Chapter 824: Make the Call
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
As the days drew closer to New Year, it was already the 27th day in the blink of an eye.
However, there was still no word from Huangfu Ruiling’s side at the ancestral mansion.
In previous years, Huangfu Ruiling always spent the New Year at the ancestral mansion. Of course, last year was an exception due to his attendance at an overseas auction with Ye Leng’an.
This year marked Huangfu Ruiling’s first New Year since becoming the head of the Huangfu family. Logically and sentimentally, he should have been at the old residence. Zhongyu Liuying and Nangong Xiyu had begun organizing various New Year matters. They were now in charge of the domestic affairs, which naturally multiplied with the approaching New Year.
Watching Nangong Xiyu and herself busy together, Zhongyu Liuying felt an inexplicable sense of frustration. Despite being Huangfu Ruiling’s biological mother, the management of the domestic affairs should have been solely hers until Huangfu Ruiling married. However, Nangong Xiyu had unfairly divided the power, making it hard for her to accept.
Yet, as this was Huangfu Ruiling’s decision, she dared not voice her discontent. Nevertheless, her dislike towards Nangong Xiyu persisted.
Nangong Xiyu wasn’t oblivious to Zhongyu Liuying’s aversion. However, she remained unfazed, believing that Zhongyu Liuying’s opinion was inconsequential as long as she held the power.
So, she welcomed the estrangement and conflicts between Zhongyu Liuying and Huangfu Ruiling, viewing it as advantageous for herself.
In truth, she also looked down upon Zhongyu Liuying. If she had a son as remarkable as Huangfu Ruiling, she would have cherished him like a treasure. Yet Zhongyu Liuying seemed to lack common sense, wanting to distance herself from her own son. Moreover, Zhongyu Liuying insisted on maintaining a maternal demeanor, hoping her son would heed her words. It was absurd.
Nonetheless, Nangong Xiyu refrained from commenting. Firstly, she had no right to intervene in the affairs between Zhongyu Liuying, and Huangfu Ruiling. Secondly, the deeper the conflict between the mother and son, the better it served her interests. Hence, she saw no need to act against her own interests.
As the New Year drew nearer, with only a few days remaining, Zhongyu Liuying, and Nangong Xiyu had made arrangements, yet they remained clueless about Huangfu Ruiling’s plans or any other instructions.
Thus, they found themselves rare moments to discuss the matter.
“Sister-in-law, shouldn’t we establish some guidelines for the New Year?” Nangong Xiyu looked at Zhongyu Liuying directly, suggesting, “Considering the circumstances, shouldn’t we call and inquire about Ruiling’s plans?”
Seeing Nangong Xiyu’s matter-of-fact demeanor, Zhongyu Liuying felt irritated and retorted, “Our authority is equal. Why must I be the one to ask? Can’t you make the call yourself?”
Zhongyu Liuying wasn’t Nangong Xiyu’s subordinate, so she saw no reason to comply with her instructions. Despite jointly managing the domestic affairs, Zhongyu Liuying’s status as the biological mother of the family head held more weight.
After hearing Zhongyu Liuying’s words, Nangong Xiyu looked at her with a smirk. “Sister-in-law, are we discussing power now? Ruiling is your son, and I’m just an aunt. Are you sure it’s appropriate for me to make this call? Or has your relationship with your son deteriorated to this extent?”
Anyway, the two had been at odds for a long time, so she showed no mercy when speaking. After all, they were always at loggerheads.
“What are you talking about!”
As soon as Zhongyu Liuying heard Nangong Xiyu’s words, she almost jumped up. “Even if Huangfu Ruiling is the head of the family, he is still my son. What’s between my son and me has nothing to do with you. Besides, there will never be any overnight grudges between mother and son.”
As she spoke, her tone was firm, her voice heavy. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Nangong Xiyu or herself.
Hearing Zhongyu Liuying’s righteous words, Nangong Xiyu’s expression remained unchanged. She shrugged her shoulders and then smiled. “That’s for the best. In that case, I’ll leave this matter to you, sister-in-law. After all, you’re mother and son, and communication between you is definitely easier and smoother than with me.”
At this point, Zhongyu Liuying had no choice but to accept. She couldn’t afford to let Nangong Xiyu look down on her.
Nangong Xiyu didn’t press further and simply watched as Zhongyu Liuying made the call.
Under Nangong Xiyu’s gaze, Zhongyu Liuying had to dial Li San’s number instead of contacting Huangfu Ruiling directly. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but Huangfu Ruiling was avoiding her calls. She had no choice but to go through Li San.
Soon, the call was answered. Before the person on the other end could speak, Zhongyu Liuying stated her request firmly, “The New Year is approaching, and I’d like to know Huangfu Ruiling’s plans. Get him on the phone now.”
Although she sounded assertive, only she knew how apprehensive she felt at that moment. She wasn’t sure if Huangfu Ruiling would even answer her call. If he refused, she could already envision the humiliation she would face in front of Nangong Xiyu.
A hint of surprise flickered in Nangong Xiyu’s eyes upon hearing Zhongyu Liuying’s words.
She could tell that Zhongyu Liuying wasn’t speaking to Huangfu Ruiling directly. This indicated that the relationship between the mother and son was even worse than she had imagined. Otherwise, Zhongyu Liuying wouldn’t have to rely on someone else to relay her calls.
Despite her surprise, Nangong Xiyu maintained her composed demeanor.
Zhongyu Liuying felt a bit uneasy, but when she heard the cold voice on the other end, she finally felt reassured.