CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 422: YOU WANT TO DRIVE ME AWAY

The facts proved that Xu Xiuxiu hadn’t been overthinking—Song Tianxin’s twistedness was beyond redemption.

That same day, far in Z city, after talking to Xu Xiuxiu on the phone, Song Yuanyao began to consider sending Song Tianxin back to her hometown. She hadn’t made up her mind yet, but during dinner, Song Tianxin started being picky and speaking harshly again, upsetting both her grandfather and grandmother.

Song Yuanyao was not blind to these cues. Having Song Tianxin at home for just two days had already created a weird atmosphere, so before going to bed that night, she spoke with Wu Lixue about her plans to send Song Tianxin back to the hometown.

"Lixue, I was thinking you could find some time to send Niuniu back to the hometown."

"Why suddenly send her back? Didn’t mom say let her stay here for a month or so? Until my elder cousin’s wedding is over!" Wu Lixue could guess the reason why Song Yuanyao had brought this up, but he still curiously asked why she had changed her mind so suddenly.

"I called my sister-in-law today. She suggested I send Niuniu back to her hometown," Song Yuanyao briefly explained Xu Xiuxiu’s opinions. "Also, I had agreed to bring Niuniu to Z city because I thought she might listen to me to some extent, as I had mostly taken care of her before. My former sister-in-law was busy with household chores every day and didn’t have much time for her. But I may have hurt her feelings with something I did before; now she isn’t close to me, isn’t going to school, and even argues and talks back to my parents at home. We can’t just let her continue being willful, can we?" Song Yuanyao spoke with a tone of helpless exasperation.

That incident a few years ago, when because of Cheng Guang’s New Year’s money, she had a falling out with Wang Qinghua, Song Tianxin was already old enough to remember. Although Song Yuanyao felt she had done nothing wrong, Song Tianxin might not have seen it that way in her eyes.

"Then you should explain it well to mom," Wu Lixue replied, understanding that Song Yuanyao knew what she was talking about. Thinking as an adult, he held no grudge against Song Tianxin. His parents were also good-tempered people who wouldn’t fuss much over a little child, but seeing the young girl speaking impudently with his parents couldn’t help but unveil his true thoughts—no doubt Wu Lixue also agreed that sending Song Tianxin, the problematic girl, back to her hometown was a good idea.

After discussing it with her husband overnight, Song Yuanyao planned to talk to Song Tianxin the next day.

As it happened to be the weekend and Song Yuanyao didn’t have classes at school, she, along with Wu Lixue who had shared the idea of sending Song Tianxin back to her hometown the previous night, decided to avoid potential awkwardness. Concerned about the setting of the conversation in front of his parents, Wu Lixue found an excuse to have Mr. Wu and Mrs. Wu go out, leaving a clear indication of his intentions—which Song Yuanyao naturally understood, but...

"Niuniu, you’re still young, it’s the age for schooling, and I’ve already contacted a school for you. How about you start attending school after this weekend?" Song Yuanyao, being an adult, knew to not be too direct when talking to a little girl like Song Tianxin, so she tactfully steered the topic towards schooling first.

"I’m not going." Song Tianxin’s tone was very firm, her brows furrowing at the mention of school, and her tone clearly impatient.

"Niuniu, you can’t just stay at home and not go to school!" Song Yuanyao lifted her hand and rubbed her forehead to drive away her fatigue.

"Auntie, can you please stop trying to make me go to school? I’m about to be annoyed to death by you. I can be just fine without school." Song Tianxin’s tone became more direct, "After a few more days, when I’ve had enough fun, I’ll go out and find a job, so you don’t need to worry about me."

"Find a job? Niuniu, what are you talking about? You’re so young, why are you thinking about all these messy things?" Song Yuanyao didn’t take Song Tianxin’s words seriously, just felt that Song Tianxin was joking with her, especially since she was only thirteen or fourteen years old, "And Niuniu, if you insist on not going to class, Auntie can’t explain to your dad either. I’ll have to let your uncle buy you a train ticket and send you back to your hometown." Song Yuanyao steeled her heart and revealed the purpose of their conversation.

Hearing this, Song Tianxin’s whole demeanor tightened, and her expression turned ugly. After all, she was a teenage girl who could understand facial expressions, and although Song Yuanyao hadn’t explicitly stated her thoughts, she could somewhat guess, "You find me annoying and want to drive me away, don’t you?"

...Song Tianxin’s direct questioning made Song Yuanyao feel somewhat guilty.

"Auntie, you want to drive me away, right?" Song Tianxin, seeing Song Yuanyao’s demeanor, persevered in her questioning, with a tone that became increasingly confrontational.

"Niuniu, Auntie doesn’t want to drive you away..."

"You just want to drive me away." Song Tianxin suddenly raised her voice in a cold huff, affirming what Song Yuanyao had in mind, flashing a glint of resentment and anger in her eyes, "Auntie, rest assured, I won’t linger in your house. I’m leaving right now, okay?" Song Tianxin said sharply, turning her head and walking into the bedroom that Song Yuanyao had prepared for her, then quickly began packing her luggage.

"Niuniu, what are you doing! Don’t be impulsive, you misunderstood Auntie’s intentions. Calm down first and let Auntie talk to you, okay?" Seeing this, Song Yuanyao naturally began to stop her, grabbing Song Tianxin’s arm, trying to pull away the luggage from her hand.

"Get away, stop being so hypocritical. If you want me to leave, just say it straight, why put on an act, so insincere." Song Tianxin, caught in her anger, felt like she was disliked by the whole world. Since that was the case, she might as well leave and never see these so-called family members. She didn’t believe she couldn’t survive without them. As she thought this, her movement to shake off Song Yuanyao became forceful.

In her urgency, Song Yuanyao tried to hold onto Song Tianxin, but wasn’t paying attention and let Song Tianxin shake her loose, only to accidentally bump into a sharp corner of a nearby table, immediately causing her to gasp in pain, clutching her stomach, her legs going weak, unable to stand at all.

Seeing Song Yuanyao in this state, Song Tianxin initially got a little nervous, her mouth dry, clutching her small luggage, and hesitantly looked at Song Yuanyao, "You... Are you okay?" As she asked, Song Tianxin was actually very scared. Despite her fierce and cutting demeanor, she had accidentally hurt Song Yuanyao, and although she was young and naive, she could see Song Yuanyao’s instantly pale face. Meanwhile, her Auntie’s grey cotton dress seemed to have absorbed some kind of liquid, which left her momentarily stunned.

"Niuniu..." Song Yuanyao herself was very panicked, it was her first time being a mother, she knew there were many things that needed attention, but she had accidentally bumped into the table, and her stomach really hurt, "My stomach hurts..."