Chapter 263: Chapter 242: Acting on Her Behalf

Wu Xiaowen took out a handkerchief and gently pressed the corner of her eye. "Xiao Fan, you’re still young. I hope you never have to go through what your uncle and I have. We’ve experienced all the joys and sorrows, partings and reunions life has to offer. Maybe your uncle’s days will get better, but as for your Aunt Wu... I’m the one who’s suffering."

"Aunt Wu, please don’t be upset. If you’re facing any difficulties, just tell me. I’m an adult now, I can surely help you in some way!"

"You’re a good boy, thank you. Just hearing you say that already makes me very happy and content!"

Wu Xiaowen sniffled and began to recount her story. After she married Tang Qingyun, she was never liked by Old Mrs. Tang. She and Tang Qingyun were sent to support a remote, rural area. There, in a country hospital, their eldest daughter was born, only to be accidentally switched with another baby. They only discovered the truth after the girls had grown up, and the two were forced to switch back. The daughter she had painstakingly raised to be so outstanding was simply given back to the other family, while her biological child was not only distant, but wouldn’t even call her "Mom" and had sworn to disown her parents. "The Tang family elders are old and muddled," she complained. "Instead of disciplining the girl, they blame me, the mother, for the swap and say I should be punished! That’s why I’m in this situation now, unable to return to Beijing. Even Tang Qingyun has been exiled to some poor, remote mountain valley! Our son, Hao Hao, got into Beijing University and left without a backward glance. His grandparents encouraged him, and now he shows no concern for his parents at all..."

Wu Xiaowen wiped her tears and said, "I’m all alone now, isolated and abandoned by the Tang family. If no one helps me, I’ll just be left to grow old and die in this place!"

Bai Junfan was stunned silent for a full minute before he came to his senses. "Aunt Wu, are you saying that your eldest daughter, Tang Yaxuan, isn’t your biological child?"

Wu Xiaowen nodded. The Tang family was bound to make this public eventually anyway. "The girl I gave birth to was accidentally taken by a local rural couple and named Mo Xiaoman. Their daughter was left with me to raise, and that’s Tang Yaxuan. The Tang family is too domineering, completely unreasonable. They insisted on swapping back the daughter we had raised for over a decade. But then Mo Xiaoman refused to come to my side, so now I can’t keep either of my children close! My Xuanxuan has been forced to stay and suffer in the countryside. She sent a telegram just a few days ago saying she’d fallen seriously ill. That child has always been frail, and it’s a shame I don’t have time to go see her. Aigh, it breaks my heart. My poor baby!"

Bai Junfan was speechless.

He did his best to hide it, but the shock in his heart was difficult to quell. ’So they really were switched at birth? How could something like this happen in a family like the Tangs! And Aunt Wu is strange, too. From her tone, it sounds like she loves the misplaced Tang Family Girl more.’

His mind raced, and Bai Junfan finally sorted out his thoughts. ’The eldest granddaughter of the main branch, Tang Manman, whom my aunt mentioned, must be the Mo Xiaoman that Aunt Wu is talking about. For some reason, she’s been registered under the name of Tang Qingshan, the head of the main branch. As a direct-line granddaughter of the Tang family, she was left in the countryside to be raised in a village. No wonder she’s familiar with medicinal herbs and learned Chinese medicine. I guess you could call that a rare bit of fortune in her life!’

’The person I’m looking for is this Mo Xiaoman. As for Tang Yaxuan, even though she’s an imposter, since Aunt Wu is so fond of her, I can check in on her too while I’m at it.’

Another thought occurred to Bai Junfan. ’Tang Yaxuan is no longer a Tang Family Girl, so the eldest direct-line grandson of the Gu family can’t possibly marry an adopted daughter. That means Mo Xiaoman will take her place in that arranged marriage with the Gu family. Doesn’t this fit perfectly with that dream Yang Liu’er had—the one where I’m supposed to steal Gu Shaojun’s fiancée?’

