That was what Tao Zhi had thought, but reality was completely different.
Aside from that initial daze, Xu Yujia acted perfectly normal and natural. None of the things from the references happened. She even called him to eat, then brought out a pile of gifts after for him to look through, and took him on a stroll around the estate.
The Fu family old residence was usually empty. The two brothers each had their own places, and only came back when Xu Yujia visited—otherwise, the steward kept watch.
The steward was a sixty-year-old man who managed the old residence impeccably. Xu Yujia took Tao Zhi to see the flowers, wandered with him around the estate, and even went up to the mountaintop.
Finally, they returned to the lawn, where Wang Ma served several plates of desserts and drinks.
The two sat under an outdoor parasol, watching Fu Si Heng play golf.
“Try this cookie.” Xu Yujia passed over a white porcelain plate and poured Tao Zhi a glass of soda.
Xu Yujia didn’t like tea much and figured a young kid like Tao Zhi probably didn’t either, so she’d specially asked Wang Ma to prepare sparkling water.
This meeting, Xu Yujia’s enthusiasm toward Tao Zhi hadn’t diminished at all from their first encounter months ago.
“Little Zhi, I feel like you’re way more reserved this time,” Xu Yujia said, propping her elbow on the small round table and cradling her face. “I thought after last time, we were already close. How come today feels like we’re back to square one?”
He answered whatever was asked but didn’t initiate conversation.
Xu Yujia felt a bit down about it. As she spoke, she thought it over and soon figured it out. “Oh, I get it. Are you worried that since you’ve changed from a girl to a boy, I won’t accept it? That I’ll turn into an evil mother-in-law and break you two up, so you’re a bit scared of me?”
“? Cough! Cough cough! No!” Tao Zhi nearly choked on the sparkling water, covering his mouth and coughing softly twice before denying it vehemently.
“Are you okay?” Xu Yujia jumped in alarm.
Tao Zhi shook his head.
Seeing him recover quickly with no issues, Xu Yujia relaxed and continued. “My family has always been hands-off with big brother. He does whatever he wants—no one can control him.”
She paused, then smiled. “His dad could manage him before, but after he passed, big brother’s the boss at home.”
So that was how it was.
Tao Zhi nodded.
“Don’t picture me as an evil mother-in-law,” Xu Yujia emphasized.
“…I don’t.” He was just a bit uneasy.
Tao Zhi murmured embarrassedly, “Auntie, you’re very kind and approachable.”
Xu Yujia loved hearing “kind and approachable.” She nodded with a beaming smile.
Tao Zhi wasn’t just flattering her—after wandering around outside with Xu Yujia for so long, that familiar feeling had returned, and his taut nerves gradually relaxed.
“But I really was shocked that you’re a boy,” Xu Yujia said. “A-Heng gave me quite the scare when he told me.”
“He said you were his little brother’s roommate.”
Tao Zhi blinked.
It looked like Fu Si Heng had told Xu Yujia everything he needed to—including about Fu Zheng.
And Xu Yujia didn’t seem angry at all.
Tao Zhi was a bit curious, a bit incredulous about how Fu Si Heng had put it. When he’d talked to his own mom, he’d been so nervous he hadn’t dared say everything, only mentioning the age difference. But Fu Si Heng had handled it so casually.
He’d said it was to see birthday gifts and keep his mom company, and it really was just that.
None of the messy things Tao Zhi had imagined.
Unable to hold back, Tao Zhi asked, “Auntie, you really approve?”
“Hm? What’s not to approve?” Xu Yujia didn’t take it seriously at all.
She asked him, “Do you know big brother hates kids?”
“Yes.” Tao Zhi nodded.
Fu Si Heng had told him.
…A long time ago.
Tao Zhi wasn’t sure how true it was back then—Fu Si Heng had always been teasing him.
But what did that have to do with coming out?
Tao Zhi didn’t get it, his eyes full of confusion.
“It’s not the mild kind of dislike you might think,” Xu Yujia stressed. “He dislikes them to the point of never wanting to have any.”
“Ah?” Tao Zhi froze.
That serious?
“A-Heng mentioned it to me—he has no plans to get married or have kids, so…” Xu Yujia spread her hands. “If he’s not having kids anyway, what does it matter if he dates a guy or a girl?”
“No difference at all.”
Tao Zhi: “…”
Seeing Tao Zhi’s expression, Xu Yujia couldn’t hold back a light chuckle.
“And as for little brother, you don’t need to worry about him at all.” As if guessing Tao Zhi’s concerns, Xu Yujia told him directly, laughing so hard she shook, with no heartache for her younger son—just pure amusement. “Little Zheng’s brain, oh man, I’m truly done with him… You know what? You basically saved his life. Because big brother likes you, he didn’t drag little brother off to sink him in the lake.”
“That lake up front—remember it?” Xu Yujia pointed it out. “I showed it to you earlier.”
“I have zero doubt that if you hadn’t succeeded, big brother would’ve sunk little brother.”
“Congratulations, congratulations.” Xu Yujia had a celebratory look on her face.
Tao Zhi: “…”
Ha, haha.
So brutal.
But Fu Si Heng had told her everything.
Fu Zheng’s misdeeds were known worldwide now…
Xu Yujia laughed happily.
Fu Si Heng heard from afar and walked over, standing behind Tao Zhi. He asked curiously, “What are you talking about?”
“Having kids.” Xu Yujia certainly wouldn’t tell Fu Si Heng she was teasing Tao Zhi about him. She brushed it off with the previous topic.
Tao Zhi didn’t sense anything off and nodded along.
“Hm? Having kids?” Fu Si Heng lowered his gaze to Tao Zhi’s belly.
Tao Zhi: “…”
Old rogue.
…What was he even looking at!
He didn’t look like he hated kids at all.
In front of the elder, Tao Zhi’s cheeks burned under his gaze. He hastily raised a hand to block it, not letting Fu Si Heng see.
Fu Si Heng raised a brow and shifted his gaze away from Tao Zhi’s belly.
Tao Zhi looked up—and met Fu Si Heng’s meaningful stare.
…Why did he have such a bad premonition?
