Chapter 414: Chapter 414: A Reassuring Pill
Hu Yunqin completely did not expect Liang Yun to be magnanimous enough to not hold this matter against her.
She said, “Go ahead.”
Liang Yun pondered for a moment before speaking, “Tell me, who is Yanyan’s biological father? You don’t need to tell me whether he is alive or dead. I just need to know his name. Additionally, from now on, do not disturb Yanyan’s life. Since you abandoned her from the very beginning, stay consistent with that choice. Don’t expect others to raise her into such an outstanding person and then want to take her back midway. The world doesn’t work that way. Just because you don’t care about her doesn’t mean no one does.”
“Although I know my request may be a bit excessive and somewhat selfish, if you genuinely want to acknowledge Lan Yan as your daughter, I won’t stop you. But you’re not sincere, am I right?”
Hu Yunqin pursed her somewhat pale lips and didn’t immediately respond to her words.
Liang Yun didn’t care, she sneered: “Hu Yunqin, after all, we lived in the same dormitory for three years. Others may not understand you, but I understand your character. Even though we haven’t seen each other in so many years, I still believe that some aspects of a person’s nature are innate and difficult to change.”
“Even if your appearance has changed, becoming elegant and dignified, open and decent, the internal qualities remain unchanged, especially your selfishness and arrogance.”
At this moment, Mrs. Xiao did not show any mercy towards her.
From the time they met until now, she had never openly quarreled with Hu Yunqin, and even when they were at odds, she mostly just ignored her.
This was the first time she directly jabbed at her sore spots.
Upon hearing this, Hu Yunqin’s face turned even paler.
Mrs. Xiao patiently said to her, “As long as you do as I say, I can let this matter go; otherwise, all the accolades actress Hu obtained in the first half of your life will vanish in an instant.”
Hu Yunqin said, “Those who don’t know might think Lan Yan is your daughter.”
Mrs. Xiao laughed, “I would actually wish Yanyan were my daughter. However, a daughter-in-law is like half a daughter, so what you say isn’t far off.”
Hu Yunqin really had no retort for Liang Yun.
After contemplating for a moment, she said, “Alright, I can tell you, but I also hope you’ll keep your word.”
As soon as Hu Yunqin finished her sentence, Mrs. Xiao inadvertently furrowed her brow slightly.
Although she had anticipated Hu Yunqin’s answer, hearing it in person was still disappointing and also made her heartache for Lan Yan, to have such a selfish biological mother.
What she said to her just now was sincere, but at the same time, she also wanted to know if Hu Yunqin had any bit of unwillingness to let go of Lan Yan.
But now it seems that there is none, just like all these years; she really hadn’t misjudged her.
Mrs. Xiao looked at her with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, saying, “You really didn’t disappoint me.”
“Rest assured, I, Liang Yun, always separate business from pleasure. Since I’ve agreed to you, I will fulfill it. On the other hand, if you dare deceive me, I naturally won’t let you off.”
Although Lan Yan stood outside the door without leaving, she didn’t hear the conversation inside.
She had called a delivery guy on her phone to help her buy some fruit and bring it up, so she had been standing outside and had not really left.
Because she really couldn’t feel at ease, having made a mistake once, she couldn’t afford a second time.
Last night, Mrs. Xiao said she was going to get something, but she was actually lying to her; she had gone to find Hu Yunqin instead.
This was all because she was too careless at the time; if she had noticed something was wrong sooner, at least such a thing wouldn’t have happened.
Fifteen minutes later, the delivery guy brought the fruit up to her.
And at this time, the door to the ward also opened from the inside.
After Hu Yunqin walked out, she immediately faced Lan Yan’s indifferent face.
Lan Yan looked at her with such indifference and alienation, there was no warmth at all, as if looking at a stranger who couldn’t be more unfamiliar.
Hu Yunqin opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing.
Just as she was about to move her foot and leave, Lan Yan, who originally didn’t want to speak to her, suddenly spoke up, “Why did you show up at Old Mr. Xiao’s birthday banquet last night?”
Hu Yunqin looked at her and said, “You know the Xiao family, so naturally do I. I just went with Uncle Dong to wish Old Mr. Xiao a happy birthday, no other intentions. I just didn’t expect you to be there as well.”
“You are about to become a part of the Xiao family soon. As your mother, I should also congratulate you. You indeed have great fortune, not only surviving a great ordeal but also encountering someone like Liang Yun who loves you dearly. She wasn’t wrong; I really don’t deserve to be your mother. So, from today onward, just pretend you never met me, and I’ll pretend I never found you, my daughter.”
Listening to her words, Lan Yan slightly furrowed her delicate brows.
Lan Yan wasn’t distressed over her words; she was curious about what Mrs. Xiao had said to her to make her say these things.
After finishing, Hu Yunqin bypassed her and left.
Lan Yan stood outside contemplating for a while before she reopened the door to the ward and walked inside.
When Mrs. Xiao saw her return, she immediately beamed and said, “Yanyan, you’re back.”
Lan Yan walked over with the fruit and acknowledged her.
