Chapter 15

The fact that Lu Rourou was kidnapped in Milan didn't affect her appetite at all.

Xie Wantang sat down and ate with great relish.

She was even a bit carefree.

All the servants in the house saw it.

The matter of Lu Rourou being kidnapped abroad was kept strictly secret by the Lu family, so Xie Bailu and her daughter heard nothing about it.

The two sat with Xie Wantang at the dining table, she blew on the white steam before her, and when she was eating the third wonton, Xie's mother couldn't wait any longer: "Wantang, were all the things you said yesterday at the Lu family's old residence true?"

"..."

Xie Wantang frowned. She had said many things yesterday at the Lu family's old residence— which one did she mean?

Xie's mother seemed to see her doubt and explained: "You mean the part where you said you wanted to divorce Lu Yanshen and have your sister take your place?"

"Oh." Xie Wantang nodded, chuckling, "Yeah, if you can convince Lu Yanshen, I'll go along with it."

Xie's mother laughed happily, and Xie Bailu, whose face was caked with powder, also showed a hint of shyness.

"Then you've said it— no going back."

"When have I ever gone back on my word, Madam?" Xie Wantang raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly.

These years, she has never called that birth mother of hers "Mom".

Although she came into this world through her womb, between them, aside from the umbilical cord, there is no other feeling.

So she couldn't be affectionate toward that Madam.

Naturally, that Madam felt the same toward her.

Xie Bailu is the one she raised by hand, the obedient daughter she kept close— their mother‑daughter relationship is naturally good.

Xie Wantang feels no envy at all, because she has a mother with whom she gets along very well.

"But I'll say this up front: no matter what you and Xie Bailu do to Lu Yanshen, that's your own mother‑daughter business— don't imagine I'll help, or even try to drag me into it."

"Don't worry, I'm not counting on you." Xie Bailu gave a light snort, "Just don't hold us back."

"Fine. If you have nothing else, go back— you saw that Lu Yanshen isn't home today, so there's no target for you to work on."

"..."

Finding it boring, Xie Bailu and her daughter left in low spirits.

After getting in the car, Xie Bailu grabbed Xie's mother's wrist: "Mom, don't you feel Xie Wantang is a bit off?"

"Huh, when has she ever been normal? She's just a country bumpkin— back then, a few sweet words were enough to make her willing to marry the wheelchair‑bound Lu Yanshen; she's nothing but a silly girl."

"We not only got the Lu family's betrothal gift for free, they didn't even ask for a dowry— now that Lu Yanshen has recovered, she refuses to take on the role of Mrs. Lu, letting others benefit instead; why not let it benefit you, her sister? What do you say?"

Xie Bailu laughed: "Mom's point is, what if Lu Yanshen isn't willing?"

"You won't think of any other way? Once you've slept with him and the rice is cooked, even if he's unwilling, he'll still have to take responsibility— got it?"

"Yeah, I understand."

Right now, the country bumpkin Xie Wantang that Xie's mother spoke of was packing her luggage, unaware how long Lu Yanshen's trip to Milan would be delayed, and she hadn't been home in a long time.

She missed home, and even more, she longed for the family members with whom she shared mutual, heartfelt affection.

Xie Wantang dragged her luggage downstairs, when the butler and Li Ma promptly came forward to stop her: "Madam, the master instructed before he left that you must not leave with your luggage."

"Lu Yanshen said that?" Xie Wantang raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, if you want to go, you have to call the master and get his permission first."

"..."

Xie Wantang was about to laugh in anger— has Lu Yanshen really gone overboard this time, even trying to control her personal freedom?

"Fine, call him, right? Okay, I'll call."

Xie Wantang couldn't be bothered to argue with these present‑day people; regardless of whether Lu Yanshen actually issued that order, it's just a phone call.

The first call she placed to Lu Yanshen, but his phone was off— maybe he was busy, maybe out of battery, or maybe he was still on the plane.

For the second call, Xie Wantang dialed the old matriarch directly, put it on speaker, and the old lady answered quickly: "Wantang, what's wrong?"

"Grandma, I haven't returned to my natal home in a long time; I want to go back for a visit, but Lu Yanshen's phone is off, and the butler and Li Ma won't let me leave, saying Lu Yanshen ordered that I not depart with my luggage."

The old lady paused, then said: "... That brat is probably worried you'll run away again; you're homesick, and going back to your natal home isn't far—I've given permission, so have the butler talk to me."

"Grandma, I want to go back to my natal home in Haishi, not the Xie family home."

"Is that so? Then Grandma agrees too— go back, adjust your mood, and when you return, give Grandma some face by forgiving that clueless brat once more, okay?"

"Okay, for Grandma's sake, I'll give him another chance." Xie Wantang agreed.

At this point, not agreeing would be pointless— Lu Yanshen isn't around, so divorce talk can't happen, and going against Grandma's words would just waste time in argument.

Really, there's no need.

"Wantang is just obedient," the old lady praised.

"Grandma, I'm rushing to catch my flight, so I won't chat further."

"Alright, when you get home, let Grandma know you're safe."

"Mm."

After hanging up, Xie Wantang looked at the butler and Li Ma, and they no longer stopped her.

Leaving the Lu family residence, Xie Wantang headed straight for the airport.

Several hours later, the plane landed at Blue Sky Airport in Haishi.

Less than an hour later, the taxi carrying Xie Wantang stopped in the wealthy district of Haishi, where every inch of land is precious.

The residential compound Xie Wantang was headed to had armed guards stationed specially; outside taxis couldn't enter, so she told the driver to stop just outside the safety perimeter.

She dragged her luggage off the vehicle.

She hadn't told her family about returning to her natal home, so when she dragged her suitcase and swiped her face to enter Haishi's richest Qin Family, the Qin couple, who had received no news, were stunned by this huge surprise.

"Ya, Tang Bao, when did you come back? Coming back and not even telling us beforehand?" Qin Family's wife Xie Ningmeng rushed over, hugged Xie Wantang, and was overjoyed.

"Tang Bao wanted to give dad and mom, and the brothers a surprise, so she secretly came back," Xie Wantang hugged Xie Ningmeng tightly.

In her heart, the Xie's mother in Sijiucheng is not her mother; Xie Ningmeng is.

"Your brothers are unlucky; they're not at home, only dad and mom are. How long do you plan to stay this time you came back? Mom called your brothers; they haven't seen you in a long time either. Last week they even complained to me, saying my Tang Bao has no conscience."

"My Tang Bao could never be without conscience! Isn't this just coming home?" Xie Ningmeng was overjoyed.

Qin Siyuan, Qin's father, walked over, his gaze deep as he examined Xie Wantang: "Is our Tang Bao being wronged over there?"

"……"