546 Leave A Good Impression

In her previous life, Xiu had no clue that Zhou Xichen had another son apart from Zhou Jinhai neither did she know the history between these people. But she was well aware of one thing, Zhou Xichen never stayed at his home with his wife. All year round he was working. Even Zhou Jinhai had mentioned how his father only cared about the business and only came home once or twice in a year.

At that time, Xiu really believed that Zhou Xichen was very dedicated to his work. But now... Her mind had some other theories.

"I've been curious to know something but I never dared to ask Regan. I didn't want to upset him. But I still don't know whether I should ask you or not?"

Zhou Xichen opened his mouth but stopped when the waiter brought everything they ordered. With a polite smile, the waiter left. Only then did Zhou Xichen spoke up, "Go ahead. I don't mind you asking anything."

"I've been trying to understand Regan's family situation. Although I do understand his stance with his maternal family, I'm not much clear about his paternal family. Especially about your relationship with Regan's birth mother." 

Zhou Xichen had expected this question sooner or later. He picked up his cup of tea languidly blew on it before taking a small sip. As he looked up at her, he answered, "Florence was my legal wife." Xiu's eyes widened a little. Since Zhou Jinhai was older than Darren, she thought...

Before her thoughts could wander off anywhere else, he went on, "It was a love marriage against all odds. Since it was a love marriage, I had to take all the burn from my family. You see, Zhou Family was not ready to accept a daughter-in-law that didn't match their merits." He snickered at his own words as he continued, "Although Florence came from a good family, my family was still not ready to accept a western daughter-in-law who knew nothing about their values." He shook his head at the memory. "I agree, that there was a language barrier, culture barrier, and a lot of other things. But no one can claim that my wife never tried her best. Because she did. She did everything she could to be accepted by my family."

Xiu couldn't help thinking back to her own situation. She neither had a language barrier or a cultural barrier and yet she was rejected. Why? She wanted to laugh at this because she now finally understood, those who never had any intention to accept you will always find something to nitpick about. And those who already opened their heart for you would accept you with any flaw just like Francesca did.

"These pressures stressed Florence so much that she couldn't conceive." Xiu was now vaguely able to see where this was going. "Even after four years of our marriage, we had no child. I don't think I need to tell you what that represents in our Asian culture?"

"She was completely shunned by your family?" Xiu voiced out.

"They sent a mistress to your bed? How typical!" 

Zhou Xichen was really surprised by Xiu's blunt remark but didn't mind it at all. After all, it was the truth. "I still can't recall how or when it happened. I only got to know when that woman brought my one-year-old son at my door." He closed his eyes as if he could clearly see that moment replaying in his mind and it was hurting him. "I can't forget the way Florence looked at me when we confirmed that the baby boy was indeed my blood. She didn't even ask me anything else and left me."

The more she heard, the angrier she was getting. She wanted to stab someone or something. So, she chose to stab the piece of cheesecake she ordered with her small fork. She filled her mouth with cake to not allow herself to hurl some profanities in her temper. It won't leave a good impression!

But at this moment, she thoroughly despised Zhou Jinhai's mother. That vicious woman! No wonder she was no good of a mother. How could she be? When she never even was a good woman! Destroyed a family?! How despicable!

However, suddenly she realized something...

"Then Regan?"

Zhou Xichen tried to pass her a smile which was obviously forced and it seemed distorted. "Florence perhaps herself didn't know that when she left me she was already pregnant." 'Or maybe she did but didn't want to tell me. Maybe that was her way of punishing me.' He didn't say the last sentence to Xiu. He didn't know why but he couldn't say it out loud as if afraid that if he did, his words would turn out to be true.

"Oh!" That's all Xiu could say.

"In fact, until Francesca brought Regan to the country when he was young, I had no idea I had another son. But by that time, Regan was already very sensible. Most importantly, he considered Francesca as his everything. So, I never forced him. Besides, even if I did, I knew he won't be able to have his freedom."

"Then your current wife is really a poisonous snake. Sorry for offending you, but I just really couldn't keep it in any longer!"

Zhou Xichen didn't hide his amusement at the way Xiu was wolfing down the cake. Also, her words really made him feel at ease. He really wasn't offended. Not even a little. But he needed to clear one more thing to her.

"My only wife had been Florence Salvay. Are you sure you want to call her a poisonous snake?"

Xiu coughed profusely when she heard his words and had a look of disbelief flash all over her being. How was that possible? Was he kidding with her? But what would he get out of this?

"Wait!" She wiped her mouth and even her clothes where she ended up coughing some bits and pieces of the cake that had been in her mouth. Yes, it was very dirty but she was hardly thinking about her image anymore. There were more pressing matters at the hand! "What about Zhou Jinhai's mother? I mean the lady of Zhou Family? Isn't she now your second wife?"