CHAPTER 20: Entry Pass

In the Tang family living room, Tang Xingyang looked at her father and stepmother. Surely they weren’t still thinking they could latch onto the Yi family now?

“You guys can’t seriously think people are that dumb,” Tang Xingyang said. “Even if her adoptive mother was willing to bring us over, the Yi family isn’t stupid. Just because the child grew up safe and sound doesn’t mean they’re going to let us ask for things.”

She didn’t believe it for a second. Never mind the rest of the Yi family—even Yi Xiaoya’s biological father wasn’t some fool.

“With the Yi family’s resources, it’s not like they couldn’t have found out who Yi Xiaoya’s biological mother is. The fact that they never reached out says it all,” Tang Xingyang said. “Dad, it’s better not to overestimate yourself.”

“True.” Mr. Tang nodded and turned to his wife. “Xingyang’s not wrong. If you really never sent anything or did anything for the kid over the years, then no matter how much money you throw at them now, it’s useless.”

They couldn’t forge records from years ago, and the neighbors all knew whether or not Xu Yanqiu had ever visited.

Mr. Tang wanted to benefit from this, but he was even more worried about causing a scandal and gaining nothing in return. If he’d known earlier that Xu Yanqiu had been involved with Yi Yao, he never would have married her. But now it was too late—he couldn’t undo it.

And there was no way he could divorce Xu Yanqiu at this point. She’d lived with him for years and knew too much. If she wanted to blame him, she could push all the faults onto him.

Mr. Tang didn’t think he was wrong. No one liked poor relatives always showing up to take advantage, and no man liked a wife constantly supporting her maternal family. It just so happened that Yi Xiaoya’s status gave her some value. If not for that, none of this would matter.

“In a few days, a friend’s son will be staying with us,” Mr. Tang said. “Make sure the place is clean. Don’t embarrass us.”

“A friend’s son?” Xu Yanqiu was stunned.

Wasn’t that more likely his illegitimate child?

Mr. Tang had been involved with plenty of women back in the day. Just because none of his illegitimate children had entered the Tang household didn’t mean they didn’t exist. Xu Yanqiu had always pretended not to know. She couldn’t go picking fights with those people—after all, she herself had risen from the position of mistress.

Xu Yanqiu didn’t have a powerful background. If Mr. Tang wanted to divorce her, it would be effortless. As for marital assets—he had plenty of ways to make sure she didn’t get a cent.

“That’s right,” Mr. Tang nodded. “He’s even in the same class as your biological daughter Yi Xiaoya.”

“…” Xu Yanqiu fell silent. What exactly was her husband trying to say?

Mr. Tang narrowed his eyes and picked up the newspaper next to him. There were some things that didn’t need to be said aloud—it all depended on how the young people played their cards.

When Mr. Tang and the others thought Yi Xiaoya would invite her classmates to the birthday banquet, she refused. Her reason was simple: they had only just met, and there had already been friction. Inviting some and not others would make things awkward—it would be drawing lines between who was close and who wasn’t.

Yi Yao didn’t insist that his daughter had to invite her classmates either. If she didn’t want to, then she didn’t have to. When she was being bullied before, none of them stood up for her. Why invite them now, just so they could show up with presents?

The day before the banquet, Yi Xiaoya went to the Lin family’s home. Just as she reached the door, she heard voices inside. The door hadn’t closed properly and was slightly ajar.

Yi Xiaoya stopped in her tracks and stood silently outside.

Inside, Xu Yanqiu had come again. She wasn’t willing to give up on Yi Xiaoya, or the Yi family. Of course, she wasn’t dreaming of marrying into the Yi family anymore—that was unrealistic. What she wanted was for the Yi family to support her in critical moments, so she could hold her ground in the Tang household.

She remembered how Mr. Tang had said a friend’s son was going to live with them soon, and that the boy was about the same age as Yi Xiaoya—also in the second year of high school, also attending the same school. Xu Yanqiu had a bad feeling: that child was definitely her husband’s illegitimate son, and her husband was laying the groundwork for him.

Unfortunately, Xu Yanqiu hadn’t given her husband a son. In his eyes, only boys could inherit the family fortune. Sure, he treated his ex-wife’s daughter decently, but Xu Yanqiu knew it was only because he hoped to marry her off to someone useful someday.

When her husband said those words, even her stepdaughter was stunned. The stepdaughter who was usually loud and always gave her a hard time didn’t throw a fit this time—she was actually very quiet.

Afterwards, Xu Yanqiu went to find Tang Xinyang, who said, “Why should I rush? The shares my mom left me are enough to last me a lifetime. But you—you’re just a daughter. You don’t hold any company shares. Be careful you don’t end up kicked out with nothing. Of course, since your daughter’s surname is Tang, I suppose she’ll get a dowry.”

Tang Xinyang refused to join forces with Xu Yanqiu, which gave Xu Yanqiu a strong sense of crisis.

She thought Tang Xinyang was just putting on an act and would definitely fight for her share. Maybe Tang Xinyang was just waiting for others to make the first move. But Xu Yanqiu couldn’t afford to sit still. Over the years, she’d spent a fortune on handbags and jewelry—even if she had a few properties in hand, it wasn’t enough.

