Long Aotian's mother
The wind howled past, and Liu Xirou lowered her head to zip up her jacket and gathered her long hair around her neck.
A music festival was being held outside the mall, with singers performing enthusiastically and the audience cheering and laughing.
As she walked down the bustling street, a sense of loneliness still lingered around her, as if she were adrift on the edge of the crowd.
Liu Xirou paused to admire the song for a moment, then continued walking, unable to relax even from the singing.
"Xi Rou." Ji Huaixuan, dressed in a black overcoat, looked even more prominent with his broad shoulders and long legs, and his gray-blue eyes looked over, filled with restrained affection.
Upon hearing this call, Liu Xirou stiffened, feeling a chill run down her spine.
It was too cold outside, so the two went to a coffee shop.
Liu Xirou held the hot cocoa in both hands and smiled, "Mr. Ji seems to be in a good mood today."
Ji Huaixuan's smile deepened, "My mood always improves whenever I see you."
Liu Xirou lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the fragrant hot cocoa.
Ji Huaixuan thought she was just shy, so he changed the subject, "Is Long Chen still bothering you?"
Liu Xirou raised her head and smiled gently, "It's not about being clingy or not."
Ji Huaixuan's eyes darkened further. "Xirou, you're still young. There are some things I think I should remind you of. Since Long Lingtian dared to hurt you, he might also target your parents. Anyone would be terrified to be with someone who could destroy their family at any moment."
Liu Xirou felt as if ice water had been poured over her heart, leaving her feeling utterly cold.
Are you threatening her with her parents again?
After Ji Huaixuan left, Liu Xirou finally caught her breath. She turned her gaze to the window, only to see the person she least wanted to see right now.
At the fountain, silver light shimmered on his face; his eyes shone like stars, and his nose was like a peak.
Should we go out... or chase after them?
Long Chen's gaze remained calm as he stared at her for an unknown period of time before finally moving away.
Her sluggish legs seemed to be rusting, and she couldn't stand up for a long time. Liu Xirou almost couldn't breathe. She suddenly felt sad for herself, and tears flooded her eyes.
After getting out of the car, Wen Yan turned around and smiled, saying, "You should go home early; my driver will be here soon."
Su Jibai knew that Wen Yan and Liu Xirou were always close friends and had important matters to discuss, so he didn't insist anymore, "Okay."
Wen Yan walked through the crowd into the quiet coffee shop and sat down opposite Liu Xirou.
"Xirou, what happened?" Wenyan asked with concern when she saw Liu Xirou's sad expression.
The weariness in Liu Xirou's eyes was unmistakable. Her gaze flickered, and she recounted everything that had happened that night.
Wen Yan pondered Ji Huaixuan's words and grasped the blind spot: "Ji Huaixuan cares about you so much, how could he not know that your parents are controlled by others?"
Liu Xirou frowned, realizing the trick, and her heart sank. She had actually been deceived...
It turned out that Ji Huaixuan was the one who did it, but she mistakenly thought it was Long Lingtian.
Within half an hour, her emotions fluctuated wildly. Liu Xirou suddenly felt dizzy and had a dull pain in her head. She supported herself on the table and covered her head in pain.
Wen Yan rushed over and squatted down. "Xi Rou? Should we go to the hospital?"
Liu Xirou shook her head, her voice weak, "No need, just let me catch my breath."
After lunch once again, Wen Yan and Su Jibai were walking together openly. Since the system didn't care about them, there was no need to hide it.
Today was a rare sunny day, with blue skies and white clouds, and the temperature even rose a bit.
Su Jibai: "Long Chen's mother is back, and she's at the Long family's house now."
Wen Yan exclaimed in surprise, "You actually got in touch with her!" He had thought that this character, who had been out of contact for so long, was about to disappear.
Su Jibai: "She said she and her friends participated in a wilderness survival activity where they couldn't bring their phones. After the activity, she immediately returned to China as soon as she learned about Achen's situation."
Wen Yan smiled and said, "Wilderness survival? It seems Long Chen's mother is quite something."
Su Jibai turned his head to look at him, a mischievous smile flashing in his eyes, "You two should get along very well."
Wen Yan looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"
Back in class, Sanno pulled him aside again, glancing at Long Chen with her eyes, and asked in a low voice, "Did those two really have a fight?"
The atmosphere between Liu Xirou and Long Chen was even more somber than yesterday. The two of them, who were usually all smiles when they were together, looked indifferent these past two days, as if their two bodies were separated by a galaxy.
Wen Yan knew that even if he refuted it, the three of them would find all sorts of clues to confirm it, so he simply told them, "There is a small problem, but we will make up in a few days."
Mosa: "I don't think so. Look at Liu Xirou, she doesn't even smile anymore, it must be a big problem."
Sanno nodded. "Agreed."
Wen Yan smiled bitterly to herself, unsure whether to praise their keenness or their sharpness.
Lin Pianyue approached him with a mischievous grin, "Do you dare to make a bet with us?"
Wen Yan sensed they were up to no good and cautiously asked, "What are we betting on?"
Lin Pianyue: "If they don't make up within three days, then you have to grant us one small request."
Wenyan asked, "What small request do you have?"
Sanno chuckled and said, "Anyway, I won't make things difficult for you."
Wen Yan asked, "What if I win the bet?"
Lin Pianyue thought for a moment, "Then nothing will happen."
Mosa and Sannoh nodded together.
