Chapter 1330: Gradual Probing
Xiujuan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, then smoothed out again. As her back was turned to Ah Mei at that moment, Ah Mei didn't notice this subtle change.
"Auntie, I'm done washing up."
Ah Mei dried her hands with a towel, then hurried to Xiujuan's side and said with a timid expression.
Xiujuan nodded, saying nothing, then casually started walking. Seeing this, Ah Mei quickly followed.
Xiujuan walked ahead, and Ah Mei followed closely behind her, head bowed and silent, like a servant. Neither of them broke the silence. Ah Mei's cowering demeanor suggested she dared not speak. As for why Xiujuan remained silent, she naturally had her own reasons.
There was a pavilion in the back garden, and a few minutes later, the two entered it one after the other. Xiujuan sat down casually, but Ah Mei dared not. She stood properly and respectfully in front of Xiujuan, not daring to breathe, as if thoroughly intimidated by Xiujuan.
The silence between them was broken as Xiujuan sat down.
"You should sit down too. Standing before me like a servant, if anyone else saw it, they'd most likely think I was torturing or abusing you. I'd rather not be misunderstood like that."
Although Ah Mei was Xiaokang's beloved, she was not yet someone Xiujuan felt close to. So, whenever Xiujuan faced Ah Mei, her tone of voice, just like with other non-intimate acquaintances, carried an icy chill. However, this time was different. Though Xiujuan's tone remained cold, it was much gentler than usual.
This change didn't stem from a shift in Ah Mei's image in Xiujuan's heart, elevating her to the ranks of intimate acquaintances. Rather, Xiujuan had deliberately altered her tone, making sure to be as un-icy as possible when speaking to Ah Mei at this moment.
Ah Mei naturally noticed the subtle change in Xiujuan's tone. A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes, immediately followed by an expression of flattered surprise. She hesitated, wondering whether to sit down as Xiujuan instructed.
"What are you hesitating for? Or rather, what are you wary of?"
Xiujuan asked coldly, her deliberately softened tone instantly reverting to its icy chill.
Anyone listening to Xiujuan's words would detect her discomfort, and Ah Mei was no exception. So, Ah Mei seemed to dare not hesitate any longer, quickly sitting down beside Xiujuan, her posture upright and her demeanor constrained.
"Relax a little. I'm just bored, so I wanted to chat with you. I'm not going to eat you, so there's no need to be so nervous."
As Xiujuan spoke, her tone regained a touch of warmth, though her words seemed to have no substantial effect; Ah Mei did not relax because of them.
"What do you think of Xiaokang's personality?"
Xiujuan posed her first question to Ah Mei. Without a moment's thought, Ah Mei gently nodded, then replied.
"Very good."
Ah Mei's response was just two short words. After these two words left her lips, she offered nothing further, as if she dared not speak too much in front of Xiujuan.
"What do you think of Xiaokang's feelings for you?"
Xiujuan's expression remained unchanged as she immediately asked another question. But neither this question nor the previous one carried any impact, seeming like two utterly pointless, idiotic questions.
"Very good."
Ah Mei's answer was still brief, and identical to the last, even her timid, submissive tone utterly unchanged.
For the remainder of their time, it was less a conversation and more an unequal question-and-answer session. Xiujuan asked, Ah Mei answered; one asked directly, the other responded concisely; one's tone was icy, the other's timid.
Such a conversation would give anyone a headache, feeling unbearable, because it resembled nothing so much as an interrogation of a criminal.
Xiujuan successively posed many questions to Ah Mei. To these questions, Ah Mei answered fluently, and every response was simple and concise, not a single superfluous word spoken. Consequently, Xiujuan gained not the slightest insight from Ah Mei's replies, which was consistent with previous encounters.
"Continuing to ask like this won't yield any results. It's impossible to get the information I want from her. It seems I'll have to use my trump card!"
Xiujuan thought to herself, then made a decision. She decided to use her trump card to test Ah Mei. If Ah Mei could successfully pass this test, it would mean there was no major issue with her identity.
Conversely, if Ah Mei couldn't pass this test, then Ah Mei's problems would be significant!
"Today I went to your home. I saw your old house, and I also paid a visit to your neighbors."
Xiujuan spoke. Ah Mei's face instantly changed, revealing undisguised panic and worry. Xiujuan observed Ah Mei's reaction, her brow furrowing slightly, then smoothing out.
"Auntie, my home is too dilapidated; I'm ashamed you saw it. To be honest, I've always felt that I'm completely unworthy of Xiaokang. He is so outstanding, and I am so ordinary. Whether it's my personal background or my family, there's a world of difference between me and Xiaokang. I understand what you mean, Auntie, and I understand your actions. After all, Xiaokang and I are not well-matched in social status, and it's inevitable that you, as Xiaokang's mother, would have objections."
Here, Ah Mei paused, but Xiujuan showed no inclination to interject.
Since Xiujuan had met Ah Mei, she had never heard Ah Mei speak so much. In fact, every single word Ah Mei had said to her combined couldn't match the word count of this current speech. The reason she didn't interrupt, letting Ah Mei continue, was to gather more information. After all, sometimes the more one says, the more mistakes one makes, and the greater the possibility of obtaining useful information. She certainly wouldn't interrupt or forcibly cut Ah Mei off.
Seeing that Xiujuan had no intention of responding, Ah Mei continued.
"Although I understand your actions, Auntie, and your concerns, I beg you, Auntie, please don't separate me and Xiaokang, because now I can't live without Xiaokang. If Xiaokang were gone from my life, I would lose the courage to live, lose the hope to live. He is my sole spiritual pillar for living."
Though Ah Mei's voice was soft, her tone was resolute. Coupled with her pitiful appearance, it was truly heartbreaking to witness, though not for Xiujuan.
"You don't need to worry, nor do you need to misunderstand me, because I have no intention of separating you two young lovers. Since you've known me, when have you ever heard me say I wouldn't let you be with Xiaokang?"
Xiujuan countered. Although her words were as cold as ever, Ah Mei's face lit up with pleasant surprise after hearing Xiujuan's words. Her formerly pitiable expression became radiant, as vibrant and pleasing to the eye as a flower blooming under the warm spring sun.
"Thank you, Auntie, truly thank you for your support. I promise I won't disappoint you."
Ah Mei said, her voice and expression clearly showing her inner happiness and excitement.
Xiujuan observed Ah Mei's emotional shift. Her own expression remained unchanged by Ah Mei's emotions. With a cold face, she continued speaking.
"Your home is indeed very poor and dilapidated, but I don't mind that at all. The so-called home Xiaokang and I once had was even less affluent than yours. I came from that kind of situation, so I won't discriminate against people who are in that state."
Here, Xiujuan paused, wanting to see how Ah Mei would respond. But to her disappointment, Ah Mei didn't pick up the conversation, her face still showing her excitement and happiness from before, as if she hadn't yet emerged from her inner joy.
Seeing this, Xiujuan's expression remained impassive, and she continued.
"Through my inquiries, I found that your neighbors have a rather good impression of you. Furthermore, they are quite sympathetic to your circumstances."
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