“Right now, in her eyes, everyone except Chen Can is a bad person.”
Xu Xun pointed to himself, then at Xu Changkong. “That includes her own family.”
“Ah—”
Xu Xun let out a heavy sigh. “Wanwan has always been so worry-free since she was little. How could she stumble so badly over Chen Can? She’s being so uncharacteristically stubborn.”
Xu Changkong spoke up. “Since Wanwan only listens to Chen Can, then we’ll have to start with him.”
“This matter isn’t a secret. Chen Can must have heard the rumors by now, and he’s definitely going to be frantic over this.”
“When that happens, he’ll surely try to use Wanwan to drag our family into this mess. Keep a close eye on Wanwan, don’t let her do anything foolish.”
“As for Chen Can, we’ll play it by ear. If someone else steps forward to protect him, we can quietly lend a hand too, but on one condition: he has to break up with Wanwan.”
Xu Xun disagreed with his father. “Dad, I think no matter what, we can’t get tangled up with Chen Can. If Wanwan refuses to see reason, then we might have to distance ourselves from her too.”
“Chen Can’s situation is serious. If he ends up being made an example of, anyone connected to him will suffer the consequences.”
These kinds of matters can be big or small; it all depends on whether someone wants to make an issue of it.
If Chen Can really is unlucky, he’ll be in huge trouble.
If they cut ties with Xu Wan, she might be upset, but it would protect them. As long as they’re safe, they’ll be in a position to look out for her.
But if they get implicated and fall, who would Xu Wan have left to rely on? Chen Can can’t even save himself, and given his character, he’d throw her under the bus without a second thought. Hoping he’d protect her is out of the question.
Xu Changkong had been worn out lately by Xu Wan’s situation, having trouble sleeping for several nights. He waved dismissively at Xu Xun. “Son, I’ll leave Wanwan’s matter to you. Your old father is past his prime, not much use anymore.”
“Dad, don’t say that.”
Xu Xun got Xu Changkong his medicine, poured water for him to take it, and seeing his father looked drowsy, helped him to bed.
Opening the bedroom door, he nearly collided with Xu Wan, who was holding a bowl of lotus seed porridge. “Big Brother, I made porridge for Dad. I heard he hasn’t been eating well.”
“Wanwan, you know perfectly well why Dad hasn’t been eating well.”
Xu Xun motioned for Xu Wan to move aside so they could talk. “Dad just fell asleep. You can bring it in for him when he wakes up.”
“Seeing that you still care enough to make porridge for Dad, that means a lot to him and to me.”
Xu Xun patted Xu Wan’s shoulder. “Wanwan, I won’t say much else. I know you won’t listen anyway. Right now, your mind is filled with nothing but your great love.”
“Big Brother, I don’t understand. I just want to love Chen Can. Why does that have to conflict with the family? It’s not like our families are ancient enemies.”
Xu Wan knew her family cared, but she just couldn’t grasp it. “Why do you force me to choose between you and Chen Can?”
“Wanwan, why can’t you see? We don’t want you to be with Chen Can because he’s not a man you can trust with your future!”
“You won’t be happy with him. He’ll only hurt you, again and again!”
Xu Xun felt helpless. “I just don’t know how to make you see Chen Can’s true colors.”
Xu Wan thumped her chest. “Big Brother, I’m the one in a relationship with Chen Can, not you. This is my choice. If I end up unhappy, I’ll be the one to bear it.”
“But we can’t stand by and watch you be unhappy, especially when you could avoid it! Why do you have to go looking for it?”
Xu Xun gently gripped her shoulders. “Wanwan, you’ve always been so smart. How can you be so blind about this one thing?”
“Big Brother, for me, being with A’Can is happiness. In my mind, A’Can and happiness are the same thing.”
“Even if he’s deceiving me, even if he hurts me, as long as he’s with me, I have no regrets.”
Xu Wan desperately tried to make her family understand her resolve. But the more she insisted, the more Xu Xun hated Chen Can.
And for Xu Wan, the more her family opposed the relationship, the more determined she became.
And so, they were all trapped in a vicious cycle.
Kang Zhimiao, as an outsider, could see this clearly, but she couldn’t say anything. In this family, especially regarding matters between the Xu family members, she had no right to speak.
Right now, she was more worried about Kang Zhixin.
Despite Kang Zhixin’s attitude and the hurtful things she’d said, as the eldest sister, she still had to make plans for her well-being.
Ever since they were young, their parents had taught them that siblings must get along harmoniously; they were a unit, sharing glory and loss together. As the eldest sister, she especially had a duty to help and support her younger siblings.
Husbands’ families couldn’t always be relied upon. In a crisis, you had to count on your own flesh and blood.
Xu Xun and Xu Wan’s conversation ended in another stalemate, with both parties upset.
He returned to their room still simmering with anger. Kang Zhimiao quickly went to him and thoughtfully massaged his shoulders.
When his anger seemed to subside a little, she spoke. “Old Xu, what do you think about me going to visit Comrade Xiao Ye?”
Xu Xun took her hand and pulled her around to sit in front of him. “On what pretext?”
“Ruirui heard there’s a super cute little girl and insists on going to see her.”
Xu Xun thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, go ahead.”
Kang Zhimiao had been thinking it over carefully. The gift shouldn’t be too cheap, nor too lavish. “Would it be appropriate to bring two outfits and a pair of silver bracelets?”
“That should be fine.”
Xu Xun advised Kang Zhimiao, “Her family are all smart people. You don’t need to spell everything out.”
“Don’t worry, I know how to handle it.”
Around nine the next morning, Kang Zhimiao arrived at Yue family’s home with her son, Xu Rui.
Ye Zhiqiu was under the grape trellis with Wan Jiayin and Aunt Zhao, preparing vegetables.
Huo Jiusi was beside them, reading aloud to Yaya from a medical book Dong Hesong had given him.
“Auntie Wan, Xiao Ye.”
Kang Zhimiao stopped at the gate and called out to them.
Wan Jiayin didn’t know her, but Ye Zhiqiu recognized Kang Zhimiao. She briefly introduced her to Wan Jiayin in a low voice, then stood up and went to greet her. “Sister Kang.”
“Xiao Ye, sorry for dropping in unannounced like this.”
Kang Zhimiao looked at Xu Rui. “My little rascal here goes to the same kindergarten as Qin Feng. He keeps hearing Qin Feng talk about how adorable Yaya is, so he’s been pestering me non-stop to come see the little sister.”
“Sister Kang, please come in.”
Once inside the yard, Kang Zhimiao approached the stroller and saw Yaya looking up at her with big, sparkling, watery eyes.
“Oh my, she’s so beautiful! Her features are exactly like yours.”
Kang Zhimiao picked Yaya up, and Yaya, not shy at all, grinned sweetly at her, instantly melting Kang Zhimiao’s heart.
