Chapter 575: Chapter 209 Empress Dowager Xia Furious: I Gave Birth to a Bastard

Li Yuan called a taxi and hired a designated driver to take the girls to their dormitory before leaving with Xia Zhijin.

Watching Li Yuan lead Xia Zhijin away, an envious expression appeared in Wang Jierong’s eyes. She licked her lips, savoring Li Yuan’s lingering scent. Clenching her small fists, she gave herself a slight pump of encouragement. Li Yuan, you won’t escape my grasp. I will definitely catch the man I set my sights on... One day, you will obediently submit to me, be enchanted by me, possessed by me...

Nearby, Ge Chenchen had been staring at their departing figures and asked in confusion, "Jierong, why are you still watching? By the way, is your boyfriend also a student at Xia University?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Wang Jierong came to her senses and looked at Ge Chenchen, a sweet smile on her face. "Hehe, Chenchen, congratulations, you guessed right!"

Ge Chenchen’s expression turned to shock, her eyes widening in astonishment. "Really? What school is he from? Is he a senior, or is he in our year?"

Watching as Li Yuan and Xia Zhijin drove off in the BMW X6, Wang Jierong replied with a smile, "He’s in the same year as us!"

***

「Jinxiu Villas」

Xia Zhijin looked up at the house, her heart pounding as she saw a room was still lit. Her palm, holding Li Yuan’s, was already slick with sweat. Under the dim light, the stunningly beautiful girl was so nervous she stumbled over her words.

"Li Yuan, your mom... she... I’m a bit scared. What if she doesn’t like me..."

Li Yuan chuckled and gently stroked her head. This sweet, silly girl had been anxious ever since they left the restaurant, constantly asking him questions that seemed just as silly, like what his mother’s temper was like or what dishes she enjoyed.

"My dear Zhijin, be confident," Li Yuan said. "My mom couldn’t be happier to have a daughter-in-law as beautiful, sensible, and smart as you. She will definitely, definitely like you, so there’s nothing to worry about. Besides, I’m here for you, no matter what!"

Li Yuan’s reassurance only slightly eased Xia Zhijin’s anxiety. Deep down, she was still incredibly nervous. Looking at the house she had stayed in for several days, it now felt like a completely unfamiliar place.

The true mistress of the house had returned.

***

「In the living room」

Xia Qin was mopping the floor back and forth, making the entire living room sparkling and spotless.

Li Zixia sat on the sofa eating durian and joked in exasperation, "Mom, you’ve already mopped the floor for the third time. It’s cleaner than my face now. You were on a long-distance bus for hours, why don’t you take a break and watch some TV?"

Xia Qin diligently mopped the floor one last time. Seeing not a speck of dust, she nodded in satisfaction and chuckled. "Your sister-in-law will be here soon. I want to make sure the house is clean to leave a good impression."

As she spoke, Xia Qin couldn’t help but smile, subconsciously touching the gold bracelet on her wrist, her heart filled with pride and anticipation. Her son had truly made something of himself. The past few months felt like a dream.

First, he had quietly gotten into a prestigious university in Modu, becoming the envy of their entire village. Then, he started writing novels and earned millions, which allowed him to buy a large house in Modu and even get Li Zixia’s residency permit transferred so she could attend university there. Now, he had found a girlfriend more beautiful than a movie star—a student from a top university and a city girl who was also very respectful toward her.

She truly felt that her life was complete.

"Once your brother and sister-in-law graduate, get married, and have a big, chubby baby boy, I can die with no regrets!" Xia Qin’s eyes twinkled with happiness, and even the wrinkles at their corners seemed to have faded.

Hearing her mother’s words, Li Zixia wore a peculiar expression, desperately wanting to divulge the "inside information" she knew. But when she remembered that Li Yuan had recently warned her not to say too much to their parents about his romantic affairs, she had to suppress the urge. After all, she knew who really held all the cards in this family. The true head of the household, the one who controlled the finances, was still her philandering, scoundrel of a brother.

Although she couldn’t reveal anything, Li Zixia was incredibly curious about which girlfriend her brother would bring home tonight. Will it be the pure, shy, and gentle Zhijin? Or Weixi, the dream girl my brother has pursued for three years? Or that stunningly beautiful Tingyue, the one who looks like a movie star?

"Mom, it’s almost nine o’clock. Why isn’t he back yet?"

Xia Qin replied distractedly, "He’s probably still eating. Your brother said he had a basketball game tonight and was having dinner with classmates. He should be back soon."

"Oh!" Li Zixia’s eyes brightened as she asked tentatively, "Mom, you said you met my brother’s girlfriend this afternoon. Did he tell you her name?"

Xia Qin looked at her precious daughter, puzzled. "You haven’t met your sister-in-law?"

Li Zixia thought to herself, Of course I have. More than one, in fact.

Before Li Zixia could say anything, Xia Qin began introducing her with a smile. "Your brother’s girlfriend is named Zhong Tingyue. She’s gorgeous, like a movie star, and very tall. The most important thing is that she goes to the same school as you; you’re both students at a prestigious university...

"When we met for the first time today, she even gave me a gold bracelet. She said she bought it with her own saved-up New Year’s money! Your dad and I have been married for decades, and he’s never been willing to buy me one. Your brother really found a wonderful girlfriend..."