CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 328: GROWING UP WITHOUT A FATHER

Tang Xiaowan already knew about Ye Ningwan and the others coming, and also knew that Wan Tianning had gone to cause trouble.

So, she hurriedly came over.

Seeing that Ye Ningwan and Zhan Hanjue were fine, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I heard from the servants that Tianning came out with a whip, I was worried she’d cause you trouble."

"She already came, but we taught her a lesson, and she ran off crying," Ye Ningwan said.

Tang Xiaowan felt awkward and could only apologize: "I’m sorry, she’s young and doesn’t understand..."

"Mom, she’s not that young anymore. When I was thirteen, I already understood a lot. At the very least, I knew how to protect and take care of myself. Acting as reckless and thoughtless as she is, she happened to encounter me and Zhan Hanjue, but what if it were someone else? Would she fare any better?" Ye Ningwan interrupted her mother, asking earnestly.

Tang Xiaowan, feeling criticized, could only nod repeatedly: "You’re right, I’ll educate her properly."

Seeing her mother so submissive, Ye Ningwan felt a little regretful for speaking too harshly earlier.

"Mom, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken so harshly. But what I said makes sense. She used to have Wan Yufeng to protect her, but look at what Wan Yufeng has become now. If she doesn’t learn to grow up, she’ll just bring trouble onto herself."

"Yes, children without their father’s protection must learn to grow up," Tang Xiaowan said with a bitter smile.

Ye Ningwan frowned.

Why did that sound so off? Was she regretting that Wan Yufeng got caught?

The mother and daughter each harbored their own thoughts as they entered the house.

On the way, both were silently pondering in their hearts.

However, after entering the room, Ye Ningwan immediately stated her intention.

"Mom, you, Wan Tianning, and Wan Tianci should leave with us! Philadelphia is not safe now, and while Wan Tianyi is busy with the company and can’t watch over you, quickly leave with us. In Jiangcheng, no matter what, Zhan Hanjue and I will protect you and allow you to live peacefully."

"Leave? While Tianyi is busy? Why?" Tang Xiaowan asked, puzzled.

Ye Ningwan said: "Mom, have you not thought about why Wan Yufeng was caught so quickly? And why he was sentenced so quickly? It wasn’t all Zhan Hanjue’s doing, he’s just an outsider and doesn’t have that kind of power. If it weren’t for Wan Tianyi, nothing would have gone so smoothly."

"What? Tianyi? How is that possible?" Tang Xiaowan couldn’t believe it.

Ye Ningwan frowned deeply.

Her mother used to be a very clever woman; why did living with Wan Yufeng turn her into a naive and innocent person?

"Nothing is impossible, Mom, do you remember how Wan Tianyi’s mother disappeared? If it weren’t for you, his mother wouldn’t have disappeared. And yet he’s always been respectful to you, hasn’t he? Just think, someone who can smile at the person who caused his mother’s disappearance, imagine how deep his scheming is and how well he can pretend."

"But the Wan Group is already in his hands, we don’t pose a threat to him. Recently, he’s been very caring towards us. Even though he’s busy, he still comes to see us and comfort us," Tang Xiaowan said.

Ye Ningwan chuckled: "Mom, he’s probably not comforting, but monitoring you. You may not pose a threat to him, but what about Wan Tianning and Wan Tianci? They are Wan Yufeng’s children, with the same right of inheritance. Even before Wan Yufeng’s incident, they were still considered the most likely successors of the Wan Group. They may not pose a threat to Wan Tianyi now, but once they’ve grown up, will Wan Tianyi still want to play the loving siblings with them? These are things Wan Tianyi has surely thought about; perhaps his greatest hope is that they never grow up."

Shaken, Tang Xiaowan was startled by Ye Ningwan’s words.

Seeing that her words had sunk in, Ye Ningwan continued to persuade: "I’m not exaggerating, there’s some truth to all this. Mom, make a decision quickly and leave with us. Once Wan Tianyi stabilizes the company, it might not be so easy to leave."

"Alright, Ningning, I’ll listen to you. You’ve grown up, and your decisions are correct, Mom supports you," Tang Xiaowan said with resolve.

Ye Ningwan was deeply moved.

Fortunately, she is still her mother.

"Thank you for trusting me." Ye Ningwan couldn’t help but step forward and hug her.

Tang Xiaowan said, "Then I’ll go have someone pack up and bring Tianning and Tianci here to talk to them."

"Tianci is still young, he likely won’t object. You don’t have to tell him we’re leaving, just say you’re taking him out to play, he’ll be very happy. As for Wan Tianning... if you can fool her, do so; if not, just tell her the truth," Ye Ningwan said cautiously.

Tang Xiaowan nodded.

She had them sit there while she went to find the two children.

"Do you think my mom can convince them?" Ye Ningwan worried.

Zhan Hanjue spoke frankly: "Not necessarily, but it doesn’t matter if she can’t. If it doesn’t work, we’ll use tough measures to take them."

"Tough measures?" Ye Ningwan was surprised.

Zhan Hanjue laughed and said, "Isn’t that what you’re best at?"

Ye Ningwan: "..."

How did she not think of that?

Yes, if they refuse to leave, just knock them out and take them away, right?

They are just kids, no matter how much of a fuss they make, it’ll be over in a while.

"Good idea." Ye Ningwan gave a thumbs-up.

Zhan Hanjue chuckled softly, feeling relieved to see Ye Ningwan visibly relax.

As expected, Wan Tianci was easy to fool.

When Tang Xiaowan said they were going out to play, he happily agreed and started packing with the servants.

He wanted to take his favorite toys with him.

However, Wan Tianning wasn’t so easily fooled.

Tang Xiaowan found her sitting alone in the conservatory crying.

"Tianning."

Tang Xiaowan sat next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Wan Tianning angrily shrugged it off, stood up abruptly, and shouted furiously: "You used to call me Ningning, why won’t you now? Are you worried it would confuse her, make her think you’re calling her? Because of her, am I not even worthy of having my nickname?"

Tang Xiaowan’s eyes turned red as she was accused: "Ningning, I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. It’s all my fault, if you want to blame someone, blame me, but she’s your sister."

"She’s not. She’s not from the same father as I am, and because of her, she killed my father. She’s not my sister," Wan Tianning roared.

Tang Xiaowan, heartbroken, kept wiping away tears.

Wan Tianning bit her lip.

After a while, she seemed to gradually calm down and sat beside Tang Xiaowan.

"Mom, I’m not a child anymore, and I know a lot of things. I shouldn’t blame her because she was born before me. She’s your first child. But Mom, I really can’t accept her. Let her go; I don’t want to see her again."

"Ningning, we have to leave with her," Tang Xiaowan said.

Wan Tianning stared wide-eyed: "Why?"

Tang Xiaowan explained Ye Ningwan’s analysis to her.

After listening, Wan Tianning snorted coldly: "She says my brother will harm us? She’s purposely trying to sow discord. I’ve known my brother since I was little. Have you forgotten how he treats us? And you believe her over my brother? Mom, you’ve been deceived by her."