Iris felt frustrated at Long Tengfei’s stance to continue protecting Long Hui. At the same time, she could also understand why he was doing this. He was right. She was now a mother. If something like this happened to her children, she would do everything in her power to protect each of them even if it was against the world. Her husband, Jin Liwei, would also do the same thing. She was sure about that.
Her bad temper was threatening to burst out of her but she restrained herself. There was no point in forcing Long Tengfei to abandon his own son, even when Long Hui deserved to be punished severely for what he did.
“Fine,” she said. “Continue to help your son, if that’s what you want. Liwei and I won’t interfere in the lawsuit. This is Eldest Brother Lin Yehan’s request to us as well. I just hope that you know that what you’re doing right now is delaying the justice that your grandson, Little Jun, and his mother both deserve after all the pain that your beloved eldest son gave them.”
At first glance, Long Tengfei’s expression looked cold. On closer inspection, however, his eyes revealed the painful struggle he was experiencing being caught in between the conflict of his children and the mother of his first grandchild. In an awkward manner, he pushed the plate of pastries closer to his daughter.
Iris gave him a straightforward look before accepting his gesture and picked another pastry to eat.
“I heard that you and your husband helped your brother Jian to free his mother from jail?” he asked, changing the subject.
She raised an eyebrow but wasn’t surprised that he knew all about it. She was already aware that he secretly kept tabs on all his children as much as he could.
“Yes,” she murmured.
“That’s very…generous of you. Helping your brother and all. His mother, Zhu Ning, is…uh, she’s—”
“If you can’t say it, then I will. Zhu Ning, your ex-mistress, is a very narrow-minded woman with a nasty personality.”
He winced a little at her blunt statement but didn’t deny it.
“Well, all the women you impregnated have issues in their personalities including Mother. You really have horrible taste in women, Father.”
He winced again, then frowned, before saying, “Not all of them.”
“Ah, right. Big Sister Jinjing’s mother, Sun Jingfei, is quite nice. Good job, Father, especially for finally marrying an unproblematic wife in Aunt Jiahui.”
Long Tengfei sighed. “Alright, Xiulan. That’s enough.”
She finished the pastry and tapped her flat belly. “I hope that if I have a son, he won’t inherit his maternal grandfather’s horrible taste in women. I want my son to inherit his father’s excellent taste in women instead. After all, Liwei chose me.”
He couldn’t help it. He chuckled at his daughter’s shameless bragging. Then he murmured, “Indeed, your husband’s taste is excellent. He chose my daughter.” There was pride in his voice.
“As for helping out Big Brother Jian, well, we’re siblings. At least, he treats me like a sister even when we’ve never really been that close, unlike some people who defames me and my husband for siding with the mother of his own son.”
Of course, Long Tengfei knew who she was talking about. He released another tired sigh. “Xiulan.”
“Alright, Father. I’ll stop now.”
She stood up, not wanting to stay in this place any longer or risk losing her temper on the older man. Long Tengfei was just being a protective father. Out of respect for all the support he gave to the original Long Xiulan in the background since her birth, she wouldn’t force him to turn his back on his other child no matter how much of an asshole Long Hui acted to all of them.
Long Tengfei didn’t reply to what she said. Instead, he stood up and asked, “You’re leaving so soon?”
“Yes. I feel tired now, Father.”
He looked a little alarmed. “Go rest now, then. It’s not good for the baby if you push yourself too hard. You just got out of your bed rest and shouldn’t be running around like this in the first place.”
She made a low sound of assent. Long Tengfei personally walked her out of his office where her entourage was waiting. Both of them felt unresolved about Long Hui’s issue but they still chose to set it aside for now.
“Father.”
“Yes?” He looked a little surprised that she was still talking to him but quickly hid the reaction behind a neutral expression.
“You received the invitation for the Christmas gathering from Meimei?”
“Yes. If you don’t want your Aunt Jiahui and I to come anymore, it’s fine—”
She frowned. “What are you talking about, Father? Of course, you’re going to come if you’re available. You’re not available?”
“We are available,” he replied in a hurry.
“Good. You should see your grandson now and then or Little Jun might forget your face if you don’t show yourself for too long.”
“Ah, yes. You’re right. Your Aunt Jiahui misses Little Jun, too.” His eyes softened at the mention of his grandson and his wife but once again adjusted his expression to a neutral one.
“Goodbye, Father. See you at Dragon Palace on Christmas.”
“Alright. Take care of yourself and my grandchild.” He glanced at her flat stomach.
“Oh, right. I almost forgot. Mother will also be there with his Spanish stepson. Liwei already called Mother and warned her not to make a scene with you and Aunt Jiahui, so everything should be fine. Mother has been careful not to upset my husband. She cares more about him, her son-in-law, than me, her own daughter, but that’s fine. I don’t mind it much. It’s up to you, Father, if you still want to come to the Christmas gathering or not.”
He scowled at the mention of his ex-wife. “I see. I’ll keep that in mind. Your Aunt Jiahui is very excited to attend so we’re coming no matter what. We’re coming for my daughter and my grandson, not for that woman.”
She nodded and waved at him before meeting up with Dom and her entourage. Cai Guang was there to lead them downstairs to the lobby.
“Mr. Guang, you’re coming to our Christmas gathering, right?” she asked.
Cai Guang looked a little uncertain.
An excited Dom persuaded him. “You should come, Uncle! Momsy and Popsy and my siblings will all be there! We’re going to sing karaoke and have a super-duper fun time together!”
“Young Miss Xiulan, did you invite me because of this brat?”
Iris chuckled. “Part of it, but I would still invite you even without Dom. If Father and Aunt Jiahui are coming, then you should, too.”
“I understand. Thank you for your invitation, Young Miss—I mean Madam Jin. This old one will certainly come.”
“Yipee!” Dom clapped and shook his body in delight.
Cai Guang glared at him. If not for the presence of the Young Miss Xiulan, he would have already smacked this overdramatic nephew of his. “Act properly, Dominic! You’re not a child anymore.”
Iris chuckled again.
Later, Iris and Dom were chatting in the backseat of the car on the way home when Ketchup’s adorable voice interrupted them.
“Excuse me, Mommy! Great-granduncle Long Jufang is calling you. Meow~”
Iris raised an eyebrow. “Answer it.”
“Connecting the call in 3…2…meow!”
“Xiulan,” the elder’s voice greeted. “I heard that you just visited your father at the company. Are you available right now? I want to meet up. I have something that I know will interest you.”
