The Counterattack of a Wealthy Family's Substitute

It's unclear how long Yao Yingxi cried before her tears finally stopped.

Her feet were frozen stiff, so she had to sit on the ground and look at Yao Juan in the photo; her features had softened a bit.

Yao Yingxi smiled and said, "Mom, actually, the reason I was able to find out about your tragic death and get revenge was all thanks to one person."

"He is a very nice person and takes good care of me."

She smiled, as if the person in front of her were alive, and answered her own question: "You must also be wondering if I like him."

As she finished speaking, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly.

She then looked up, a self-deprecating smile playing on her lips: "But there's no possibility between us."

“Our relationship was purely based on mutual benefit, and he didn’t seem to have any romantic feelings for me.”

As she spoke, she felt as if something was stuck in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

That night, Yao Yingxi returned to her apartment, looking distraught and with slightly red eyes.

Xi Yuanchen sat on the sofa and frowned slightly when he saw her like this.

He knew that Yao Yingxi would be there today when Xu Hengyuan and his team announced their verdict.

The court had already adjourned, but Yao Yingxi only returned now, and in this state.

When Yao Yingxi saw Xi Yuanchen at home, she paused for a few seconds and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xi, I'll go cook now."

Xi Yuanchen asked coldly, "Where did you go?"

Since Xu Hengyuan was arrested, he has not arranged for anyone to follow Yao Yingxi.

Yao Yingxi was taken aback, then honestly replied, "I went to see my mother."

Xi Yuanchen was slightly taken aback, but remained silent.

Yao Yingxi went into the kitchen to start cooking, and Xi Yuanchen followed her in.

Yao Yingxi remained silent, keeping her head down as she cooked.

Xi Yuanchen stepped forward, took Yao Yingxi's hand, and pulled her into his arms.

He didn't know why, but he just wanted to do it. He watched as Yao Yingxi, though in a low mood, forced herself to continue cooking.

He was somewhat moved, and also had a strong desire to hold Yao Yingxi in his arms.

Yao Yingxi was startled. When she came to her senses, Xi Yuanchen's hand was already on her back.

She suddenly felt greedy, wishing that time could stand still at this moment.

After an unknown amount of time, just as Yao Yingxi was worried that she wouldn't be able to cook dinner, Xi Yuanchen let go of her hand and pulled her out of his arms.

Yao Yingxi's hand, which was about to climb onto Xi Yuanchen's back, froze, and she quickly hid it behind her back. "Mr. Xi, let's have noodles tonight."

She spoke up, breaking the awkward silence.

Xi Yuanchen said, "Okay."

Yao Yingxi turned her head and took two noodles out of the refrigerator. At the same time, she boiled water and chopped the side dishes.

She went to the supermarket this morning, so the refrigerator is full.

Xi Yuanchen stood silently, showing no intention of leaving or going up to help.

Of course, Yao Yingxi didn't expect that. After boiling the noodles in water again, she stir-fried the side dishes and meat in another pot before pouring the noodles and soup into it.

The aroma soon wafted out, and Yao Yingxi joked, "If I ever can't make a living in the future, I can open a noodle shop to support myself."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yuanchen frowned and looked at her: "With cooking skills like this, who would want to go?"

Among all the restaurants out there, none could cook better than Yao Yingxi, so only he didn't mind.

Yao Yingxi rolled her eyes inwardly. Her cooking skills weren't bad; although they didn't reach Xi Yuanchen's five-star standard, they were definitely good enough for an ordinary noodle shop.

"We'll see, we'll talk about it when we can't support ourselves."

Xi Yuanchen said coldly, "Even if my card were in your possession, this day would never come, so don't worry."

Yao Yingxi didn't say anything, but just smiled gently.

hope so.

Xi Yuanchen will not get married, and the two will not separate.

After putting the cooked noodles into a bowl, Xi Yuanchen made no attempt to take it out and simply left.

Yao Yingxi didn't call out either. After the two finished their noodles, Xi Yuanchen said, "I'll find a part-time cook to prepare the meal."

Yao Yingxi paused in her work of clearing the dishes. "Why?"

"I'm tired of your cooking."

After saying that, Xi Yuanchen left the table and went to the study.

Yao Yingxi pursed her lips and muttered softly, "I can't wait for you to find me."

……

Three days after the sentencing, when Xu Xinya went to the prison, it was snowing heavily.

He Qinfang was seen by the police with a haggard face, wearing only thin clothes.

Xu Xinya shed tears of heartache. When He Qinfang saw Xu Xinya, she became somewhat emotional: "Ya Ya."

Xu Xinya held her mother's rough hands, roughened from working in prison, and asked, "Mom, are you alright?"

He Qinfang nodded while wiping away her tears: "Very good, Ya Ya, how about you?"

After the Xu family went bankrupt, Xu Xinya lost contact with her former friends and couldn't find a job. Perhaps because of her past status, people looked at her with mockery and disdain.

"Mom, I'm fine, you don't need to worry."

He Qinfang nodded, "Ya Ya, Mom won't be out for a while. If you're not comfortable here, you should go abroad."

Although Xu Xinya didn't say it, He Qinfang still hoped that her child would leave this troublesome place and start a new life.

Xu Xinya said, "Mom, I've hired a lawyer to see if we can get a lower sentence in the second trial."

She has been busy with this matter for the past few days.

He Qinfang shook her head: "Ya Ya, don't waste that money. Mom is doing very well here."

With Xi Yuanchen behind this, no matter how hard Xu Xinya tries, her sentence will not be reduced.

She was self-aware enough not to let her child waste that money.

During her time here, she came to a realization.

I blame myself for being so foolish back then, for believing in scum like Xu Hengyuan, and for loving him too much.

"But……"

Xu Xinya wanted to persist.

He Qinfang patted the back of her hand, "Ya Ya, be good, leave here and live a good life. We have no home anymore."

"Mom doesn't want you to keep dwelling on this matter. I hope you can live a good life and, if possible, find someone you're happy with and start a family."

As He Qinfang cried, tears streamed down her face: "It's my fault. I didn't give you a complete family, and you've suffered so much."

"So, Mom hopes that someone will love you and give you a home."

Xu Xinya burst into tears, shaking her head repeatedly: "Mom, you didn't do anything wrong to me, no, no."

After so many things have happened, how could she possibly blame He Qinfang?

Without He Qinfang, she wouldn't have had such a privileged and enviable life all those years.

"Mom, I brought you some clothes. The prison guards will give them to you. Take good care of yourself in prison."

Xu Xinya wiped away her tears: "I will listen to you and live a good life. When you come out one day, you will have everything you had before."

Hearing that she would be obedient, He Qinfang nodded: "Okay, don't work too hard."

It was time for visiting hours, and the prison guards took He Qinfang back to the prison.

Xu Xinya watched them until they disappeared from sight before turning and leaving.

She didn't go back, but went to see Xu Hengyuan on the other side.

In the short time that followed, Xu Hengyuan had become much thinner, his cheeks were sunken, and his hair had turned gray.

Upon seeing her, Xu Hengyuan immediately became agitated: "Ya Ya, Ya Ya, please help Daddy, please help Daddy hire a lawyer."

When the verdict was announced, he was completely dazed.