Mrs. Xiao looked at the tangerines before her and said, “Then could you please peel an orange for Aunt Yun?”
“Aunt Yun, don’t say it like that. It’s just peeling an orange, there’s nothing difficult about it,” said Lan Yan.
Mrs. Xiao laughed happily, “That rascal sure is lucky to marry someone like you. He must have exhausted all his fortune from his previous life to have you. It’s really a bargain for him. If you were my daughter, I would certainly have chosen an even better husband for you.”
“Aunt Yun, Xiao Si is very good too,” Lan Yan replied.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao’s smile deepened, and she teased, “Seems like I don’t have to worry about you two anymore; you’re already defending that rascal in front of me.”
“Yanyan, Aunt Yun has decided that in this life, you’re my daughter-in-law, and except for you, Aunt Yun will not acknowledge anyone else. So if you don’t marry that rascal, he may really end up alone for the rest of his life.”
Mrs. Xiao’s words were meant to reassure Lan Yan, preventing her from overthinking, knowing that no matter what happens, she will always be part of the Xiao family.
Lan Yan could hear the implicit meaning in her words.
She really didn’t know what she had done to deserve Mrs. Xiao’s kindness.
From a young age, she had always longed for someone to love and cherish her, and to have a happy family, but as she grew older, she realized she could never have those joys in this lifetime.
So, she stopped thinking about it and didn’t dare to dream of things that seemed so unattainable to her.
And precisely because she didn’t dare to hope in the past, she cherished it all the more when she encountered it later.
…
In the afternoon, Mr. Xiao arrived, and Lan Yan then left first.
After returning to the research institute, Lan Yan went directly to find Su He.
Su He looked at her and asked, “How is Aunt Yun?”
Lan Yan replied, “Currently, she doesn’t seem to have any major issues. Her complexion is a bit better than last night.”
Su He nodded, “That’s good. Did you come to see me for something?”
Lan Yan nodded, “Boss, I’d like to have Mr. Wan’s contact information.”
Although she knew Wan Muqi, she honestly didn’t have his contact details.
“What do you plan to do?”
“Put Dong Xiaoxiao back inside. She’s already enjoyed enough of the outside air these past few days; it’s time she went back.”
She never intended to let Dong Xiaoxiao off the hook; she wasn’t that kind-hearted.
Su He picked up her phone, tapped a few times, and said, “I’ve sent it to your WeChat.”
Lan Yan said, “Okay, thank you, boss.”
“By the way, did you get to the bottom of what happened last night?” Su He asked.
Lan Yan replied, “No, but Aunt Yun said she fell in herself, and Hu Yunqin went down to save her.”
Su He casually asked, “Do you believe that?”
Lan Yan shook her head; she naturally didn’t believe it.
But she had no evidence.
Su He was silent for a few seconds before speaking, “Lan Yan, did you know that Hu Yunqin can swim?”
Hearing that, Lan Yan was momentarily stunned.
But she was the first to find Hu Yunqin last night, and at the time, she had told her she couldn’t swim, and her condition didn’t seem like someone who could swim.
Lan Yan shook her head; as for matters concerning Hu Yunqin, aside from her background, she knew nothing else.
Su He knew that Hu Yunqin was her biological mother, and though she didn’t want to meddle in this affair, Lan Yan was her person after all.
She turned the computer in front of her towards Lan Yan and said, “Look at this report yourself.”
A minute later.
Lan Yan frowned even more tightly.
So, Hu Yunqin had been lying to her.
After reading it, she sat in silence for a while before recounting to Su He what Hu Yunqin had said to her in the hospital.
Su He reclined in her chair, resting her hands casually on the armrests, her long white fingers gently tapping them.
“So, does this mean she’s giving up on the bone marrow issue?” Su He asked.
Lan Yan wasn’t quite sure either.
“From what she said, it seems like it, or perhaps it’s because Aunt Yun has made some sort of deal with her that prompted her to say those things.”
Su He said, “Then you don’t need to worry about this matter.”
Lan Yan asked, “Why?”
Su He took a deep breath, “Aunt Yun chose to hide this matter, which means she has her own considerations, and not telling you is out of concern for any psychological burden on you. Since that’s the case, you should act as if you don’t know about it. But what you need to do, you should continue doing. Besides, even if you were to go question Hu Yunqin about the truth of last night, she might not necessarily tell you.”
“Moreover, there are many other ways and methods to confront her aside from this one affair.”
Lan Yan narrowed her eyes slightly, “Got it, boss.”
Su He said, “Alright, then go ahead and get busy. I have to head out in a bit; give me a call if anything comes up.”
“Sure, boss,” Lan Yan responded.
Then, Lan Yan left Su He’s office.
Soon after, Su He also left the research institute.
And when Lan Yan returned to her office, she got in contact with Wan Muqi.
When Wan Muqi received her call, he was rather surprised.
After hearing what she had to say, he replied, “No problem, leave this task to me. Getting someone back inside is what I’m best at, sister-in-law, you can rest easy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wan.” She hesitated for a moment and said, “In the future, Mr. Wan, please call me by my name.”
