Chapter 477

At first, she simply couldn't find a job, hitting a wall at every turn.

Then, even her landlord deliberately raised the rent to drive her away.

Fang Hui knew that Grandma Xiao must be targeting her behind the scenes. She gnashed her teeth in hatred, but didn't know what to do.

She came from a poor background, and in order to enter the circle of the wealthy, she had even cut off contact with her hometown.

She had suffered untold hardships just to return to Beijing.

She didn't have much money left on hand. She originally wanted to settle down here temporarily and wait for her son to secure his position in the Xiao family.

However, the cost of living here was not low, and she was used to living a good life. It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality.

Naturally, she was unwilling to live in an old, shabby, and small place, let alone one far from the city center.

All her money went into renting an apartment.

Fortunately, she still had some old friends here who lent her a little money, allowing her to gain a foothold.

But she never expected that just as she had finally stabilized, Grandma Xiao would suppress her.

She wanted to make it impossible for her to survive in this city.

During this time, she clearly felt that Grandma Xiao had sent people to keep an eye on her son, preventing her from getting anywhere near him.

Having lost contact with her son, she could only find ways to secretly investigate what had happened back then.

Now she was certain that those children belonged to the Xiao family and had evidence. Although the existence of these children posed a great threat to her.

But indirectly, it also meant she held the lifeline of the Xiao family, didn't it?

However, now she couldn't find a job, had no place to live, and couldn't even solve her basic needs for food and clothing. Driven into a corner with no way to retreat, she had no choice but to use this matter to threaten Grandma Xiao.

This was also her last bargaining chip to negotiate with the Xiao family.

Fang Hui thought Grandma Xiao still didn't know that these children were the Xiao family's offspring, so she was very arrogant and went directly to Grandma Xiao for a negotiation.

She had another idea, an idea that would make the Zhou family's children hate the Xiao family.

The children were still young and ignorant. Once they knew that their biological father was driven to death by Grandma Xiao, which led to them becoming orphans, they would definitely harbor hatred.

In addition, if Grandma Xiao knew these children belonged to the Xiao family, she would definitely fight for them.

Someone like Si Nian, combined with the children's dependence on her, would be even less likely to be willing to separate.

When the time came, she might even leave Beijing to protect the children.

After all, here, the Zhou family definitely had no way to shake the Xiao family.

She had interacted with those children; they practically followed Si Nian's every lead.

But they were cold and ruthless to outsiders, especially the eldest child of the Zhou family, Zhou Zedong. The few times she had bumped into him before, meeting his gaze, Fang Hui found it terrifying.

Such a child could not possibly forgive Grandma Xiao.

Thinking of this method, she could both threaten Grandma Xiao and make the children hate her bitterly. Perhaps it would even make Si Nian take the children away, and then she could stay with peace of mind!

The more Fang Hui thought about it, the more excited she became.

It was as if she had been injected with adrenaline.

She waited at the school gate to catch Grandma Xiao, who was sending the child to the library, and took the initiative to propose a talk.

Grandma Xiao didn't know what tricks she was hiding, but it wasn't appropriate to lose her temper in front of her grandson, so she had to agree.

Xiao Bowen watched the two secretly crossing swords. For some reason, he felt that his mother seeking out his grandmother must be related to the Zhou family.

He restrained his gaze and parted ways with the two under the pretext of going to read.

Then he carried his schoolbag and went to the Si family's house.

Si Nian was just about to take the children out to buy summer clothes. Little Four was tied to the back of Second Child, who was running very fast. Little Four was amused and giggled, thinking his brother was playing with him.

He almost bumped into the approaching Xiao Bowen.

Seeing Xiao Bowen, Si Nian was taken aback for a moment.

"Bowen, why did you come over by yourself?"

Xiao Bowen held his backpack straps, pursed his lips, and whispered, "Teacher Si, I want to buy a book, but I didn't bring any money. Can you take me to buy it? I'll have Grandma return the money to you tomorrow."

His expression was conflicted and troubled.

Si Nian paused, thinking to herself, this child came all the way to find her just to buy a book?

She laughed helplessly and said, "How much is it? I'll give it to you."

"It's just a book, no need to pay it back. Consider it a gift from your teacher."

But Xiao Bowen pursed his lips and after a long while said, "Can you go with me?"

A strange look flashed in Si Nian's eyes, but she thought Xiao Bowen just didn't want to be alone.

