Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s
Chapter 151 - 147 That is the stepmother

Chapter 151: 147 That is the stepmother

"Daddy, where are you going? Aren’t you going to listen to Qianqian sing?" Xu Xixi tugged at Xu Yiyuan’s pant leg, blinking her clear eyes.

"Qianqian." Xu Yiyuan squatted down, gently stroked her silky hair, and said tenderly, "Daddy has to go out. You be good and play with Aunt and Shui Lian Aunty, okay?"

Xu Xixi pursed her lips.

Xu Yiyuan sighed helplessly, "Be a good girl."

"My cousin has been acting all mysterious these past few days. Who knows where he’s always going? Could it be..." Yao Fangfang was holding Xu Xixi, her brows furrowing uncontrollably, "He’s so busy with teaching that he barely has time to spend with Qianqian. Now it’s vacation, but it’s still the same. Qianqian’s about to cry."

Xu Xixi curled herself up in Yao Fangfang’s embrace.

Shui Lian smiled faintly, "He must have something important going on. Don’t overthink it."

When teaching little children how to write, Shui Lian was always exceptionally patient—perhaps an occupational habit of being a primary school teacher.

Suddenly, something seemed to pop into Yao Fangfang’s mind. She let out a small cry of surprise and started moving around as if she couldn’t sit still.

"What’s wrong?" Shui Lian looked up and asked.

"Me... Last time I heard from Uncle that Chen Ming is being sent to another province to deliver goods today—it’s the first time, and it takes several days back and forth. I..." Yao Fangfang hesitated, glancing anxiously at the clock on the wall. It was already noon; perhaps he’d already left.

How could she have forgotten something so important? She absolutely had to go see Chen Ming off! Chen Ming was already indifferent toward her—if he went away for several days and got enchanted by some vixen in the other province...

"Alright, alright, go ahead." Shui Lian waved her hand understandingly, teasing her, "You won’t see him for quite a few days anyway."

"Thank you so much, Shui Lian. You’re the best!" But really, what a kind soul Shui Lian was...

Shui Lian seemed to see right through Yao Fangfang’s thoughts. She smiled lightly, "It’s fine; I’ll look after Qianqian for you. You should hurry—you wouldn’t want to lose your chance, like me. I’ve already lost to the departed. Would I lose again to the living?" Her words carried an underlying meaning—softly sharpened, yet clearly resolute.

Yao Fangfang’s face changed drastically. She ran out of the room in a flash. Oh no! What if Tian Sangsang went to see him off, too!?

"Aunt Shui." Xu Xixi put down her pen, slowly raised her round little face, and asked softly, "Where’s Aunt going?"

A single day, abandoned twice—Xu Xixi felt utterly downcast. A child like her didn’t yet know how to hide such feelings.

"Your aunt went to chase after your uncle," Shui Lian answered with a smile, her voice gentle. "She’s too busy right now, so she doesn’t have time for Qianqian. Qianqian will stay and play with Aunt Shui today."

"Uncle? What’s an uncle?"

"An uncle, well... that’s the person your aunt likes."

"So Aunt doesn’t like Qianqian anymore?"

"She does." Shui Lian touched her cheek. "Your aunt likes Qianqian, and she also likes her uncle. But when your aunt and uncle get married, they’ll eventually have their own children. By then, Qianqian will have a cute little brother or sister."

"Who will Aunt love more—her brother and sister, or Qianqian?" Xu Xixi asked uneasily.

"Well..." Shui Lian gazed at her with a faint sigh and pulled her into her arms. "That would be her own children, just as you are your daddy’s child."

The implication was clear: she’d probably love her siblings more.

Xu Xixi lowered her watery eyes.

"Your aunt and uncle will be the mommy and daddy of those brothers and sisters, while Qianqian has her own mommy and daddy."

"But I don’t have a mommy." Sadness lingered in Xu Xixi’s almond-shaped eyes as she whispered, "Everyone else has a mommy, but I don’t."

She had an aunt—but no mommy.

Shui Lian didn’t comment on that. "You still have Aunt Shui. Aunt Shui will be good to you."

"Aunt Shui, would you be my mommy?" Xu Xixi questioned innocently, looking up at her.

"I won’t be your mommy." Shui Lian’s eyes were distant, her voice slow. "Because if I were your mommy, then I couldn’t be good to you anymore."

Xu Xixi tilted her head in confusion, "Why?"

"Mommies steal daddies away. Qianqian wouldn’t want her daddy stolen by a mommy, right?"

Xu Xixi immediately shook her head, fear filling her young face. "No! I want Daddy! I don’t want Daddy to be taken away!"

"That’s why I won’t be your mommy." Satisfied, Shui Lian hugged her tightly and stood up. "Let’s go for a walk, Qianqian. It’s stuffy at home. How about we go out and eat some hotpot skewers? Your favorite, right?"

Xu Xixi broke into a smile, momentarily forgetting her sadness. Though her spirits weren’t fully recovered, the lure of food had clear appeal. "Let’s go see Sangsang Aunty."

"Qianqian, what we talked about earlier—don’t mention it to anyone, okay?" Shui Lian said as she locked the door behind them. "Your aunt and dad are busy with their own matters lately. We shouldn’t bother them with these things. Grown-ups like kids who are understanding and obedient, and don’t say things they shouldn’t."

"I know, Aunt Shui." As soon as "being understanding" was mentioned, Xu Xixi perched her chest happily. "Qianqian is very understanding. Qianqian is an obedient child."

"Good girl, Qianqian."

...

"I tried a few days ago—making bunny-shaped cakes is doable, but without those fancy foreign ovens, they wouldn’t turn out as delicate."

"That’s alright." Xu Yiyuan smiled kindly, "As long as they’re bunny-shaped, that’s fine. In seven days, it’s Qianqian’s birthday, and I guess this is my advance booking."

"You’ve been coming around quite frequently..." Tian Sangsang glanced at him cautiously. "If you’re entrusting me with such an important task, of course I’ll do my best. But aren’t you getting a little nervous? There’s still seven days left for her birthday—relax."

Xu Yiyuan felt some guilt. Previously, he hadn’t realized how fond Qianqian was of rabbits and had given her the wrong gifts. This year, however, he was making a conscious effort.

"I’m not exactly a qualified dad," he admitted with a sigh.

"You’re a great dad, Xu Teacher—you really care about Qianqian."

Meeting Tian Sangsang’s genuine gaze, for some reason, Xu Yiyuan found himself recalling some remarks Shui Lian had made. He paused in contemplation.

In the distance, Shui Lian silently watched the scene unfold, thinking to herself—well, of course...

"It’s Daddy!" Xu Xixi waved her tiny hands excitedly, bouncing in place. Then she turned to Shui Lian and said, "Aunt Shui, let’s go over there quickly."

"So your dad’s here to see Sangsang Aunty." Yet Shui Lian lingered in place, bowing her head to ask, "Qianqian, do you like Sangsang Aunty? Would you like Sangsang Aunty to be your mommy?"

Mommy...

Suddenly, Xu Xixi went silent, biting her lip.

"Look how good your daddy and Sangsang Aunty are together."

"No!" Xu Xixi exclaimed with fear—her tears instantly welling up and rolling down her cheeks. "I don’t want a mommy at all! Daddy would only ever be with her, and not play with me anymore. I hate Sangsang Aunty! She’s so bad. She wants to steal Daddy from me."