Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love

"So, it’s very likely that Xiao Xi doesn’t have a mother anymore."

Zhong Hailan’s heart grew heavy at the thought. No wonder she doesn’t seem like someone short of money, yet here with us, even the smallest surprise makes her as happy as a child. And sometimes, she keeps thanking me even when I haven’t really done anything.

"That child Xiao Xi... You little rascal, I’m warning you. If you dare to bully her in the future, I’ll never let you get away with it."

Zhong Hailan glared at her son as if he were the scoundrel who had tricked her own daughter away.

"Mom, when have I ever bullied her?"

"How would I know if you’ve been secretly bullying her when I’m not looking? Xiao Xi isn’t the type of kid who tattles."

"Mom, are you still watching ’Empresses in the Palace’? If not, I’m changing the channel."

Hearing this, Zhong Hailan quickly stopped him.

"I’m watching, I’m watching! You little rascal, if you dare change the channel, watch me break your paws."

Xue Yang put down the remote control, stood up, and started heading upstairs.

"Hey, where are you going so late?"

Xue Yang turned and replied, "I’m going upstairs to take care of your daughter-in-law."

"You rascal... Bring the cucumber with you."

Xue Yang turned back again, grabbed the cucumber, and continued on his way upstairs.

Watching Xue Yang’s figure disappear at the top of the stairs, Zhong Hailan finally retracted her gaze.

"Poor Xiao Xi, I won’t let that rascal Xue Yang bully you," Zhong Hailan muttered softly.

Not long after, Xue Yuanqing returned, carrying a flashlight.

"I told you Uncle Zhong was already asleep, but you didn’t believe me."

Seeing the dejected look on his face, Zhong Hailan knew he had returned empty-handed.

Xue Yuanqing huffed. "I’ll go over earlier tomorrow."

"No matter how early you go, you still have to wait until after breakfast."

Xue Yuanqing grunted in acknowledgment, put the flashlight back in the drawer, and sat down on the sofa.

’Empresses in the Palace’ was still playing on the TV. Xue Yuanqing casually grabbed the remote and had just pressed a button when he felt a chilling aura emanating from his side.

Turning his head, he saw Zhong Hailan staring at him with a lethal gaze. Only then did Xue Yuanqing remember he had just changed the channel on her drama.

"Honey, I didn’t mean to! I’ll change it back right now, right now!"

Xue Yuanqing quickly changed the channel back and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhong Hailan’s expression soften.

"I just asked that rascal Xue Yang about Xiao Xi’s parents," Zhong Hailan said.

"It’s about time we found out," Xue Yuanqing replied. "That way, when Xiao Xi goes home, we can prepare some gifts for our future in-laws."

"It seems Xiao Xi doesn’t have a mother."

Hearing this, Xue Yuanqing fell silent.

"That explains it. My heart ached for that child the moment I saw her, and it turns out this was the reason," Zhong Hailan lamented.

"That’s not something she could decide. In any case, we’ll just have to be even nicer to her from now on."

Zhong Hailan shot him a look. "As if you needed to tell me that."

...

When Lin Xi saw Xue Yang come up, she immediately waved him over.

"Xue Yang, look! The editor said the website hopes I’ll draw the manga adaptation myself!"

Xue Yang sat down beside Lin Xi, casually taking her phone to read her chat history with the editor.

"Looks like you’ve already settled things with the editor."

Lin Xi hugged Xue Yang’s arm and said coaxingly, "Well, I really want to draw it."

"If you want to draw, then draw. Just don’t overwork yourself. Your man can earn enough to support you."

"I believe you. But this novel is our joint effort; it’s as precious as our child. Even if it doesn’t make any money, I’ll be happy as long as people like it."

"Alright, you have my full support."

「Early the next morning.」

Xue Yuanqing went to Uncle Zhong’s house to discuss the auspicious date. Xue Yang and Lin Xi also got up early. After breakfast, Xue Yang headed to the store, while Lin Xi stayed home to work on her manga.

Zhong Hailan found some time to go upstairs and chat with her.

"Xiao Xi, what does your father usually like?"

"Auntie, my dad is very easygoing. He likes everything."

"I see. Xiao Xi, besides your dad, is there anyone else in your family?"

Lin Xi blinked and said, "It’s just my dad and me. My mom isn’t at home."

Not at home. That could mean they’re divorced. In any case, I should prepare another gift. I’ll have Xiao Xi take it back with her then.

"Auntie, you don’t need to get anything for me to take back. My dad is hardly ever home."

"That won’t do. It’s a matter of courtesy. It’s just too far away; otherwise, your uncle and I would definitely pay your father a visit. To have raised such a well-behaved and sensible daughter, your father must be an extraordinary person."

"My dad is amazing! He’s like Superman; he supports a lot of people. When I was little, he always told me that if he didn’t go to work, many, many people would go hungry."

Zhong Hailan was taken aback. For many, many people to go hungry just because he didn’t go to work... that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Still, in a child’s eyes, their parents are always extraordinary. A little exaggeration is perfectly normal. She didn’t dwell on it too much.

"Well, you get back to your work. I’m going to prepare lunch. What would you like to eat?"

"Auntie, could we have spicy pipi shrimp?"

"You like spicy pipi shrimp, too?"

"Xue Yang loves it."

"You silly child, always thinking of others. Tell me what you’d like to eat, and Auntie will make it."

"Auntie, I’d like a chicken leg."

"Alright! Auntie will go kill a chicken and cook it for you."

Zhong Hailan hurried downstairs to kill the chicken. Just then, Xue Yuanqing returned.

"Uncle Zhong said August 15th is a good day. That’s exactly one week from now. The timing is perfect, so I went ahead and set that as the date."

"Fine. I’ll let everyone know when I have a moment. For now, you need to hurry up and buy some pipi shrimp."

"At this hour, all the good shrimp have been picked over," Xue Yuanqing grumbled.

"Your son wants to eat them. So, are you buying them or not?"

"I’m buying, I’m buying! I’ll go right now."

Xue Yuanqing had scarcely stepped through the door before he was heading back out again.

Everyone was busy with their own tasks.

"Si Wen, I’ve decided! I’m going to draw the manga myself, and everything is confirmed with the website."

Lin Xi shared the good news with her best friend.

Si Wen replied, "That’s great! The original author is the best person to portray the emotions between the main characters. You have my full support."

"Si Wen, I’m sorry. I have a lot to take care of here, so I can’t come back to keep you company for now."

"Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m not the type to be unreasonable. If I really wanted you to come keep me company, I’d just book a flight and find you myself. Don’t overthink it."

"Okay."

After chatting with Si Wen, Lin Xi immersed herself in her manga creation once more. When she grew tired from drawing, she would stand up and relax on the balcony.