I woke up to find I have a child - Chapter 88
While Han Feixu was rushing home, Ye Mingxin had already arrived. Her expression was cold and Lan Zhu quietly followed behind her.
Ever since the incident broke out, her phone had been buzzing nonstop.
Everyone was calling to ask what was going on. She would’ve turned off her phone by now but didn’t need to communicate with Qi Yu. When any of her superficial friends called, she simply hung up. However, the current call was one she couldn’t ignore.
With a frown, Ye Mingxin answered the call. Yan Yuerong immediately asked from the other end, “What’s going on?! Who is this Chloe, and why does she look so much like Yiyi?”
Ye Mingxin felt a headache coming on, “Mom, is Chloe really the issue now? The problem is that Yiyi’s face has been leaked. How did the paparazzi know she is my daughter? Did you show off to someone again?”
Yan Yuerong protested, “With the heavens as my witness, I swear I didn’t say anything! I’ve even only been posting on WeChat Moments with two separate groups. For Yiyi’s sake, I divided the groups into those who know about Yiyi and those who don’t and have only been posting in the ‘know’ group!”
“Then how did the paparazzi find out?! They were squatting right outside the kindergarten, disguised as breakfast vendors. I didn’t even get out of the car! Lan Zhu was the one who took Yiyi out, and then they rushed her!”
Hearing her daughter’s furious voice, Yan Yuerong quickly tried to comfort her, “We can just change schools if needed, don’t worry. Let me think….could the kindergarten have leaked the news?”
“That’s impossible. Most of the parents at the kindergarten are somewhat famous, and there are other celebrity children, not just Yiyi, studying there. They wouldn’t do something like this that would damage their own reputation.”
Yan Yuerong slapped the table, “Aiya, could it be the parents of the classmates Yiyi invited over last time?”
That was even less likely. The classmates’ parents had known for a long time that Ye Mingxin was Yiyi’s mother, so why would they suddenly talk now?
However, it was worth investigating. Previously, Housekeeper Li had mentioned that not only the classmates’ parents but also drivers, assistants, and maids came over. With so many people involved, someone might have leaked it.
Regardless of who leaked it, she would never let that person go when she found them!
Hearing Ye Mingxin’s plan, Yan Yuerong nodded, “Of course, you can’t let them get away with this. If you need any help, just tell me. Your dad and I will fully support you!”
Ye Mingxin was sitting on the sofa, with Yiyi leaning against Lan Zhu. She looked over at the little girl whose head was hanging down with a listless expression.
“I got it, Mom. I have to hang up now, I’m too busy here. I’ll call you back when I’m done sorting this out.”
“Wait, wait, wait…:”
Yan Yuerong quickly interjected, causing Ye Mingxin to withdraw her hand from the hangup button, “What is it?”
After a moment of silence, Yan Yuerong quickly blurted out, “Good daughter, you should tell me the truth now. Does Chole really have nothing to do with you? Are you sure Feixu didn’t find a surrogate mother or used another woman’s eggs? It’s not a big deal if she did and you should’ve told me if this was the case. I wouldn’t think differently of you two if you did and I–uh, hello? –Hello??”
Ye Mingxin ruthlessly hung up the phone and then picked Yiyi up from Lan Zhu’s side. She asked Yiyi to stand in front of her and then said in a serious tone, “Stop making that expression.”
Yiyi timidly raised her head, “Mommy….”
“Do you think this is your fault?”
Her head lowered again. It seems that Ye Mingxin has hit the mark.
“I don’t remember teaching you to take responsibility for something that is not your fault. And it clearly wasn’t your fault, so why are you taking the blame upon yourself?”
Ye Mingxin looked at her, “What is yours should belong to you and what’s not should never be taken, even if it means death. This society values kindness and good deeds, but your actions will not help anyone. Your behavior only lets those in the wrong go unpunished and would only bring yourself and your family undue trouble. To feel guilty even when you’re not at fault, this kind of behavior is called hypocrisy.”
Lan Zhu found it difficult to listen to this. Yiyi’s intentions were good, and feeling guilty showed she was a good child, so why criticize her so harshly with such cruel terms?
Lan Zhu wasn’t a mother, and her thoughts were not as far-reaching. She only wanted to see Yiyi smile immediately and didn’t consider that if Yiyi’s sense of right and wrong wasn’t corrected now, she might suffer unjustly in similar situations in the future.
Ye Mingxin’s method of teaching her daughter was to use a stick and then give her a sweet date. To first scold her, then comfort her. After ensuring that Yiyi had taken her words to heart, she held Yiyi in her arms, quietly soothing her. Within a few minutes, Yiyi’s little face calmed down. Then she put Yiyi down and told her to go upstairs to play before finally attending to her long-neglected phone.
After browsing through her missed calls, she selected a few important ones to call back.
