CHAPTER 260: CHAPTER 260 XIAOMEI’S FAMILY

「Two hours later.」

Fu Bing got into the car, her cheeks still flushed. She noticed her cell phone. The battery was dead, so she plugged it in to charge. Qin Jinhai drove in silence.

Once it powered on, new messages continuously streamed in. When she saw the links sent by Ren Ye, Ren Zhi, and Zhang Man, she was completely stunned. She quickly skimmed through messages that didn’t require immediate attention and opened Xiaomei’s message.

Xiaomei: "Sister, I’m so sorry. I used your account to start a live stream without your permission. I couldn’t get in touch with you, and I didn’t want people who didn’t know the truth to slander you."

Fu Bing could just imagine Xiaomei’s dejected and crestfallen expression.

She replied, "You did very well. Thank you, my little sister, for defending me."

As soon as she sent the message, a video call from Xiaomei came through.

"Sister, where are you? Where have you been these past few days? We were supposed to soak in the hot springs together, but when I woke up, all I found was the note you left. I’ve been so worried about you!"

"It’s okay. I went into the mountains with Qin Jinhai for a couple of days. We’re on our way back now. Tell Aunt Ning and Uncle He so they don’t worry."

"Qin Jinhai?!" Xiaomei’s eyes widened. "He... he’s not dead?"

Qin Jinhai’s mouth twitched as he interjected, "Not dead!"

Xiaomei was utterly flabbergasted. She covered her mouth, speechless for a long moment.

Fu Bing glanced at the navigation. "I’ll be home in two and a half hours. Don’t worry."

"Mhm."

Xiaomei uneasily ended the video call.

Sister is with Qin Jinhai? Does she... still only have feelings for Qin Jinhai? What kind of love potion did Qin Jinhai give Sister to make her so unable to forget him? Thinking of this, Xiaomei couldn’t help but scratch her head in frustration. That fiend, Qin Jinhai, is so infuriating!

Just then, the villa’s video intercom rang. Xiaomei dashed over.

"Hello, Uncle Li? What’s up?"

"Xiaomei, there are some guests here who want to see you, but they don’t know your exact unit number. They seem very anxious, so I thought I should check with you first."

"Ask them to wait in the visitor’s lounge. I’ll be there in ten minutes."

They might be Sister’s guests, perhaps with something important to discuss. I can’t afford to delay them.

Xiaomei ran upstairs and changed into a pink dress. It had flowers embroidered by her sister’s own hand—delicate, soft pink ones. It was her favorite.

Seeing her rushing about in a flurry, Aunt Ning couldn’t help but remind her, "Watch where you’re going."

"Aunt Ning, Sister is coming back! There are visitors at the community entrance. I’m going to the visitor’s lounge to see them."

Imperial Garden was one of Jiangcheng’s most elite villa complexes, with only twenty homeowners. A top-notch property management team served these residents, providing amenities such as an owners’ restaurant, a visitor’s lounge, a gym, and a swimming pool—everything was readily available.

When Xiaomei arrived at the visitor’s lounge, Elder He, He Liu, and He Zhizhi had already been settled there by the property management. Fine tea and fresh fruit had been served. The He family members were accustomed to a high quality of life, so they naturally understood that Xiaomei living here meant she was doing quite well for herself.

The light, brisk PITTER-PATTER of footsteps made all three of them prick up their ears.

Those couldn’t be the footsteps of property staff; one had to maintain a certain decorum in a professional setting. The only person who would walk like that here was... Xiaomei. Was she really that happy?

The footsteps stopped at the door, followed by a polite KNOCK, KNOCK. Elder He was so nervous he nearly bit his tongue. He Zhizhi, on the other hand, looked expectant. Only He Liu remained relatively calm.

"Come in."

Xiaomei pushed the door open. She had a round little face and large, dark, bright eyes—lively and vivacious. The soft pink dress made her look like a little princess who had always been doted upon. In fact, she was indeed always doted on by Fu Bing, and Fu Ya had also been very kind to her.

Xiaomei’s eyes curved into a smile. "Excuse me, are you looking for me?"

He Zhizhi swallowed. "You’re even cuter in person than on the livestream."

"Oh, thank you," Xiaomei blinked. "I’m sorry, but did you need something? I don’t see how I could be of any concern to you."

If they were looking for Sister, they would have said so directly. Their demeanor doesn’t suggest they’re here to discuss business. If not business, then it must be a private matter. But I don’t know them at all—what private matters could we possibly have to discuss?

Elder He’s hand trembled uncontrollably. He said, his voice thick with emotion, "You... you might very well be my daughter."

He Liu handed Xiaomei a photo album.

The news stunned Xiaomei; her head was buzzing. She took the album, her expression completely bewildered. She flipped through it, page by page. The three He family members held their breath, watching her slowly turn the pages.

Xiaomei reached the last photo. She remembered those clothes. They were what she wore most often before she met Sister. Eventually, they had become old and threadbare. The girl in the photo was indeed her. It was just that the memories after that were too painful. She had unconsciously suppressed them, forgotten her past. Forgetting had been the best choice for her back then. After Sister came into her life, she was even less likely to think about her biological family. Sister became her true family. Thinking about anyone else would only make Sister unhappy.

Xiaomei closed the album. Her gaze clear and direct, she looked straight at the three members of the He family.

"How did I get lost?"

Elder He looked ashamed. "We failed you."

"An apology can’t erase the suffering I endured. It was my sister who eased my pain."

"How did I get lost? And the person responsible for it—were they ever punished as they deserved?"

The three from the He family fell silent. He Zhizhi didn’t know what to say. Although Xiaomei was his aunt, they were close in age. When his aunt was still living at home, they had attended the same school, in the same grade. The day she disappeared, his class was dismissed first, so he waited in the car for his aunt. He waited until dark, but she never showed up. After that, he never saw her again. He remembered his family reporting her missing and frequently going to the police station to urge them on, but she was never found.

Elder He said hoarsely, "We did our best."

Xiaomei shook her head in disappointment. "I’m not satisfied with that answer at all." She placed the album on the table. "I’ve met you. That’s as far as our relationship goes. My family is Sister, Aunt Ning, and Uncle He. Goodbye."

With that, Xiaomei quickly walked away, her footsteps no longer light and quick as before.

He Zhizhi looked worriedly at Elder He. "Grandfather, Auntie isn’t wrong. She..."

"Zhizhi!" He Liu cut him off.

Elder He sighed deeply. "I anticipated this. I plan to stay in Jiangcheng for a while. If you two have things to attend to, you can head back first."

"Granddad, I’ll stay with you," He Zhizhi offered. "Auntie and I are close in age. If I talk with her more, maybe she’ll open up to me."

Elder He nodded.

The property management staff came in to urge them to leave.

As the He family’s car drove through the complex’s gardens, they saw Fu Bing stepping out of a black Maybach. Fu Bing stood by the car, her arms open wide. Xiaomei rushed into her embrace like a child.

Seeing Xiaomei wiping away tears, Fu Bing asked with a gentle smile, "Who upset my little sister?"

Xiaomei remained silent. Fu Bing didn’t press further, just gently patted her back.

Fu Bing sensed someone watching her. She tilted her head, her gaze meeting that of the He family members in the passing car. Fu Bing’s brow furrowed, her eyes questioning them.

Xiaomei blocked her view. "Sister, don’t look!"