After living the life of a wealthy wife in a prestigious family, Xu Yanqiu couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go even a month without a new handbag. She couldn’t bear the thought of being laughed at by her relatives and friends. She had worked so hard to marry into the Tang family—she couldn’t let it all go to waste. So, Xu Yanqiu decided she still had to seek out her cousin.

“Cousin, I really did give Xiaoya to you to raise back then. I still care about her,” Xu Yanqiu said. “You can’t deny that. You can’t take all the benefits and then ignore everyone else’s fate.”

“The benefit you’re talking about—is it this house?” Lin Mother looked around the living room. “We earned this!”

“If you hadn’t raised Xiaoya, you wouldn’t be living in such a big house now,” Xu Yanqiu said. “This is a school district property, practically in the city center. It must be worth over ten million by now. Did you spend that much raising one child?”

“Are you saying we raised Xiaoya just for this house? We didn’t even know who she really was back then,” Lin Mother replied.

“No, you did. You knew she came from a wealthy family,” Xu Yanqiu pressed. “Can you really say that wasn’t part of the reason you agreed to raise her?”

“Yes, that was part of it,” Lin Mother had to admit. “Who doesn’t have a little selfishness? But after more than a year, you stopped sending money. And that so-called rich family never showed up. We didn’t get anything out of it, but we didn’t abandon her either. You’re the one always talking about benefits—yet you’re the one who gave up your own child for them.”

Who would raise a child for years based on vague hopes of some distant gain?

A child isn’t like a plant. If a plant dies, you can just plant another and no one would notice—it’s not a matter of life or death. But with a child, if they get sick, you can’t just ignore it.

Her husband truly hadn’t cared much for Yi Xiaoya. Almost every time the girl got sick, Lin Mother had to nag him to take her to the hospital, and he’d only go after grumbling. Sometimes, he even said it was just a minor illness and not worth wasting money on. But Lin Mother insisted on spending it. She’d say if you don’t spend a little now, you’ll spend a lot later.

“You’ve got some nerve, giving your brother-in-law money just to get him to speak on your behalf,” Lin Mother said. She’d figured it out last night. Her husband worked as a security guard, made very little, and liked to gamble. His salary was never enough even for himself. There was no way he’d have that much cash left over. “You think just because he took your money and tried to talk me into it, I’d agree? You think we’d believe you’d send him money every month? You said the same thing when you gave Xiaoya to us—‘I’ll send money every month!’”

One sentence used for over ten years. Hah. Did she really think they’d still buy it?

“If we really wanted money, wouldn’t it be easier to just ask Xiaoya? We’re her foster parents—over ten years of feelings. Doesn’t that make us closer to her than you are?”

“You’re nothing but bloodsuckers!” Xu Yanqiu hissed through gritted teeth.

“Auntie is not a bloodsucker,” Yi Xiaoya said, pushing the door open and walking in.

Both Xu Yanqiu and Lin Mother turned their heads, shocked to see Yi Xiaoya arrive at that exact moment.

“It’s you?” Xu Yanqiu was surprised. She’d seen Yi Xiaoya both downstairs and at the school gate before. There had been a moment where she wondered if those two girls might be the same person—but she hadn’t wanted to admit it.

Because admitting it meant that her biological daughter had been standing right in front of her… and she hadn’t recognized her.

And now, it didn’t matter whether she admitted it or not—the truth was laid bare.

Xu Yanqiu really hadn’t recognized her own daughter. Not only that, she had even scolded her.

“How could it be you?” Xu Yanqiu still found it hard to believe.

“It’s me. Yes, it’s me,” Yi Xiaoya said. “I used to be called Lin Xiaoya. Now I’m Yi Xiaoya. Want to come closer? Maybe use a magnifying glass? See if my face has any money growing out of it.”

“I’m your mother—your birth mother,” Xu Yanqiu emphasized. “What kind of attitude is this?”

“Oh? So just because you dumped me on my aunt and didn’t send a dime, I have to acknowledge you?” Yi Xiaoya shot back. “You never raised me. You weren’t the one who looked after me when I was sick. You already have other kids—why are you still clinging to me? Hoping to squeeze some benefit out of me to give to them?”

“Nonsense!” Xu Yanqiu’s voice wavered. She did, in truth, feel more affection for the younger daughter she had raised. “If I didn’t care about you, I would’ve dumped you on the street ages ago. Do you think you’d be alive and well today?”

“That’s only because you knew my dad was rich. You thought maybe one day you could use me.” Yi Xiaoya shot her own words back at her. “If you weren’t trying to use me, what are you doing here?”

“You…” Xu Yanqiu was so angry she couldn’t speak. A child not raised by your side really can’t be expected to be loyal.

“Auntie, it’s my birthday tomorrow. You must come, okay? I want Brother to see my big cake! I heard it has a lot of layers and looks really pretty,” Yi Xiaoya said. “As for irrelevant people, just don’t come.”

Xu Yanqiu was annoyed that Yi Xiaoya was only talking to Lin Mother. “I’m your real mom, not some irrelevant person. What time is it tomorrow?”

“You didn’t get an invitation,” Yi Xiaoya said. “But hey, if your skin’s thick enough, just show up and say, ‘I’m her birth mother’—see if that one line gets you through the door.”