Chapter 14 – Misunderstanding

Lu Xuemei’s smile froze on her lips, and her eyes turned red with emotion.

“Wanwan, even though you’re not my biological daughter, your dad and I have never minded that. Given your current situation, you need someone to take care of you even more, so please don’t reject me, okay?”

“And… could you stop calling me ‘Auntie’? Calling me ‘Mom’ means so much… it really hurts when you don’t…”

Ning Wanwan was deeply moved. The original host’s memories played repeatedly in her mind.

The happy scenes of the three of them as a family flashed before her eyes like a movie.

Even after discovering Fang Lanlan’s existence, Fang Shaocheng and his wife had never disliked or mistreated the original host.

Her household registration was still under the Fang family and had never been moved.

On the contrary, it was the original host who repeatedly made scenes and caused trouble, using family ties as a weapon to hurt them again and again.

Thinking of this, Ning Wanwan sighed softly and finally softened her attitude.

“Mom, I’m sorry. I was too willful before. I just hope Lanlan doesn’t mind.”

Lu Xuemei was visibly shocked, then responded with a heavy “Mm” before pulling Ning Wanwan into a tight embrace. The two of them burst into tears together.

That one word—“Mom”—had been the thorn in Lu Xuemei’s heart for over a year.

Ever since they found Fang Lanlan, Ning Wanwan had grown increasingly distant, calling them “Uncle” and “Aunt,” words that pierced Fang Shaocheng and Lu Xuemei’s hearts like knives.

Even Lu Xuemei herself hadn’t expected that she would live to hear Ning Wanwan call her “Mom” again.

At that moment, Xu Cuihua returned from the market. Seeing the scene inside the house, she quietly slipped into the kitchen to get busy.

Lu Xuemei wiped her face with a handkerchief, then glanced worriedly toward the courtyard.

“Yunshen, your dad went to find Lanlan. I’m a little worried. Can you go take a look?”

He Yunshen lowered his gaze to look at Ning Wanwan. Now that his wife had started calling her “Mom,” he, as the son-in-law, couldn’t keep calling her “Auntie,” could he?

He immediately responded, “Okay, Mom,” then turned and strode outside.

After He Yunshen left, Lu Xuemei took Ning Wanwan’s hand and began to speak privately.

She had already keenly noticed the truth behind Ning Wanwan and He Yunshen’s “separation.”

The bedroom was full of women’s things, and there wasn’t a single trace of He Yunshen’s presence.

Worry filled Lu Xuemei’s gentle face as she asked, “Wanwan, can I ask you something? How have things been between you and Yunshen since getting married? And… why are you two sleeping in separate rooms?”

Ning Wanwan’s eyes flashed with surprise. She hadn’t expected Lu Xuemei to notice their separation so quickly.

But perhaps it was better this way—time to be honest.

“Mom, I’ve decided to divorce He Yunshen. It’s just that right now he feels guilty because I got injured, so he hasn’t agreed yet.”

She looked at Lu Xuemei’s gentle face.

“And… if we do divorce, will it affect your and Dad’s relationship with the He family?”

Lu Xuemei smiled and shook her head, lifting her hand to gently stroke Ning Wanwan’s soft hair.

“Child, your happiness is the most important. I’ve been friends with your mother-in-law for many years. That won’t change because of you two.”

“If you really can’t go on, then it’s okay to get divorced. But deep down, Mom still hopes you two can stay together.”

“We watched Yunshen grow up. He has an impeccable character. If you truly have feelings for each other, it would be a good match.”

Ning Wanwan nodded with a smile. She had to admit, Fang Shaocheng and Lu Xuemei had genuinely loved the original host—down to the bone.

Their families were close. If she and He Yunshen divorced, how could the relationship between the two families not be affected? Lu Xuemei was only saying this to reassure her.

Footsteps sounded at the door. He Yunshen walked in first, followed by Fang Shaocheng and Fang Lanlan.

Fang Lanlan’s cheek had clearly been treated, and a faint medicinal scent lingered in the air as she walked. She had even changed into a clean dress.

Ning Wanwan raised an eyebrow, her clear eyes flashing with a trace of mocking amusement. He Yunshen really had gone all out.

According to the novel, just half a year after she and He Yunshen divorced, he openly married the female lead, Fang Lanlan.

It was said they met late but fell deeply in love—widely regarded as soulmates.

If it hadn’t been for the original host, a fake daughter, meddling in things, they probably would’ve already had several children by now.

After all, twenty years ago, the engagement by betrothal was between He Yunshen and Fang Lanlan.

But fate had other plans, and it was the original host who ended up marrying He Yunshen.

Everything only fell back into place after the divorce.

One was the youngest elite soldier in the entire army, with a brilliant future.

The other, a beautiful surgeon at the military hospital, full of promise.

When He Yunshen married Fang Lanlan, a once-in-a-century snowstorm blanketed Hegou Village. The original host, now discarded, was sold by her biological mother Zhang Xiaochun to a local thug.

In the end, she died full of resentment.

So today, when He Yunshen not only helped Fang Lanlan with her burn but also kindly helped her change into new clothes—it was clear he had feelings for her all along.

Thinking of this, Ning Wanwan sneered inwardly. If He Yunshen liked being everyone’s heater so much, she’d gladly help him along.

An invisible wave of resentment seemed to drift through the room. He Yunshen’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, and his sharp, eagle-like eyes landed on Ning Wanwan’s face.

Ning Wanwan looked up and met his gaze coldly.

Fang Lanlan, with her swollen cheeks, had been smiling—until she saw Lu Xuemei and Ning Wanwan sitting so close. She could no longer maintain her expression.

“Mama, my face hurts so much. I don’t want to stay here. Can we go home?”

Before Lu Xuemei could respond, Fang Shaocheng’s slightly displeased voice cut in.

“Lanlan, it wasn’t easy for us to come all the way from Beijing. We should at least stay a couple of days with Wanwan. Besides, your mom and I are getting older. After this trip, we’ll need a few days to rest before we can travel again.”

Lu Xuemei agreed, “That’s right, Lanlan. Mom and Dad won’t have another break anytime soon. No matter what, we want to spend a few days with Wanwan. Be good, don’t make a fuss.”

Fang Lanlan pouted, wronged and quiet, knowing the couple wouldn’t indulge her this time.

If she pushed further, she would only ruin the sweet, obedient image she had worked so hard to maintain.

At that thought, her resentful gaze landed squarely on Ning Wanwan.

This was all Ning Wanwan’s fault! A fake daughter who still shamelessly enjoyed the love that should’ve belonged to her!

He Yunshen narrowed his eyes. Fang Lanlan’s hostility toward Ning Wanwan was far too obvious.

At that moment, Xu Cuihua brought out two steaming dishes. “Sir, Ma’am, lunch is ready. Come eat!”

“Dad, Mom, and Lanlan—come eat! You’ve all been busy all day; you must be starving.”

Ning Wanwan smiled as she spoke, her tone unmistakably provocative. She even glanced at Fang Lanlan with a bright, charming grin.

Fang Lanlan’s face twisted with anger, her gaze growing darker and more poisonous.

Meanwhile, Fang Shaocheng suddenly looked up in shock, as if he hadn’t heard properly. His voice trembled as he asked:

“Wanwan, just now… what did you call me?”

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