have some extreme thoughts.
Unbeknownst to them, Fan Yingjiao had overheard the entire incident from outside the half-closed door.
She had originally come back to retrieve her handbag, but after being scolded by Zhang Yanshu, she was so angry that she left her bag in the main room. She never expected to overhear such a big secret.
Fan Yingjiao left the Jin family home and drove towards Yuanyan. Just before leaving the city, she remembered the harsh words Zhang Yanshu had said and changed her mind, turning her car around and heading towards Lele's school.
When she arrived at the school gate, she lied and said that she was Lele's aunt and that she had an urgent matter at home and needed to see Qiao Lele from Class 1, Grade 4.
Lele was called out of the classroom by the teacher and spoke to Fan Yingjiao through the iron fence.
"Hello, Aunt Fan." Lele still remembered Fan Yingjiao. Although she didn't have a good impression of her, she still greeted her politely.
Fan Yingjiao crouched down, her gaze level with Lele's.
"Lele, I just heard some news. You are not Qiao An's son. You are the child of the big bad Qiao Rukun. Qiao An and the others are discussing this matter at Jin Jin's house right now. They asked me to come and pick you up."
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