He seemed to really like going to the library to read with Eldest Child, and occasionally he would come over to play, but every time he had to find an excuse for himself.

It seemed that only in this way could he feel at ease staying.

Because she had told Eldest Child earlier today that she was taking his younger siblings to buy clothes in the afternoon and asked him to come back early, Eldest Child hadn't gone to the library. So, being bored alone, he found such an excuse?

Si Nian didn't think much of it. It was on the way anyway, so she nodded, "Alright, I'll take you to buy it, but go home early after buying it, don't let your grandmother worry."

Xiao Bowen nodded, and then led them all the way to the library they often visited.

Meanwhile, in the rest area below the library, Grandma Xiao and Fang Hui were confronting each other.

After Grandma Xiao sat down, she looked at Fang Hui. Her eyes held a hint of smugness, though it was unclear what exactly she was being smug about.

Her look of a petty person flush with success made her very uncomfortable.

Her second son was also foolish to have provoked such a woman.

"Speak, what exactly do you want to do? If you want to marry my son, then don't even think about it. Unless I die, you will never enter the Xiao family's door in this lifetime."

"Madam Xiao, why are you so aggressive? I'm not here to bring that up. However, I'm sure you will be very interested in what I have to say."

"What is it?" Grandma Xiao frowned.

Fang Hui smiled, "I heard that your eldest son passed away in a car accident back then, right?"

Grandma Xiao's face instantly darkened.

Smart as she was, she immediately understood what Fang Hui was trying to do.

Her eyes grew cold, and she simply stopped talking.

Letting her continue.

Fang Hui saw her ugly expression, thought she had hit the mark, and immediately felt pleased with herself.

She continued, "Although I don't know what caused that accident, I think it must have something to do with you, Madam."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Grandma Xiao interrupted her impatiently.

"Actually, following your son's arrangement this time, I took a trip to Yungui Sichuan City and discovered some incredible things. I don't know if you are aware of them..."

She took out that group photo from her bag. "I saw a few children who look very much like Big Brother Xiao, and they live right next door to me. Speaking of which, these children have had a miserable life. They are raised by their uncle and have a stepmother. Living under someone else's roof, their life is difficult. Perhaps they don't even know that their father has already..."

Grandma Xiao's face instantly turned incredibly ugly.

"Coincidentally, after I came back, I also found these children here. However, their stepmother is a snob. If she knew the children's background, I'm afraid she wouldn't let the matter rest... Sigh, seeing that the Xiao family only has Bowen as an heir, it's truly pitiful, so I came to tell you immediately after finding out about this."

She spoke in a tone as if everything she did was for the sake of the Xiao family.

After ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‍all, only by letting Grandma Xiao see how generous and selfless she was would the old lady stop having such a huge problem with her.

As for those children, they were still so young and their biological parents were dead. Even if they really returned to the Xiao family, they would have no one to rely on.

Once Grandma Xiao passed away, what could those orphaned kids possibly use to fight her for the inheritance?

By doing Grandma Xiao a favor now, she could get the old lady to have a massive falling out with Si Nian over the custody of the children. That was the outcome she wanted to see the most.

The more Fang Hui thought about it, the more smug she felt.

Grandma Xiao looked at the overly clever Fang Hui, a cold sneer surfacing in her eyes.

She pretty much figured out the little schemes running through Fang Hui's mind.

However, the stupidity of this woman exceeded her imagination. Did Fang Hui really not know that she had already been in contact with Si Nian and already knew the children belonged to the Xiao family?

She had assumed her grandson had already told Fang Hui about these things.

But unexpectedly, Fang Hui only knew about the children's relationship with the Xiao family and was completely oblivious to everything else.

And here she was, shamelessly badmouthing Si Nian.

After learning about the children's situation, she had secretly investigated it long ago. Si Nian's relationship with the children was as close as if they were her own flesh and blood.

The children were exceptionally fond of her and intimate with her, to the point where Grandma Xiao couldn't bear to tear them apart.

Coupled with Zhou Zedong's warning to her, even she didn't dare to make threats.

Yet Fang Hui was actually trying to sow discord.

If she hadn't known about these matters beforehand, Fang Hui might have actually succeeded.

Grandma Xiao sneered, Is that so? According to what you're saying, she definitely won't easily return the Xiao family's children to me?

