Chapter 80 The Appearance of a Possessive Maniac

“Have you figured out how to tell your dad?”

“I have. Whether he agrees or not, I’m definitely keeping this child,” said Xie Zining. The only thing she wanted to confirm was whether the baby in her belly was a boy.

As long as it was a son, she believed He Tao would stand firmly on her side.

Ruan Yaoyao silently watched the “changes” above Xie Zining’s head and thought: 【That was fast—she’s already made a move on He Tao!】

Yu Xiangqiao’s ears immediately perked up: Made a move? What move?

Wait—Mom, keep going!

But Ruan Yaoyao’s attention had already been drawn to the cluster of roses in the garden outside the floor-to-ceiling window—more precisely, to the young gardener behind them.

He wore a simple white work uniform, the hem fluttering gently in the breeze, giving him both a professional and carefree air.

His hands were long and strong, his fingertips carrying the faint scent of soil as he carefully plucked one delicate, blooming rose after another.

His movements were gentle and practiced, as if he were caressing a lover’s face—full of affection and respect.

Handsome men were always pleasing to the eye, weren’t they?

But Ruan Yaoyao staring at him like that definitely wasn’t just because he was good-looking. No matter how much she liked handsome men, she wouldn’t be so rude as to ignore her guests and stare at someone nonstop.

【Ahhh—so this is the obsessive male lead! So handsome!】

【After reading so many novels, I’m finally seeing a real-life obsessive character!】

【He’s way too handsome!】

【How can he be this handsome?】

【I wonder which story he’s from—what kind of plot does he have?】

【I want to read it!】

Yu Xiangqiao’s eyes widened: Obsessive maniac?!

She swallowed instinctively, even thinking I want to see too, but quickly snapped back to reality.

—Wait a second!

—This is our house!

—If there’s an obsessive maniac in our home, then the person he’s obsessed with is…

She glanced at her young mother-in-law, then at the heavily pregnant Xie Zining. She really didn’t want to consider herself.

But there were only three of them here. Even using elimination, her chances were still… pretty high.

Watching other people’s drama was entertaining—but when the drama landed on your own head…

—that wasn’t entertainment, that was a tragedy!

A cold sweat broke out on Yu Xiangqiao’s back.

Then she heard Ruan Yaoyao call the housekeeper over, asking for the gardener’s name, which company he was from, and how long he’d been working there.

“His name is Du Huaqing. He hasn’t been here long—just a few days…” The housekeeper carefully observed Ruan Yaoyao’s expression before continuing, “Is there something unsuitable about him? Although he’s new, I’ve been watching him these past few days. He’s quite meticulous in his work, doesn’t talk much, and doesn’t wander around…”

After years on the job, the housekeeper knew well: wealthy people could tolerate a lack of skill and give you time to improve, but they would never tolerate loose lips, nosiness, or wandering around uninvited.

No rich person liked others prying into their privacy.

He said all this to gauge Ruan Yaoyao’s intentions—if there was a problem, he could fix it; if not, he could remain cautious.

“Is that so? No wonder his pruning looks so skilled. Later, have him pick some nice ones and bring them over—I want to take them with me when I leave.”

“Understood, Madam.”

The housekeeper let out a quiet sigh of relief. No one wanted to play the villain if there was no issue.

With Ruan Yaoyao’s instructions, he went to find Du Huaqing.

Yu Xiangqiao edged closer to Ruan Yaoyao and whispered, “Mom, I just remembered something at home. Maybe… I should head back first?”

Obsessive maniac or not, she’d rather not meet him—she was afraid she might die of fright.

Ruan Yaoyao looked puzzled. “What could you possibly have to do? Didn’t you leave milk for Lingxuan?”

She just didn’t want to see that obsessive maniac, okay?!

“I did… but I miss my daughter.”

“Alright then, go ahead.”

Ruan Yaoyao didn’t mind—she was here to watch someone else’s drama, not her own.

She even asked Yu Xiangqiao to send Xie Zining out.

With a suggestive smile, Xie Zining waited until they were outside before whispering, “Your mom didn’t just take a liking to that pretty boy, did she?”

Yu Xiangqiao’s eyes widened. “How could you think that?!”

That was an obsessive maniac! Someone mentally unstable! Of all people, her mom wouldn’t fall for him!

“Isn’t it obvious? That pretty boy looks really good. Even from that distance, you can tell he’s well-built—around 1.8 meters, broad shoulders, narrow waist…”

“You’ve misunderstood. That’s not what my mom meant.”

“You’re not your mom—how would you know?”

Because I can hear her thoughts! Yu Xiangqiao screamed internally.

But Xie Zining misunderstood and said with clear disdain, “Don’t tell me you’re still that old-fashioned—expecting your mom to stay loyal to that dead man forever? She’s not even fifty yet, still so young. Why should she stay tied to him? If he had treated her well, that’d be one thing. But he didn’t, did he? Otherwise, your husband wouldn’t have such a grown illegitimate child. I heard your mom didn’t even know about your husband when she married into the family—that’s basically marriage fraud, you know? You’re a woman too. You should think about your mom, not stand on your husband’s side. No matter how good your husband is to you, his existence once hurt your mom. His very existence is a kind of harm. And now he’s living so well, inheriting the Xu Group…”

Yu Xiangqiao couldn’t deny it—her father-in-law had indeed had some “marriage fraud” tendencies back then. Even her husband had complained about it.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so humble, always feeling guilty toward her mother.

But this had nothing to do with her mom’s feelings toward that obsessive maniac!

Just as Yu Xiangqiao was about to explain, the car arrived. With a quick “think about it carefully,” Xie Zining got in and left.

Yu Xiangqiao: “…”

Hopefully no rumors would spread about them “mistreating” their mother-in-law and forbidding her from finding love again…

She glanced back at the villa, then at the gate, gritted her teeth, called over two bodyguards, and turned back.

Ruan Yaoyao was sipping coffee. Hearing movement, she turned her head and saw Yu Xiangqiao return—with two burly men behind her.

“Forget something?”

“The issue at home is settled. I thought about it and decided I should stay with you, Mom.”

Ruan Yaoyao was confused. What was going on?

“No rush anymore?”

“No rush.”

Yu Xiangqiao sat beside her, signaling the bodyguards to stand farther away, as if she had something private to say.

Ruan Yaoyao thought: 【Is she afraid I’ll hit her?】

Yu Xiangqiao: ?

【Otherwise, why not send the bodyguards away completely? And acting like she’s about to say something that’ll ‘offend’ me…】

【What could it be?】

【Nothing much has happened lately…】

Yu Xiangqiao’s lips twitched. In a low voice, she said, “Mom, do you know what Xie Zining just said to me?”

“What did she say?”

“She asked if you’ve taken a liking to that pretty boy outside.”

Ruan Yaoyao looked shocked.

【Who did I take a liking to?!】

【That pretty boy?!】

She turned to look out the window again. The young man with the glowing words above his head was still there. Who knew what the housekeeper had told him—he was working even more energetically now.

【Those shoulders, that waistline, those legs…】

Ruan Yaoyao had reason to suspect he was using a “honey trap” on her—otherwise, how could she be hearing something this outrageous?