Zhuang Lan didn’t seem like the kind of person who would lie.
Li Xiaoqin hesitantly glanced at the photo, "That’s true, after all, being classmates for so long, Xiaolan would definitely know if there were any rumors."
Plus, Li Xiaoqin knew her son’s habits well; he was exceptionally attentive to anything related to his studies.
He kept a booklet specifically for news about top students.
Aside from rankings in their strong subjects, it also contained some seemingly nonsensical tidbits.
For instance, a certain top student who excelled in chemistry was particularly fond of the leek dumplings sold near his home.
Once, Li Xiaoqin casually flipped through it and nearly dropped it on the floor.
She had no idea where her son got all this absurd information, which was more frightening than any intelligence agency in the movies.
Zhuang Rouhui was skeptical, "But this appraisal report..."
Zhuang Lan saw her doubt, "Is this the comparison result between Aunt and Yue Qingqing?"
"No." It was only then that Zhuang Rouhui realized that she didn’t even know who the two people being compared were.
She only guessed it was her daughter and Yue Qingqing.
But she couldn’t make clear what the truth really was.
Li Ruyu, for some unknown reason, seemed stimulated and acted crazily, while Li Ruyun was lying in a hospital bed, with no telling when she would wake up.
Seeing that Zhuang Rouhui’s anger was gradually deflating, Zhuang Lan continued to probe.
"Aunt, did you come here today for something else? You wouldn’t come over specially for such baseless matters, especially during the New Year’s."
Being pointed out , Zhuang Rouhui’s face immediately showed embarrassment.
"I, I just heard some things and thought to come over and ask."
Zhuang Lan said earnestly, "Our teacher always tells us not to believe in or spread rumors, Aunt should be careful not to be deceived by others."
Li Xiaoqin immediately patted her son’s back, "How can you talk to your aunt like that?"
Zhuang Lan was stern, "I’m telling the truth, there are so many scams out there these days, what if someone tries to take advantage of Aunt’s desire to find her daughter and deceives her?"
His implication was that it was absolutely impossible for Yue Qingqing to have any relation to Zhuang Rouhui, and that the whole thing was definitely a scam.
Zhuang Yuebin also seemed contemplative, "Rouhui, how come you suddenly remembered this?"
Back then, although everyone just said the child was lost, who wouldn’t understand the implied reasons upon reflection?
After so many years, why did Zhuang Rouhui suddenly have a change of heart and remember she had a daughter?
In the face of her own brother, Zhuang Rouhui boldly spoke the truth.
"Li Fuhong’s mistress instigated our divorce, and then I found out he had a teenager he kept a secret. Now the Li Family has proposed to divide the property among the children, and I certainly have to find my daughter back, or else wouldn’t I be at a loss?"
Zhuang Yuebin’s face twisted as though he had eaten a sour date, his mouth opening wide in astonishment.
It was Li Xiaoqin, though, whose expression remained unchanged, probably anticipating Zhuang Rouhui’s continuous breaking of moral boundaries.
"That’s true, after all, we do need to set aside some money for that child."
Only then did Zhuang Rouhui start to look a bit more favorably at her, giving a snort, "Anyway, we can’t let the mistress and the illegitimate child benefit."
Having not received the news she wanted from Zhuang Lan’s end, Zhuang Rouhui didn’t plan to stay longer and left after a few words.
Once she had left, Li Xiaoqin’s smile immediately collapsed.
"Xiaolan, you go back to your room and read for a while."
That was the signal that she had something to discuss privately with her husband. Zhuang Lan hummed in acknowledgment, ready to leave, but his father stopped him.
Zhuang Yuebin made a face at his son, "You talked a lot more than usual today, eh?"
Zhuang Lan raised an eyebrow, "Did I?"
"Do you know some insider information? Tell dad secretly, neither your mom nor I will tell anyone."
Li Xiaoqin’s gaze also turned expectant as she looked at her son.
Zhuang Lan paused, "So free during the New Year’s?"
Zhuang Lan: "If you’re that idle, why not go to work earlier? It’ll keep you from overthinking all day."
My hand is itching, since I’m idle during the New Year’s anyway, maybe I should spank the child for fun.