TNSFC – Chapter 102

“Just locking him up, isn’t that letting him off too easy? Someone like him, not getting shot immediately? I heard you’re even planning to get him a lawyer?”

The woman’s voice echoed in the spacious living room, filled with disbelief.

Hou Manni looked at the Que family members sitting on the sofa, finding it hard to understand.

“Didn’t he deal drugs? Getting caught for something like that should result in a sentence of…”

“Who told you he was dealing drugs?” Que Yining, annoyed by her clamor, said, “The evidence found by the police only shows his involvement in money laundering, not direct drug trafficking. It’s written clearly in the reports, are you blind and can’t see?”

“The law requires evidence. I know he’s done other shady things, but there’s no evidence right now. And even if he truly deserved the death penalty, I wouldn’t let him get it. Would I let him off that easily? He shouldn’t dream of a quick and painless death.”

Que Yining’s expression was icy, her voice laced with disgust.

She looked at Hou Manni again and continued, “You don’t need to meddle in the decisions I make. This is where it ends. Your part is done, and we will pay you the agreed-upon sum.”

Hou Manni felt a chill from her expression and couldn’t help but step back, opening her mouth as if to say something more.

“Don’t push your luck. You’ve been acting for a while now, don’t get too into character. We’re not falling for your act. I’ve waived your debt, but that doesn’t mean doing these things for us makes you one of us. Looking at you now makes me sick.”

Que Yining spoke bluntly. Hou Manni wasn’t ignorant of what a disgusting creature Que Linyang was, yet she still put on a good act in front of the Que family, just like Linyang. Even if she wasn’t the mastermind, she was a silent accomplice who aided the villain.

Wasn’t Hou Manni also waiting to share the benefits after Que Linyang succeeded? It was only after her beautiful dream shattered that she decided to turn on him.

The superficial peace was broken, the fig leaf torn away. Hou Manni’s expression was somewhat embarrassed.

She looked at the indifferent Que parents and Que Zixi, took a deep breath, and decided not to play the sympathy card anymore, directly stating what she wanted to say.

“I want to take Xiaoxiao with me.”

“No!”

You Lanqing immediately spoke, her face showing some vigilance.

“You can’t take her away.”

Que Hanyi struck his cane heavily on the floor, indicating his stance.

“Why can’t I take her? There’s no such logic in the world. Dad, Mom, I know you love Xiaoxiao and can’t bear to part with her, but Xiaoxiao is my own flesh and blood, whom I carried for ten months. She’s my biological daughter, and I can’t bear to part with her either. I plan to take her abroad with me.”

Hou Manni wasn’t afraid of anything. Anyway, from the day Que Linyang went to prison, she no longer had any relationship with the Que family. She had no intention of leaving her daughter here.

“You also know she’s your biological daughter, but you haven’t taken good care of her at all. When Xiaoxiao got sick before, we thought it was congenital. Who knew it was the doing of you two unscrupulous parents! Que Linyang wasn’t home, and you were out fooling around, you didn’t look after her at all! Now you say you want to take her away? Who knows if you’ll have the mind or time to care for her after you go abroad! What if you’re busy? What if you find a new man, a new family? What will happen to her?”

The more You Lanqing spoke, the more agitated she became. Her chest heaved violently, and she stood up from the sofa.

They were old and could no longer bear any more partings. What once seemed like a happy and perfect family was now shattered.

The ungrateful wolf had been dealt with. They no longer considered Que Chuling their child. Que Zixi was now plagued by illness, and their beloved youngest daughter’s soul had scattered. It was only because of Xiaoxiao that they still had some spirit. If Xiaoxiao also left, what would they do?

Que Hanyi sighed, his expression looking very grave.

“Mom, what you’re saying isn’t right. Even if I have a new family in the future, I won’t neglect Xiaoxiao. We can give Xiaoxiao double the love, making up for her missing father’s love as well. Of course, that’s something for the future, and who can say for sure what the future holds? How could parents bear to be separated from their children?”

Hou Manni was also very insistent and didn’t yield.

They all turned their gazes to Que Yining, who was sitting there, seemingly waiting for her to make a decision.

“Let Xiaoxiao decide for herself.”

Que Yining remained silent for a long time before speaking.

Privately, she wanted Xiaoxiao to stay. She was also skeptical about Hou Manni’s maternal love, but she indeed couldn’t forcefully make Xiaoxiao stay here.

Xiaoxiao had essentially lost her father already. What if she didn’t want to lose her mother too?

Parents hold a crucial place in a child’s life, one that no other relative can replace.

Que Yining went into Xiaoxiao’s room and explained the situation to her from beginning to end.

She knew Xiaoxiao was smart and would surely understand the current situation.

Xiaoxiao appeared very hesitant. She tugged at the hem of her clothes and asked two questions.

“Youngest Aunt, if I leave with Mom, will I never see you, Third Aunt, and Grandpa and Grandma again?”

“Then if I stay here, will I never see Mom again?”

“Of course not. No matter whose side you choose to stay on, you won’t lose the other,” Que Yining gently stroked her hair, her tone soft. “Even if you go with your mom, we will always be your family, and you will always be our little princess.”

“But you know what we’re worried about. We’re worried you won’t have a good life, because in our eyes, your mother isn’t a particularly responsible person. However, she is still your mother, so we all respect your decision.”

“I know.”

Xiaoxiao didn’t give her answer immediately, just nodded heavily.

Hou Manni’s flight was for the next afternoon. Before then, Xiaoxiao had to make a choice.