Wen Yan: "..." It seems like he's at a bit of a loss.
After enduring a boring day of classes, Wen Yan stretched and packed her things to go home.
Su Jibai suddenly walked over and bent down, "Later, you take Liu Xirou and leave through the back door."
Before Wen Yan could ask why, Su Jibai left.
Liu Xirou was packing up her homework to take back to the dormitory when Wen Yan said with a smile, "Xirou, we haven't gone out together in a long time. Let's go shopping later."
Liu Xirou: "Okay, I'll pack my things first."
"No rush, I'll wait for you."
The two walked down to the teaching building, and Wen Yan led her toward the back gate. Liu Xirou asked doubtfully, "Wouldn't it take more time to go this way?"
The main entrance is close to the business district, while the back entrance is a secluded little park. Wen Yan smiled somewhat guiltily, "The plum blossoms in the little garden are in bloom, and I want to take a look before I leave."
"oh."
They strolled around the small garden twice more before leaving. As they walked, Yan muttered to herself, "What are we going to do at the back gate?"
"What?" Liu Xirou asked in confusion.
Wen Yan chuckled twice, "It's nothing, I just think the back door is a bit far, let's hurry up."
Upon arriving at the back door, a cool pink Panamera was parked there. Wen Yan stared at the car, a guess popping into her mind.
The next second, the person who jumped out confirmed his guess.
A woman with long, red, wavy hair got out of the sports car and headed straight for them. She took off her sunglasses, revealing a beautiful face with particularly bright and captivating eyes.
She held Liu Xirou's hands and said with a smile, "You must be Xirou, right? You're exactly as I imagined. You're so beautiful and look like a kind and good girl."
Liu Xirou was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Yes, I am Liu Xirou. May I ask who you are, sister?"
“Calling me ‘sister’ would mess up the generations, so please call me ‘auntie’ instead.” The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “I am Long Chen’s mother, Wu Huan.”
Liu Xirou froze on the spot.
Wu Huan then looked at Wen Yan, "Little Yan, it's been a long time! You've become more and more beautiful...handsome. I heard from Ji Bai that you two are together, that's great. I was worried that you would be sad if A Chen and Xi Rou got together."
Wen Yan chuckled dryly, "I'm happy for them, how could I be sad?"
Wu Huan smiled and nodded, "That's wonderful."
"Let's go, let's go to my house for a while." Wu Huan pulled the two of them into the car, and Liu Xirou still looked stunned.
Wu Huan pointed to the gifts on the back seat, "The blue one is for Xiao Yan, and the purple one is for Xi Rou. Open them and see if you like them."
"I'm going to drive now." Wu Huan winked at them and turned to drive.
"Thank you, Auntie," they both said in unison.
Wu Huan suddenly sighed, "Xiao Yan, you used to call me Aunt Wu, but now we're just strangers."
Wen Yan quickly replied, "No, I just misspoke."
The scenery outside the window flashed by quickly. After more than ten minutes, Wen Yan looked at the scenery outside the window and felt it was strangely familiar. He asked uncertainly, "Aunt Wu, are we going to the Long family?"
Wu Huan: "Yes, my villa has been empty for too long, and the facilities are all outdated. I'll stay at A-Chen's place for a few days first."
"Don't worry, with me here, no one will dare to bully you," Wu Huan said fiercely, as if remembering something.
Wen Yan and Liu Xirou: "..."
The car was parked at the entrance, and the security guard took the keys from Wu Huan and drove the car into the garage.
Butler Feng smiled warmly as always, "Madam, dinner is ready."
Wu Huan rolled her eyes impatiently, "I've been divorced from him for ages, what's with calling me 'Madam'!"
“Yes, Miss Wu.” Butler Feng’s smile remained unchanged. “Let’s go inside.”
Liu Xirou had also composed herself, a faint smile on her face. After entering the room, she greeted Long Lingtian calmly.
Wen Yan looked at Su Jibai, who had a gentle smile on his face, kicked his foot, and winked at him, "What on earth are you two up to?"
Su Jibai mouthed to him, "You'll find out soon enough."
Six people, each with their own distinct mood, sat at a dining table, creating a rather strange atmosphere. The relationships between the six were particularly complex.
There was a couple deeply in love, a couple who were only superficially together, and a couple who were divorced.
However, Wen Yan could tell that Long Lingtian was in a good mood, and the smile on his face was genuine.
Liu Xirou and Long Chen maintained indifferent expressions; even when they smiled, it was a forced smile.
Wu Huan was probably the happiest among them, her bright eyes always brimming with smiles.
At the dinner table, Wu Huan was the one initiating the conversation, while Wen Yan and Su Jibai acted as the straight men. Long Lingtian listened to their chat with a smile.
The couple, who appeared to be together but were actually estranged, remained almost completely silent.
Wu Huan was a little anxious. She rushed back to China specifically to bring them together.
She glanced at Long Lingtian a few times and said irritably, "What are you doing here after you've eaten? Don't you have a lot of things to do at the company? Go upstairs and get busy."
Long Lingtian knew that Wu Huan thought he was ruining the atmosphere and wanted to send her away, so he deliberately said, "No rush, I don't have that much official business today."
Wu Huan glared at him, "Hurry up and go up!"
Long Lingtian grabbed his coat and slunk away.
With Long Lingtian gone, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Wu Huan looked at her silent son, then at Liu Xirou's forced smile, and finally smiled, "Don't you two have anything to say?"
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