Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 206: Just Think of Them as Talking Statues

Chapter 206: Just Think of Them as Talking Statues

Leslie remained tense the closer she and Calix got to the Begonia Room. Even though his previous words managed to soothe some of her strained nerves, a few still lingered.

How would their first—physical—meeting be?

Charlene didn’t have any good memories of Rowan and Bianca. Even though Leslie didn’t personally experience the former’s disappointment and loneliness, the feelings were similar to what she went through in her previous life.

Despite Rowan and Bianca showing signs of positive changes, they were not enough in front of decades of mistreatment.

’Keep yourself together, Leslie.’

Clasping her hands together, Leslie willed herself to be calm. She didn’t want to act unsightly as soon as she saw the group of people waiting inside the room.

Rowan and Bianca were not the only ones there. Vernon and his family also attended tonight’s family dinner.

’Stay calm, Leslie. Nothing will happen. Talk a bit, have a meal together then leave.’

Butler Gu walked ahead of Leslie and Calix. The other helpers dispersed, one of them led Mrs. An to another room while Logan went to chat with the bodyguards stationed at the ancestral home.

Peeling his gaze from the back of Butler Gu’s head, Calix quietly looked at Leslie from behind. She kept her back straight, expressing how tense she was on the inside.

Seeing how taut Leslie was brought a helpless smile to Calix’s lips. As he thought about how to lower her uneasiness, an idea struck his mind.

"Leslie, do you know the perfect way to keep calm?"

Calix’s words echoed above Leslie’s head, breaking into her trance. Even without looking at him, she could tell he was smirking right now.

"...what is it?"

Calix responded to Leslie’s question with laughter. He merrily suggested, "Think of them as talking statues. Perhaps, scarecrows? They won’t do anything to you. They’ll just be rooted to a spot. You know, like at the paddy fields?"

"..."

Haha... CEO Xu, how could you joke so lamely like that ah?

Curling up her lips, Leslie couldn’t deny that Calix’s suggestion amused her. She really wondered how his head operated.

"...I’ll try. Either talking statues or... scarecrows..."

Calix grinned, wondering what kind of scene he would witness soon.

Butler Gu stopped right outside the Begonia Room. Turning his head, he looked at the spouses. He heard the conversation happening between Calix and Leslie.

"Second Young Master, may I open the door now?" asked Butler Gu quietly, not intending for the people inside to hear. He noticed that his new Second Young Madam seemed to be uncomfortable.

Leslie blinked, silently tilting up her chin to look at Calix who stood behind the wheelchair. His shadows fell on her as he stepped around to the front.

Under Leslie’s baffled gaze, Calix crouched on the floor. He extended his arms before reaching out for both of her hands. The coarseness of his palms grazed the back of her hands.

"Still nervous?"

Calix’s softened tone reached Leslie. At that particular moment, she was caught in the mellowness of his gaze. The glint in his eyes seemed to be alive, luring her to focus on his dark orbs.

"I am..." replied Leslie quietly, her brows slightly furrowing, "But, I will do as you... say..."

Leslie couldn’t foresee how would her first time meeting Rowan and Bianca be. She was in control of her feelings but, the remains of Charlene’s emotions might affect her.

No matter what, Leslie promised to put herself above everything. Calix had promised to be her back.

Leslie’s words deepened Calix’s smile. He still perceived the uneasiness brimming in her eyes but, he trusted that she wouldn’t let anyone—including her estranged parents—wrong her.

"Alright. Let’s get inside."

"En..."

Calix squeezed Leslie’s hands twice before slowly releasing them. Rising to his feet, he returned to the back of the wheelchair. His gaze fell on Butler Gu who were looking in their direction.

"Announce our arrival."

Butler Gu nodded, "Yes, Second Young Master."

Calix pushed the wheelchair forward, only stopping a few feet away from the entrance. Butler Gu knocked on the door twice before opening it and stepping inside.

Leslie couldn’t see the interior from where she was but, she sensed eyes were staring at Butler Gu. The old man’s voice echoed firmly, traveling out of the room.

"Second Young Master and Second Young Madam are here."

Leslie vaguely heard gasps coming from the inside. Despite sounding faintly, she recognized them.

Clenching her hands together, Leslie unconsciously bit her lower lip. Her heartbeat sped up, telling how messy her emotions were.

’Stay calm, Leslie. Remember. No matter what, I’ll prioritize myself. Rowan and Bianca won’t change anything.’

Rowan and Bianca might express their regrets over their wrongdoings but, Leslie reminded herself that she didn’t need to accept their apology if she didn’t want to.

Leslie took a deep breath, trying to steady her unsettling nerves. She loosened her fists, feeling slightly better when a warm touch on her right shoulder caught her attention.

"Leslie, we’re going in now."

Lifting her left hand, Leslie touched the back of Calix’s hand on her shoulder. She nodded once without looking at him.

"I’m ready..."

Calix let go of his hand from Leslie’s shoulder, returning to holding the handles of the wheelchair. Moving forward, he pushed her slowly until they finally appeared to everyone waiting in the room.

"Good evening, everyone. We’re sorry for making you... huh?"

Calix inadvertently paused his casual greeting once he saw the pair sitting by Old Madam Xu’s sides. He didn’t notice that Leslie was as surprised as he was. She didn’t even return Rowan and Bianca’s look.

"...Mom and Dad? When did you get here?"

Calix blinked, never expecting to see Andrian and Harper tonight. Leslie quietly stared at her parents-in-law who she had greeted through a video call before.

"We wanted to surprise you two," replied Harper chirpily, waving both hands at Calix and Leslie, "How could we miss tonight’s family meeting? Shouldn’t we celebrate our daughter-in-law’s recovery with everyone?"

Andrian and Harper arrived this late afternoon without any prior notice. They took a direct flight from Malaysia, taking over five hours to reach their home country.

Andrian and Harper’s appearance caught Old Madam Xu off guard but, the old matriarch was happy to see her son and daughter-in-law again. She was happier to know they would stay for a week before resuming their travel.

Andrian smilingly nodded, echoing his wife’s words, "Your mom is right. Calix, don’t just stand there. Bring our daughter-in-law closer. Surely her parents want to see her better too."

Calix and Leslie quietly shifted their eyes to Rowan and Bianca. The spouses sat on the couch next to the one occupied by Old Madam Xu, Andrian and Harper. Irene was also there.

"C-Charlene... we’re glad to see you awake..."

Stuttering, Rowan forced himself to lock his eyes on his eldest daughter. He still couldn’t believe that she regained consciousness more than one month ago.

But...

She didn’t want any of them—her parents—to know.

Even without asking Charlene why, Rowan and Bianca understood the reason behind their eldest daughter’s choice. Calix’s brief explanation and warning also cemented their guesses.

Unable to say anything more, Rowan could only continue staring at his eldest daughter.

For some reason, Charlene’s gaze on him seemed more distant than ever.

This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om