Reborn as a Weak Beauty Pampered by All Chapter 1326 - 1213: (Part 4)

"You and Jian are out enjoying yourselves too?" Ming Wei inquired of Xiao Tong.

"Yes. Father sent us out. He worries Jian and I will become excessively studious, like bookworms." Xiao Tong, a girl of gentle disposition, responded with a soft voice.

Ming Wei stated, "My mother frequently advises my brothers and me that whether it pertains to academics or professional pursuits, a proper equilibrium between exertion and recreation is essential."

"Indeed, my father echoes the same sentiment," Xiao Tong affirmed with a nod and a smile.

Ming Wei then turned her attention to Jian, asking, "Han Qian declared her intention to marry you when she comes of age. Do you harbor any affection for her?" Wen Yi felt a stirring of disquietude upon hearing Ming Wei broach the subject of Jian's prior remarks.

Jian's countenance flushed crimson, and he shot Ming Wei a stern look. "I am not acquainted with her, nor shall I consent to marrying her upon reaching maturity!" His gaze then shifted towards Xiao Tong. "Big Sister, I am returning home now."

With that declaration, Jian pivoted and departed.

"Father instructed us to go out and play!" Xiao Tong exclaimed.

Xiao Tong grasped Jian’s arm, inquiring, "Are you displeased with Vivi?"

"No," Jian replied.

Jian shook his head, adding, "I merely find outdoor activities rather tedious." His eyes then settled upon the hand Xiao Tong had used to clasp his arm, and Jian's stare remained fixed upon it.

Perceiving his unwavering gaze, Xiao Tong involuntarily released her hold.

After Jian had gone, Xiao Tong remarked to Ming Wei, "Vivi, Jian is not harboring any resentment towards you; do not let it trouble you."

"I am not troubled," Ming Wei replied, shaking her head. She then posed a question to Xiao Tong: "Why did you not bring Xiao Xuan along for the outing?" Xiao Xuan, it is known, is the son born to Shen Yun and Xiao Jin, making him Xiao Tong's paternal half-brother.

Furthermore, he shares the same mother as Jian, yet possesses a different paternal lineage.

Xiao Tong explained, "My grandmother escorted Xiao Xuan to their family residence yesterday."

Ming Wei responded with a simple "Oh," before joining a group of other young girls in a game of sandbag toss.

"..."

The Shen Family Residence.

"You wish to see Jian?" Within the confines of the living room, Mrs. Shen occupied the sofa, observing her former son-in-law, Austin, with a quiet intensity. After considerable thought regarding Austin's stated purpose, she spoke to confirm his sudden arrival.

To be candid, this marked Mrs. Shen’s inaugural encounter with Austin. Nevertheless, she found Austin to possess a commendable demeanor, harboring the conviction that this former son-in-law likely presented no significant character flaws.

Yet, the reality of her daughter's divorce remained. She harbored suspicions that the explanations provided upon their return home might have been subjected to a degree of embellishment.

"Indeed, my visit is twofold: partly for professional matters and partly out of a desire to see Jian. Since Jian and his mother departed from my care, I have not had the opportunity to see him. I acknowledge that I have undoubtedly been an insufficient father to Jian." Austin maintained an upright posture, his demeanor exuding an aura of serene composure, projecting an image of refined gentlemanliness.

Wen Yi's eyelids fluttered, a hint of uncertainty clouding her expression as she questioned, "Not two, but three?"

"You are quite correct!" Ming Wei's voice, imbued with crystalline clarity and a trace of merriment, declared, "My mother was blessed with two brothers and a sister; they are all exceptionally attractive individuals. You will undoubtedly find them most agreeable upon your introduction!"

Unexpectedly, the smile that graced Wen Yi’s visage vanished. She gently tugged at Ming Wei’s sleeve, drawing her aside, and whispered, "Vivi, Aunt Kang has recently given birth; suddenly there are three new additions. Will she cease to favor you and your brothers?"

Ming Wei responded with earnest conviction, "Absolutely not! My brothers and I are also her children; she would never cease to hold affection for us."

