The Useless Stepmom Brings Her Kids to Reality TV Shows to Photograph Them

Chapter 269: Heroes Do Not Always Stand In The Light

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The way Wanyu described Lin Wan made Li Zexuan feel as though she was getting on in years. However, she saw sense in her words. ‘Yes. Ms, Lin is very smart.”

“Wanyu, Ms. Lin seemed to like you very much,” said Li Zexuan. He had seen Lin Wan frequently putting food in Xie Wanyu’s bowl.

Most importantly, Lin Wan smiled so warmly when talking to Xie Wanyu. She was completely different with Xie Wanyu.

Luan Rongrong held Xie Wanyu’s arm. “Wanyu is too adorable. Didn’t you notice how pretty Wanyu looks when she smiles? Her eyes twinkle in delight.”

“I did.” Li Zexuan looked at Xie Wanyu intently.

Xie Wanyu tugged at Luan Rongrong’s arm.

“Sorry,” whispered Luan Rongrong.

The three talked happily until Lin Wan found them. “Li Zexuan, I am going to borrow Wanyu for a while. I need to talk to her about something.”

“But Ms. Lin…” Lin Wan had already left with Xie Wanyu before Li Zexuan could protest.

In the front yard, Lin Wan offered Xie Wanyu a cup of tea. “It’s hot, sour, and sweet, all at the same time. Try it. It’s good.”

Xie Wanyu held the cup in her hand. “Xuanxuan told me that the fruit tea you make is very tasty.”

She took a sip, and the peachy aroma instantly filled her mouth. “This is really good!”

Sometimes the students from her school would sneak down to the school fence near the road. The owner of the tea stall sold them milk tea and passed it over the fence. Xie Wanyu had never bought milk tea from the tea stall before. She didn’t spend her money on a leisurely cup of tea, even though her grandmother had told her to buy anything she wanted to eat or drink. She always tried to save the money she was given.

Lin Wan sat beside Xie Wanyu. She wondered if Xie Wanyu’s father would show up earlier since the story was speeding up.

Xie Wanyu had lived her life amidst rumors of her father, which had made life difficult for both her and her grandma. She held a deep resentment toward her father. In the original novel, she would run away from home just to get away from him when he finally returned home. His name was Xie Xiang.

Lin Wan couldn’t really take his name in front of her without explaining how she knew his name. So she found another way to ask Wanyu about her life.

“Wanyu, do you hate your mom and dad?”

Xie Wanyu raised her head and looked up at the sky. How could she not hate them? Ever since she was little, the neighbors had pointed fingers and badmouthed her and her grandmother because of them.

Xie Wanyu had never known affection, at least not from her parents. Instead, their presence and their names had always caused more harm than good. They were the reason she and her grandmother were constantly mistreated.

Her father was in prison and her mother had disappeared.

“Yes. I hate them,” said Xie Wanyu softly.

Lin Wan was perplexed.

“I don’t expect anything from my parents. I don’t even expect love from them. I will be satisfied as long as they don’t harm my grandmother and me and leave us in peace,” said Xie Wanyu. “But even that is impossible. I will always live in his shadow. The daughter of a criminal, no less. How can I believe he is not a bad person after that?”

Lin Wan patted the girl’s head. “Did you see the verdict?”

Xie Wanvll shook her head-

“Then, without knowing why he got arrested, how can you determine whether he is good or bad?” asked Lin Wan. “What was his crime?”

“But there is no way for me to find out. I haven’t seen him since he was taken to prison. I wanted to visit him, but grandma wouldn’t let me.” Xie Wanyu had assumed her grandmother also resented her father, so she hadn’t allowed her to visit him in prison.

“Maybe he is not as bad as you think he is. What if he turns out to be a hero who was judged unfairly?” Lin Wan left it at that.

Xie Wanyu remembered when her father had bowed to her grandmother. “Mom, I know it’s hard for you to take care of my child. When I come back, I will definitely repay you.”

She recalled her grandmother sobbing as her father went away to serve at the borders of Qu City. It was before the whole incident with the police. He was loyal to his country and his only wish was to reunite with his family after his mission.

“Sister Lin, I don’t want to talk about him.” Xie Wanyu felt too sad to think about the past.

“Alright,” said Lin Wan. “How are you doing at school these days?”

“School has been great! I made a new friend!” Xie Wanyu was all smiles. “It’s the class monitor. We both want to go to Beijing University.”

“A new friend? A boy or a girl?” asked Lin Wan. “Xuanxuan will be a tad bit jealous if it’s a boy.” Lin Wan winked at her.

“She’s a girl!” Xie Wanyu blushed. “Sister Lin, don’t talk nonsense!”

“Xuanxuan wants to go to Imperial Films College. I heard it’s very close to Beijing University. He did say he could hang out with you more often if he gets into college.”

“But… wouldn’t he be very busy?” asked Xie Wanyu. “He is a celebrity, after all.”

“Celebrity or not,” said Lin Wan. “He will find time to spend time with those he cherishes.”

Li Zexuan and Luan Rongrong were bored. They walked to the front yard to find Xie Wanyu. They overheard Lin Wan’s words.

“Ms. Lin, why do I feel like you are really trying to set me up with Wanyu?” asked Li Zexuan jokingly. “I thought parents were supposed to be against relationships, especially in high school.”

Xie Wanyu’s face turned redder.

“Well… maybe I am a friend to you both more than a parent,” said Lin Wan.

“Anyway, you children can sit and talk. I need to prepare for the livestream.”

At the Sweetheart Inn, Xiao Tianlin waited for his wife in the waiting area. They drove to the Li family house together.

Xiao Tianlin had plans with Li Yanchen to play golf, while Xiao MO and Lin Wan did their livestream.

They arrived right when Li Zexuan was preparing to drop Xie Wanyu and Luan Rongrong back to school.

“We have guests?” asked Xia MO when she saw the two girls.

“They are Xuanxuan’s friends,” said Lin Wan.

“Oh…” Xia MO glanced at Xie Wanyu a few more times before following Lin Wan to the live broadcast room.

Xiao Tianlin, on the other hand, got into Li Yanchen’s car. They headed to the nearest golf club.

Li Yanchen had taken the initiative to ask him out for a game. Xiao Tianlin assumed Li Yanchen had some trouble in his life that he wanted to discuss.

Xiao Tianlin had changed his clothes. He was seated on a chair. “Brother Li, just tell me already. I have no idea how to play this sport.”

Li Yanchen swung his club and sent the golf ball rolling into the hole.

“How did you guess I had something to tell you?” asked Li Yanchen as he took a sip of water from his bottle.

“Tsk.” Xiao Tianlin snorted. “You never invite me out without a reason. So, tell me already. What is it this time?”

“Not this time. I am fine, actually. I just wanted to thank you for everything,” said Li Yanchen as he patted Xiao Tianlin on his shoulders. “We will be going back to Lan Village for another episode. Try not to expose my shortcomings there?” He smiled.

“Since you ask so politely, how can I refuse?” said Xiao Tianlin. “I will try my best, but if something slips out, it doesn’t count, alright?”

Li Yanchen chuckled. “Sure,” he said. “Oh… do you still have some of that medicinal wine? It is quite… effective.”

Xiao Tianlin waved his hand as he gestured to Li Yanchen to lean in closer. “I have a new recipe. It’s even more effective. Do you want to try it?” The two of them whispered to each other about secrets only they shared..