Chapter 9: She Is the True Mistress Here!

After Xia Xia’s mother got married, she only then realized that Xia Rui had always loved and wanted to marry his first love, Tan Li. However, Madam Xia disapproved of Tan Li because of her humble background and refused to accept her into the family. Even after Xia Xia’s mother married Xia Rui, he never severed ties with Tan Li; in fact, he spent more time with her than with his wife. Despite knowing that Xia Rui was keeping a mistress, Madam Xia tacitly allowed it.

If the Xia family hadn’t treated Xia Xia’s mother with such disdain, Tan Li wouldn’t have acted so recklessly. She even came to provoke Xia Xia’s mother when she was over eight months pregnant, causing her to go into premature labor that very day.

Xia Rusheng had heard from Xia Rui that Xia Xia’s mother went into labor on the way to the hospital and, due to complications and severe postpartum hemorrhaging, died en route. By piecing together the diary entries, she had a clear understanding of the whole tragic sequence.

No wonder Xia Xia hated her father so deeply—Xia Rui was one of the executioners who caused her mother’s death.

“Xia Xia, don’t worry. I will avenge my grievances, and I will help you avenge yours,” Xia Rusheng vowed silently as she closed the diary and hid it away in a more secure place.

In the following days, Xia Rusheng behaved as usual. She couldn’t feel the depth of hatred that Xia Xia harbored, so she managed to conceal her emotions well. Although Chen Ma didn’t know what was written in the diary, she still helped keep it a secret. Except for Xia Rusheng herself, no one in the Xia household knew about the sordid past that had unfolded within their family.

As the New Year approached, the Xia household grew lively and bustling. Xia Rui busied himself taking Tan Li to various New Year banquets; Madam Xia flitted about, visiting friends and exchanging pleasantries; even Xia Yu was preoccupied with buying new clothes and jewelry for the celebrations. Among them all, Xia Rusheng appeared the most at ease.

On the twenty-fifth day of the lunar month, taking advantage of everyone’s absence, Xia Rusheng quietly went to the cemetery in City A, where both her mother’s and her own graves lay. After her “death,” Su Jing had arranged for her to be buried alongside her mother, sharing a tomb that originally had a second spot reserved for Su Jing himself.

Bundled tightly against the cold wind, Xia Rusheng stood before the graves and noticed a fresh bouquet of chrysanthemums and a tombstone that looked remarkably clean—far different from the others, as if it were tended to regularly, never marred by a speck of dirt.

Just then, a cemetery worker passed by, and Xia Rusheng couldn’t help but ask, “Is this grave cleaned every day?”

The man, an elderly fellow in his sixties responsible for maintaining the cemetery, assumed she was a friend or relative of the deceased. “By regulation, we clean once a week, but this grave is different. A gentleman pays us to polish the tombstone daily and to place fresh flowers here every day.”

“Gentleman?” The first name that sprang to Xia Rusheng’s mind was Su Jing, but she dismissed the thought. Su Jing hated her and her mother; it was impossible he cared so tenderly for this grave.

“Yes, a very young gentleman. He often comes here and stands for hours without speaking. It’s quite odd.”

Xia Rusheng found herself even more puzzled. Despite her tarnished reputation, someone still cared enough to remember her.

After paying respects to her mother, a strange sense of comfort settled over her—perhaps because she realized she was not truly alone in this world.

When she returned home, Madam Xia and Xia Rui had already come back. Xia Rui spoke about the New Year’s plans. Last year, the family had been too distracted by her situation to celebrate properly, but this year, no matter what, they would enjoy a grand celebration. He planned a New Year’s Eve banquet at their vacation villa, inviting relatives and friends for a joyous reunion. It would also be an opportunity for everyone to get to know Xia Rusheng again. After New Year’s Eve, they would spend the holiday at the resort.

On New Year’s Eve, Xia Rusheng finally encountered the Tan family, who had taken over Xia Xia’s property.

“Oh, so this is the Xia Xia who had plastic surgery—getting more beautiful with each procedure,” said Tan Li’s mother, dressed in a black dress with an expensive fur coat draped over her shoulders. Her elegant and affluent appearance belied her humble origins as a small-town salon owner, but her words betrayed her lack of refinement, causing Xia Rui to frown slightly.

“And who might this be?” Xia Rusheng feigned ignorance.

“That’s my grandmother. This year, she’s coming with us to the resort for New Year’s,” Xia Yu chimed in proudly.

“Oh, so she’s your relative…” Xia Rusheng sneered disdainfully, making Tan Li’s mother visibly uncomfortable.

“Xia Xia, don’t be rude. This is your grandmother. Aren’t you going to call her that?” Xia Rui scolded sharply. With so many relatives present, Xia Rusheng’s words embarrassed him. No matter what, Tan Li’s mother was his elder, and if the mother-in-law was humiliated, Tan Li would surely cause trouble later.

“My grandmother passed away long ago,” Xia Rusheng replied coldly with a smirk before turning and walking away.

“That child… Mom, don’t stoop to her level,” Xia Rui comforted his mother-in-law, then, after a glance from Madam Xia, hurried after Xia Rusheng.

“Xia Xia, wait.”

Feeling sorrow for the real Xia Xia, Xia Rusheng ignored Xia Rui’s calls until she reached the garden’s edge. Xia Rui felt frustrated that his daughter was so obstinate and wanted to give up on her, but out of guilt and Madam Xia’s prompting, he followed her outside.

“Xia Xia, I know you don’t like this stepmother, but you must show at least basic respect to your elders.”

“Did she show me any respect just now? Dad, you can’t be so biased. Respect has to be earned. And though they live in my mother’s house, that doesn’t make them my family. Of course, if you insist on being so partial, I have nothing to say. I guess I should just get used to it,” Xia Rusheng replied with a cold laugh. Her proud, unyielding demeanor made Xia Rui feel she was drifting further away from him.

“Where are you going? Tonight is a family reunion. No tantrums allowed!” Xia Rui watched her leave anxiously, fearing she would storm off like before, not considering the Xia family her own.

Pausing, Xia Rusheng seemed to sense his worry, glanced back with a smirk, and said, “I’m just going out for some fresh air. Please tell Grandma that Xia Xia will return on time to offer the New Year’s wine.”

She wasn’t foolish enough to leave. If anyone was going to leave, it would be those others. This vacation villa was hers. She was the true mistress here.