Chapter Thirty-Four: An Unexpected Event

After hearing Dong Xue’s request, Zhang Xia was utterly incredulous. Her tear-stained face showed an expression of complete incomprehension, to the point that she even forgot to continue her performance.

Because Dong Xue’s request was to have Zhang Xia and her son live together in her own home, and to live openly with Dong Xue’s family, without hiding anything from Fan Jian. Was Dong Xue insane? Or had she seen through Zhang Xia’s intentions and was now testing her with such a proposal, trying to observe her reaction under these circumstances?

If that was the case, she would have to act even more convincingly. Her previous shock had caused her performance to slip, and she needed to redouble her efforts.

“Madam Dong!” Zhang Xia had already formulated her next line. “I am already deeply grateful that you can accept my son. Truly, I—”

Dong Xue waved her hand, cutting her off and pulling her up from the floor. “Enough, there’s no need to say more. At this point, I don’t want to play these roundabout games with you anymore. To be frank, your acting is impressive—you really have the makings of an actress. No wonder, given your dance background. If you had met a decent agent, you might have already been famous.”

She paused, a wry smile touching her lips. “But that’s digressing. We can discuss your talents later; for now, let’s return to business. Even though you’ve been performing for me ever since you arrived, I can still see that life for you and your son has been hard, even miserable.

You may act, but a child cannot. The light in his eyes when he came to my home was genuine, not something that could be faked. The real reason I agreed to let you both stay is because of your son. No matter whether what happened between you and Fan Jian was your fault, his, or someone else’s, the child is innocent.

He shouldn’t be subjected to unfair treatment. He has Fan Jian as his father and deserves a good life. But, since the world only knows Fan Jian has a daughter, the sudden appearance of a son would inevitably stir gossip. So, for now, we won’t announce his true identity; he’ll appear as our adopted son.

As for you, you may also live here. After all, you are his mother. If you left and he only had his father, it would be detrimental to his future growth and life. Think about it: first, he lived five years alone with you, then found his father but lost his mother. Can you imagine the impact that would have on him?

And another thing—are you truly comfortable entrusting your son to me, his ‘stepmother’? Aren’t you afraid I might mistreat him? Remember, although I am Fan Jian’s lawful wife, I bore him a daughter, while you gave him a son.”

Zhang Xia bit her lip and said nothing.

Dong Xue seemed satisfied with her reaction and continued, “As for your status in the household, we’ll tell everyone you’re a new nanny hired specifically to care for the children. You’ll be responsible for both kids. I trust you won’t do anything to displease me?”

“No, never! I’m already more than satisfied!” At this moment, Zhang Xia felt as though Dong Xue had seen through her completely—she had no secrets left before this woman, who now controlled the entire conversation. Was this the bearing and means of a true lady of the house? It was a world apart from her own rough methods. In front of Dong Xue, she felt as ridiculous as a student trying to outsmart her teacher.

“You see! With just a few words, your deepest desires are exposed,” Dong Xue said cheerfully. “You still have a long road ahead. Using tricks and little schemes on me is useless. If you genuinely want a better future for yourself and your child, you’d best not go against me.

Follow my rules and requirements, and I won’t make things difficult for you. You ought to be grateful for this chance. If it were someone more ruthless, not only would your request be denied, but the moment you left my house, you and your son—this potential threat—would be dealt with for good. Do you understand?”

Zhang Xia could only nod.

“You’re lucky I’m not so heartless. As I said, the child is innocent. If it were not for your son, perhaps I really would have done it.” Dong Xue sighed. “As long as you treat me, Fan Yirou, and this family sincerely, I will do the same for you.

While you care for the children, I’ll also arrange for professional dance teachers to tutor you. Isn’t that your dream? If you’re as talented as I suspect, perhaps one day you’ll shine on the grand stage. By then, your situation with Fan Jian could be easily resolved.”

Zhang Xia could hardly believe what she was hearing. Dong Xue was being incredibly generous. “Madam Dong… I don’t understand… If you’ve already seen through me, why treat me so well?”

Dong Xue lit a slender cigarette and took a drag. “There are several reasons, and I don’t mind telling you. First, as I said, it’s for your son. Children should not bear the consequences of their parents’ mistakes.

Second, like you, I have my own ambitions. My husband is busy with work and has no time for the children. For years, I’ve put aside my own dreams to care for them. Leaving them entirely to a nanny is something I can’t trust—the news is full of stories about nannies abusing children.

Now, with your arrival, that risk is mitigated, and I can return to my career.”

Zhang Xia nodded in understanding.

“And the third reason!” Dong Xue stubbed out her cigarette and fixed Zhang Xia with a piercing gaze that made her uneasy. “You’re not a simple woman. You have ambition, cunning, and courage. I could see that from the moment you dared to approach me. If I allowed someone like you to act behind my back, it would be as irritating as a stray dog barking nearby. It might not bite, but if it did, I’d have to get a rabies shot.

Rather than kicking you to death then, it’s better to lock you in a cage and keep you as a pet. Affection grows with time, doesn’t it? Perhaps we’ll get along well, and the children will be close, too. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll even call each other sisters…”

And so, things proceeded according to Dong Xue’s plan. When Fan Jian learned of the situation, he was initially baffled by his wife’s actions. He was unwilling to acknowledge the sudden appearance of a son and showed clear disdain for Zhang Xia—an attitude that was not in the least feigned.

In this, Dong Xue found some comfort. Although she’d told Zhang Xia she didn’t care, a knot remained in her heart. Seeing her husband’s attitude made her feel her efforts were worthwhile.

Beyond what she’d told Zhang Xia, Dong Xue disclosed to her husband another critical reason. After giving birth to Fan Yirou, she had lost the ability to conceive. This was why she hadn’t borne any more children over the years—she could no longer provide a legitimate male heir for the Fan family.

She had expected her husband to be angry at her for keeping this secret, but to her surprise, Fan Jian merely sighed and revealed that he had known all along. He had only kept silent to avoid upsetting her.

They did not dwell long on this topic, instead turning to discuss Zhang Xia and the child. In the end, Fan Jian agreed with his wife’s decision, allowing these two strangers, who should have been important to him, to move into his home.

According to Dong Xue’s plan, the family of five enjoyed a period of genuine happiness. Zhang Xia was well-behaved and made no secret moves. True to her word, Dong Xue arranged for many renowned dance teachers to instruct Zhang Xia, providing her with numerous opportunities to perform on stage.

Zhang Xia seized these opportunities, and with her natural talent, soon made a name for herself in the dance world. She was deeply grateful to Dong Xue and treated both children with heartfelt sincerity.

Both children adored their two mothers, and the four shared bonds as close as those between biological mothers and children. In their leisure time, both mothers would take the children to amusement parks.

As for Fan Jian, his initial resistance to Zhang Xia and their son gradually faded, and he grew increasingly fond of his mischievous boy. His attitude toward Zhang Xia, though no longer openly hostile, remained cool, and he never so much as touched her.

Though Zhang Xia harbored feelings for him, out of gratitude toward Dong Xue, she never overstepped. In private, she would sometimes speak about these matters with the sisterly woman she had grown so close to.

Over the years, Dong Xue saw that Zhang Xia was fundamentally a decent person and that she respected boundaries. So she even discussed the matter with her husband, hoping he might give Zhang Xia a chance. But Fan Jian was steadfast in his loyalty to Dong Xue. After the incident with Zhang Xia, he no longer indulged in affairs. Even when social obligations arose, he only put on a show.

Life might have continued in this peaceful rhythm, but an unforeseen accident shattered the harmony of their household, turning everything upside down…