episode_0043

The Xu family’s estate was truly enormous.

The architecture had a fusion of Chinese and Western styles—grand and majestic, yet still elegant.

The entrance hall wasn’t just a hall; it was filled with an array of furnishings, dazzling to the eye.

Su Qingya kept herself positioned in the middle, ensuring she wouldn’t accidentally bump into any of the items that looked exorbitantly expensive at a glance.

Xu Qingshan didn’t pay much attention either, nor did he give Su Qingya any sort of tour. His plan was to have Xu Nian, being of the same age, guide Su Qingya and familiarize her with the household.

After all, peers were easier to talk to.

As an elder, leading her around would only highlight the generational gap.

Xu Qingshan had pinned all his hopes for breaking the ice on Xu Nian, who usually seemed so mischievous and clever.

But could Xu Nian really handle this task?

Xu Qingshan suddenly felt a twinge of doubt.

She should be able to, right?

After winding through several corridors, they arrived at a courtyard.

This meeting wasn’t taking place in the living room with the TV and sofas, but in this scenic outdoor space.

The view was beautiful, the air fresh—just perfect for a lunch gathering.

Su Qingya inhaled the soothing floral fragrance, and the tension in her heart eased slightly.

Then she noticed something: the flowerbeds here were filled with lilies, her favorite flower.

Truthfully, Su Qingya wasn’t usually someone who cared much for flowers. Life had been too much of a struggle—how could she spare the energy for such things?

But… once, Xu Nian had asked her about her preferences, and she had casually mentioned lilies. After receiving them so often, she had gradually grown to love them.

“These are…?”

Xu Qingshan was taken aback—this was the first time Su Qingya had asked a question unprompted.

Following her gaze, he saw the patch of flowers she was pointing at.

“Ah, your younger sister planted those a few years ago when she had nothing better to do. She even cleared out all the ornamental plants I had there just to grow these. When I asked her why, she wouldn’t say.”

Su Qingya fell silent again, turning her gaze away and forcing herself not to look at them.

“Do you like them? If you do, I’ll have your sister give you a few later.”

“No, that’s unnecessary.”

Xu Qingshan pursed his lips. He could understand—it was only natural for her to feel some resistance.

After all, that girl had taken over the life that should have been Su Qingya’s for over a decade.

Anyone would feel some resentment in that situation.

Xu Qingshan couldn’t help but reconsider whether having Xu Nian show Su Qingya around was the right move.

But sometimes, strong medicine was needed for quick results.

In the end, he didn’t abandon the idea.

After walking a little longer, they finally reached the dining area. Servants had already set out an array of exquisite dishes on the stone table in the courtyard—just the sight of them was enough to whet the appetite.

But Su Qingya wasn’t paying attention to the food.

Her eyes were drawn to a vaguely familiar figure.

Long, snow-white hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, and a large, fluffy white tail swayed gently, impossible to ignore.

Perched atop her head were a pair of lively, snow-white fox ears, twitching occasionally, adding a touch of charm to her poised elegance.

This was an extraordinarily beautiful white-fox woman.

Her silhouette felt inexplicably familiar to Su Qingya.

She didn’t know why she felt this way.

Then, in a blur, the figure overlapped with Xu Nian in her mind.

Strange—why was she hallucinating like this?

This white-fox woman obviously wasn’t Xu Nian. Though they were both fox-people, this woman’s figure was far more mature and voluptuous than Xu Nian’s.

They weren’t even on the same level.

How could she possibly be Xu Nian?

It seemed she was missing Nian Nian too much.

To mistake even this…

If only Nian Nian were here.

Had just half a day apart really made her hallucinate to this extent?

She longed to hear Xu Nian’s voice again.

Hearing their approach, the beautiful woman turned around, her eyes brimming with warmth.

“You’re here.”

She stood up immediately, not waiting for Su Qingya to take her seat before stepping forward.

“Qingya, is it? My poor child, you’ve suffered so much all these years. Look at you—you’ve gotten so thin. Come, come, I made all these dishes just for you. Try them, quickly.”

Su Qingya was gently guided to sit right beside Xu’s mother.

“Thank you… Mom.”

“Ah!”

Hearing Su Qingya call her that, Xu’s mother beamed with joy.

The smile on her face was impossible to suppress.

“Eat more, eat more. Plump and fair is the prettiest.”

Was Su Qingya thin?

Not at all.

There was no way Xu Nian would ever let her go hungry.

Before they met was one thing, but afterward, even if Su Qingya refused to eat, Xu Nian would force her to, claiming it was for her health.

Or sometimes, Xu Nian would take a few bites before pushing the rest toward Su Qingya, saying she was full and that Su Qingya should finish it.

In fact, Su Qingya had even been trying to lose weight recently.

“Um, actually, I’ve been on a diet lately. You… you don’t need to serve me so much.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Su Qingya spoke up.

Her bowl was already piled high with food.

The white-fox woman had pulled her close—this was her birth mother.

Perhaps because her demeanor and grace reminded Su Qingya of Xu Nian, she didn’t feel too resistant to the affection.

Far from being upset, Xu’s mother was even more impressed by Su Qingya’s words.

At twelve years old, she had lost her guardians. Six years had passed since then.

Even if her parents had left some savings, how could it have lasted her six years?

Not to mention, Su Qingya had still attended school—working part-time while studying, yet still ranking first in her grade at a prestigious high school. And despite all that, she had lived quite comfortably.

How could Xu’s mother not be amazed?

She wasn’t naive—to her, this was nothing short of superhuman.

The way she looked at Su Qingya changed.

“You’ve really been through so much. You must have put in an incredible amount of effort. Most people couldn’t have managed what you have.”

Su Qingya squirmed under the intense gaze.

After a moment of thought, she decided to drop a bombshell.

This was something she had been considering for a long time. She didn’t want to have to explain it later with great difficulty.

Better to do it now.

Now, while her parents were still highly accepting of everything about her—it would save a lot of trouble.

“It wasn’t that hard, really. Actually… I have a girlfriend. She’s helped me a lot, taken care of me all this time. Without her, I probably… wouldn’t have made it this far.”

As she spoke, Su Qingya drifted into memories.

“Wait, did I hear that right? Girlfriend?”

Xu Qingshan was stunned. Something felt off.

Wasn’t she a girl herself?

But Su Qingya ignored his surprise and continued.

“Yes, a girlfriend. I love her—so, so much. If it weren’t for her, I might have had to drop out after middle school because of financial struggles. Maybe I’d be working in some shady factory that hires underage labor, or living on the streets, scavenging to survive. Or worse—kidnapped by traffickers, never to see the light of day again.”

“If she hadn’t changed my life… I would never have made it here. My future would have been nothing but darkness, with no light to be found.”

“So no matter whether you agree or not, my future partner will be her. It can only be her.”

Su Qingya nodded, her words filled with sincerity—and also apology.

Listening to her story, Xu’s father and mother felt their hearts ache.

This child had truly suffered.

Meeting someone like that must have been fate’s mercy.

The one and only salvation in her tragic life, arriving just in time.

Xu Qingshan glanced at his wife, and she returned the look.

In the end, Xu’s mother took the lead.

“I approve. Never mind your father—this household is mine to rule. Seeing how deeply loyal and devoted you are only makes me happier. Since she’s done so much for you, of course you mustn’t let her down.”