Xiao Bowen led Si Nian over, then asked Zhou Zedong to take her to the resting area to wait for him while he went upstairs to get the books.

Zhou Zedong gave him a weird look, but seeing that Si Nian was indeed sweating profusely from the heat, he hurriedly pulled her toward the resting area.

He came here often and was very familiar with the place.

But to his surprise, just as they walked over, he heard a familiar voice.

Of course. You have no idea how snobbish their stepmother is. If she finds out about their connection to the Xiao family, she definitely won't let the children come back so easily. At the very least, she'll try to scam a massive sum of money out of the Xiao family.

He looked up and saw that it was Xiao Bowen's mother talking with Grandma Xiao.

Although Si Nian noticed it too, she didn't immediately react.

But Zhou Zedong's expression instantly turned ugly.

However, the other party hadn't noticed them yet and continued speaking.

Grandma Xiao's furious voice rang out, Enough! Do you take me for a fool? I've known what kind of person Comrade Si is for a long time. You still want to smear her reputation in front of me? Don't think I don't know what you're plotting!

If Comrade Si is willing to let the two children come back, even if she empties out our Xiao family, I would be happy to let her! I don't need you scheming and plotting here!

Grandma Xiao liked Si Nian very much and couldn't stand seeing Fang Hui smear her like this. Her face was dark and gloomy.

Fang Hui was startled, and her expression quickly turned sour.

Just as she was about to say something, she noticed Si Nian and her son.

Her gaze shifted, and she mocked directly, You might be willing, but it depends on whether she is! Since you know her personality and her relationship with the children, you should be well aware that she couldn't possibly bear to return the children to you!

Grandma Xiao noticed the strange look in her eyes and immediately turned around.

Seeing her eldest grandson's ugly expression and the astonished Si Nian, she was also stunned.

Si Nian was totally dumbfounded.

She only just realized that her appearance here was no coincidence.

Some of her previous doubts instantly made sense at this moment.

After the initial shock, she quickly regained her composure.

It was a novel, after all. Things like the mystery of the children's birth were essential plot points; there was nothing to be surprised about.

What Si Nian hadn't expected, however, was that the children's background would be so massive.

After just a few seconds of being stunned, Grandma Xiao had already stood up in a panic, hurriedly explaining, It's not like that, Nian Nian. I have no intention of forcing the children back to the Xiao family. Please don't misunderstand!

Si Nian said with a weird expression, I was wondering why your attitude toward the children earlier and the baffling anonymous financial aid they received at school felt a bit off. Now it all makes sense.

It was you working behind the scenes, right?

Grandma Xiao nodded with a pale face. Yes, but I meant no harm. I just wanted to give the children a little bit of compensation. It is our Xiao family that let them down, and I don't expect their forgiveness. I just hope you don't misunderstand. I don't want to separate you and force the children to come back.

She was terrified that Si Nian would misunderstand and actually take the children away.

Si Nian said, Of course I can't bear to be separated from the children.

Fang Hui immediately sneered, See, I was right! How could she possibly return the children to you!

Grandma Xiao's face turned pale.

Si Nian glanced at the smug Fang Hui and said, Of course. It hasn't been easy for me. I've shed so much sweat and earned so much money just to raise these children to this age. How could I let them go back so easily, only to call someone else grandma the moment they meet? This is clearly my grandma!

Grandma Xiao: ......

Fang Hui: .......

Beside them, Zhou Zedong almost dropped the things in his hands, staring at Si Nian in astonishment.

Grandma Xiao was the first to react, asking in surprise, Nian Nian, what do you mean?

Si Nian smiled. Grandma Xiao... oh wait, Auntie. This chance to get filthy rich... oh wait, you don't need to worry about my thoughts at all. I would be more than happy to let the children inherit the Xiao family's fortune.

Of course, if the children want to live with me now, they will live with me. I won't stop them from interacting with the Xiao family in the future. It'll be the same when they grow up and inherit the fortune. You wouldn't mind that, right?

The matters of the previous generation have nothing to do with the children. I don't want to dig into it, and I hope they won't dwell on it either. Living our own lives well right now is the most important thing.

Little Dong, do you want to give up this chance to get filthy rich?

Si Nian's eyes sparkled with golden light.

Zhou Zedong: ......

If he didn't have to leave his mom and could still inherit a million-dollar fortune... it seemed like it wasn't a bad idea.

He immediately shook his head.