He had to admit, the thought caused a small stir of excitement within him.

’That guy Gu Shaojun has been in the spotlight long enough!’

Bai Junfan stood up, picked up the thermos, and added some hot water to Wu Xiaowen’s teacup. "Aunt Wu, you don’t have to be sad. Your children are still young. When they grow up, they’ll be able to understand you and will naturally come back to your side."

Wu Xiaowen was very pleased with Bai Junfan’s thoughtfulness. She lifted her teacup, took a sip, and smiled. "It would be wonderful if my Hao Hao could be as sensible as you, Xiao Fan, when he’s grown up."

"He will be. Hao Hao is so outstanding, he’ll definitely be even better than me! Aunt Wu, so, about Xiao Man... did she go to Beijing too?"

"That child Xiao Man was raised by country folk and is used to running wild. She refused to go to Beijing. The two Tang elders spoil her rotten and said to let her have her way. They’ll probably let her finish high school in the countryside before coming to Beijing for university."

"I see. That’s good too. Which countryside area is she in? Is she with Uncle Tang?"

"No, she’s too stubborn. She won’t even come to my side, so why would she be willing to go with Qingyun? She’s just staying in the same old place!"

’The same old place? Where is that? Wancheng isn’t exactly small. It would take some time to track down a young girl. This Aunt Wu could obviously be clearer, but she’s deliberately being vague. Unbelievable!’

Without letting his thoughts show, Bai Junfan changed the subject. "Aunt Wu, you mentioned earlier that Xuanxuan is sick, and you’re worried because you don’t have time to visit her?"

Wu Xiaowen frowned and sighed. "Exactly. Even though Xuanxuan isn’t my biological daughter, I raised her myself from the time she was a baby. It’s impossible not to love her, and she relies on me, her mother, the most... She’s been so delicate and frail since she was little. It just breaks your heart!"

"I happen to have a few days off coming up, and it’s easy for me to drive. Why don’t I make a trip to the countryside on your behalf, Aunt Wu, and visit Xuanxuan?"

"Really? That would be wonderful!" Wu Xiaowen was delighted. Only then did she remember to ask about Bai Junfan’s situation in the army, and in the process, she also asked about Gu Shaojun. When she learned that Gu Shaojun had also returned from the front lines to the military region and had time off, Wu Xiaowen wondered to herself, ’I was only in Feng City for three days. If Gu Shaojun had leave, why didn’t he come to visit? Perhaps,’ she then thought, ’he’s found out about the two girls and is dissatisfied with Xuanxuan’s background now?’

She couldn’t help but purse her lips. ’Looks like he’s a snob, too! Was all that affection over the years fake?’

"Xiao Fan, then I’ll have to ask you to do this for me. Please go see Xuanxuan on my behalf!"

"No problem. Just tell me her address, Aunt Wu." Bai Junfan paused for a moment, then added, "Oh, right, Aunt Wu, is Xiao Man with Xuanxuan? I can check on Xiao Man at the same time, right?"

"They... aren’t together. One is at the village middle school, the other is at the county middle school. It’s not on the way. If you visit both of them, I’m afraid it will take up some of your time. Won’t that be too much trouble?"

"It’s no trouble at all! It’s not often I get to go out there. As their big brother, I should be looking out for my little sisters. Why would I be afraid of a little trouble?"

"Alright then. I’ll write down their addresses for you and prepare two packages for you to take to them."

"Aunt Wu, you’re busy with work. As for what to buy, I don’t really know what girls like. Why don’t you write me a list, and I’ll get everything ready? I guarantee it’ll be done quickly and well!"

Wu Xiaowen laughed. "Wouldn’t that mean I’m making you do everything? How could I impose like that?"

"It’s nothing! I’m on leave right now anyway, and I didn’t know where to go to kill some time. Just think of it as giving me an opportunity to pass the time, Aunt Wu!"

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