"Vivi... do you indeed place such profound trust in Aunt Kang?"

"My mother reigns as the most superlative mother in the entire world; naturally, my trust in her is unwavering. Moreover, my brothers and I conduct ourselves with impeccable behavior; she possesses no conceivable reason to withhold her affection."

"Vivi, it is not a matter of my lacking faith in Aunt Kang’s continued regard for you and your brothers. However, she now has her own infants. It mirrors the situation with Auntie Su in our household; she scarcely shows any fondness towards me, my elder sister, or little sister Xiao Yu."

Upon absorbing Wen Yi’s words, Ming Wei's eyes widened slightly. "Sister Wen Yi, Auntie Su did not demonstrate kindness towards you, Sister Wen Yue, nor Wen Yu even prior to Wen Peng's arrival. Her disposition is entirely dissimilar to my mother's. Pray do not equate Auntie Su with my mother, for I shall take offense!"

"My apologies... Vivi, I allowed my thoughts to wander into unnecessary concerns."

Wen Yi gently clasped Ming Wei’s hand, caressing it tenderly as she implored, "Pray do not hold it against me, alright? My concern stems solely from my care for you; I had no intention of speaking disparagingly of Aunt Kang."

"I am not holding it against you, but Sister Wen Yi, you truly must refrain from drawing parallels between my mother and Auntie Su." Ming Wei’s cheeks still retained a youthful roundness, and she puffed them out, her expression adorably vexed. "Sister Wen Yi, I find it most displeasing to hear any negative remarks about my mother; it is something I cannot abide. In my heart, my mother is my cherished Little Fairy—the most magnificent mother one could ever wish for!"

Wen Yi bit her lower lip, and after a brief pause, she articulated, "Vivi, I have perpetually harbored a sense of envy towards you. Both Aunt Kang and our Auntie Su are stepmothers. Yet, Aunt Kang extended her warmth and affection towards you and your brothers from the very inception of her role as your stepmother. In contrast, our Auntie Su initially feigned a facade of benevolence towards my sister and me... before long, she began to exhibit frequent outbursts of temper towards us, resorting even to physical discipline and harsh reprimands..."

"Does Uncle Wen possess knowledge of this?" Ming Wei inquired, tilting her head.

"He's aware, yet it offers no solution."

Wen Yi responded with disappointment, "From last year until now, every time my father returns home for a break, Auntie Su starts an argument with him."

"I've encountered this situation before," Ming Wei's brow furrowed. "Auntie Su really shouldn't act this way. Uncle Wen toils so diligently, and upon his return for rest, Auntie Su still chooses to stir up trouble. That simply isn't right."

"I am not upset," Ming Wei declared, shaking her head. She then inquired of Xiao Tong, "Why haven't you brought Xiao Xuan along?" Xiao Xuan, it is known, is the son of Shen Yun and Xiao Jin, making him Xiao Tong's paternal half-brother.

Indeed, he shares a mother with Jian but has a different father.

Xiao Tong explained, "My grandmother took Xiao Xuan to their compound yesterday."

Ming Wei acknowledged with a simple "Oh," before joining a group of other young girls in a game of sandbag toss.

...

The Shen Residence.

"You wish to see Jian?" Within the living room, Mrs. Shen occupied the sofa, observing her former son-in-law, Austin, for a period. Reflecting on Austin's statements, she eventually voiced her question to confirm the reason for his unexpected arrival.

To be entirely truthful, this marked Mrs. Shen's initial encounter with Austin. Nevertheless, she perceived Austin in a favorable light, harboring the belief that this former son-in-law likely possessed no fundamental character flaws.

However, her daughter had still gone through a divorce. Mrs. Shen harbored suspicions that the explanations provided upon their return home might have involved some degree of embellishment.

"Yes, I am here partially on business, and also because I desire to see Jian. Since Jian and his mother departed from me, I have not had the chance to see him. I am undoubtedly an insufficient father to Jian."

Austin sat with an upright posture, his demeanor indicating a sense of calm and composure, projecting an image of a true gentleman.