Chapter 163 Different Aunts

Chapter 163 Different Aunts

Ye Xiaoxiao found Xu Jianli, who had undoubtedly witnessed the scene as well.

Xu Jianli asked anxiously, "Sister Xiaoxiao, so the boyfriend you mentioned is Lu Hanchuan?" Are you doing this willingly? They may be arrogant, but we’re not intimidated. If it comes to it, we can always take it up with the Lu family."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t hide it from him, "Don’t overthink it. I’m in this willingly. We’re in a healthy, normal relationship."

Xu Jianli had to concede that Lu Hanchuan was more capable than his brother.

But a man like that might not be dependable. If no one has Sister Xiaoxiao’s back, what if she gets mistreated?

As they were talking, Xu Jianli’s mother, Zhao Hongxia, walked over.

"Ye Xiaoxiao, I never expected you to leave the Hao family, break off the engagement with our Jianwen, and move on so quickly."

Zhao Hongxia's words were inexplicable. Although Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t angry, she replied directly, "Auntie, you found a new daughter-in-law just as quickly. We’re even."

Zhao Hongxia: "You!"

Xu Jianli: "Mom, what are you talking about?"

Zhao Hongxia glared at her younger son, "What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to spend time with Yuze and meet more people your age? And you’re not a kid anymore; you need to be mindful of appearances."

Xu Jianli didn’t grasp his mother’s meaning, but he still felt it was off.

In public, he couldn’t cause a scene. He quickly apologized to Ye Xiaoxiao and turned to leave.

Zhao Hongxia continued to speak to Ye Xiaoxiao, "Xiao Xiao, Auntie used to care for you deeply and treated you well. For the sake of our past bond, please leave my son alone."

Xu Jianli stopped in his tracks, "Mom!"

Ye Xiaoxiao sighed. It was inevitable.

There’s always someone who doesn’t get it.

She smiled, "Okay, Auntie."

Her calmness only fueled Zhao Hongxia’s anger.

"We all grew up in the same compound, Mrs. Zhao Hongxia. Your words aren’t fair. Kids playing together—what’s there to suspect? This isn’t the feudal era."

Wu Sifang walked over and took Ye Xiaoxiao’s hand, "Why don’t you stop by Auntie’s place when you’re back in the compound? Even if Duan Lei isn’t home, Xue’er is there to keep you company."

Wu Xue, Wu Sifang’s niece, sometimes stays with the Duan family.

From the conversation, Ye Xiaoxiao deduced that the other woman was Duan Lei’s mother.

When Zhao Hongxia noticed Wu Sifang approaching, she swallowed her resentment.

"If you like her, take her home. Why involve me?"

Zhao Hongxia lowered her voice.

Not wanting to cause a scene, she walked off after saying this.

Xu Jianli blushed and said apologetically, "I’m sorry for what my mom said, Sister Xiaoxiao."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "No worries, it’s fine."

Wu Sifang: "Jianli, Zeyu’s been looking for you. You should go over there."

Xu Jianli had no choice but to go find Shao Zeyu, keeping an eye back as he left.

His mom had been rude earlier, and he didn’t want to stay any longer, but he was afraid Sister Xiaoxiao might be mad.

Wu Sifang sighed and shook her head, then comforted Ye Xiaoxiao, "Zhao Hongxia is just out for herself. Don’t let her get to you."

"I know, Auntie Wu."

Wu Sifang was also a tragic figure. Despite having an outstanding husband, a brilliant son, and being a successful woman herself, she got really sick after Duan Lei's tragic death and ended up in a sanatorium for the rest of her life.

"Come on, let me introduce you around."

Wu Sifang was well-respected among the wives in the compound because she didn’t just depend on the Duan family. She had her own career.

Moreover, she and her husband were happy together. They were the perfect couple.

Showing Ye Xiaoxiao around really helped her out.

After making the rounds, the bad talk about Ye Xiaoxiao stopped.

And those people didn’t dare say much more, especially since Ye Xiaoxiao’s current identity wasn’t just as the adopted daughter who had left the Hao family, but also as Lu Hanchuan's girlfriend.

People might talk about the Lu family in private, but no one would dare say it to their faces.

During the banquet, Old Mr. Han came forward to thank everyone for attending his birthday celebration and told everyone to eat and drink up.

Once Old Mr. Han left, most of the guests left too.

Including Lu Hanchuan.

"Who were you with earlier?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Auntie Wu took me to meet some elders and old acquaintances."

On the surface, it had only been a year since she left the compound, and since she had shown up, she couldn’t just pretend she hadn’t.

Fortunately, there weren’t many of her old acquaintances at the banquet, and Wu Sifang was with her.

Otherwise, Ye Xiaoxiao would’ve been lost.

After all, she didn’t know anyone.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked Lu Hanchuan, "Have all your friends left too?"

"The others still have things to do. Han Xing is taking Old Mr. Han back to the compound."

"Shall we leave too?"

"Let’s go."

Many people came over to toast Lu Hanchuan, and before they left, someone stopped him. Ye Xiaoxiao reminded him, "You’re driving, so skip the drinks."

Even though there’s no law against drunk driving yet, it’s just wrong.

As someone who lives by the rule "don’t drink and drive, don’t drive and drink," Ye Xiaoxiao felt she had to remind Lu Hanchuan.

So Lu Hanchuan gave a polite smile to the person offering him a drink, "Sorry, my girlfriend’s pretty strict about this, so I’ll pass."

The guy with the glass looked surprised and glanced at Ye Xiaoxiao beside Lu Hanchuan.

"Oh, got it. Take care, Captain Lu."

Lu Hanchuan gave a nod, then left with his arm around Ye Xiaoxiao.

"You sure you’re good to drive?"

Ye Xiaoxiao leaned close to Lu Hanchuan's chin and sniffed, catching a faint whiff of alcohol—not like he’d been drinking, just like he’d been around it.

Lu Hanchuan lowered his head, grabbed his girlfriend’s waist, and gave her a deep kiss.

"See? I didn’t drink. You can relax."

No way he’d drive drunk with Xiao Xiao in the car. He wouldn’t risk even the smallest thing going wrong.

Blushing, Ye Xiaoxiao pushed him away. "I get it, let’s just get in the car."

In the car, Ye Xiaoxiao said, "I want to learn to drive too."

"It’s much more convenient than riding a bicycle."

Lu Hanchuan unconditionally supported Ye Xiaoxiao's decision: "Go for it. Once you’ve got it down, I’ll get you a nice car."

"I’ll pick it up fast, I’m sure."

"Just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll set it up."

Last time, Ye Changning also had his driving lessons arranged by Lu Hanchuan.

Nowadays, you have to go through a unit or transport company to learn, and driving schools aren’t as common as they were in the 21st century.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "I know, I’ll start once things calm down."

Lu Hanchuan took her back to school.

Ye Xiaoxiao had agreed to attend Old Mr. Han's birthday party together today, and Lu Hanchuan was very happy, feeling that their relationship had taken another step forward.

After the party ended, the relationship between Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan had already spread throughout the compound.

How those gossipers discussed it after going home, the parties involved did not know.

Ye Xiaoxiao just knew she was in for a quiet stretch.