Chapter 23
A Treat
Initially, Xia Bai wanted to appear reluctant, but fearing that Xia Xin might change her mind, he immediately said, “Well, you said it! Brother, Gu Fan, Xin wants the newly arranged house. Do you have any objections?”
Gu Fan had intended to object, but when Xia Xin gave her a look, Gu Fan hesitated and did not say anything.
Naturally, Xia Song had no objections. He did not have as many schemes as Xia Bai and had no idea about the market value of the newly arranged house. Seeing that Xia Xin wanted it and considering his love for his daughter, he naturally agreed.
After discussing the allocation of the compensation money, Xia Bai and Xia Song both let out a sigh of relief.
That night, Xia Bai and Ma Lin took out the property ownership certificate in their bedroom. Ma Lin sighed, “I never expected that they would only want an arranged house. But this means that Mother will have to live in our house.”
Ma Lin did not actually want Old Mrs. Xia to live with them, but seeing that her husband wanted to get his hands on Xia Song’s compensation money, she did not say much.
“What’s the big deal? It’s just feeding one more person. Song gave us all the compensation money. We’ve taken a huge advantage,” Xia Bai said with great satisfaction.
In the guest room of Xia Bai’s house, Gu Fan and Xia Xin lay on the same bed, while Xia Song slept on the sofa in the living room.
“Xin, why do you want that arranged house? Its location isn’t good at all, and there aren’t even a few decent companies nearby. You’re not really planning to move there, are you?” Gu Fan could not help but ask.
“Of course not,” Xia Xin said. She looked at the wrinkles at the corners of Gu Fan’s eyes, sighed, and held Gu Fan’s hand as she whispered, “Mom, if Grandma moves into that arranged house, you would still be the one taking care of her. Uncle Bai and Auntie Lin won’t bother. Only if Grandma lives in their house will they have to bear the responsibility of supporting her.”
Once the procedures for transferring ownership of the arranged house were completed, Xia Xin would immediately sell it to prevent Xia Bai from neglecting Old Mrs. Xia by using the excuse that Xia Xin’s family had two houses and sending Grandma over to their place.
Gu Fan did not expect that Xia Xin was considering her in all of this. Gu Fan said, “Xin, taking care of the elderly is something we should do. I don’t think it’s too difficult…”
“Mom, I know you have filial piety, but when Grandma lived in our house, not only did you not have any rest time, but Grandma also criticized and complained about you every day. Your relationship with Dad was affected because of that. You have taken care of Grandma for so many years and fulfilled your responsibility. Now that Uncle Bai and Auntie Lin have taken all the compensation money, if they still don’t support Grandma, all the relatives around them will look down on them.” Xia Xin further explained.
Xia Xin had already planned that after the compensation money was distributed, she would publicize this matter and let all the relatives know that Xia Bai and Ma Lin had taken all the compensation money. In this way, it would be impossible for Xia Song and Ma Lin not to support Old Mrs. Xia properly unless they did not care about their reputation.
As long as Old Mrs. Xia did not live in Xia Xin’s house, Gu Fan would be much more relaxed. She would not be scolded and humiliated by Old Mrs. Xia all day long, and her relationship with Xia Song would not be affected. Xia Xin felt that her mother’s happiness was more important than the compensation money.
After spending the night at Xia Bai’s house, the next day, after Xia Xin returned home, she received an invitation from Zhao Nan.
To celebrate Xia Xin finding a job, Zhao Nan wanted to treat Xia Xin to a meal.
The restaurant was a popular one near Xia Xin’s house, and when Xia Xin arrived, she saw many people waiting in line outside.
“Xin!” Upon seeing Xia Xin, Zhao Nan rushed over and gave her a bear hug. “I’ve missed you so much. Ever since you started working at the zoo, we haven’t been able to go out for meals and shopping often.”
Xia Xin returned the hug, and when she looked up, she saw Zhao Nan’s boyfriend, Zhang Liang, smiling at her.
“Long time no see, Xia Xin.” Zhang Liang’s tone had a hint of deeper meaning as if implying that they hadn’t met often since graduating from university.
Xia Xin’s smile stiffened for a moment, but she simply nodded lightly and did not continue to pay attention to Zhang Liang’s implications.
“Let’s go in. This restaurant was opened by Zhang Liang’s uncle. Order whatever you want today!” Zhao Nan linked her arm with Xia Xin’s, and the two of them entered the restaurant.
Watching Xia Xin’s back, Zhang Liang’s gaze turned deep and gloomy.
After the waiter brought the ordered dishes, Zhao Nan opened two bottles of fruit wine, one plum-flavored and one peach-flavored.
“Xin, Zhang Liang says that the fruit wine at this restaurant is really good. Let’s give it a try!” Zhao Nan said excitedly.
Upon hearing that it was recommended by Zhang Liang, Xia Xin instantly lost interest in the fruit wine. However, seeing Zhao Nan’s excited expression, she did not know how to refuse for a moment.