Chapter 105: Sometimes changes are necessary
That night she could not fall asleep without knowing the condition of Qiu Wen. She decided to send a text to Jia Yi instead.
Was it all a lie? Xue Ting half hoped he would not reply to ensure they were all asleep but only to get a prompt response from him telling her not to worry as they were still sorting out.
What's going on? She pestered on as it got her more worried. Matthew sat up from the floor after giving up falling asleep noticing Xue Ting had been letting out heavy sighs.
He went over to her and gave her a hug. "Mummy, you still have us." Xue Ting was calm as she knew Matthew was worried and his guard was back up like it used to before Qiu Wen was around.
She wrapped him in her arms. "Did Daddy tell both of you anything before the event tonight?" She asked as she suspected something was amiss.
Her question rang a bell. He met with her gaze solemnly. "He told you the same?"
"What did he tell you?" Xue Ting asked as she held her son's arm.
"No matter what I do or say after this, do not believe me." Joy recited it while sitting up and rubbing her eyes, awake from their loud whispers.
"Mummy, what do you think is going on?" Joy went over to hug her mother who was stunned for a moment.
Jia Yi showed the text to Qiu Wen who was so heartbroken at his deeds. He then used Jia Yi's phone to reply to her.
Don't ask. Time will tell. Stay low. Xue Ting knew instantly it was Qiu Wen replying.
Love you. Be careful always. Despite the circumstances, she was relieved with one thing at least. Their love would never change and this was his way of keeping all of them from danger.
Love you too. Qiu Wen returned the phone to Jia Yi and told him to delete the message thread.
Xue Ting coaxed the twins to sleep while she tried to catch some herself but her mind had been actively searching for Mrs. Tang's ulterior motive.
Could it be true that the prediction of the brothers on their wealth and power came true? If so, then why the divorce?
"Mummy, stop thinking. Get some rest. Am sure they will sort it out and let us know soon." Matthew urged noticing Xue Ting's eyes were still wide open as she nodded and tried closing her eyes this time, knowing Matthew would not be at ease.
Although so, she was eager for morning to come quickly as she distracted herself by getting busy in the restaurant.
Before she started the day, she sent a text to Jia Yi.
Take good care of Qiu Wen as he most needs you now.
I will Xue Ting. Take care. She smiled knowing things would take care of themselves eventually.
As Macy and Xiao Wei tried to persuade her to take a break to no avail, they went on with the chores for the day when a surprise guest came. "Auntie, I'm home!" The familiar boy's voice turned all their heads with glee.
"Keith!" Xue Ting greeted as Macy and Xiao Wei went to hug him.
"Have you been well?" Macy asked as he nodded.
"Aww, you grew up well! I'm sure Qiu Qiu will fall for you all over again!" Xiao Wei teased as he blushed and turned his gaze to Xue Ting who was standing behind them.
He walked up to her before embracing her. "I have an offer for you to cheer you up." He said which made Xue Ting curious.
"So much for saying I'm home… What is it?" Xue Ting asked curiously.
"I'm only home for a while cause this course is about to start and there's no one better than you should attend it." Keith passed her a leaflet and it was a culinary certification which is at another city for a month.
"Why would you come home all the way just to do this, boy? You could have just called me…" Xue Ting was pulled into another embrace.
"Cause I miss you. I'm worried too. Everyone is. Maybe, changing the environment for a while would help you feel better?" He suggested while letting her go.
She smiled while her eyes reddened. "Let me discuss with the twins…" She said as he smiled. "That's sorted. They agreed." He told her as she chuckled, forgetting he was her little princess' sweetheart.
"Let me think about it for a bit… The twins are finishing up their last exam so, we shall see." She was hesitating and doubting herself as she had never thought of studying all this while.
"It's due soon. So… Decide fast." Keith reminded as she nodded. Before they could let him sit and serve him breakfast, they were interrupted by Francesca's abrupt commotion.
"How dare you show your face here?!" Macy stood at the main door with a broom facing Francesca who tried to barge into the restaurant as Xiao Wei came up with a knife.
