CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER 257 XIAOMEI’S FAMILY

Xiaomei wiped away her tears in a childlike manner. "My sister made it through the most difficult times, and then her family appeared.

"Since I got to know my sister, I’ve been aware of every step she took, and I understand how difficult each one was.

"What my sister faced the first time she set foot in the Su Family—although she never spoke of it, I could guess some of it from her subsequent distant demeanor towards them.

"You’re taking advantage of my sister’s absence to state your position. I don’t think that shows much respect for her. Instead, it would put her in a position where she couldn’t refuse. Others might even think she was being unreasonable and use her past hurts to condemn her all over again.

"I absolutely will not allow such a thing to happen!

"I’ll always remember what my sister told me when she took me home and bathed me. She said, ’Blood ties don’t mean anything. I like you, and you are my sister.’ She said she would protect me for life and be the best sister I could ever have.

"I’m not as smart as my sister, and I don’t know how to handle this situation better.

"I just want to tell our story. I’ve witnessed every hurt my sister endured and seen her get back up every single time!

"You can’t think you have the right to emotionally blackmail my sister just because you share a tenuous blood tie with her!

"She might not even want an identity that everyone else admires!

"So far, that identity has been nothing but a curse and a series of hardships for her.

"Even now, you haven’t bothered to tell us why she went missing. Why, out of the Su Family’s five sons and one daughter, was it only the daughter who was lost?"

Xiaomei’s tone was heated as she stared into the camera, her small fists clenched tightly.

Everyone watching the livestream was captivated by her final question. Indeed, why was only the daughter lost?

After ending the livestream, Xiaomei’s emotions still hadn’t settled.

「At the He Family residence in Yu City.」

He Zhizhi excitedly ran downstairs with his phone. Without a word, he cast the livestream onto the large screen where the adults were watching the news.

"Zhizhi, what nonsense are you spouting?" He Yun, He Zhizhi’s father, said angrily.

He Zhizhi ignored him. "Look, doesn’t this young woman on screen look like Little Aunt?"

He Zhizhi’s words were like a bombshell, leaving everyone utterly stunned.

Old Master He’s hands trembled as he put on his reading glasses. He had only watched for a moment before the livestream ended.

Old Master He asked tremulously, "Can you play it again?"

"Of course."

He Zhizhi searched for recordings of the broadcast across all platforms.

Everyone in the He family focused intently on the face on the screen.

Fu Xiaomei’s eyes, nose, mouth, and even her facial structure strongly resembled the late Old Madam He.

Old Master He’s eyes were fixed on Fu Xiaomei.

"She met Fu Bing thirteen years ago, and Xiaonuo went missing fourteen years ago. The timing matches," Old Master He stated, his voice trembling.

Xiaonuo was his late-life daughter. His wife had gotten pregnant in her fifties. They hadn’t initially planned to have the child, but in the end, they couldn’t bring themselves to go through with an abortion and decided to have her. Who would have thought they were fated to be her parents but not to raise her.

Until the livestream ended, no one in the He family spoke a word.

Old Master He trembled as he took off his reading glasses.

"He Yun, notify the others to come over. We need to come up with a plan immediately."

He Yun immediately summoned his two younger brothers.

He Liu and He Shen had been informed in advance by their eldest brother, so they arrived at the He family home mentally prepared.

He Liu asked, "Dad, what do you want to do? If you want to acknowledge her as our sister, we have no objections. However, building a deep bond might be more difficult; you should be mentally prepared for that."

There was a significant age gap between Fu Xiaomei and her brothers; she was much younger. The youngest, He Shen, had been nineteen years old when she was lost, so they’d had almost no opportunity to interact with their youngest sister. But they could still recall her cute way of sweetly calling them ’Big Brother.’ They had also searched desperately for her, but to no avail.

Their sister had been well protected by Fu Bing, and for that, they were nothing but grateful.

Old Master He said, "I know you don’t object to Fu Xiaomei returning, but your wives and children might fear she’ll take a share of your inheritance and company stocks. When it comes to dividing assets, your mother and I will indeed favor Fu Xiaomei. You grew up under our protection, and your mother and I believe we’ve done our utmost to protect and raise you.

"As for your sister, we owe her a tremendous debt. I hope none of you, nor your wives and children, will cause her any distress."

He Yun replied, "You and Mom can rest assured on that point."

He Zhizhi listened from the side, his heart pounding with excitement. He wanted to rush over to find Fu Xiaomei and explain the situation right away.

He Liu also expressed his view, "Finding our sister is the greatest joy. We’ve received more than enough assets and love. Although our sister has been well cared for by Fu Bing, there must have been times when she felt wronged. We will treat her well.

"In the future, whether she chooses to return home or stay by Fu Bing’s side, we will respect her wishes."

Besides, Fu Xiaomei was twenty-three. In a few years, she’ll be of marriageable age. They wouldn’t actually have much time to spend together anyway. Why damage family harmony over such an uncertain issue? At most, when the time comes, they could add more to her dowry, ensuring she marries off in grand style, and that would settle everything.

Old Master He had also considered this, which was why he wanted to give Fu Xiaomei a house and a car.

Old Master He then said, "I want to go to Jiangcheng tonight. Who will accompany me?"

He Zhizhi raised his hand. "Grandpa, I’ll go with you to see Little Aunt."

He Yun said, "I have meetings all day tomorrow concerning next quarter’s work arrangements; I can’t free up my schedule."

He Liu offered, "Since Eldest Brother and Third Brother are busy, Zhizhi and I will accompany Dad to Jiangcheng to assess the situation."

If only an old man and a young boy were to go with just the driver, it would inevitably seem as though they lacked sincerity. Judging by Fu Xiaomei’s personality and manner of speaking, Fu Bing must have doted on her considerably. If their attitude wasn’t sincere enough, she might not agree to return. It was just as she’d said: ’Relatives are just an additional thin layer of blood ties.’ The person she truly considered family in her heart was Fu Bing.

After reaching a consensus, the three of them set off that very night.

Old Master He gazed into the deep darkness, his heart a maelstrom of emotions.

「Meanwhile.」

「At a certain film set.」

Su Junling watched the trending topics about Fu Bing and Fu Xiaomei’s livestream over and over again.

He locked himself in his room.

How could he suppress his feelings for Fu Bing in the future? She was his biological sister, yet he harbored forbidden feelings for her.

Su Junling found Fu Bing’s number, but his finger hovered over the screen, not daring to make the call.

He longed to hear her voice, yet he was afraid.

Fu Xiaomei stepping forward to respond meant that Fu Bing herself didn’t want to address this matter for the time being.

Fu Bing might not accept the Su Family. The Su Family might hold an irresistible allure for others, but not necessarily for her.

Su Junling wiped his face and sent a message to the assistant director: "The entire crew is off for two days."

The assistant director, utterly bewildered, confirmed the message and then notified the entire production team.

Su Junling went downstairs and drove back to Jiangcheng.

He missed Fu Bing too. He had to see Fu Bing! He didn’t want her to be his sister! She was the first woman he had ever included in his plans for the future! Why did she have to be his sister?