Chapter 96

Kong Xiyan stayed in the hospital for three days. It was already New Year's Eve when she returned to the apartment. She was discharged in the afternoon, and when Wang Haining offered to pick her up, she declined.

She told Wang Haining to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner at home first, and that she would come over after being discharged.

Wang Haining couldn't argue with her, so she didn't come to the hospital.

After arranging things with Wang Haining, Kong Xiyan thought of Chi Wanzhao.

If Chi Xuan hadn't come, Chi Wanzhao would definitely have had New Year's Eve dinner with them. But now that Chi Xuan was here, she couldn't ask Chi Wanzhao to leave Chi Xuan behind to accompany her. Just before getting into the car, she said, "CEO Chi, how about you have Zhou Sheng take me? You can head straight back to the Old Mansion to be with Chi Xuan."

Chi Wanzhao followed her into the car and sat beside her, saying, "No need. Chi Xuan will come over too."

Kong Xiyan was taken aback.

Chi Xuan was coming too?

Then what about her and Haining...

Kong Xiyan turned to look at Chi Wanzhao's taut profile. "Don't force Chi Xuan. You know how things are between her and Haining."

It was New Year's Eve dinner tonight, and she didn't want to feel like she was walking into a trap.

Chi Wanzhao's voice was soft. "It's fine. I've already talked it over with her."

Originally, Chi Wanzhao had planned to have New Year's Eve dinner with Chi Xuan at the apartment before going to find Kong Xiyan. But unexpectedly, Chi Xuan hesitated for a moment and said she didn't mind having dinner together, even offering to come along to pick up Kong Xiyan from the hospital.

Chi Wanzhao wasn't entirely familiar with her younger sister, but she knew a little about her. She told Chi Xuan to think it over at home and said if she still wanted to go that afternoon, she would pick her up on the way.

Five minutes ago, she received a message from Chi Xuan saying she was willing to have dinner together.

Only then did Chi Wanzhao tell Kong Xiyan.

Kong Xiyan still wasn't quite convinced. She studied Chi Wanzhao's profile and asked quietly, "You really didn't force her?"

Chi Wanzhao curled her lips. "No."

Then she continued, "In a bit, you and Xiao Xuan go ahead. I'll have Lu Han drive you, since Zhou Sheng and I need to go to the company."

Kong Xiyan suppressed her lingering doubts and nodded. "Okay."

The car quickly arrived at the Old Mansion.

This was Kong Xiyan's first time here.

The Old Mansion was at the foot of a mountain, occupying a large plot of land. The house was backed by the hill, with a wide road leading straight to the front gate, lined with evergreen trees on both sides. Standing outside, Kong Xiyan could already sense the grandeur and opulence.

The architecture had a retro style, with a castle-like feel. Having lived in City B for so long, Kong Xiyan never knew such a hidden gem existed.

Chi Wanzhao led her inside.

Li Bo walked ahead to guide them. Kong Xiyan tugged at Chi Wanzhao's sleeve. "Is this really the Chi family's Old Mansion?"

Hadn't she heard that the Chi family had declined by Chi Wanzhao's grandfather's generation?

Looking at the mansion, it didn't seem like it at all.

Chi Wanzhao took her hand and explained, "This house is very old. Back then, there weren't land issues, so the grounds are a bit larger. It's been passed down through generations, and every other generation has the mansion renovated."

"What you're seeing now is the renovated version."

Kong Xiyan nodded. No wonder the mansion felt both antique and modern—that explained it.

The two walked across the long pebble path and into the living room. Chi Xuan stood at the door, neatly dressed, and greeted them as they approached.

"Second sister, sister-in-law."

Chi Wanzhao hummed in acknowledgment. Kong Xiyan walked over to her and said softly, "Chi Xuan, I heard from your second sister that you're going to join us..."

"Mm."

Chi Xuan met Kong Xiyan's eyes and said candidly, "I'll have New Year's Eve dinner with you all."

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips together.

"Alright."

Chi Wanzhao could see that Kong Xiyan was curious about the Old Mansion. She wanted to show her around properly, but Kong Xiyan took her hand and said, "No need. Don't you have work at the company? Go handle it first. I can see the place anytime."

"Besides, Xiao Xuan will keep me company."

Chi Xuan stood beside her with a faint smile.

Chi Wanzhao said, "Alright then. Zhou Sheng and I will head off. Xiao Xuan, take good care of your sister-in-law."

Chi Xuan waved to her. "Don't worry, second sister."

Worry? Chi Wanzhao shook her head, meeting Kong Xiyan's smiling eyes.

That made her worry even more.

But there was still work at the company, so Chi Wanzhao took her leave and turned away.

After Chi Wanzhao left, Chi Xuan asked Kong Xiyan if she wanted to look around some more. Kong Xiyan shook her head. "No need. Haining is alone preparing the meal; I'm afraid she can't handle it all by herself."

Chi Xuan's smile was strained. "Then let's go."

Kong Xiyan followed her out of the mansion.

The Old Mansion was still a bit of a distance from the suburbs. Along the way, Kong Xiyan and Chi Xuan didn't say much, and the car was quiet.

After a long while, Chi Xuan still seemed listless.

Kong Xiyan looked at her and said, "Xiao Xuan, if you don't want to go, don't force yourself."

Chi Xuan raised her eyes. "I..."

She met Kong Xiyan's clear gaze, which seemed to see through her thoughts.

Yes.

She didn't want to go.

Didn't want to sit at the same table and eat with Wang Haining.

Even breathing the same air in the same house was torture for her.

But she was also forcing herself not to place blame and to try to understand Wang Haining.

At least try to see things from Wang Haining's perspective.