"Stop moving around you, homewrecker! You should just leave!" Xiao Wei pointed the knife at Francesca who pointed at her stomach.
"I'm a pregnant woman! If you dare hurt me I will sue you!" Francesca threatened.
"Oh bring it on! We will sue you in return for trespassing!" Macy threatened back and tried sweeping the floor.
"I'm here to give you business! I want your restaurant to be serving food for my engagement party announcement to the Tangs this coming Friday…" Before she could even finish, Macy and Xiao Wei had been forcing her to take more steps backward.
"Hey, stop! You're going to pay for this!" Francesca snapped as Xiao Wei pointed the knife at her.
"No one needs your business home wrecker! Get lost! Shoo shoo!" Xiao Wei pretended to try and aim at her.
"Hey… ladies, that's no way to treat a customer…" Xue Ting finally stepped in and though she knew it was just a show, she also knew it was good money.
"Alright, send us the address and list of menus you want. We will be there on time on Friday." Xue Ting said.
"No wonder she is the one in charge here. You two should be fired!" Francesca smirked and walked off satisfyingly while Xiao Wei and Macy wanted to retaliate with her but instead they realised what Xue Ting just done.
"Xue Ting! Are you out of your mind?!" Macy scolded as Xiao Wei nagged at her too when Keith stepped in.
"I will help out! Don't you worry, aunties!" Keith knew he should not let Xue Ting head there alone as that just meant sending her to her own grave and the twins would definitely want to help out which would only make things worse. Xue Ting burst out laughing at how blessed she was at that moment with so much support.
Ever since the divorce announcement, guilt was indulging Qiu Wen as he spent sleepless nights in Dan's house often. Brisbane missed Xue Ting so much since a couple of days ago she last saw her.
On the night before the engagement party, Brisbane sat with Qiu Wen to accompany him as they both tried comforting each other.
"Daddy, I miss mummy… Are you alright?" Brisbane asked which surprised Qiu Wen at her thoughtfulness. He smiled sadly at her. "I miss her too and the twins. Don't you?" He asked as she pouted and nodded.
"I miss hugging Matt Matt and playing catch with Joy Joy…" She did a little spin on Qiu Wen's thigh as he gently patted her head.
"Mummy was so upset that night when I told her that bad auntie came and made her sign something she shouldn't. She was in a rush to bring Qiu Qiu to the hospital that night. That bad auntie must have tricked mummy." Qiu Wen was surprised to learn about this.
"Brisbane, the bad auntie was my mother?" He tried to confirm as she nodded.
"It was not her first time coming to that house. She often came to threaten mummy to sign something. I was happy when Matt moved everyone to the new house. At least Matt plays with me more in the new house." Qiu Wen hugged her to comfort her.
"Thank you baby for telling me this… I promise you we will see them soon alright?" Qiu Wen made a pinky promise with Brisbane who finally smiled before being rocked to sleep in his arms as he was grateful for this piece of news and was more confident with his plans from then on.
The next day, as it rained and thundered heavily, Xue Ting took a moment to enjoy the rain as though it were washing her sorrows away. However, she also noticed it had been a while since she did not feel so well due to her morning nauseous self and dizziness occasionally. She thought to herself perhaps a break for a month would be great so she decided to leave the next day with Keith after tonight's event.
That decision made everyone very delighted when she made the announcement. As she tried to avoid the Tangs family that evening after their delivery, Keith quickly led her back to the delivery truck discreetly. Xue Ting purposely dressed down that evening so as to not be recognised and cause a commotion. However, as though it was planned, midway they met with Francesca who was with Qiu Wen.
Xue Ting's gaze instantly met with Qiu Wen's delicate gaze but he quickly glanced away. She knew he did not want to give himself away but he could not help it to throw several questioning glares at Keith before giving up to find out who he was and walking off.
Disappointment hovered over Xue Ting but she noticed he did not stay with Francesca. It was his nature to usually want to protect and defend someone he loved and anyone who knew him well would have known he had given himself away. She forced her smile to disappear as she walked away with Keith before Francesca who was so dissatisfied persistently stopped Xue Ting to talk.