Chapter 277 - 255: Change of Mind
Chapter 277: Chapter 255: Change of Mind
Wu Xiaowen looked at Xiao Man, stunned for a moment. She pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye and said with a choke in her voice, "Manman, you’re being so heartless! Even if I’ve become your aunt, I’m still an elder. The Tang family rules aren’t just for show. The family hasn’t even formally split yet; it’s only right for the younger generation to respect their elders! Look at Hao Hao. He’s very respectful and filial toward his uncle... *your* father, isn’t he?"
"That depends on what kind of elders you are. If you two were as worthy of respect as my father, you wouldn’t need to say a word. I’d know exactly what to do, no questions asked!"
As if she were made of water, Wu Xiaowen’s eyes instantly welled with tears. "Manman, back then, I... I had no choice..."
"Let the past stay in the past. I don’t want to hear it. I’m sick and tired of that story, and it ruins my mood every time," Xiao Man said. "I’ve said my piece. If you adults have more to discuss, please continue. Grandpa, Grandma, and I are going upstairs to get settled."
Grandma Tang smiled at Grandma and said, "All that travel today, first a plane and then a car, must have been exhausting. You should go get some rest. I’ll go upstairs with you to take a look."
When Wu Xiaowen and Tang Yaxuan heard that Grandma and the others had arrived by plane, their expressions grew complicated—a mix of envy, nostalgia, and resentment. Back when they lived in Wancheng, they were near a small airport and had enjoyed the same luxury on their trips to and from Beijing. Now, after being transferred to the provincial city, they were stuck squeezing onto crowded trains with the general public. The long travel time was one thing, but that kind of journey was what was truly exhausting.
Just as Xiao Man and Hao Hao were about to help Grandma Tang and Grandma to their feet, Wu Xiaowen instinctively called out, "Mom, please wait."
Grandma Tang glanced her way. "If you have something to say, just tell them. It makes no difference."
"It’s only eight-forty. It’s hardly time to sleep. We came by train, and we’re not tired at all!" Wu Xiaowen raised her arm, glancing at the delicate watch on her wrist.
"You..." Grandma Tang was on the verge of losing her temper with her again. ’Who is she to tell others when they can rest? Besides, how can she compare us elderly folk to someone young and strong like her?’
Grandma knew that Wu Xiaowen wanted Grandma Tang to stay because she needed her to agree to something. She just smiled and said, "It’s fine. Xiao Man can help us find our rooms. You all carry on with your discussion."
But Wu Xiaowen interjected, "This is about Manman, so Manman, don’t be in such a rush to leave... Flying isn’t so tiring, right? Grandpa, Grandma, why don’t you stay a little longer?"
Xiao Man paused. Grandma patted her hand. "Your grandpa and I aren’t really tired. It’s fine if we go up a little later."
Grandma Tang stared at Wu Xiaowen. "Don’t you usually go running to the old man when you want something? It’s a rare sight to see you proactively ask to speak with me. A real first! Fine, then. Say what you have to say. I’m listening."
They had expected Wu Xiaowen to bring up helping the Wu Family move to Beijing again, or perhaps an issue concerning her and Qingyun. They never imagined that she would instead put an arm around Tang Yaxuan and plead earnestly with Grandpa and Grandma Tang.
"Dad, Mom, that meeting in Gongdao Village said the families should swap the children back. But Manman doesn’t want to be with us, and now you’ve even made the decision to place her under Big Brother’s name. What are Qingyun and I supposed to do? We can’t just lose a daughter for no reason! If that’s the case, then please let Xuanxuan stay! After all, the Tang family has raised Xuanxuan for more than a decade. Everyone knows her as my and Qingyun’s daughter. We cherished her and raised her as our first child. She can’t bear to leave us, and for my husband and I, the pain is worse than having our own flesh and blood torn away... Qingyun and I are begging you, Dad and Mom!"
The living room fell silent. No one said a word. After a moment, Tang Yaxuan’s sweet, soft voice broke the silence. "Grandpa, Grandma, I have only ever seen myself as a member of the Tang family—as Mom and Dad’s good daughter, and your obedient granddaughter. I will be just as filial to you as Sister Manman is to her Grandpa and Grandma!"
Xiao Man shot Tang Yaxuan a look. "Give me a break. Don’t call me ’sister.’ Having a sister like you would give me nightmares."
Grandpa, Grandma, and Grandpa Tang were speechless.
Grandma Tang and Tang Haocheng looked at Tang Yaxuan, their gazes cold and detached.
Grandpa Tang asked Tang Qingyun, "Is this what you want, too?"
Tang Qingyun sighed. He looked toward Wu Xiaowen and Tang Yaxuan with a complex expression and gave a slight shake of his head, though no one could be sure what he meant by it.
Grandma Tang said, "Wu Xiaowen, what did I just say? After you two have done one foolish thing after another, openly defying us, where do you get the nerve to make such a demand? I seem to recall you lecturing Hao Hao and Manman on family rules. Qingyun must have told you about them, didn’t he? He clearly didn’t explain their true meaning, or you wouldn’t be standing there with that nonchalant, all-knowing look on your face! And you still have the audacity to mention the meeting in Gongdao Village? You cried your eyes out, clinging to Xuanxuan as if you couldn’t bear to be parted, giving her money and promising to bring her to the provincial city. All the while, you completely ignored Xiao Man. Do you take her for a wooden doll? An idiot? She has eyes to see and a mind of her own. You doted on Xuanxuan while casting her aside. You are the ones who abandoned and hurt her. Why on earth would she trust you enough to go with you now? The fact that you can stand there and blame her for this without a shred of remorse... You are utterly shameless!"