When Han Feixu arrived home, Ye Mingxin was still on the phone with Qi Yu. Lan Zhu opened the door for her, and Han Feixu, looking exhausted, inquired about the current situation.
Lan Zhu pointed towards Ye Mingxin on the phone, “Mingxin-jie is talking to Qi Yu-ge. He’s almost done with handling everything. There are no photos online anymore, but… it’s impossible to destroy all the copies. Surely some people have saved them, and they could resurface at any time. Even when Yiyi is in her thirties, those childhood photos might resurface.”
Han Feixu ran her hand through her hair and stomped her foot, asking, “So what do we do now?”
“With everything already leaked, we can only acknowledge it… From now on, we should add a few more bodyguards for Yiyi. Her appearance is too distinct, unlike other children who can be forgotten after one glance.”
She glanced at Ye Mingxin, and then Lan Zhu suddenly approached her and asked, “I always thought Chole looked familiar before, but I didn’t expect it was because she looked similar to Yiyi. This…can I ask if you two are related?”
Hearing Lan Zhu’s question, Liang Zhu and Zhong Yuanquan also perked up their ears. They hadn’t dared to ask such a sensitive question on the way back, but Lan Zhu was different. She’s amazing, worthy of being the number one warrior in the world!
Since it has come to this point, Han Feixu had no choice but to acknowledge the situation.
Reluctantly, Han Feixu hummed in affirmation and then walked towards Ye Mingxin. Lan Zhu and the others remained still, their expressions unchanged, until Han Feixu’s back was to them. Then, one by one, they exchanged exaggerated expressions of shock as they all mouthed together:
–OH MY GOD!!!
On the other hand, Ye Mingxin had just finished her call with Qi Yu. As Han Feixu quickly approached her, Ye Mingxin said, “Yiyi and I are fine. Qi Yu will post a statement soon using the company’s account, and then I’ll post one myself.”
At this point, there was no other choice. Han Feixu nodded, “Let me know when you post it, and I’ll repost it.
“No need,” Ye Mingxin shook her head, “It turns out the leak came from the party half a month ago. A driver couldn’t keep his mouth shut, and a paparazzi paid him 100,000 yuan for the information. He only knew I was Yiyi’s mother, but he didn’t know that you were my wife.”
Han Feixu furrowed her brows, “So, you’re planning to tell the public that you’re married and have a child, but not reveal that I’m your partner?”
“Yes. If I mention you, people will investigate your relationship with Chloe. I’ll just say Chloe and I are relatives. That should clear her from this mess,” Ye Mingxin looked at her quietly. Now that she was calm, she could think more logically, “Your relationship with Chloe is delicate, and since you’re close in age, it’s easy for people to speculate. Revealing it would only cause more harm and doubly so for Chloe.”
The scandal that had happened in Han Feixu’s family had happened a long time ago. By the time the Zhong family had reached her grandmother, Zhong Manwei’s generation, she was the only one left. Her grandmother also didn’t have many friends and was someone who would keep everything to herself and bear with it. So although such a scandal happened in their family, only a few people out there knew the truth, and so even if Ye Mingxin revealed Chole and Han Feixu’s connection, such disgraceful scandals wouldn’t be found out.
However, it was better to be safe and sorry.
Han Feixu thought for a moment, “We should talk to Chloe about this. It’s important to consider her thoughts. After all, she’s innocent in all this but was dragged into it.
Ye Mingxin was briefly taken aback, then nodded, “Alright, I’ll tell Qi Yu to hold off on posting. I’ll contact Chloe.”
Han Feixu took out her phone, opened her phone, and handed it to Ye Mingxin, “I should be the one to do this. It can’t always be you facing these situations. I can’t avoid her for the rest of my life.”
Ye Mingxin was surprised by Han Feixu’s words. After inputting Chole’s number, she handed the phone back, “What do you plan to tell her?”
“Don’t worry, I know how to act appropriately.” Han Feixu said confidently, taking the phone and heading to her room.
Ye Mingxin: “…..”
Does she really know how to act appropriately? Why does she not believe her = =
Chole was also busy on her side as she experienced for the first time the feeling of being the number one trending search. She was driving home when the information exploded on the internet. Weibo had recently released a server update that would allow increased capacity so it wouldn’t be frozen when something big happened. For example, when the Han Yiren situation happened a few days ago Weibo was able to handle the increased traffic quite smoothly.
However, when Ye Mingxin’s name topped the trending searches list, many fans barely had time to post a ‘what the hell’ before Weibo was frozen.
Now, even the latest news couldn’t be posted as Weibo worked furiously to bring their server back online.
Chloe didn’t answer her calls initially, probably mistaking Han Feixu for a reporter. After trying three times, Chloe finally answered, “I’m not accepting any interviews at this time. I don’t care how you got this private number, but please stop bothering…”
“It’s me, Han Feixu.”
