Chapter 305 - 274: It’s a Long Story
Chapter 305: Chapter 274: It’s a Long Story
After lunch, Wu Xiaowen saw that Tang Yaxuan was listless and dispirited. Her eyes, often rimmed with red, were welling with tears. It made Wu Xiaowen’s heart ache. She thought about how nothing had gone smoothly since their return to Beijing—it had been one frustrating thing after another. With her own mood souring, she decided to take her daughter out of the restaurant. They hailed a taxi and went on a tour of the major department stores. Fortunately, she had plenty of money and significant purchasing power. As mother and daughter picked up one coveted item after another, the knot of frustration in her chest gradually loosened. By the time they returned to the hotel in a taxi half-full of their "spoils of war," their spirits were much higher and their complexions much brighter. They were even talking and laughing.
However, when they went upstairs to their temporary room and discovered that Tang Qingyun still hadn’t returned, Wu Xiaowen’s mood soured once more.
’It wasn’t that she didn’t want Tang Qingyun to return to the Tang Mansion. The Tang family had two sons, so the estate and residence were meant to be split evenly. The second son’s family had a rightful share. On what grounds could they be forbidden from living there? The old man had only kicked them out this time to save face for that old hag, who was too narrow-minded to tolerate Xuanxuan. Once they found a suitable place for Xuanxuan, she fully intended to move back in. She and her husband had worked so hard to raise Xuanxuan, who was so much more affectionate and lovable than that ungrateful brat, Manman. They would never give her up!’
’But did Tang Qingyun have to be like this? Spending all day and night over there... Did he want to be as cruel and heartless as that old hag, completely ignoring his wife and daughter? She wouldn’t stop him from being a filial son and grandson, but Tang Qingyun was a husband and a father! Couldn’t he show a little responsibility? It was the Lunar New Year holiday—he should be spending time with his wife and child!’
’Besides, she had told him about the Wu Family’s residence long ago. Tomorrow was the third day of the New Year. He should have come up with a plan and made preparations. The two of them needed to go together and sort out the Wu family courtyard so that when her parents, brother, and sister-in-law arrived in March, they could move in directly.’
Wu Xiaowen remembered going to see her family’s old home again on New Year’s Eve, and her pretty face twisted into a grimace. After the Wu Family left Beijing, their once spacious and tidy courtyard residence had been seized by the local subdistrict office and converted into public housing. The place was now an absolute mess, a foul and chaotic environment. Not only were the original flowering trees and potted landscapes completely destroyed, but new walls and wooden fences had been erected everywhere. Clotheslines were strung up randomly... It had been turned into a crowded tenement, a sight she could hardly bear to look at. If her parents saw their ancestral home in this state, they would probably faint from anger on the spot!
Armed with an official letter, she had gone to the subdistrict office that day feeling completely justified. But the staff there just passed the buck. Everyone she spoke to said it was almost the New Year and refused to deal with her.
Wu Xiaowen understood the situation clearly. ’Most of the people living in the courtyard were old neighbors. In an era of housing shortages, some families with three or even four generations were crammed into a few dozen square meters. To have been allocated a spacious house in her family’s courtyard, they must have pulled a lot of strings back in the day. It’s like feeding a dog a meat bun—you’re never getting it back. These people had been living in the house comfortably for years. Weren’t they just like dogs that had been fed? Who would be willing to spit out the meat? Push them too far, and they’d turn into rabid dogs, snarling and snapping at everyone!’
’Without a powerful backer and the willingness to use some tough, ruthless tactics, getting the Wu Family’s residence back would be incredibly difficult! That’s why this had to be handled by Tang Qingyun. He had to use the old man’s connections to sort it out!’
’But Tang Qingyun was completely oblivious. He knew this was waiting for him to handle, yet he acted so indifferent. He’d gone to the Tang Mansion and hadn’t even looked back. In two days, he would have to go back to work. What would happen to the Wu Family’s residence then?’
