Hua Man pressed her lips together.
All that talk, but she hadn’t denied it, had she?
Remembering something else, she asked darkly, “Has she found a job?”
Chen Yan hesitated a long while before whispering, “Her education’s not great, she’s naive, and so young . . .”
A flash of sarcasm crossed Hua Man’s eyes.
So young?
Had Chen Yan forgotten that she herself had to call Wu Fangfei “sister,” and Wu Fangfei was older than her? What “so young”?
Hearing nothing but excuses for Wu Fangfei, Hua Man lost patience and cut her off. “So you’re just letting her mooch off you?”
“No.” Chen Yan denied it quickly. “Mom’s calling this time to ask— the eldest miss likes you. Could you put in a word for your sister? See if the eldest miss can get her a job?”
Hua Man refused without hesitation. “No.”
Wu Fangfei was lazy and loved taking petty advantages—how could someone like that join the Yang family? Hua Man wouldn’t help a bloodsucker like Wu Fangfei, nor would she bother Yang Zhao with it.
She chose her words carefully. “I’m not working at the Yang family anymore.”
“What?” Chen Yan was stunned.
“The eldest miss fired me. I’m no longer her bodyguard—I’ve already moved out.”
Chen Yan paused, but she’d never meddled much in her daughter’s affairs before, and now with no leverage, she could hardly interfere. She let out a dry laugh. “That’s for the best, really. Otherwise, you’d be glued to the eldest miss’s side, facing dangers head-on without a chance to run—Mom’s just too worried about you.”
“I wasn’t diligent.” Hua Man sat down on the stairs, a shadow crossing her face. “I’m not a good bodyguard. I couldn’t protect her.”
“How could that be?” Chen Yan said hurriedly. “You’ve always been so serious about your work.”
Hua Man didn’t respond.
Serious?
What good was being serious?
Whenever danger struck, she could never protect Yang Zhao in time—she always ended up hurt.
“Anyway, I’m barely holding on myself—can’t help Wu Fangfei.” Hua Man stated her position clearly, then added, “You’re her elder. Don’t let her walk all over you, doing whatever she says.”
Chen Yan gave an awkward laugh. “I’m just the stepmom, after all.”
That line again.
Stepmom? So what?! Chen Yan treated Wu Fangfei better than her own flesh and blood!
Suppressing her anger, Hua Man said, “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”
“Wait!” Chen Yan said hurriedly. “Since you’re not at the Yang family anymore, where are you staying?”
Hua Man: “A rental.”
“Do you have enough money?” Chen Yan asked with concern. “No job, renting, eating out—do you even have cash left?”
Hearing that long-absent concern, Hua Man’s eyes stung.
“If worst comes to worst, come stay with me. It’s cramped, sure, but Fangfei lives at home—why can’t you? Mom can support you.”
Chen Yan’s words made Hua Man’s eyes redden.
She held back, steadying her emotions before replying, “Thanks, Mom, but I can take care of myself.”
With that, she reminded her again, “Don’t say things like that to Wu Fangfei. Keep your salary and savings in your own hands.”
“I know.” Chen Yan sounded helpless. “Mom’s not stupid.”
Hua Man didn’t comment.
After enduring a domestic abuser like Hua Qiang, a honest man like Wu Shu was the perfect husband for Chen Yan.
So to keep the marriage, she always made selfless sacrifices.
Now she could give the house to Wu Fangfei and support her, and later hand over the savings and all that.
With that thought, she suddenly had an idea.
“Mom, how much savings do you have on hand?”
Chen Yan stated a figure.
After so many years at the Yang Family, though their wages were high, every time Wu Fangfei asked her for money, she gave it. Plus what she gave to the elders for filial piety, she hadn’t saved all that much.
But it was still a considerable amount.
Hua Man then said, “I’ll borrow some from you first, and I’ll pay you back later.”
Rather than constantly worrying that Chen Yan’s money would be taken by Wu Fangfei, it was better to take some over now and help her mother save it herself.
“Alright.” Chen Yan agreed without hesitation, then added, “What’s all this talk of borrowing between mother and daughter? If you need it, Mom will give it to you.”
“Maman, I always feel like you’ve grown a bit distant from me.”
Hua Man fell silent.
Chen Yan’s maternal love had come too late.
When she had needed it the most, Chen Yan had been busy with work and her new family. Now, she was no longer at an age where she craved a mother’s love.
