“Auntie Yu, are you sure this is alright?” asked Liu Fen, who had remained silent until Tina left.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Did you think I should pamper her, cater to her every whim, and treat her like a precious pearl? If I did that, how would I be any different from everyone else? I’d just be another confused old woman desperate for familial affection. Do you think she’d even deign to look at me then?” Grandmother Yu spoke frankly.

Liu Fen considered this and found it surprisingly logical.

Xia Xiaolan finally couldn’t contain herself anymore and collapsed onto the sofa laughing: “Your strategy is brilliant!”

This was indeed the perfect remedy for a princess complex.

Tina was accustomed to being spoiled by everyone around her. The late Cui Yiru and Zhang Jiangdong had doted on her, Xu Changle had pampered her, and the Wilsons, whatever their hidden motives, had also shown her excessive kindness.

Everyone accommodated her, yielded to her whims, and indulged her every desire.

But Grandmother Yu deliberately played against type.

Today’s first meeting completely shattered Tina’s expectations. In Tina’s eyes, Grandmother Yu didn’t embody an ounce of “grandmotherly love.” But would genuine kindness truly yield positive results? Tina didn’t lack a grandmother figure who would show her unlimited tolerance. Grandmother Yu cared little whether Tina accepted it willingly or not – she established the ground rules first.

When Tina accepted the so-called “verbal agreement,” wasn’t she essentially acknowledging her position as a member of the Xu family?

With the DNA test results already established, Tina couldn’t deny the parent-child relationship.

Instead of crying and begging for a deep grandmother-granddaughter bond, Grandmother Yu offered what appeared to be a compromise through a verbal agreement. Tina probably even felt relieved, thinking she could maintain a safe distance from the Xu family!

But was this safe distance truly secure?

Even a fool could see it wasn’t possible.

After being intimidated by Grandmother Yu the first time and following her plan, one instance of compliance would lead to another, then another… Even the most strong-willed person would gradually yield, let alone someone like Tina.

Xia Xiaolan understood, but Liu Fen remained puzzled, causing Grandmother Yu to worry: how could Ah Fen be so naive?

Perhaps even today, Ah Fen hadn’t carefully considered why she became the mayor’s wife. Before her, there was the beautiful Sheng Xuan who would marry no one but Tang Hongen, maintaining an image of unwavering devotion. After her, there were the dramatic ex-wife-making scenes, and in between, numerous accomplished women Tang Hongen met through work. Yet he never considered remarriage… Wasn’t that strange?

Not at all.

Other women who showed interest in Tang Hongen mostly valued his political career, seeking to marry him for status.

Having experienced divorce during his lowest point, Tang Hongen remained wary.

Only Liu Fen appeared by his side without such intentions, never daring to imagine she could become the mayor’s partner.

Because Liu Fen harbored no such thoughts, Tang Hongen lowered his guard and discovered her genuine qualities through their interactions.

When he suggested dating, Liu Fen refused – how many things had he failed to obtain in life? This made him all the more determined to pursue Ah Fen.

Regardless of gender or age, people are inherently fickle – what comes too easily or is actively pursued holds little value. Playing hard to get often earns respect and love!

Why should Grandmother Yu deliberately curry favor with Tina? She was the elder, Tina the junior.

If she resorted to flattery, wouldn’t Tina become even more arrogant?

Did they think the Xu family couldn’t survive without this child?

Grandmother Yu deliberately took the opposite approach, wanting Tina to understand that even if she one day begged to be part of the Xu family, she would still need to cross the threshold the old lady had established – not just anyone qualified to be a member of the Xu family.

Blood relations were just one aspect.

Character and cultivation mattered too.

Intelligence was essential.

She disliked having a foolish girl as her granddaughter – it felt like an insult to her intelligence!

Grandmother Yu returned from her thoughts and looked worriedly at Liu Fen.

“Are you staying at the hotel tonight or going home?”

It was just past nine, and Tang Hongen had worked overtime all day. Liu Fen felt concerned about him.

Grandmother Yu understood that expression immediately. “Xiaolan, drive your mother home. Married for over a year and are still inseparable like newlyweds. Don’t be embarrassed, I’m not criticizing you, it’s a good thing.”

Well, if she didn’t understand, so be it.

Being worldly-wise without being worldly wasn’t something that could be taught. Tang Hongen loved Ah Fen’s unworldliness, and Grandmother Yu gave up trying to forcefully correct it.

Fools have their luck.

Having suffered in the first half of her life, fortune smiled in her middle years. With Tang Hongen as her husband protecting her, Liu Fen wouldn’t likely suffer again.

Even if Tang Hongen encountered misfortune or had a change of heart, there was still Xia Xiaolan, her daughter, to support her.

Xia Xiaolan took her car keys and headed downstairs: “I’ll come back after dropping off Mom, please leave the door unlocked for me.”

As mother and daughter walked downstairs, they happened to see Ji Jiangyuan. Liu Fen exclaimed happily: “Little Ji, you’re back from Hong Kong?”

Ji Jiangyuan smiled too, “Auntie Liu, Xiaolan, I just returned this afternoon. What a coincidence to see you here.”

Liu Fen hesitated: “The hospital in Hong Kong…”

“You’re wondering about my mother, right? She’s doing well there. The environment at Castle Peak Hospital is good, and the doctors are professional. I think she’s more at ease there.”

Away from Pengcheng, of course.

At Castle Peak Hospital, no one knew who Ji Ya was. Ji Jiangyuan felt that separating her from her past life would help her find more peace.

“That’s good!”

Liu Fen couldn’t bring herself to sympathize with Ji Ya, but out of love for Tang Hongen, she felt for Ji Jiangyuan.

“When will you come over for dinner?”

“Auntie Liu, I really can’t give you a definite answer yet. I have to catch a flight back to Beijing tomorrow. I’ll be back in Pengcheng next weekend, but it’ll probably be busy with work – the big boss is coming!”

Harold was coming.

Xia Xiaolan’s heart stirred. The Wilsons had been staying in Pengcheng, waiting for Harold, presumably.

Old Ivan had also mentioned that disadvantages could be reversed in an instant, advising her to be clever. She wondered if there was a hidden meaning in his words.

“You booked tomorrow morning’s flight, right? We can go together, keep each other company, and save my mom and Uncle Tang from worrying.”

Ji Jiangyuan nodded: “Nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“Perfect, same flight!”

After exchanging pleasantries with Ji Jiangyuan, Xia Xiaolan drove Liu Fen home.

Halfway there, they encountered Tang Hongen’s car.

Having finished overtime and finding his wife hadn’t returned home, he came to pick her up

The night wind whistled, but tonight’s display of affection maintained its familiar flavor.

“Are you tired today?”

Well, you’re the one who worked overtime, Old Tang, who are you asking about being tired?

“Did that Xu family girl make you angry?”

No, the Xu family girl was terrified by her grandmother.

Tang Hongen continued asking several questions, seemingly oblivious to others’ presence until Liu Fen finally found a chance to mention meeting Ji Jiangyuan. Tang Hongen nodded slightly: “That’s good then, the siblings can return to Beijing together, looking after each other… Xiaolan, it’s so late, why haven’t you returned to the hotel yet? You need to catch a flight tomorrow, get some rest!”

Finally noticed me!

Never mind, I’d rather he hadn’t.

Xia Xiaolan waved tiredly: “I’m leaving now.”

-It’s my fault for not being clever enough, to stay to watch this display of affection!