Sasha saw her approaching through the large gate and waved her over.
Feng Rou appeared perfectly normal, smiling as she walked towards Sasha and said, "What are you doing here? Your father-in-law and I are divorced, and I have no relation to the Xie family anymore. You should go back and take care of your child. I won't be involved in Xie family matters from now on."
Sasha exclaimed in surprise, "Is this what Xie Zhendong demanded to let you out?"
"Watch your speech and manners. There are surveillance cameras at the main entrance, and my cousin doesn't know about my situation yet." Feng Rou maintained her smile.
Sasha understood and also smiled, saying, "Mom, I did my best to help you back then, but my abilities were limited, and I was truly helpless."
"I know. I remember your kindness."
"Mom, but I'm not doing much better than you now. Dad took custody of Jiejie from me. He plans to let that woman raise Jiejie..."
"What did you say? That can't be right. You and Qining are Jiejie's parents, and you're both still here. How could you give up your custody rights?"
Sasha looked at her with tears in her eyes, saying sadly, "Mom, don't you know? Qining, he... he's gone."
"Gone?" Feng Rou didn't understand immediately.
"He committed suicide in prison. Xie Zhendong hastily handled his funeral without making it public, so people outside don't know." Sasha felt she had to tell her.
Feng Rou felt dizzy, her smile freezing on her face. She almost lost her balance and grabbed the railing of the gate.
Her Qining... her precious son... how could he die in prison?
As his mother, she knew nothing about it and refused to believe it, saying, "You're lying to me, aren't you?"
"Mom, I know it's hard for you to accept," Sasha explained. "But I'm not lying. It's precisely because Qining is gone that Xie Zhendong kicked me out of the Xie family. He wants to make that woman the mistress of the Xie family now and has taken my child away."
As she spoke, Sasha felt like crying.
Feng Rou suddenly said coldly, "Don't cry here! Go back. I know everything. I'll contact you if I need anything."
"Mom, Mom! I finally got to see you. We need to find a solution together! Let me in, let me talk to your relatives. They still have influence, especially your cousin. She's from the Huangfu family..."
"Go back," Feng Rou said firmly. "Don't come to me proactively again, and don't even think about telling my cousin about this. I'll find my own way. I'll contact you if I need anything!"
"But..."
"I won't repeat myself a third time. Leave now." Feng Rou steadied herself again, turned, and walked away.
Sasha watched Feng Rou's elegant back as she walked, feeling like she had completely changed. Was this still the Feng Rou she knew?
She even suspected that the person she had just met wasn't Feng Rou, but someone impersonating her.
She paused at the gate, knowing she hadn't mistaken her. The person just now was Feng Rou, but her temperament had drastically changed.
However, she still found it hard to believe that Feng Rou, knowing Xie Qining was dead, could walk so steadily and then go play cards with those wealthy ladies, which sent a chill down her spine.
She had no choice but to leave the small villa, still unable to break into the inner circle of these high-society ladies.
But she knew that even if Feng Rou's temperament had changed, she would still deal with Xie Zhendong. For now, she could only suppress her feelings and wait.
Yet, the thought of her child being cared for by that woman made her heart ache.
...
Time passed quickly, and it was almost Christmas again.
Tianyi and Susu had been experiencing smooth sailing in everything lately, and their moods were excellent.
To let the children have some early excitement before the Lunar New Year, they decided to host a Christmas party at home. They planned to invite Tianyi's family, colleagues from the studio, and Kang Xi and Ya Nan, so everyone could have a lively time together.
The only regret was the absence of Qingchuan. Last year, he had gone to a mountain temple to practice asceticism and had not returned to Lancheng since.
Susu had also inquired with Qingchuan's classmates and friends, and they all said he had truly renounced the world and intended to stay at that temple for a long time.
This was Qingchuan's choice for how to spend the rest of his life after losing Huo Jin.
Susu knew she couldn't stop him and had no standing to persuade him to return to Lancheng. She only hoped he could find spiritual solace in that temple.
For the Christmas party, Susu and Tianyi went out for some major shopping today.
They were in an imported food supermarket, pushing a shopping cart, chatting and laughing as they selected the items they needed.
Susu picked up a can of coffee creamer from the shelf and said to Tianyi, "This brand of creamer makes coffee and toast taste really authentic. It's been out of stock for a while."
"If it's in stock now, get a few more cans," Tianyi said, reaching to put them directly into the shopping cart.
Susu stopped him, saying, "Don't you even look at the expiration date? If you buy too many and can't finish them, it'll be a waste." She then carefully checked the production date.
Just then, a girl approached them and greeted Qin Tianyi, "Mr. Qin, is that really you?"
Susu found the voice very pleasant and turned to look at the girl. The girl's appearance was also delicate and refined.
Qin Tianyi glanced at the girl's face and recognized her, saying faintly, "Miss Xi, hello."
"Mr. Qin, what a coincidence. And who is this?" Xi Xianya asked, looking at Susu.
Qin Tianyi naturally put his arm around Susu's waist and said, "My wife."
Xi Xianya's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Mr. Qin to be married, but she had still held onto a sliver of hope.
This chance encounter at the supermarket completely shattered her illusion. However, she still smiled at Susu and said, "Mrs. Qin, hello."
Susu was momentarily unsure how Tianyi knew this girl, who looked like a university student. "Hello."
Xi Xianya looked at the items in their shopping cart. Just as she was about to say something else, Tianyi had already grabbed two cans of condensed milk for Susu. Ignoring Xi Xianya, he said gently to Susu, "Let's go see what else we need to buy."
With that, he pushed the cart past Xi Xianya, not wanting to say another word to her.
Susu glanced at Xi Xianya again and followed him.
He pushed the cart with one hand and held Susu's hand with the other.
Xi Xianya stood rooted to the spot, watching their retreating backs. She hadn't expected the seemingly cold and stern Mr. Qin to have such a tender side.
When he held his wife's hand, it was as if he were holding a fragile object, afraid his wife might get hurt in the slightest.
She felt an indescribable sense of loss, but she was even more captivated by this man.
After buying all the necessary ingredients and getting into the car after leaving the supermarket, Susu couldn't help but ask Tianyi, "The Miss Xi we just met, is she a fresh graduate applying to your group?"
Tianyi started the car and shook his head, saying, "Do you think someone of my status would personally handle recruitment and get to know an applicant?"
"No," Susu agreed, finding it impossible. But she couldn't think of any other explanation.