Chapter 76: Changing Habits

Fang Hong carried a pile of bags, struggling forward in the cold wind, his mother following behind to help hold them, stepping steadily, her heart filled with anticipation.

She longed to see what his girlfriend looked like.

The Porsche's trunk was opened, and Fang Hong began loading in the luggage.

From this position, he could see straight ahead; Xu Liyun, her heart fluttering with excitement, bent down to look inside and saw only a back of the head and long, flowing hair.

Liu Tianxian, seated inside the car, felt the burning gaze and felt deeply uneasy.

She had never imagined she'd have to meet a "mother-in-law"!

"She's shy—don't stare at her too much, you'll scare her off," Fang Hong said, closing the trunk.

"Alright, alright, I understand!"

Xu Liyun agreed and asked, "I just don't know her name?"

"You'll see when you meet her."

Fang Hong walked to the rear passenger door, pulled it open, and saw Liu Tianxian sitting in the back seat.

She coldly shifted aside, moving further inward.

This made Fang Hong smile—he felt warmth in his chest; he hadn't expected Liu Tianxian to voluntarily sit in the back to be with his mother.

"Get in!"

Fang Hong stepped aside and gestured with his hand.

Xu Liyun stepped forward, lifted her leg into the car, and saw Liu Tianxian's familiar, breathtakingly beautiful face, who politely greeted her: "Auntie, hello!"

"Oh, good, good!"

Xu Liyun replied incoherently, her heart pounding wildly, her body tensing involuntarily.

She never imagined her son could be so capable, finding such an otherworldly beauty.

She recognized this girl—she'd watched her dramas; she remembered every role: Xiaolongnu, Wang Yuyan—because she regularly followed TV series.

She didn't care about the girl's status—as long as she was a decent person.

Besides, celebrities were, by nature, unattainable to their social class.

Fang Hong closed the door, circled the car, and took the driver's seat, starting the engine and driving onto the road.

"Beijing is colder and drier—you need to take care of your health."

Liu Tianxian steadied her nerves and initiated conversation.

Since she had agreed, she would play her role well—just treat it like acting.

Xu Liyun looked flustered; she dared not speak to such a girl—she was too noble, too beautiful, and she couldn't help but feel inferior.

How could their family possibly be worthy?

"I'm fine—I'm used to traveling all over the country. I'm just worried you're dressed too lightly—you might catch cold."

"We performers are used to the cold—we wear little even at events," Liu Tianxian said.

Xu Liyun gave a slight nod and fell silent.

She knew this well—she'd often seen female stars on TV or in photos, wearing skirts in winter, exposing their chests and backs.

Liu Tianxian assumed the woman was just shy and added, "You said you've traveled all over—what did you do before? Fang Hong never mentioned it."

Xu Liyun lowered her head, silent—she was too embarrassed to reveal her occupation, afraid of shaming her son, worried about face!

"My mom works in a factory sewing clothes—what you'd call a seamstress. She's been to Hunan, she's been to Guangzhou," Fang Hong said frankly.

He wasn't afraid of being poor—he remembered every person who looked down on him for it!

"Oh, you must've worked very hard," Liu Tianxian said, showing no hint of disdain.

What kind of mother she was didn't matter—her son was clearly capable, ambitious!

And such a mother, enduring hardship to raise a son like this—she herself had been the same; she understood.

"As long as Xiao Hong rises to success, hard work doesn't matter," Xu Liyun said gently.

They said she was shy—but she didn't seem it at all!

"He's a good person—smart, capable," Liu Tianxian said.

"Hahaha, he's been smart since he was little, and very sensible, always obedient," Xu Liyun said proudly.

Seeing the woman opening up, Liu Tianxian leaned closer: "Tell me about his childhood!"

"Of course! When he was little, he was mischievous—loved climbing trees, always poking bird nests."

Xu Liyun talked endlessly about her son—before, she'd been silent, stuck in awkward small talk.

Now she was more at ease, and since Liu Tianxian showed no sign of aristocratic arrogance, she loosened up a little.

Fang Hong glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the old woman and the young girl chatting—he relaxed.

He'd feared Liu Tianxian wouldn't cooperate, feared his mother would feel inferior.

Liu Tianxian was of a higher class—she needed to guide his mother, help her adapt to city life among the wealthy, change her habits.

And gradually build her confidence, her refinement.

Though Liu Tianxian sometimes lacked refinement herself, she was still from a prestigious family!

The car soon entered a clean, well-kept, bustling stretch—the roads lined with lush greenery, flowers, and trees, surrounding standalone Villas, the environment beautiful.

Each Villa had a wall, maintaining private distances—only then could it be quiet, offering solitude.

The car stopped before a large iron gate; all three got out, and Liu Tianxian stepped forward to open the gate.

Xu Liyun stared, stunned, at the surroundings and the standalone Villa before her: "How much did this cost?"

"A small amount to me," Fang Hong said.

"Don't waste money—you should just find a decent apartment, no need to live this well," Xu Liyun refused to believe it.

This house was too big, too beautiful—like a castle, surely worth tens or even hundreds of millions.

She wasn't completely clueless.

"You'd better stop worrying about him. He made tens of millions off a single movie."

Liu Tianxian glanced at Fang Hong and went on, "And besides, he's very good at bullying people."

"Bullying people? Who did he bully?" Xu Liyun didn't quite understand.

"He bullies everyone. I've been bullied by him myself." Liu Tianxian said it with a grievance.

"Xiao Hong, that's not right of you." Xu Liyun's tone carried reproach.

"Don't listen to her nonsense. How would I dare bully her? At most I bully other people."

Fang Hong glanced at Liu Tianxian, signaling her not to stir up trouble.

Liu Tianxian tossed her head, very tsundere. Just now in the car, she had been utterly arrogant, and had even slammed the door on her.

"Other people aren't allowed either." Xu Liyun said.

"Fine, not allowed. I won't bully anyone." Fang Hong agreed.

The two of them flanked Xu Liyun on either side as they entered the Villa. Beyond the front gate stretched a small path, with soft lawns on both sides — the landscaping was very well done.

Liu Tianxian introduced, "The east side is the garden. You can grow flowers, grow vegetables, whatever you like. Over there is the leisure area — you can have afternoon tea, have a barbecue, that sort of thing."

Xu Liyun looked around and felt this house was far too extravagant. In the past she wouldn't have dared even imagine it!

The three of them entered indoors — first the foyer, and ahead of the foyer was a huge living room. The living room's pillars and walls were all clad in marble, very smooth and bright, looking extremely grand.

A sparkling chandelier hung from the living room's vaulted ceiling.

And on either side of the living room were two spiral staircases leading straight up to the second floor.

Fang Hong was also staring dumbfounded. This house wasn't worth eighty thousand to rent — it could easily be over a hundred thousand.

Liu Tianxian really has a lot of face!

Liu Tianxian led Xu Liyun on a tour of the place, familiarizing themselves with the bedrooms, kitchen, gym, screening room, swimming pool, and bathrooms.

The entire Villa actually had only six rooms for living; everything else was for leisure and entertainment.

This house was far too big — touring it made Xu Liyun dizzy.

(End of chapter)