Chapter 32: The Joke at Fang Lian's House

Upon arriving at the ICU, Yan Xuan finally met Fang Lian’s mother, Fang Qiulan. The woman, in her mid-forties, was still well-maintained; though she didn't possess the refined elegance of wealthy socialites like Bai Hui, she was certainly attractive enough to stand out among most women her age.

"Oh, my daughter! You’ve finally returned!"

Fang Qiulan trotted over to them, her eyes fixed intently on Yan Xuan. She looked at him with the classic gaze of a mother-in-law sizing up a prospective son-in-law, and the more she looked, the more pleased she seemed. She had a rough idea of her daughter’s situation at school, and the social media post Fang Lian had accidentally shared a few days ago had convinced her that her daughter had surely hooked a wealthy catch.

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Yan Xuan. How is Grandma doing?" After a brief introduction, Yan Xuan went straight to the point.

Fang Qiulan pointed toward a nearby ward. "She just finished surgery yesterday and is resting inside. The doctors won't let anyone in."

While they spoke, Fang Lian had already run to the ward door. She peered through the glass, her eyes filled with worry.

"Don't worry, she won't die. She’s still got at least five or six years in her," Fang Qiulan said with cold indifference, as if her own mother's well-being meant nothing to her.

"I’m going to pay the bills," Fang Lian said, her face expressionless as she turned away from the ICU, showing no intention of making small talk with her mother.

Fang Qiulan rolled her eyes. "Ungrateful brat, giving me attitude the moment she gets back. She even thought I was lying to her yesterday!"

Yan Xuan tried to mediate. "Xiao Lian is just worried about her grandmother, that’s why she rushed back from so far away. She didn't mean anything by it."

"Good son-in-law, don't speak up for her. Don't I know my own daughter?" As soon as she turned back to Yan Xuan, Fang Qiulan’s expression shifted instantly. "Son-in-law, where is your family from? What do your parents do? Are you the same age as Xiao Lian?"

Facing the interrogation, Yan Xuan patiently replied, "My home is in Lingxi Province. My family runs a small business, and I’m a sophomore in college."

"Oh..."

So far, Fang Qiulan was quite satisfied with this prospective son-in-law. He was polite and showed no signs of arrogance. A small business? Could a small business afford a Bentley? More importantly, the fact that he had asked Fang Lian to handle the payments suggested he was spending quite a bit of money on her daughter.

"Good son-in-law," Fang Qiulan said thoughtfully, "you’ve had a long, tiring journey, and it’s stifling here in the hospital. Why don’t you and Xiao Lian head back? I’ll keep watch here."

Just then, Fang Lian returned from paying the bills and signaled for Yan Xuan to leave with her. Once they were out of the hospital, Yan Xuan suggested, "Your mother seems very tired. Would you like to hire a caregiver?"

Fang Lian shook her head. "Don't waste your concern on her, Godfather. She’s probably already hired one; she’s quite the busy woman."

"Is your mother very busy?"

"Busy? You have no idea. She’s never still!"

Fang Lian led Yan Xuan to hide in a nearby alleyway. Ten minutes later, Fang Qiulan emerged from the building, hailed a taxi, and sped away.

"What is your mother doing?" Yan Xuan asked curiously.

"Don't ask, Godfather. You’ll probably find out by tonight."

On the way back, Fang Lian remained silent, barely responding to any of Yan Xuan’s questions. Her home was in an old residential block, a unit assigned to her grandfather in his younger years. It was less than 80 square meters, with two bedrooms and a living room, filled with outdated furniture and appliances that were over a decade old.

"It’s a bit messy here. Sit down, Godfather, let me tidy up." After entering, she gestured for him to rest on the sofa before heading to her room to change into simple sportswear and beginning to clean the house from top to bottom.

Yan Xuan tried to help several times, but she insisted he sit down.

"Fang Lian!" Yan Xuan suddenly let out a low bark, startling her so much that she nearly dropped the broom.