There was silence on the other end.
Han Feixu leaned against the window as she spoke. This was a habit of hers when she made calls. She looked to look at distant scenery while listening to the other party talk.
She paused before speaking, “I wanted to ask how you plan to clarify the situation. It’s best if we have a consistent story.”
Hearing her business-like tone, Chloe immediately went into professional mode, “My idea is to have Ye Mingxin firmly deny that we are a couple or partners. That’s all we need to say and there is no need to elaborate.”
It was a good plan, but Han Feixu replied, “That’s too vague. People might still speculate about your relationship with Ye Mingxin. I don’t want her to be involved in baseless rumors, nor do I want to drag you into this mess. Being linked with Ye Mingxin will only harm you.”
Chloe had already realized this. After she arrived in China, she had only symbolically created a Weibo account, which wasn’t even managed by herself but by her secretary. A few minutes ago, her secretary had gently advised her not to look at Weibo for the foreseeable future unless she wanted to give herself a heart attack.
“What do you suggest we do then?”
“Ye Mingxin plans to exclude me in her explanation. She will admit she’s married and has a child, while acknowledging you and her as relatives, without specifying the nature of the relationship.”
Chloe pondered for a moment; this was a viable solution. It would protect Han Feixu. As for what the netizens would come up with about her relationship with Ye Mingxin, well, that was not something they cared about.
Chloe agreed to the plan. Han Feixu, however, didn’t hang up. She noticed a small black spot on the glass and started to wipe it slowly as she continued the conversation, “I’m sorry for the trouble we’ve caused you. We’ll have the offensive posts on the internet deleted. If this situation causes any financial loss to you or Marie Claire, I’ll compensate you for it.”
“It’s not that serious. In fact, being controversial can be seen as a marketing strategy. Once you clarify the situation, those attacking me will stop, and I might even get to catch some of Ye Mingxin’s popularity for some time.
Chole has always been an optimistic person and her attitude has always been very friendly towards Han Feixu.
Han Feixu paused her wiping.
“I’m sorry.”
“Really, it’s okay, and actually, I should thank you all. After this incident, my fan base is bound to increase significantly.”
Han Feixu remained silent for a moment before speaking, “I’m not referring to this matter. I want to… apologize for my previous attitude. I’ve always struggled to get over this hurdle in my heart.”
Chloe was silent. Her lips twitched and she wanted to comfort her when Han Feixu continued, “On one hand, I can’t get over this hurdle in my heart, and on the other, I always felt conflicted and ashamed. I often doubt myself, thinking whether I did something wrong. I know I haven’t, but the reason I keep questioning myself is because I do want to talk to you. I want to understand you. These are my subconscious desires born out of my heart, but my conscious mind, constrained by logic and ethics, wouldn’t allow it.
Chloe sat in her office, her eyes downcast and silent.
Han Feixu had thought about this for a long time. It was a thought she hadn’t shared with anyone. They all said she still had the mentality of a high schooler and viewed relationships from a child’s perspective. Actually, she wasn’t sure if her thoughts were really childish or not….
As she had once said to Ye Mingxin, this family scandal had happened a long time ago and could be considered a problem of a previous generation. So why couldn’t she let it go? Now she thought she knew why. It was because no one had ever put an end to it, so it continued unresolved and without any closure. Once Yiyi grows up and begins to understand these things, she will tell her these old stories. But will she let this hatred continue and perpetuate even in Yiyi’s lifetime?
Chloe was innocent, Han Feixu was innocent, and Yiyi was even more innocent. Why should three innocent people be trapped in a cycle of hatred caused by others?
“So I’ve been thinking… maybe, you and I could start by getting to know each other, slowly, and step by step develop a friendship where we can at least wish each other Happy New Year over the phone.”
Chloe closed her eyes briefly, then smiled lightly, “Thank you.”
Hearing her thanks, Han Feixu felt awkward. She felt like a creditor and Chloe was her debtor. Chloe had done nothing wrong, yet she always placed herself in the wrong as if she owed Han Feixu something. She was simply making things difficult for herself.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m not doing this for you or me but for my daughter. She already knows about you. She’ll definitely be asked at school why you, the chief editor of Marie Claire, look so much like her. Rather than having her come back and ask me later, it’s better if I tell her directly,” Han Feixu paused and then said softly, with a faint smile. “Yiyi will find it very interesting, as, apart from my aunt, she’s never met any of my relatives. Our family tree is very small. If we consider blood relations then there used to be two people in our family. Now, there are three.”
Chloe had learned about the death of Han Feixu’s parents from the internet, so she knew what Han Feixu was talking about. She softly said, “In the future, your family will grow more and more.”
