Huangfu Sisong thought of something and asked, "How many months is that Daisy now? Can we do a fetal DNA test?"
"Not that soon, still need to wait another month," Wu Xiufang replied.
Huangfu Sisong said, "If this child is truly Shaohua's, then we'll have an heir. If Daisy can't bear to part with the child, you can give her more money then, enough for her to find someone else later, or for her entire life."
"Alright, I know. Now I'll have people serve her like an empress. She will definitely give birth to this child safely." Wu Xiufang found it laughable that Huangfu Sisong was even going to give money to that woman. If it weren't for the child in her belly, she wouldn't let her live such a pampered life.
"That's good. You go and talk more with the younger ones, don't be too sad about Shaohua's matter anymore." Huangfu Sisong said and then lowered his head to deal with official business.
Wu Xiufang left the study dejectedly. Since Shaohua's passing, a subtle rift had formed between her and Huangfu Sisong, and she felt their affection was not as strong as before.
Yao Feili saw Mengqi come out of Mengyao's room first. As she approached, he asked, "Did you finish helping Mengyao with her consultation?"
"Mm, she's still tidying up in her room. It's getting late, we should be heading back too." Mengqi pulled him, wanting to say goodbye to her parents.
At this moment, her mother Wu Xiufang also came out of the study. Seeing only the three of them in the hall, she asked, "Where's Yao Yao?"
"Mom, she's in her room and will be out shortly. Feili and I need to go back, we're going to say hello to Dad." Mengqi said.
"Alright, but knock before you enter the study. Your father is dealing with official matters."
Mengqi said, "Even at home, Dad doesn't rest. Can his body handle it?"
"I tell him, but he doesn't listen. Your father still thinks he's young, working in the study until one or two in the morning every day, with more energy than you young people."
"Dad usually keeps up with his exercise, right? He's in great shape." Yao Feili praised.
Wu Xiufang smiled and said, "Yes, the old man was even healthier when he was young, with the physical fitness of a pilot. You two hurry and find him. Once he gets absorbed in his work, he doesn't want anyone to disturb him."
Mengqi pulled Yao Feili to hurry to the study to say goodbye to her father.
Wu Xiufang sat beside Hong Jiaxi and made small talk, asking about the health of Grandpa Hong and the like.
Hong Jiaxi chatted with her while occasionally glancing towards Mengyao's room upstairs, knowing that Mengyao had asked Mengqi to her room probably to discuss Song Jiaping's matters.
As far as he knew, Song Jiaping's mother had passed away from illness, and a few days ago, Song Jiaping had left Lancheng alone, taking an international flight, likely heading abroad.
He had felt somewhat relieved, thinking that Song Jiaping was sensible enough not to pester Mengyao anymore. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let him leave so easily.
"Jiaxi, Jiaxi!" Wu Xiufang saw he was distracted and called him several times, "Are you listening to me?"
"Yes, yes, Auntie." Hong Jiaxi came back to his senses and said, "My mother has submitted an application to the charity association you're in charge of. She also wants to contribute."
"That's wonderful. If her application is approved, I'll contact her." Wu Xiufang, seeing his thoughts, said, "Why don't I go upstairs and call Yao Yao for you? This child probably fell asleep from tiredness after going back to her room."
"Auntie, then I'll trouble you to go upstairs and check. If she's asleep, don't disturb her. I'll visit another day." Hong Jiaxi said gratefully.
Wu Xiufang said "Okay" and got up to go upstairs to check.
At this moment, Mengyao's room door opened from the inside, and Mengyao walked out.
Wu Xiufang looked up at her and said, "What were you doing in your room? Come down quickly. Jiaxi has been waiting for you for a long time."
"I just showed big sister the new fashion and jewelry I bought, and tidied up." Mengyao scanned the hall as she came downstairs and asked, "Where are big sister and brother-in-law?"
"They are going back, saying goodbye to your father in the study." Wu Xiufang replied.
Mengyao walked quickly down the stairs and came to Hong Jiaxi's side.
"Jiaxi, I thought brother-in-law was still talking with you."
"It's alright, if you're tired, rest first. I'll leave with Mengqi and the others." Jiaxi put his arm around her considerately.
Mengyao did not detain him and said, "Alright, I have a lot of work at the unit recently. Let's make plans for the weekend."
Jiaxi was stunned for a moment, let go of her, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Okay."
Just then, Mengqi and her husband came out of the study. Mengqi looked at Jiaxi and said, "Are you leaving with us, or are you reluctant to leave Yao Yao and want to spend more time with her?"
"Leaving together." Jiaxi's awkwardness was relieved, and he smiled and left with Mengqi and her husband.
After they left, Wu Xiufang finally spoke, "Why are you so hot and cold with Jiaxi? You made him so awkward just now by not asking him to stay."
"It's getting late, am I supposed to ask him to stay overnight at our house?" Mengyao's heart was in turmoil.
Wu Xiufang said, "Staying overnight is also fine. Our house is so big, can't we find an empty room for him to sleep in for a night?"
"Mom, I'm tired and want to rest." Mengyao reiterated, "I only agreed to try being his girlfriend again, we haven't reached that stage yet. Don't push it."
Wu Xiufang felt something was not quite right when she heard her say this and said, "What do you mean by 'try'? The Hong family and Jiaxi all think you've changed your mind and already consider you their future daughter-in-law. You can't be thinking about that Song Jiaping again, or you'll hurt Jiaxi. Men value their pride above all else. If you hurt Jiaxi's pride again, no matter how good-tempered he is, he will..."
"Alright," Mengyao interrupted her, finding her nagging annoying, "I know. I won't try to be with two people and deceive his feelings. I'll explain everything to him."
After speaking, she ran upstairs back to her room. Wu Xiufang watched her retreating figure and said with some worry, "Why is this child so stubborn? I don't know what's so good about that Song Jiaping."
As she was sighing and shaking her head, her phone rang.
Wu Xiufang thought it was a wealthy lady from the charity foundation and answered without looking.
"Li Chunxing, do you still remember me?" a strange male voice came through.
When Wu Xiufang heard someone call her Li Chunxing, it was as if she had returned to a past life, like a thunderclap exploding in her mind.
How many years had it been since anyone had uttered this rustic name? She had long forgotten that she had ever used this name!
"Who are you?" Her voice trembled like a sieve.
The other party said, "You don't need to know who I am. Zhu Qin and her son are not dead. They are alive and well. As long as I make them come forward and tell the truth, you'll be finished."
"What... What are you saying? I don't understand at all. You've dialed the wrong number, right? What Li Chunxing? I'm not, and I don't know this person." Wu Xiufang said, trying to remain calm.
"Since that's the case, then there's nothing more to say." The other party hung up decisively.
Wu Xiufang felt her legs go weak, unable to stand. She quickly reached for something to hold onto to steady herself, then slowly sank onto the sofa.