Volume One, Chapter 18: Are You Still My Real Mother?

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Hearing the familiar voice, Yu Yaxuan recognized the visitor—it was her youngest daughter, Lin Baozhu. She wore a pale yellow evening gown, looking neat and beautiful. Yet, recalling Lin Baozhu’s previous actions, a sharp pain crept into Yu Yaxuan’s heart.

“Let’s go,” Yu Yaxuan said, linking arms with Cheng Zhengchu, without any intention to engage further with Lin Baozhu. Although she had raised her daughter for over twenty years, she respected her choices. Since Baozhu had chosen Lin Jingsheng, Yu Yaxuan saw no need to keep her close in her heart.

Seeing Yu Yaxuan ignore her, Lin Baozhu’s expression darkened. “Mom, what are you doing here at an event like this? And you even bought a knockoff dress—isn’t that just embarrassing me?”

“Go back quickly. Is this your electrician husband? Dressed just decent enough. I don’t know how you two got in, but this banquet is very important to me. Don’t come and shame me!”

Cheng Zhengchu frowned slightly as he looked at the woman before him. Was this really the daughter she had cared for all these years? Such disrespect—even to her own mother?

Yu Yaxuan clenched her fists tightly and took a deep breath. “You can say I’m wrong, but don’t disrespect my husband. This isn’t your hotel, whether you believe it or not, we’re here to dine, and it’s none of your business.”

“And since you made your choice, how I live or what I do is none of your concern. Please don’t interfere or humiliate the people around me. They are better than you—they have conscience!”

Lin Baozhu was furious and wanted to retort, but Xie Zhiqi interrupted, “Baozhu, come on, Grandma is calling you.”

Meeting the elderly woman’s piercing gaze, Lin Baozhu instantly wilted and lost the will to argue further with Yu Yaxuan. She quickly ran over.

Yu Yaxuan pressed her lips together, silent, her eyes flickering as she watched Baozhu’s retreating figure. After all, she was a daughter she had loved for over twenty years. She had thought she had let go, but seeing her now, the pain was still so intense.

“Let’s go,” Cheng Zhengchu’s gentle, low, and pleasant voice broke the silence.

“You still have me, Mom. No need to be upset over such an ungrateful child,” Cheng Miaomiao quickly comforted.

Yu Yaxuan forced a smile, feeling somewhat better.

Tian Fenglan, who had intended to scold Lin Baozhu, suddenly narrowed her eyes as she looked at Cheng Zhengchu. He really resembled the president of the Cheng Group.

Although the Xie family had some reputation in Yun City, it couldn’t compare with the Cheng Group—not even close. They didn’t even have a chance to cooperate with them.

She softened her expression and looked at Lin Baozhu. “Baozhu, who is that man?”

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Lin Baozhu, expecting to be reprimanded, followed the gaze and caught sight of Cheng Zhengchu’s back. She spoke disdainfully, “That’s the man Mom is seeing. I heard he’s not very capable.”

Tian Fenglan’s eyes darkened. This girl was still too young. How could a man with no ability dine at such a place?

The second floor of Ximen Grand Hotel required a minimum annual spend of five million yuan to be a member and gain access. This man must not be simple.

Thinking this, Tian Fenglan’s gaze toward Lin Baozhu softened considerably. “I see you and Zhiqi have been together for many years; it’s time to settle down. How about inviting both families to the hotel for an engagement ceremony on the second day of next month?”

“Really, Grandma?! You actually agree to me and Baozhu?” Xie Zhiqi was overjoyed.

He and Lin Baozhu had been together for two years, dreaming of marrying her. But Baozhu’s background was too ordinary; the Xie family looked down on her, especially Tian Fenglan, who refused to accept this granddaughter-in-law and had never met her before.

If only he had known meeting her would lead to such approval, he might have brought Baozhu earlier—perhaps they’d even have a child by now.

Lin Baozhu couldn’t believe it. “Grandma, you really mean it? On the second day of next month?”

“Of course. Don’t you want to?” Tian Fenglan asked in return.

“Yes, of course I do!” Baozhu never imagined things would go so smoothly.

The old lady had just looked like she wanted to devour her, and now she suddenly changed her tune?

Before she could dwell on this, Tian Fenglan added, “Make sure to invite your mother and your stepfather too. We’ll all celebrate together.”

“What? Invite her too?” Baozhu hesitated.

Yu Yaxuan was just a housewife and so vain, wearing fake clothes—what good would it do to have her there? Wouldn’t it be embarrassing?

“Yes, everyone’s invited,” Tian Fenglan insisted.

Seeing this, Baozhu forced a smile. Fine, if she must come, no big deal.

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After all, she was her real mother and had never refused her anything. One call was all it took, and she would come. Once she married into the Xie family, she would enjoy endless wealth and glory.

With this thought, Baozhu’s frown eased.

Yu Yaxuan, however, was not happy during the meal. The little incident with Lin Baozhu left her gloomy. When they returned, she sat dazed on the sofa.

Cheng Zhengchu and Cheng Miaomiao watched carefully from a short distance.

“Dad, when do you think Mom will stop feeling hurt? Baozhu is just terrible. I’ve looked into it—Mom has done everything for her, personally handling everything, giving her all her love. And what does she do? She doesn’t cherish such a good mother.”

Cheng Zhengchu stared quietly at Yu Yaxuan’s troubled face. He didn’t know why, but when she was unhappy, his heart felt heavy too.

He had arranged a mother for his daughter, a mere formality to himself, yet unconsciously, she had affected his mood. This uncontrollable feeling was truly unpleasant.

With a stern expression, he seemed lost in thought.

Suddenly, Yu Yaxuan’s phone rang. She opened it and saw Lin Baozhu’s name. Though reluctant, she found herself instinctively pressing answer—a habit hard to break after so many years.

“Mom, I have good news. Zhiqi and I are getting engaged!”

Hearing Baozhu’s normal tone, Yu Yaxuan replied calmly, “Congratulations.”

Baozhu heard the coldness in her voice and felt a bit dissatisfied. “Mom, you raised me all these years. Don’t you want to see me happy? The second day of next month is a good day. Will you come to my engagement ceremony?”

Engagement ceremony? Didn’t she find it embarrassing?

Recalling Baozhu’s attitude today, Yu Yaxuan refused, “No, I won’t come. I’d only embarrass you.”

Baozhu instantly flared up, “Mom, this is my big day. You’re my real mother. Is it worth holding a grudge over a few words?”