Chapter 21 - The Speculations
“If I may ask, Mr. Fu… is this going to be your second marriage? Because you already have a son, unless…” Liang Mulan felt that she had to ask that difficult question for the sake of her daughter’s happiness.
Fu Huai’an looked up, the calmness in his expression not changing one bit. He replied, “Since you are Lin Nuan’s mother, and I am marrying Lin Nuan, I should tell you the honest truth about the child. Tuan Tuan was a child who my friend asked me to take care of—before he passed away.
It took Lin Nuan by surprise.
Fu Huai’an didn’t say any more than he needed. Lin Nan guessed that Fu Huai’an didn’t want the child to think he was an orphan, so he took up the role of his father.
Liang Mulan was also visibly shocked. Ever since Fu Huai’an had brought back a child, there were so many outside speculations…
Some had theorized that Fu Huai’an had gotten married then divorced overseas, and brought back a child!
The nastier rumors were that the child was born out of wedlock.
An old wound caused by the death of a friend was not one Liang Mulan should reopen. She apologized and contemplated whether Fu Huai’an’s words were truthful. But there was no way she could see through his unfathomable eyes.
It was the first time Fu Huai’an revealed Tuan Tuan’s background.
It was an open gesture to Liang Mulan to prove his sincerity to marry Lin Nuan.
“So are you aware of Nuan Nuan’s past?” Liang Mulan asked.
Liang Mulan meant Lin Nuan’s family background. She wanted to know if Fu Huai’an knew about Lin Nuan’s mentally disabled mother and whether he considered it to be an issue like the Gu Family did.
Four years ago, Lin Nuan’s life experienced a transformational change. Her real father visited her with Lin Ran out of the blue. After revealing the background of the two kids, he committed suicide by ingesting poison. Fu Huai’an knew all about it.
Fu Huai’an said, “Yes. I know everything about Lin Nuan’s background and her real parents. Everything…”
Liang Mulan gripped the teacup tightly in her hand. She looked into Fu Huai’an’s deep eyes and said, ” Nuan Nuan even told you about this.”
Fu Huai’an couldn’t deny it. Lin Nuan, however, felt uneasy since she had never lied to Liang Mulan even as a kid. Suddenly she had no choice but to play along.
That afternoon, Liang Mulan discussed some trivial matters with Fu Huai’an. Fu Huai’an was an eloquent conversationalist and he composed himself well. Furthermore, he didn’t mind Lin Nuan’s background.
Besides the fact that he had a child, he seemed flawless to Fu Huai’an—she even developed a certain fondness and appreciation towards him.
She just found it hasty of them to collect the marriage certificate the very next day. However it was Lin Nuan’s choice of husband, and Liang Mulan had no right to prevent them from doing so.
After sending off Fu Huai’an, Lin Nan left the Lins after retrieving her identity card.
She felt a sense of relief as she sat inside the cab, watching the picturesque scenery outside through the window.
Upon collecting the marriage certificate, she thought Liang Mulan would have nothing to say if she used the marriage as the reason to remove herself from the identity card…
If she still kept her ties with the Lins it would be unfair to Lin Ran…
But how could she abandon the true bond she had with the Lin parents and brother just like that?
…
That evening, Lin Nuan took a shower once she reached home. Once she came out, she saw a few missed calls on her phone.
Lin Nuan returned the calls as soon as she realized it was her landlord’s number.
The landlord called to negotiate with her on the rising rent—right after Lin Nuan had just paid the next installment.
Lin Nuan’s landlord was a lady from the south. Her voice was soothing and pleasant, yet there was a non-negotiable edge to her words.
Lin Nuan paused for a while. Her eyes fell on the identity card under her table lamp.