Seeing that she remained silent, Kong Xiyan took her hand and patted it. "Xiao Xuan, if you don't want to go, I'll have Lu Han take you back. You can't force something that isn't meant to be."

Chi Xuan stared at her for a moment, then lowered her gaze with a smile. "Second sister-in-law, I think you're really different from others."

Kong Xiyan: "Hm?"

Chi Xuan kept her eyes downcast. "If it were my mother or eldest brother, they would try to convince me with a bunch of reasoning. Honestly, I'm tired of hearing those arguments."

"But you're different."

"You don't preach."

Just like with yesterday's matter.

No amount of reasoning could compare to letting her stand there and feel the fear herself.

Only when she faced the same situation would she understand others' feelings.

That was more unforgettable than any lecture.

Chi Xuan looked down, thinking for a moment. "Second sister-in-law, do you also think I'm too harsh with Wang Haining?"

Kong Xiyan relaxed her brows. "Do you want the truth?"

Chi Xuan hummed softly.

Kong Xiyan said, "From Haining's perspective, yes, it's harsh. But from your perspective, it's not harsh at all."

Chi Xuan lifted her eyes at that and saw Kong Xiyan smiling.

Kong Xiyan continued, "So I won't urge you to accept Haining, nor will I say I hope you two can get along. That would be too cruel to you—and also too cruel to Haining."

"Because you don't have to accept her."

"Just as she doesn't have to feel guilty toward you."

"Haining couldn't choose her birth, but she can choose her life. I believe there's no place for the Chi family in her life."

"She and you all will always be strangers."

This was the third time Chi Xuan had heard the word "strangers." Unlike the previous two occasions, her expression didn't turn gloomy. Instead, she was calm, with no hostility in her eyes, and she appeared much gentler.

She nodded. "I know."

Seeing that, Kong Xiyan didn't say more and simply turned her head to look at the scenery outside the window.

Chi Xuan glanced at her with a hint of gratitude.

At that moment, her mind was a tangled mess, and her second sister-in-law not only refrained from prying but gave her enough space to think things through.

So different from others.

She sighed to herself a second time: her second sister had excellent taste.

Kong Xiyan had no idea that Chi Xuan was already singing her praises. Seeing that the car was nearing the neighborhood, she sat up straight and reminded Chi Xuan softly, "We're here."

Chi Xuan turned her head outside.

Indeed, a familiar place.

After Lu Han parked the car, he helped carry their things upstairs. Wang Haining was making dumplings and, upon hearing a sound at the door, came out to greet them with flour still on her hands.

"Finally, you're..."

Her voice cut off abruptly, and her gaze landed on Chi Xuan.

Chi Xuan looked at her briefly, then averted her eyes.

Kong Xiyan had Lu Han put the things in the kitchen and smiled. "Why don't you stay and have dinner with us?"

Lu Han quickly shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, ma'am, but I can't."

Seeing that he declined, Kong Xiyan didn't insist and nodded, letting him go.

The living room was left with just Kong Xiyan, Wang Haining, and Chi Xuan. Kong Xiyan took off her coat and called out to the white furball curled up on the sofa: "Yanyan."

Yanyan poked her head out from her paws, and upon seeing Kong Xiyan, she meowed and jumped off the sofa, rubbing against Kong Xiyan's calf.

She looked up, her blue eyes shining beautifully.

She gazed at Kong Xiyan pitifully, waiting to be adored.

Kong Xiyan smiled, picked her up, and handed her to Chi Xuan. "Take care of Yanyan for me. I'll go make the dumplings."

Chi Xuan looked down at Yanyan but didn't reach out to take her. Instead, she said, "I'll do it."

With that, she turned and walked over to the dining table.

Wang Haining had already prepared the filling in a large bowl. The wrappers were store-bought, and a small bowl of water was placed nearby. Chi Xuan had never made dumplings before. In fact, she had never even boiled water.

There were servants at home and money outside.

So in all her years, she had never eaten anything she'd made herself.

Tonight—she just didn't want to be someone who did nothing.

Wang Haining didn't have any objection to her joining in. With a normal expression, she picked up a wrapper, dipped it in water, added filling, and pinched the edges together—a smooth, seamless motion.

Chi Xuan also lowered her head and reached for a wrapper. Wang Haining said softly, "Go wash your hands first."

Chi Xuan paused for a moment, then went to the kitchen to wash her hands.

A few minutes later, she came out of the bathroom and tried to imitate Wang Haining's movements: pick up a wrapper, dip in water, add filling, then pinch the edges together. But no matter what she did, her dumpling wouldn't seal properly, leaving a small gap.

Chi Xuan gritted her teeth and pinched harder.

Seeing this, Wang Haining moved closer, dipped her finger in the water without a word, and smoothed it over the edge that wouldn't seal, then with slender fingers pinched the two sides together—done.

Chi Xuan's face flushed slightly. She cleared her throat and took a step back, but then, as if thinking of something, she moved her toes back, even closer to Wang Haining. Her eyes fixed on Wang Haining's nimble fingers, and she began to learn earnestly.

Kong Xiyan sat on the sofa watching this scene, and suddenly her nose tingled.

She couldn't tell whether Chi Xuan still bore hostility toward Wang Haining now, but at least—she wasn't as resistant anymore.

The cat in her arms sensed her melancholy mood and looked up, licking her chin. Kong Xiyan looked down at Yanyan, a smile in her eyes. She hugged Yanyan tightly and took a deep breath, then let go. She took a photo with her phone and sent it to Chi Wanzhao.

The photo showed Chi Xuan and Wang Haining, not too far apart, with a harmonious atmosphere.

It took Chi Wanzhao a long time to reply.

—Madam has put in much effort 【heart】.

Seeing the system's default heart emoji, Kong Xiyan couldn't help but laugh.

So cheesy!