116 What’s Wrong with Lin Wan? No One Is Better Than Her
Huo Meijun didn’t reject Xu Xiaoxiao’s gift. But she didn’t thank her either. She turned to the woman standing beside her. “Auntie Liu, let’s eat now.”
Although his mother didn’t say it clearly, Su Wei knew she had relented.
Tutu unwrapped the two boxes of Ultraman toys and chose two of his favorite ones. “Dad, can I give this to Jiejie later?’
“Sure, if you want to,” said Su Wei.
“Tutu is so kind. He even knows how to share. I will buy you more toys later,” said Xu Xiaoxiao, trying to flatter him.
“Thank you, dad,” said Tutu to Su Wei. His eyes narrowed to slits.
After lunch, Lin Wan asked for leave from Xia Mo and set off with Li Yanchen right on time.
At one in the afternoon, the two families gathered at the place they had decided to meet in.
Tutu had arrived a little early with his family. He ran to Li Zekai as he saw him approach. The two children hugged each other.
“Brother Li.” Su Wei and Li Yanchen addressed each other and shook hands.
Lin Wan and Xu Xiaoxiao did not interact much. They just acknowledged each other with a smile and a nod.
The butler for the VIP package led the two families to the waiting area.
Li Zekai and Tutu toot were playing in the small pond. Li Zexin and Li Zexuan stood at the balcony of the treehouse.
“Did Mr. Li really organize this meet-up?” Li Zexin couldn’t believe his eyes. “This is like a fever dream.”
Li Zexuan’s arm was on the railing. “I’ve never seen Mr. Li make a friend before.”
Lin Wan laid on the rattan chair wearing sunglasses. She listened to the birds chirping in the valley and felt sleepy.
“Ms. Lin seems to have fallen asleep. Let’s go down and play,” Li Zexin looked at the motionless Lin Wan and said in a low voice.
Under the treehouse was a tearoom made of waterproof cloth. Li Yanchen and Su Wei sat on both sides of the table, while Xu Xiaoxiao returned to her room. She had wanted to chat with Lin Wan but seeing that Lin Wan was not very enthusiastic about it, Xu Xiaoxiao decided to stay by herself.
“Tutu is very obedient today.” Li Yanchen shifted the topic to the little boy.
“Yes, he has been okay so far. I also notice your sons get along very well with Ms. Lin now.” He saw them arguing over who would get a glass of water for her. “How did that happen? Back in Lan Village, your family’s situation was even worse than mine.”
Li Yanchen’s thick brows furrowed.
“I just don’t know what to do. If it wasn’t for the fact that I told Tutu that we could only meet Jiejie if he was obedient, he would be causing trouble yet again. I mean Xu Xiaoxiao might be even better than Lin Wan.” In Su Wei’s eyes, Xu Xiaoxiao was already patient and humble. She tried hard to fit into his family and yet his mother and son both rejected her.
When he heard Su Wei comparing Xu Xiaoxiao to Lin Wan, Li Yanchen slammed his teacup on the marble table. “What’s wrong with Lin Wan? No one is better than her.”
“I am sorry brother Li. I didn’t mean it like that. Of course, she is good. What I meant was that she doesn’t seem to have done anything at all. How did she win your sons to her side?” Su Wei quickly explained.
“Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing everything wrong,” pointed out Li Yanchen.
“Brother Li, are you still angry at me? I was just giving an example. Before I left, my mother said that we should invite you for a meal to my house next time. She especially emphasized bringing Lin Wan along. She likes her personality. I don’t know if my mother is just trying to irritate me. She sounds so accepting and friendly to a complete stranger. I don’t understand why she is so mean toward Xu Xiaoxiao.” Su Wei slapped his thigh in frustration.
“I am the only parent Tutu has. My mom won’t let Xu Xiaoxiao live with us, so I have to live outside with her. She wants me to come back home but without Xu Xiaoxiao. Even today, I was worried that Tutu would bully her if he got a chance.”
Li Yanchen was getting annoyed. S Wei was not a sentimental person. If he was sharing his problems, it meant that he really was stressed. ‘How can I tell him about the milk powder with only a report?’ thought Li Yanchen.
“Did your mother agree to let Tutu live with you? Did you ask Tutu? Did he agree to it?” asked Li Yanchen.
“My mother said it’s fine if it’s for a few days. I think Tutu will agree. Brother Li, you don’t understand. I am worried about Xu Xiaoxiao. I feel like the moment Tutu lives with us, he will start bullying her again. Xu Xiaoxiao has been feeling a little unwell these days. I don’t think she has the energy to put up with it.” Su Wei was in a dilemma.
“Well, maybe keep an eye on Tutu. Set up a camera in the living room. That way you can reprimand Tutu if he does anything. Tell Xu Xiaoxiao that you will be there with them even when you are not there,” Li Yanchen suggested.
“That’s a good idea! Why didn’t I think about it before?!” Su Wei’s face broke out into a smile.
Li Yanchen had suddenly thought of a way to expose Xu Xiaoxiao’s actions by installing a camera in the living room. Xu Xiaoxiao would definitely play some dirty tricks to get Tutu to drink the milk powder with sleeping pills again.
“Brother, you still haven’t told me how Lin Wan and your sons reconciled.”
“Honestly, I don’t really know.” Li Yanchen spread his hands. “Ever since they returned from the Lan Village, things have been different. All of them have changed. Right now, I feel like now I am the one who is the least loved in the family.”
At this point, Li Yanchen started to worry.
Su Wei patted Li Yanchen on the shoulder. “I can’t wait for Tutu and Xu Xiaoxiao to get along well and ignore me.” He sighed.
“Let’s not talk about it anymore. Xiaoxiao is here.” Su Wei saw Xu Xiaoxiao coming down the stairs.
“What are you two talking about?” Xu Xiaoxiao asked with a smile.
“Just casual talk. Did you meet Lin Wan?” Since both were stepmothers, Su Wei thought Lin Wan could advise Xu Xiaoxiao on some matters.
“I saw Lin Wan on the rattan chair in the balcony. I think she is asleep.” Xu Xiaoxiao sat on Su Wei’s lap.
Seeing such an intimate scene, Li Yanchen turned away in embarrassment. “Then I will head up and take a look.”
Su Wei touched her arm. “Xiaoxiao, I have something to tell you. Let’s set up a surveillance camera in the living room. If Tutu makes things difficult for you, I’ll know, and I will scold him.”
‘A surveillance camera in the living room?’ Xu Xiaoxiao thought about it for a while. “That will be okay. But don’t be too fierce. I want Tutu to accept me because he wants to, and not because he was forced to compromise. You can ask Auntie first. You can even share the screen with Auntie so that she can see that she can trust me.”
Xu Xiaoxiao was happy with the idea. The camera will only be in the living room so no one would see her mix sleeping pills in the milk powder in the kitchen, anyway. Besides, she could show Huo Meijun how uneducated and problematic her grandchild was.
Li Yanchen went upstairs and saw Lin Wan sleeping soundly. After a long night of activity, she must have been exhausted. He took a small blanket and covered her with it. Lin Wan opened her eyes to meet his eyes.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No, that’s okay. Did you talk to Su Wei? Did you tell him about the milk powder?” Lin Wan was worried about Tutu’s safety.
Li Yanchen sat on the ground and told Lin Wan everything. “That’s smart, Mr. Li. But you must also tell Tutu that if Xu Xiaoxiao tries to make him drink the milk powder, he should call Jiejie. Jiejie can make an excuse to visit the Su family villa and call Tutu here. That way, Tutu will have an excuse.”