Xu Xingxing left the set with a pounding heart.
Jiang Mian knew Lu Sanshao. If Jiang Mian found out, she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't tell Lu Sanshao.
She couldn't bear the consequence of Laifu leaving.
She hugged her daughter tightly, "Laifu, let's not film anymore, okay?"
Laifu didn't understand why Mommy suddenly changed, but he said like a little adult, "If we don't film, we have to pay breach of contract fees! And Mommy said one shouldn't give up halfway. If you tell me not to film now, Mommy is shameful!"
Xu Xingxing's face turned a little red from his words as she walked out distractedly.
...
Xiushui Mountain Villa.
Jiang Mian snuggled in Ji Zixiu's arms and yawned, "I met someone on set today."
"Who?"
"Xu Xingxing, do you remember her? She came to our wedding."
Ji Zixiu frowned, "I don't recall."
There were many guests at their wedding banquet; how could he remember everyone? Especially that day when the groom was so busy.
He lowered his head, "What are you worried about?"
Fine, he saw through her.
Jiang Mian propped up her forehead, hoping he would offer some advice, "She had a baby and is playing my daughter in our crew. Do you remember three years ago in Ireland, Lu Cong said he lost his virginity and had been looking for that woman."
After seeing Xu Xingxing, she thought carefully. Laifu and Lu Cong indeed bore some resemblance.
With just this small matter, Ji Zixiu chuckled, closed his laptop, and turned off the light, "Since you have doubts, let Lu Cong investigate himself. If it's his wife, he'll chase her. If not, then forget it. Stop worrying about him."
Jiang Mian found it amusing. Just as she was about to say something more, she saw the man's body press down on her...
...
Laifu's scenes were few.
The next day, Xu Xingxing took leave from the crew.
She didn't know if what she was doing was right, but she always had a sense of unease.
She hoped she was overthinking it.
After eating, Xu Xingxing coaxed Laifu to sleep before going to wash the dishes.
Not long after, she heard a knock on the door. She thought it was the landlord.
The landlord of this apartment was a lonely old lady who was quite caring towards Xu Xingxing, often sending her some homegrown vegetables every few days.
Xu Xingxing wiped her hands and went to open the door, without looking up, "Mama, you're here?"
"You little brat, I finally found you!"
Hearing this familiar voice, Xu Xingxing's expression changed instantly, and she tried to block the door, "Xu Xingsheng! How did you find me!"
She had given all her money to her father to repay his debts back then, and she believed that this father-daughter relationship had come to an end.
From now on, she would not let the Xu family take another cent from her!
She left the capital not only to give birth but also to prevent the Xu family from pestering her again.
Her father snorted, "You returned to the capital, and you're afraid I can't find you? Let me in first, you little brat!"
He had gone to great lengths to find Xu Xingxing.
Xu Xingxing did not budge. She knew her father too well; letting him in would be like inviting a wolf into the house.
"If you have something to say, say it at the door. If not, leave immediately!" Xu Xingxing said coldly.
Her attitude instantly angered her father, "Damn it, I raised you! And now you treat me like this! Xu Xingxing! Don't forget that you have my blood running through your veins!"
She had heard these words countless times and was long immune.
Xu Xingxing let out a cold laugh and was about to close the door.
Her father's expression changed, and he clutched the door gap tightly with both hands, "Let me in!"
Compared to her father, who was still robust in his fifties, Xu Xingxing's petite frame was clearly no match.
Not to mention that Xu Xingxing had concerns in her heart; she was afraid of waking Laifu.
Her father saw her fear and let out a sinister laugh, "If you don't let me in, you can give me another two hundred thousand! I promise I won't bother you again!"
As expected, it was about money again.
Xu Xingxing's face turned pale. Where would she get the money? If she had money, would she be living here?
Her father didn't care about her situation and continued to threaten, "If you don't have it, hmph! I'll expose you, you bastard, immediately!"
With that, he strode away.
Xu Xingxing closed the door and slowly slid down against it.
Give money? She didn't have any!
She had to move. This place was no longer safe!
She knew very well that a person like her father would do anything for money.
Xu Xingxing was both panicked and flustered, her mind buzzing, losing much of her ability to think.
Laifu stood at the doorway, rubbing his sleepy eyes, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
Xu Xingxing was startled and softened her voice, "Sweetheart, why are you awake?"
The little one said innocently, "I woke up because I had to pee..."
Looking at her daughter's well-behaved cheeks, Xu Xingxing's heart was filled with emotion.
She got up, "Mommy will help you."
For three consecutive days, Laifu did not come to the set.
Jiang Mian had only had a few suspicions, but seeing Xu Xingxing's avoidance now made her even more convinced.
When she left the manor back then, she remembered Xu Xingxing left in a hurry.
If it was indeed her, Jiang Mian felt a bit guilty. It must have been incredibly difficult to raise a child alone for so many years.
She had already informed Lu Cong of this news, and the rest could only be left to him.
....
Xu Xingxing hadn't left her house for three days. She was too scared.