"Godfather, did I do something wrong?" In Fang Lian’s eyes, her godfather had always been a man of stable temperament. They had known each other for over two months, and this was the first time he had ever raised his voice at her.

"Come over here and sit down."

Seeing his firm attitude, Fang Lian put down the broom and walked timidly to the sofa.

"What’s wrong with you today?" Yan Xuan asked with a wry smile.

"Godfather, what do you mean?"

"Look at yourself. Have you smiled even once since getting on the high-speed train?" Yan Xuan reached out and gently pulled the corners of her mouth upward with his fingers, forcing a smile onto her face.

"I'm sorry, Godfather," she said in a low voice. "Grandma just had surgery, and I'm not really in the mood."

"Is that so?" Yan Xuan knew this was just an excuse. Usually, regardless of the circumstances or her mood, she always tried to keep a smile on her face when she was with him. Girls looked best when they smiled. A woman who constantly wore a sour face, no matter how beautiful, would eventually make a man weary until he lost all patience. This was one of the "life lessons" Fang Qiulan had taught her.

Yan Xuan gently stroked Fang Lian’s cheek. "Xiao Lian, do you not want to stay in your hometown?"

Ever since they got off the train, he had been observing her. The girl’s mind was constantly on edge, and combined with her deliberately aggressive makeup and dress, Yan Xuan was certain of one thing: Fang Lian harbored deep hostility toward everything and everyone in this county.

"Godfather..." Having her innermost thoughts exposed, a smile finally appeared on Fang Lian’s face, though it was tinged with bitterness.

Yan Xuan didn't press for the reason. "If you don't want to stay in this county, once your grandmother's condition stabilizes, we can transfer her to a hospital in the provincial capital. You and your mother can move there and buy a place."

Fang Lian didn't agree or refuse; she simply leaned forward and embraced him, resting her body against his. They sat in silence until a violent pounding on the door shattered the peace.

Yan Xuan went to get up, but Fang Lian shook her head, as if she already knew who it was and was long accustomed to it. After half a minute, the pounding grew more frantic.

"Are you really not going to open it?" Yan Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Do you want to see a joke, Godfather?" she sighed.

"What kind of joke?"

"Oh... never mind. Consider it an eye-opener."

Fang Lian let go of him and stood up. She went to her bedroom to touch up her aggressive makeup before heading to the door. Taking a deep breath, she twisted the handle, and a group of people burst inside.

The woman in the lead roared, "Xu Tao! Fang Qiulan! Get out here! Did you think I wouldn't find out about your cheating?"

The woman was in her forties, plump, and draped in gold and silver. Her companions began rummaging through the house. Yan Xuan was about to ask what was going on, but a look from Fang Lian stopped him.

After checking under the beds and inside the wardrobes, the woman turned to look at Fang Lian. "Who are you?"

"Fang Qiulan’s daughter," she replied flatly.

"Where is your mother? Where did she hide to go sleep with a man!?" The woman spotted Yan Xuan on the sofa and sneered, "Oh, look at this. The mother is out sleeping with men, and the daughter is doing the same at home. You two really are two of a kind!"

"Watch your mouth," Fang Lian said coldly. "He is my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend, huh!?" The woman laughed loudly, pointing at Yan Xuan. "Little brother, let me give you a piece of advice: that family is just a big bitch raising a little bitch. You’d better watch out, or she’ll be handing you a green hat before you know it."

"I'll count to three. If you don't leave, I'm calling the police," Fang Lian said, holding up a finger. "One..."

"Fine, let’s go! To Jinxiu Gardens! If the adulterers aren't at Fang Qiulan's place, they must be hiding there!" The woman gestured, and the group scrambled out, leaving the house in chaos.

Fang Lian closed the door and turned to Yan Xuan. "Godfather, is it funny?" She wrinkled her nose, her smile bitter and helpless. "The funnier part is yet to come..."