Chapter 2316: All Means and Ways

Editor: Atlas Studios

“I don’t care! You have to think of a solution for me! I must have what the others have! I didn’t marry into your Xia family to be bullied! Why can your third cousin-in-law’s children get such lavish banquets, but not mine! Even your father’s second wedding gets more attention than our child’s one-month-old celebration banquet! You’re such a useless father!” Shao Yin pointed at Xia Xing’s nose and scolded him angrily.

Fortunately, the walls in Xia Jun’s house were fairly soundproof and he did not hear what Shao Yin said. Otherwise, she would not be able to organize any banquet for Xia Hai at all.

Xia Jun did not really care about all these issues. He was more concerned about the future of the third son’s family and Xia Hai’s future development. From the looks of it, Xia Xing and Shao Yin would not be able to raise Xia Hai well. He decided to send Xia Hai to stay with Xia Xiu once the boy learned how to talk.

Back then, Xia Zhe and the other children were brought up by Xia Xiu in the army base from a young age. All of them were doing well for themselves now, so he felt very much at ease to leave Xia Hai in Xia Xiu’s care.

Xia Xing dragged Shao Yin out of Xia Jun’s house. Along the way, Xia Xing had to listen to Shao Yin’s nagging and all her requests related to the celebration banquet. Each of her requests was something too extravagant for their own small family to fulfill. Given their relationship with the rest of the Xia family members, it was likely that no one would want to help them.

“Should we invite Auntie Tang to Xiao Hai’s celebration banquet?” Xia Xing asked tentatively.

“Of course not!” Shao Yin said firmly.

No matter how bad a person Zhou Hua was, she was still Xia Xing’s biological mother. Tang Hui was only his stepmother and definitely would not be nice to Xia Hai. In addition, Shao Yin’s mother, Bian Duo, had already told Shao Yin way back that she would not help Shao Yin take care of this child after he was born.

Xia Xing’s current salary was only about 80 dollars a month and it was barely enough to support his family of three. It was impossible for him to hire a confinement nanny and a helper at home like what Qiao Mei and the other women did. Shao Yin would have to handle everything herself.

However, she had already checked with Zhou Hua previously if Zhou Hua was willing to come over and help take care of Xia Hai. She did not mind if it was only for a short period until the boy learned how to feed himself.

Zhou Hua had agreed readily. She felt that a young and beautiful intellectual like Tang Hui definitely would not be willing to spend the rest of her life with that “good-for-nothing” Xia Guang! This was especially since there was such a huge age gap between Tang Hui and Xia Guang. It was quite impossible for the two of them to have a child together.

Tang Hui definitely would not feel comfortable if she did not have her own child, since that meant she would not be able to gain a stable foothold in the Xia family. Zhou Hua had given birth to three boys for the Xia family! Even if two of her sons turned out to be a disappointment, they were still part of the Xia family’s bloodline! Zhou Hua’s guess was that in a few years’ time, Tang Hui would divorce Xia Guang!

Xia Hai was her biological grandson. If she took good care of him, perhaps Xia Jun would think well of her and she would be able to make a smooth return to the Xia family. Even if Tang Hui and Xia Guang did not get a divorce, she would still be able to get some benefits from the Xia family for taking care of Xia Hai.

“But… if Auntie Tang is not there, it’ll be hard for us to explain it to Father and Grandfather. Besides, you must know that Auntie Tang and Third Cousin-in-law are very close. If you ask her to intercede with Third Cousin-in-law for us, perhaps Third Cousin-in-law will agree to all your requests,” Xia Xing said.

Shao Yin smacked Xia Xing’s shoulder excitedly and said, “That’s a good idea! You’re so right! Why didn’t I think of such a good idea earlier! It’s settled then! You can go and talk to her tomorrow! No, no, no! You should go now!”

Shao Yin chased Xia Xing off the bus at the bus stop and asked him to head to Tang Hui’s house immediately. He did not even have a single cent in his pocket and he felt really embarrassed to have to visit Tang Hui so abruptly. However, if he did not do what he was asked to do today, he would not be able to go home too. Xia Xing could only brace himself and wait at the door outside Tang Hui’s house.

Today was a workday for Tang Hui. Xia Xing waited until 7 p.m. before he saw Tang Hui coming back from work.

“Xiao Xing? Why are you standing at the door?” Tang Hui said in surprise.

“Auntie Tang, I’m here to visit you…” Xia Xing said sheepishly.

Tang Hui knew that Xia Xing must have a favor to ask of her, so she invited him in. This was Xia Xing’s first time at the new house which Tang Hui and Xia Guang moved into. He did not expect Tang Hui to have decorated the place so nicely.

Xia Xing knew his mother’s character well. At the very least… although Zhou Hua and Xia Guang were together for so many years, their home never felt as “warm” as this one.

“Have a seat. Your father isn’t in the capital now and it’s probably difficult for you to contact him too. If you need anything, just tell me,” Tang Hui said gently.

“I… my… we want to hold a one-month-old celebration banquet for our Xiao Hai. I hope that you will be able to attend it…” Xia Xing said.

“Of course I will. I’ll go on behalf of your father. Your father has already phoned me previously and reminded me to go and take a good look at Xiao Hai and to send him photos! He really likes this child very much,” Tang Hui said.