She was afraid her father would show up at any moment, and she was also afraid Lu Cong would come and take her daughter away while she was out.
The little one keenly sensed her mother's emotions but said nothing, quietly accompanying her.
This was the third day, the deadline her father had set. If she didn't produce two hundred thousand, her father would expose her for being pregnant before marriage!
Xu Xingxing hugged Laifu, and the mother and daughter leaned against the bed. Xu Xingxing kept browsing the web on her phone.
If he exposed it, she would surely see it on her phone.
Xu Xingxing bit her lip tightly, praying in her heart that this man, if he had any conscience left, would not involve the child.
She didn't fear the bad publicity for herself, but she feared what would happen if Laifu was exposed and the Lu family came to take her daughter away.
How could she compete with the powerful Lu family for custody?
No one knew how terrified she was. She couldn't tell Laifu, so she had to hide it in her heart and bear it all alone.
Just as she was thinking, a trending topic suddenly appeared on Weibo!
"Xu Xingxing Pregnant Before Marriage!"
"Shocking! Pop Diva Xu Xingxing Retired Three Years Ago Because She Was Pregnant with a Mysterious Tycoon's Child and Was Forced to Leave the Entertainment Industry! Wasting Her Musical Talent to Be a Mistress!"
Xu Xingxing's hand holding the phone stiffened. She could consider herself lucky that Laifu was still young and couldn't read.
If Laifu saw this, she couldn't imagine the immense harm it would cause to her child's young heart!
...
Lu Residence.
Lu Cong, abandoning his usual flippant demeanor, returned from outside. He had come back this time to ask his sister something.
As soon as he entered the living room, he felt a heavy atmosphere.
All the family members were sitting on the living room sofa. Lu Cong couldn't help but shiver. What was with this inexplicable sense of an interrogation?
He hadn't done anything recently; he had even started learning about business.
Lu Yu was the first to glance at him, her tone sharp, "Lu Cong! Look at what you've done!"
Lu Cong was confused, "No, Sister... Mom... Sister-in-law..."
He looked at them one by one. Their eyes were full of disappointment.
Mother Lu, usually gentle, had a stern face today, "Kneel!"
Muscle memory took over, and before Lu Cong could argue, he immediately knelt down with a "plop."
The grievance was evident, "What have I done wrong? If I'm going to die, at least let me die knowing why!"
Did he still have any standing in this family!
His sister-in-law couldn't bear it and handed him her phone to look at, "Look for yourself."
Lu Cong glanced at it inexplicably. The next second, he immediately jumped up, "What... what does this mean?"
Lu Yu rubbed her forehead, "You still have the nerve to ask? Lu Cong! You slept with the girl, you even have a child, and you dare to hide it from the family? How can our Lu family have a coward like you?"
Lu Cong felt a bit dizzy, "No, Sister, you also think this child is mine?"
He had returned this time precisely to ask his sister about this matter.
His little sister-in-law had told him about Xu Xingxing. He had investigated, and it seemed to match, but he hadn't yet contacted the mother and daughter, so he couldn't be completely sure.
Lu Yu's anger flared upon hearing this, "Lu Cong! Don't you know if it's your child? Where's the family law? Bring it!"
"No, no, no, Sister, I was wrong!"
"Go easy on me, Sister!"
Lu Cong jumped three feet high, "Don't hit me yet! I don't know either, Sister! I came back precisely to talk to you about this! I didn't even know about this child's existence!"
Lu Yu frowned, "Kneel down and explain properly!"
"Can I talk while sitting?" he asked aggrievedly.
Lu Yu shot him a stern look, "Stop acting like this. Tell me what's going on, quickly!"
Ten minutes later.
Lu Yu frowned, "So she is that girl?"
Lu Cong nodded, "It's more than likely. By the way, Sister, how did you all find out about this?"
Few people knew about the incident in Ireland.
Lu Yu sneered, "The child looks so much like you, does it even need to be said? It's clearly the product of your philandering outside!"
Lu Cong protested, "Aren't you afraid of being mistaken?"
Lu Yu handed him an album on the coffee table, "These are all your childhood photos, look for yourself!"
Lu Cong flipped through two pages, his eyes widened...
This, this, was it really him!
He even wore women's clothing as a child! Without even thinking, he knew it was the work of his mother and sister!
"Now that you've seen enough, let's resolve this. That poor girl is being cursed all over the net because of you. Lu Cong, do you have any conscience?" Lu Yu snatched the album back from his hand.
"I was wrong, I was wrong," Lu Cong frowned, remembering Laifu he saw last time, the little one was so thin.
He suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Mother Lu spoke, "Regardless of your thoughts, bring that girl and the child back!"
Lu Cong bared his teeth, "What if she's unwilling to come back with me?"
"Then find a way!" Mother Lu rolled her eyes.
Before Lu Cong's return, they had already investigated Xu Xingxing. She turned out to be a clean and innocent girl, deserving of pity.
If fate allowed her to become their Lu family's daughter-in-law, that would be best. If not, their Lu family would not mistreat her.