Chapter 93: Grudges

Chapter 93: Grudges

Seeing this daughter again, He Qiaoxiang felt a mix of emotions.

The daughter she raised for eighteen years turned out to be Miao Cuifang's child, which was even more infuriating. It was maddening, but she had no way to vent her frustration.

Nineteen years ago, both of them had followed their husbands to the military base.

What did that country woman have that was so special? She was less educated and came from a less prestigious family, yet she was the most popular military wife in the base.

Everyone in the compound, from the young soldiers to the families, praised her for her virtue, dedication to family, and efficiency.

Even her own husband was always singing her praises.

As for her, people would only say she was beautiful.

But sadly, she was hopeless at household chores.

He Qiaoxiang's pride was nearly crushed.

Fortunately, soon after they gave birth, things took a turn.

Ye Jianguo left the military due to injury, while Hao Chengbin was commended for his achievements and later advanced rapidly, eventually being transferred back to Beijing.

She thought she and Miao Cuifang would never cross paths again, but fate had a cruel twist in store.

"Come in," He Qiaoxiang said coolly.

Meanwhile, Hao Chengbin, hearing the noise upstairs, came out. "Xiao Xiao, come in! Do you know how worried we were when you left without a word?"

If the original host had heard this, she might have been touched.

But Ye Xiaoxiao found it insincere. If they really cared, they would have tried to find her in the past few months.

As Ye Xiaoxiao walked into the living room, He Qiaoxiang and Hao Chengbin finally noticed Lu Hanchuan behind her.

Hao Chengbin knew who he was. "You're the young man from the Lu family, aren't you?"

"Yes, Uncle Hao. Sorry for dropping by unannounced," Lu Hanchuan said politely.

Hao Chengbin stood a little taller. Though young, Lu Hanchuan's military rank and position were exceptional for his age.

While the Lu family's legacy played a part, it also showed that Lu Hanchuan was no slacker.

Hao Chengbin hadn't achieved as much in the military as this young man, making today's meeting a surprise.

He Qiaoxiang also looked over.

"You came, but why all these gifts..."

She had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Lu Hanchuan set the things down, smiled slightly, and then took Ye Xiaoxiao's hand. "It's only proper. I brought Xiao Xiao back and wanted to visit you both."

Hao Chengbin finally caught on. "So you two are..."

Lu Hanchuan and Ye Xiaoxiao interlocked their fingers, "We're dating."

Hao Chengbin was first surprised, then delighted.

Actually, he really liked Ye Xiaoxiao, even without a blood relationship, he treated her like his own daughter.

It was just that when he first learned the truth, he struggled to accept it at first. Later, after Ye Xiaoxiao left the Hao family, he came to accept it after his wife talked him into it.

The Ye family probably wanted this child too, he couldn’t selfishly keep her.

Whether it was self-comfort or not no longer mattered, what was important was that tying the knot with the Lu family would definitely help his future career.

"Come on, sit down. Why are you standing? When did this happen? I remember Ye Xiaoxiao used to really like..."

Before he could finish, He Qiaoxiang stepped on Hao Chengbin's foot, shutting him up.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan sat down.

"I know the marriage with the Xu family belongs to Hao Yanyan, I won’t interfere with it, and I've already made it clear to Xu Jianwen that we have nothing to do with each other."

Ye Xiaoxiao's calmness greatly surprised the Hao couple, the problem they were worried about didn’t happen.

But He Qiaoxiang wasn’t necessarily happy.

Yes, with a new love like Lu Hanchuan, who cares about the marriage with the Xu family.

She felt a mix of jealousy and resentment.

Being that woman’s child, she must have all the luck.

He Qiaoxiang spoke with some bitterness, "It’s your call, just don’t regret it later, we can’t tell you what to do now."

Hao Chengbin shot his wife a disapproving look, then turned to comfort Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Xiao Xiao, your mom means we’ve got your back."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I know."

She still couldn’t connect with the original owner, sitting here, she felt uneasy.

Hao Chengbin: "Stay for dinner, where are you staying now? Why not come back home?"

At this point, Hao Chengbin suddenly remembered that Ye Xiaoxiao's original bedroom had been given to Yan Yan.

If she stayed at home, they’d have to fix up the guest room.

Fortunately, Ye Xiaoxiao had no intention of staying.

"No, I’m staying at school now."

Hao Chengbin nodded: "Right, right, this year you’re taking the college exams, where did you get in?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Jinghua University."

With a clatter, He Qiaoxiang knocked over a glass on the coffee table.

"My hand slipped."

"How could you be so careless." Hao Chengbin said, then immediately turned his head back, "Jinghua University, that’s the best university in the country, I remember Xu Jianwen is also at Jinghua University."

Ye Xiaoxiao hesitated and nodded, "I've already met him."

Lu Hanchuan's hand, which was holding Ye Xiaoxiao's, suddenly tightened.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked up, "?"

Hao Chengbin said thoughtfully, "So you’ve already met him."

Lu Hanchuan suddenly stood up, pulling Ye Xiaoxiao with him, "Mr. Hao, we’ll skip dinner today. I need to take Xiao Xiao home for a bit, and I've already informed my family."

Hao Chengbin stood up as well, "That’s so sudden."

Lu Hanchuan: "It's hard for me to get leave from the military."

Hao Chengbin understood this very well and didn't press further, just gave some parting words before letting them go.

As soon as Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan left, Hao Chengbin turned to his wife with dissatisfaction, "What were you talking about earlier? Xiao Xiao finally came back, do you really not want her as your daughter anymore?"

He Qiaoxiang gritted her teeth, "Hao Chengbin! Search your conscience, how have I treated Xiao Xiao? I've raised her to be so outstanding, she’s the epitome of a refined lady, no matter where she goes.

Now look at how the Ye family raised Yan Yan, her academic performance is so poor I doubt she even went to school, and she has no talents at all!

Do you think we’re the ones who owe them, or is it the other way around?"

Hao Chengbin thought carefully, although Yan Yan wasn’t that terrible either, she wasn't as outstanding as Xiao Xiao.

It was just that his wife's standards were too high, and Yan Yan couldn't become her bragging rights.

He had long known about He Qiaoxiang's vanity.

Hao Chengbin said fairly, "The Ye family's situation is different from ours. Raising Yan Yan to this age is already quite an achievement, and the Ye family hasn't wronged us, back then..."

He held back the rest of his words.

He Qiaoxiang stared at him and went on stubbornly, "I simply can’t stand the Ye family, and don't try to persuade me to be magnanimous. The person I least want to see now is Ye, Xiao, Xiao."