The term ‘sister-in-law’ wasn’t something she was very accustomed to hearing.
Wan Muqi said, “Sister-in-law, you’ll get used to it.”
“…”
Lan Yan thought for a moment and decided not to correct him any further.
Then she said, “How much will the legal fees be? Let me know, and I’ll transfer the amount to you.”
He said, “No need, we’re all family.”
But Lan Yan insisted, “That’s not possible, Mr. Wan. Since I’ve entrusted you with a task, naturally, I have to pay. If you refuse, then I’ll have to find another lawyer.”
Wan Muqi: “…”
He chuckled helplessly and said, “Alright, alright, then you pay. As for how much, once I finish the task, my assistant will contact you for the payment.”
Lan Yan: “Alright, thank you for your efforts.”
Wan Muqi said, “You’re the nicest of them all, sister-in-law. If it were the wives from the Lu Family or your boss, as soon as they heard I wouldn’t charge legal fees, they’d happily hang up. Only you’re the most real one.”
“…”
On this end, Wan Muqi was efficient, as by that evening, Dong Xiaoxiao was taken away by the police from Dong Manor.
At that moment, Dong Xiaoxiao had just returned from the hospital and had yet to enter when two police officers in uniform approached her from behind.
At that time, no one was even aware of it.
It wasn’t until an hour after Dong Xiaoxiao was taken away that Dong Jian received a call.
When Dong Jian received the call, he was in Hu Yunqin’s hospital room.
Seeing his expression change, Hu Yunqin asked, “What happened?”
Dong Jian replied in a deep voice, “Xiaoxiao has been taken away by the police.”
Hu Yunqin was taken aback, “But… wasn’t the lawyer able to bail her out? Why was she taken again?”
Dong Jian’s face was grim, “I don’t know.”
Immediately, Hu Yunqin thought of Lan Yan, and her face turned even paler.
“Husband, what are we going to do about this? Isn’t there another way?”
She carefully looked at Dong Jian and asked in a low voice.
Dong Jian chuckled sarcastically and said, “There is, give 5% of the shares to your dear daughter.”
Hu Yunqin: “…”
Because of Lan Yan’s matter, Dong Jian had already spoken to her in such a sarcastic tone more than once.
He never used to be like this.
But lately, he often spoke to her that way.
Yet, after last night’s incident, she didn’t dare argue with him now either.
Not a single thing had been accomplished, and in the end, it was all a big mess.
Still, deep down, she blamed all these messy events on Lan Yan.
If it weren’t for her appearance, indeed, none of this would have happened today.
At the same time, she also blamed herself for not being ruthless enough at the time, for hesitating. She should have taken Lan Yan to the hospital for a match directly then.
“…”
Elsewhere, in the hospital room where Mrs. Xiao resided.
The Xiao father and son duo sat upright in their chairs.
The person sitting opposite them was Mrs. Xiao.
“Did you both hear what I just said?”
Mrs. Xiao’s gaze swept over the father and son duo before her.
However, the duo slightly furrowed their brows and didn’t say a word.
Mrs. Xiao narrowed her eyes slightly and tapped the table in front of her, “You two should speak up. Aren’t you usually quite talkative? Why mute now?”
Xiao Si spoke up, “Mom, I disagree with this matter.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao instantly glared at him, “Rascal, don’t you want to get married?”
“These are two different things.”
“How are they two different things? That woman is Lan Yan’s biological mother. Even if she hasn’t raised Lan Yan, at least she gave birth to her. Without her, you wouldn’t have met today’s Lan Yan.”
“Though you say so, if Yanyan comes to know of this, she wouldn’t…”
Mrs. Xiao directly interrupted his reply, “I’m just informing you, not discussing. This has been decided, and neither of you can interfere.”
“…”
Xiao Si glanced at Mr. Xiao beside him and said, “Dad, say something.”
Mr. Xiao took a moment and said, “I’ll listen to your mother; it’s whatever your mom says.”
Xiao Si: “…”
Then Mrs. Xiao turned to Xiao Si and mentioned another matter.
“Go investigate someone named Wei Ting, a male,” Mrs. Xiao said.
The father and son asked in unison, “Who is he?”
Mrs. Xiao gave both a look, “Just now I asked you to talk, but neither opened your mouth; now you’re eager to know.”
The father and son: “…”
“Don’t concern yourself over who he is, just find out for me. He should be around your dad’s age, someone from our generation.”
Xiao Si joked, “Ms. Liang, you’re not searching for some ‘white moonlight,’ are you?”
Mrs. Xiao glared at him, saying, “Get out. Don’t put such labels on me; I’ve only been with your father. I’ll tell you, find him properly.”
“Understood.”
After leaving the research institute, Lan Yan headed to the hospital.
Just as she reached the hospital entrance, her phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID as Hu Yunqin, she glanced but hung up.
The reason she was calling was nothing other than Dong Xiaoxiao’s issue.
She had already received the news from Wan Muqi about Dong Xiaoxiao being taken away by the police.
She couldn’t help but admire Wan Muqi’s efficiency; he resolved it all within half a day.