Han Feixu’s words indirectly indicated that she was willing to acknowledge her relationship with Chloe. Although Chloe didn’t feel much joy, her heart felt light, as if a huge weight had been lifted. Her lips curved slightly as she looked down at the patterns on her desk.
Meanwhile, the secretary outside the office was constantly taking calls. From time to time, she glanced at the chief editor’s office, curiosity nearly driving them mad.
Didn’t the Chief Editor only arrive in China this year? How could she have such a big child with Ye Mingxin? Ye Mingxin seemed active all these years, so it seemed unlikely she was the one who got pregnant and gave birth. So could the child be the chief editor?!!
While the secretary outside was racking her brain like a storm with thoughts, the Chief Editor in question was calm inside her office. Suddenly, Han Feixu said, “Oh, by the way, since it has come to this, let me have my daughter say hi to you. It’ll be good for her to get to know you.”
Han Feixu turned around and called, “Yiyi—come here.”
A second later, the sound of tiny footsteps sounded. Yiyi, wearing bunny-eared slippers, slowly walked over to Han Feixu, “Here~”
Han Feixu crouched down and held the phone to Yiyi’s ear, “This is Chloe, your aunt. Say hello to Auntie.”
Yiyi blinked her big eyes, holding the phone in one hand as she said sweetly, “Hello, Auntie~~~”
She stretched out the “hello” word in a cute way. Chloe, was only thirty-two and had no children, but had suddenly become an aunt in such an unexpected way.
Chloe suppressed her complex feelings and responded with a smile, “Hello to you too, sweetheart.”
After letting them say hello to each other, Han Feixu took away the phone. Seeing that her mother was ignoring her again in favor of talking to Chole, Yiyi tilted her head, looked at her for a couple of seconds, and then walked out again.
Meanwhile, Ye Mingxin was downstairs, browsing Weibo. The news feed section was still frozen, but the trending searches list had been restored. Upon opening it, she saw an array of pictures, all of them her fans breaking down and crying while the netizens ate melon seeds in shock.
Strangely, Han Feixu was also mentioned. Many fans were saying they would rather Ye Mingxin be in a relationship with Han Feixu than with Chloe. After all, Han Feixu had been friends with Ye Mingxin for eight years. And Chole…well who’s Chole?
Ye Mingxin silently wrote down the name of the person who said this and planned to revisit their comments once she and Han Feixu publicly revealed their relationship.
Yiyi ran over to her and stuck close to her side. The little girl could recognize a few simple words but was essentially illiterate.
She earnestly looked at the computer screen, and Ye Mingxin didn’t stop her as she turned her head and asked, “What did Mama ask you to do just now?”
“Mama asked me to say hello to Auntie,” Yiyi leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Mommy, I’m only telling you, so don’t tell Mama, okay? Auntie speaks so strangely. Did she not study well in kindergarten?”
Ye Mingxin: “…..”
After a moment, she said, “Go watch your cartoons. Mama and Mommy are busy today. We’ll play with you after we finish our work.”
“Okay.”
After Yiyi left, Ye Mingxin looked at her computer screen again and then looked upstairs.
Since Yiyi had already greeted Chloe, it meant Han Feixu was willing to break the current stalemate and try to get along with Chloe.
Ye Mingxin knew the situation would eventually move in a positive direction because Han Feixu was not someone who could harden her heart. If she were that ruthless, they would have divorced long ago.
This was good. It was better to solve the situation now than to block it out.
After Han Feixu came out of the room, she informed Ye Mingxin that Chloe had agreed to her plan. Qi Yu had also arrived from the company with an edited statement and sent it after everyone agreed it was appropriate.
The statement was very precise and formal. It stated that Ye Mingxin regretted letting everyone find out about her marriage in this way. And yes, she was married, and the child in the photo was her daughter. As for Miss Chloe Dumont, she was just a relative of Ye Mingxin, and not in a relationship with her like everyone imagined. She asked that everyone not disturb her family’s life and additionally stated that anyone who spread rumors or posted her daughter’s pictures would be relentlessly pursued by the company’s legal department.
And that was mildly putting it. In Ye Mingxin’s mind, her actual intention was to find those and send them to prison or bankrupt them. In short, the outcome for anyone who dared to harm her family was to become a beggar on the streets or worse. Otherwise, she couldn’t swallow her anger.
She kept these thoughts to herself, but Han Feixu understood her intentions with just one look. She added, “Don’t forget to attack their reputation and their social circles. Make sure they can’t survive in their comfortable circles anymore. The best outcome would be to make their relatives ashamed of their names. Money can be earned again, but losing your reputation is the most painful.”
After saying this, Han Feixu looked at her phone again. The clarification statement had caused Weibo to crash again within ten minutes of being posted. She thought for a moment and then looked up, “By the way, is punching someone still illegal?”
Everyone else in the room: “….”
Since when has punching someone not been illegal?