Time flew by, and it was the next day. Hou Manni had helped Xiaoxiao pack her luggage, and a car was waiting at the Que family’s main gate.

Que Yining and the others stood silently at the doorway. When they got up and washed in the morning, You Lanqing had picked out the prettiest clothes for Xiaoxiao and braided her hair nicely.

They didn’t say much, but the two elders stood at the door, their eyes filled with sorrow.

Que Yining gave a few words of advice, watching Xiaoxiao leave holding Hou Manni’s hand.

She wasn’t surprised by Xiaoxiao’s choice. After all, in Xiaoxiao’s eyes, her mother was the best mother in the world. She only hoped this endearing and sensible child would have a peaceful and smooth life ahead.

The car door closed. Xiaoxiao pressed her face against the window, looking at her grandparents who were standing there watching her. Suddenly, she opened the car door.

“Xiaoxiao?”

Hou Manni quickly opened her door too, watching Xiaoxiao dive into You Lanqing’s embrace.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, I can’t bear to leave you!”

Xiaoxiao’s eyes reddened too. She had clearly prepared herself for parting in her heart, but at the moment the car was really about to start, she suddenly felt very scared again.

It was a fear she found hard to describe—to truly abandon everything she had now and go to a strange place. If possible, Xiaoxiao wished her mother wouldn’t leave either.

“Mom, can we not go? Let’s just stay here.”

Xiaoxiao leaned against her grandparents, looking at Hou Manni with an expectant expression.

But Xiaoxiao also knew this was unlikely. She knew her mother wouldn’t stay here because of her. After all, in the past, her mother had never stayed home to accompany her despite her pleas.

Hou Manni stroked her head, affectionately and gently.

“Xiaoxiao, Mom will call you regularly and come back to see you when I have time.”

Hou Manni still left. Xiaoxiao stood in place, watching the car drive further and further away, her pretty, innocent face tinged with a blank look.

Que Hanyi and You Lanqing were naturally overjoyed. They had the butler take Xiaoxiao’s luggage back and put it away properly, then led Xiaoxiao by the hand towards the house.

“We knew our precious Xiaoxiao couldn’t bear to leave Grandpa and Grandma. Grandpa and Grandma can’t bear to leave you either.”

That spirited energy returned to You Lanqing’s face, and crow’s feet crinkled at the corners of her eyes.

“Mm, Xiaoxiao can’t bear to leave Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunts either. I haven’t even had the chance to be a flower girl for Youngest Aunt yet. Youngest Aunt, when are you and Youngest Aunt Gu getting married?”

“Ma… ma-ma-marry?”

Que Zixi, standing beside them, was stunned, not knowing what kind of fantastical turn this was.

Although Que Hanyi and You Lanqing had long anticipated it, they were still somewhat caught off guard when the truth was thrust in their faces, their expressions a bit complicated.

“It might still be a while, but I’ll definitely let you be the flower girl then.”

Que Yining hadn’t expected her matter to be revealed to the Que family like this. She had originally planned to tell them when she handed out the wedding invitations.

Although same-sex marriage hadn’t been legalized domestically yet, and registering a marriage abroad wouldn’t have much legal effect, Que Yining didn’t care about that. She was determined to have a wedding, not necessarily with too many people.

However, that was still in her plans; she hadn’t intended to take that step just yet.

Although she didn’t know when Gu Shanxue would be ready, Que Yining had a feeling that Gu Shanxue would definitely take this step before she did.

“Have you two confirmed your romantic relationship? That’s great. Ever since your car accident, I sensed she felt differently about you.”

You Lanqing spoke with a smile, offering her blessings. There was a faint sadness in her eyes, but that sorrow vanished in an instant.

“If it’s confirmed, just live well together. Although her family is prominent and wealthy, and not really in our circle, the Que family is now under your leadership. I’ll support whatever you want to do.”

After this turmoil, Que Hanyi seemed to have stooped quite a bit. He sighed softly as he spoke, his cloudy eyes revealing warmth.

They knew Que Yining always had her own ideas, and that Gu family’s daughter was also a smart and good person. If Que Yining could be happy, they would be at ease.

Que Zixi’s expression seemed somewhat dazed. She said nothing and turned back to her room, her figure slender from behind.

Que Yining rubbed Xiaoxiao’s head, didn’t stay long at the Que residence, and returned to Que Corporation.

Que Linyang’s defeat was like a landslide. His subordinates scattered. Those involved in illegal activities were investigated and shut down as appropriate. Que Yining looked down on his ventures and didn’t bother acquiring them, even if they had value.

She had fought this battle beautifully. The twists and turns had unintentionally increased Que Corporation’s visibility. Que Yining was currently reorganizing the company, not rushing to reopen the closed businesses. She decisively abolished old systems she deemed useless, implemented new assessment systems, and cleared out all unqualified individuals trying to slack off or cut corners, even those with connections.

After such a thorough overhaul from top to bottom, Que Yining restored the scale of operations. At the same time, while the buzz was still high, she launched the ‘Minzhi’ self-heating instant meal products both online and offline.

Simultaneously, a casual game from another studio under Lingyao was also launched, maximizing the advantage of the current buzz.

The situation was excellent. Que Yining clicked to search for related topics.

She had originally expected to see discussions about the game, or the taste of the restaurant food, or perhaps the playability of the new game.

But could someone tell her why the top trending topic was fanfiction about her and Gu Shanxue as a couple?

????

This shouldn’t be happening???