Realizing this, her thoughts paused once more.
If it had been before, would she have been so certain that she didn’t need maternal love?
If she truly didn’t need it, why had she decided to go to the Yang Family back then? She knew it wasn’t just because of the Yang Corporation.
If she truly didn’t need it, why did she always want to find Chen Yan when she felt frustrated, why did she only feel at ease when held by her?
When had the change happened?
After hanging up, she sat quietly at the foot of the stairs for a long time.
Actually, the answer didn’t require deep thought. What else could it be? Of course, it was because she had felt even more fervent and profound love from others.
She was wrapped in affection, so she no longer chased after the occasional scraps of maternal love from Chen Yan.
From Hua Xi, from Yang Zhao…
No matter what kind of feelings they were, they made her feel warm, so she no longer sought love solely from Chen Yan.
Thinking of Hua Xi, she perked up, adjusted her emotions, and then opened the door to enter the house.
At home, the nanny who had come to care for Hua Xi was sitting with her on the sofa watching TV.
“You must be Miss Hua. I’m the one Eldest Miss arranged to take care of the little one. You can call me Little Liu or Auntie Liu.” Hearing the noise, the nanny stood up with a full smile on her face. “You’re finally back—Little Xi has been talking about you!”
Hua Xi immediately got up from the sofa and groped her way toward Hua Man. “Sis!”
Hua Man quickly stepped forward to support her. “Be careful.”
“I’m not scared.” Hua Xi gripped Hua Man’s arm tightly and grinned. “The floor is soft and squishy. Even if I fall, it won’t hurt.”
Hua Man lowered her gaze to the plush carpet and said softly, “It was Yang Zhao who had someone lay this carpet. She did it for your sake, so don’t throw a tantrum at her next time.”
Hua Xi huffed. “Sis, you’re biased toward her.”
Hua Man didn’t deny it.
When no response came from Hua Man, Hua Xi pouted, on the verge of tears, but she knew her sister didn’t like crybabies.
So she forced the tears back and mumbled glumly, “Got it, Sis.”
The next second, her head was patted.
“Mhm, very good girl.”
Hearing her sister’s praise, Hua Xi brightened up, delighted. “Teacher praised me today too! Teacher taught me a song and said she’d teach me to read words soon!”
“Oh, right, Sis—when can I go back to kindergarten?” As she spoke, Hua Xi’s face fell again. “I miss Teacher Qiu, and my kindergarten friends.”
“When you’ve recovered and can walk normally again.” At this point, Hua Man paused for a few seconds but decided to tell the truth. “But the new school won’t have your old teacher or classmates. You’ll have to meet new ones.”
“Huh?” Hua Xi pouted again. “I’m scared.”
“There’s nothing to be scared of.” Hua Man didn’t know how to comfort a child. She glanced at the time. “It’s getting late. Time for bed.”
Auntie Liu stepped forward and took Hua Xi’s hand. “Miss Hua, go wash up and rest early. I’ll take Little Xi to bed. You must be tired after a busy day.”
Hua Xi, who had wanted to stick to her sister more, silently withdrew her hand upon hearing that.
She had forgotten—her sister had to work.
After a whole day out there, she’d finally gotten off work and come home; she must be exhausted. Hua Xi didn’t want to disturb her rest.
Hua Man said to Auntie Liu, “Auntie Liu, thank you for taking care of Little Xi.”
Auntie Liu waved her hands hurriedly. “Miss Hua, what are you saying? This is what I should do.”
Auntie Liu had come specifically to care for Hua Xi. Since Hua Xi was young and blind, she shared a room with her, and a tatami bed had been added in the corner—likely arranged by Yang Zhao. It looked quite comfortable.
Hua Man felt reassured and went to wash up on her own.
Finally, lying in bed, she took out her phone. WeChat was quiet; there were no new messages.
Perhaps because her hand was injured, Yang Zhao couldn’t type or send messages.
Recalling what Yang Zhao had said about fiancée, Hua Man couldn’t help but open their chat interface.
Neither as lover nor bodyguard had she fulfilled her duties. Did she intend to continue like this even under the title of fiancée?
Besides, even without any relationship, she wanted to ask about Yang Zhao’s current situation.
She wanted to ask if Yang Zhao had gotten home, if the wound hurt, if she was angry because of someone else.
And…
Did she miss her?