Wu Xiaowen stewed in silent anger for a while. Biting her lip, she sat down by the telephone, picked up the receiver, and dialed the number for the Tang Mansion.
It connected, but no one answered. She waited a moment and dialed again. Still no answer. On the third try, someone finally picked up. It was the guard at the gate, who had run over because he heard the phone ringing incessantly. He told Wu Xiaowen that the Tang Family had gone to three separate banquets today. They had left before noon and probably wouldn’t be back until evening. Since no one was home, the staff had been given the day off, which was why no one was answering the phone.
Wu Xiaowen slowly lowered the receiver. Along with her disappointment, a bitter feeling welled up inside her. ’Banquets... social engagements... She was best at and most enjoyed navigating those circles. As a daughter-in-law of the Tang family, she should have been there, dressed in brilliant, eye-catching clothes, on her husband’s arm, leading her children into the grand event. She would have captured everyone’s attention, letting them all see her charm, her happy little family, her handsome and successful husband... It was a scene from her dreams, so glamorous and beautiful. It should have been so easy to achieve. But because of that old hag, it had all shattered like a soap bubble. And now she had a home she couldn’t return to, reduced to the miserable state of living in a hotel!’
’That old hag was despicable, but Xiao Man was even more detestable! If that damn girl hadn’t meddled and saved the old hag’s life for no good reason, I wouldn’t be in such a wretched, difficult position!’
Wu Xiaowen’s heart was filled with resentment, but she knew sitting around wouldn’t solve anything. She called her mother, Mother Wu, in Feng City. After getting some comforting advice from her, her gloomy mood eased, as if the clouds had parted. Her mind started to clear, and ideas began to form. After a moment’s hesitation, she picked up the receiver again and dialed another number.
The call went through. After two rings, someone actually picked up. Hearing the familiar voice, Wu Xiaowen’s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth forming an "O".
’She had only dialed the number tentatively. After all, it was the New Year holiday. Who wouldn’t want to be at home with their family, eating, drinking, and enjoying the warmth, instead of sitting all alone in a silent, cold office?’
But Bai Lihua... he was actually in his office!
She heard the man say "Hello?" twice, but Wu Xiaowen kept her lips pressed tightly together, not making a sound. Bai Lihua was patient, though. "Was this a wrong number? I’m going to hang up, then!" he said.
Only then did Wu Xiaowen let out a soft sigh. "It’s me..."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then he asked softly and with concern, "Xiao Wen? When did you get back? You don’t sound right. Are you... are you okay?"
’Her own husband didn’t even care about her, yet this man could tell something was wrong just from hearing her say two words!’
A warmth spread through Wu Xiaowen’s heart, but her nose began to sting. If she were to look in a mirror right now, she would see that her eyes were red-rimmed again.
On the other end of the line, Bai Lihua was still asking questions. "Xiao Wen, why aren’t you talking? Did you need me for something? Where are you now?"
Wu Xiaowen glanced at the closed door to Tang Yaxuan’s room. The child had had a tiring day and was probably taking a nap. She sniffled and said, "I’ve been back for a few days. I’m at the Kyoto Restaurant. I’m staying here."
"Why are you staying at a hotel instead of going home?"
"Sigh... every family has its own problems. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you. It’s... it’s nothing important, really. I just dialed your number on a whim. I didn’t expect you to pick up. Isn’t it the New Year holiday? Why are you still in the office? At home... doesn’t your wife... look for you?"
"Same reason as you. It’s a long story," Bai Lihua’s soft chuckle came through the receiver. "Xiao Wen, if it’s convenient, why don’t we meet? Right there at the Kyoto Restaurant would be fine. I still have a room I haven’t checked out of, Room 408. It’s for entertaining guests."
Wu Xiaowen paused. She thought of Tang Qingyun, who was probably out painting the town red and had likely forgotten all about her. He wouldn’t be home until evening, and even then, he might not come to the hotel. She gritted her teeth and said, "Okay. I’ll be over in a bit."