Chapter 16: Mom is Going Abroad
Wen De gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, his tone still businesslike. “Recently, we’ve been working with the factory over at No.2 Middle School, so I’ll have more time.”
Wen Xia didn’t call him out on his lie, happily shaking her head. “Finally, I won’t have to squeeze onto the bus on Fridays anymore, and I’ll save a few bucks on the fare. Hehe.”
“Do you not have any money on you?”
Wen De glanced at her, noticing how happy she seemed.
It had been a long time since she had smiled like that in front of him.
It seemed like she had changed since last week, no longer arguing with him.
Before Wen Xia could respond, he added, “I’ll find time tomorrow to get you a bank card. If you run out of money, you can just withdraw from there.”
She was growing up now, and there were some things, like women’s products, that he might miss. Even though he wanted to take care of her, it was possible to overlook these details.
“I still have money, I’m fine.”
Wen Xia looked out the window; they were heading toward the county center.
“Dad, where are we going?”
“Your mom wants to see you.”
“Oh.”
Wen Xia fell silent, remembering that Liu Yan was probably leaving soon to follow another man abroad.
She wouldn’t return until after Wen Xia married Qin Mo, by which time she would have had another child.
The car stopped, and Wen Xia looked out the window. Sure enough, it was that tea house.
The tea house was the only place in Jia County that served afternoon tea, a popular spot for wealthy people. A small slice of tiramisu there cost over thirty yuan.
The place had a distinctly foreign vibe, much like Liu Yan herself—her golden waves of hair, a beige body-hugging sweater, and her well-maintained face adorned with elegant makeup.
Liu Yan was both beautiful and capable, or else she wouldn’t have married into the moderately wealthy Wen family.
She was sitting next to a plump man in an expensive suit. Aside from the price of his clothing, Wen Xia felt there was nothing about him that compared to Wen De.
Wen Xia glanced at Wen De with concern. In her past life, when she was getting married to Qin Mo, she went to his place to grab the household registration book and ended up seeing a photo of Liu Yan and Wen De together. Both of them were smiling happily.
She had never known that the usually serious Wen De had a softer side.
He had turned down remarriage proposals from others, but perhaps it was because he couldn’t let go of Liu Yan.
When Liu Yan saw the two of them, she stood up and waved, calling out warmly, “Wen De, Xia Xia, over here.”
Wen De gestured for Wen Xia to sit inside while he took a seat outside.
Wei Yonghui extended his hand in a friendly manner. “How have you been recently?”
“Pretty well,” Wen De responded, shaking his hand briefly.
Liu Yan handed the menu to Wen Xia with a motherly smile. “Xia Xia, feel free to order anything.”
“I’m not hungry, thank you,” Wen Xia said, pushing the menu back toward her.
Liu Yan’s smile didn’t fade. She gently persuaded, “Xia Xia, the tiramisu here is really delicious. Have a piece.”
Her words were exactly the same as in Wen Xia’s past life, but this time, Wen Xia didn’t follow along. “I’ve never liked sweets.”
She wasn’t disappointed, just stating a fact.
Liu Yan had always been kind to her, yet she could never remember what Wen Xia liked or disliked.
On the other hand, Wen De, though stern, always remembered her preferences.
Hearing her biological daughter say that, Liu Yan’s expression turned somewhat awkward and pained. Wei Yonghui reached out and gently patted her shoulder, offering some comfort.
“Xia Xia just had lunch, she can’t eat any more.”
Wen De explained and then looked up at the waiter. “Two cups of lemon water, please.”
Liu Yan quickly regained her composure. “How’s your studying been recently, Xia Xia?”
“Pretty good,” Wen Xia replied.
The lemon water was brought to the table. Wen Xia bit down on the straw, staring out the window, her mind wandering.
Suddenly, Liu Yan spoke again. “Xia Xia, your mom’s going abroad.”
Although she had been mentally prepared for this, Wen Xia still fell silent for a few seconds. She glanced at Wen De, but his face showed no change—he must have known about it long ago. “Okay.”
