Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

Wen Guoping poured her a cup of hot water and handed it to her: "Please sit down first."

"Can I even sit here? I'm going to the research institute to find him tomorrow. I want to ask him if he's gone mad or if he really is!"

Wen Guoping became serious: "Don't go and make things worse! When has Xiao Xu ever done anything reckless since he was a child? Since he dared to make that call, it means the girl must be quite well-off. What are you going to do there now?"

Zhao Lan looked up: "Who's causing trouble? Can't I even ask my son a few questions?"

"You haven't even asked what happened! There are so many people in that research institute. He's on a national mission, and you're asking about his personal matters. Aren't you just causing trouble for the child? Besides, you came in and immediately asked him when he's getting married, who his wife is, and why the child doesn't have the Wen surname. With Xiao Xu's personality, do you think he'll answer slowly?"

Zhao Lan was speechless.

Wen Xu has always been like this. When someone asks him a question, he can only answer with the three most crucial words! If there are too many questions, he will simply say, "Let's talk about it next time!" And his so-called "next time" usually means waiting several months...

Wen Guoping continued, "Don't cause trouble for the country! If word gets out everywhere that our son suddenly got married and the child even took the woman's surname, how will we face people after that?"

"What do you mean by causing trouble for the company? I'm their mother!"

"Precisely because you're his mother," Wen Guoping sighed. "Besides, what's wrong with the child having the surname Lin? We're not short of children; his older brother Wen Jing and third brother Wen Xun have enough sons, we don't need another one."

Zhao Lan crossed her arms and sat back on the sofa: "Then what do you suggest we do? Am I just going to sit here and wait?"

"It's not Qian who's waiting; I'll have Wen Rui go and ask."

"Rui Rui?"

"Her workplace is close to the research institute, so it's convenient for her to go there. She's the second eldest sister, and she speaks more gently than you."

Zhao Lan immediately retorted, "Where is she gentle? When she was little, she scolded Xiao Xu more than I did."

"That was when she was a child. Now she's working and knows what questions she should ask and what questions she shouldn't ask in front of outsiders," Wen Guoping said, picking up his phone book.

The phone rang a few times before Wen Rui answered, "Hello, Dad? What's up calling so late?"

"Your brother just called home," Wen Guoping said, glancing at Zhao Lan.

Wen Rui responded from the other end, "Xiao Xu? Isn't he at the research institute? Is there a problem with the project?"

"It wasn't about the project; he said he got married."

Wen Rui looked puzzled: "Dad, could you say that again?"

Your brother got married.

"When? With whom?"

"We don't know, we don't know anything."

Zhao Lan, standing nearby, blurted it all out: "He only said a few words before hanging up! He said he was married, his wife was seven weeks pregnant, the due date was next August, and the child would take her surname, Lin!"

After a long while, Wen Rui's voice finally came through: "When did he start dating? Are you sure what he's saying is true?"

"Of course it's true!" Zhao Lan said. "Your younger brother is usually quiet, but he wouldn't joke about something like this."

"That's even stranger..." Wen Rui frowned. She and her younger brother were ten years apart. Wen Xu had been smart since he was a child, and he decided which school to attend and where to work on his own. But he skipped the whole process of getting married and having children?

"Dad, what's wrong with that girl? Has Xiaoxu been scammed?"

Zhao Lan immediately chimed in, "I have my doubts too!"

"Don't rush to conclusions." Wen Guoping: "He already has a child. Since he was able to talk about it, it means he understands the consequences."

Wen Rui laughed in exasperation: "What's the woman's name? Where does she live? I can't possibly search every corner of the capital just because she has the surname Lin, can I?"

"That's why I'm asking you to go and ask first," Wen Guoping instructed. "You're just going to ask about the situation, so be careful about the impact. Don't start lecturing him right away."

"I know my limits. I'll apply to go to the research institute area tomorrow afternoon to run some errands and see him there. Mom, don't rush to confront him yourself!"

Zhao Lan pouted defiantly, "I'm not going, I'll let you go! Call me back right away after you've found out the details."

Wen Rui softened her tone: "Let me find out about the woman's situation first. As long as she's okay, we can discuss the child's surname later. Also, did Xiao Xu mention the marriage certificate?"

"no."

"So, did he not actually get a marriage certificate? Is he just saying that to appease your constant pressure to get married?" Wen Rui felt there were suspicious points everywhere about this.

Zhao Lan became agitated again: "Why is he using something like this to fob me off?"

"Alright, Mom," Wen Rui interrupted her. "I'll find out tomorrow. Don't call him again tonight; he won't answer anyway."

Zhao Lan sighed. Wen Xu was capable of doing such a thing.

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Lan remained seated on the sofa, a thousand questions swirling in her mind.

Wen Guoping picked up the newspaper and glanced at her: "Don't pack your luggage tonight."

"I didn't say I was going."

"You already took your coat out."

Zhao Lan forced an explanation: "I'm just preparing in advance; I also want to tidy up the rooms in my house first."

--------

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, at the Kadoorie Hill villas.

In the living room, Lin Fu was wearing reading glasses and sitting on the sofa, flipping through a thick pregnancy handbook.

Lin Fuxian asked first, "How's it going with the Wen family? What did they say?"

"Wen Xu said he would handle it himself." Lin Ying didn't seem to care much about this matter.

Lin Lanying then asked, "His family didn't scold him, did they? What about the child's surname, Lin?"

"He said he would explain things clearly to his family. Wenxu is a sensible person. When we were dating, we discussed everything clearly about the children, surnames, and living arrangements. It's not like he only found out about these things today."

Lin Fu: "It's one thing for a man to agree, but it's another thing for his family to accept it."

"Grandpa, this matter is not decided by his family."

Lin Fu nodded upon hearing this: "It's best if you know what's good for you. This child belongs to the Lin family, and no one can take him away."

"I know, Grandpa, don't worry, Wenxu keeps his word."

Li Yuzhen suddenly asked, "Aying, you only have a Filipino maid at home now, right?"

"right."

"That definitely won't be enough later." Li Yuzhen looked at her. "While everyone's here today, let's get things sorted out at home. You're seven weeks pregnant now. Once the baby is born, one person won't be enough just to take care of the baby, cook, and clean."

Lin Lanying immediately chimed in, "Mother is right! I'm busy looking after the shop now, and with such a big house and only one Filipino maid, it's impossible for her to take care of the children all day."

Lin Fu made the decision: "Let's find a reliable, long-term caregiver as soon as possible. I'll ask acquaintances in the village to recommend someone experienced in taking care of children."

Lin Ying nodded: "I understand, Grandpa."

He Dazhu, standing nearby, asked, "When can Wen Xu come over to keep you company?"

"He's working on a national project, so he might not be able to come. Even if he applies, it might take some time," Lin Ying replied.