Opening major platforms, the trending searches were all about her and Ling Yuchen.
They were all rushing to publish Ling Yuchen's announcement of his girlfriend.
There were both good and bad comments, and a portion of out-of-control keyboard warriors were jumping around, commenting with vulgarity without any bottom line.
Xia Wantang simply uninstalled all social media apps, out of sight, out of mind.
"Wantang, time to eat, what are you doing in your room?" Qiao Xinyue knocked on the door and called out.
She had already freshened up, wearing her hair in a high ponytail, a crop top that revealed a sliver of her waist, her good figure clearly displayed.
Under her denim shorts, her long, fair legs were youthful and beautiful, yet also carried a hint of playful sexiness.
Xia Wantang cleared her throat and replied, "I'll be down soon."
She washed her face, rubbed her swollen eyes, and Xia Wantang frowned slightly.
Going downstairs like this would surely be noticed by Ouma and the others, who would see the signs of her crying.
She was afraid they would ask.
Afraid they would worry.
She applied a hot towel and lingered for over ten minutes before going downstairs.
Ouma and Qiao Xinyue were already sitting at the dining table, with three steaming bowls of noodles and several small dishes.
There were appetizing pickled radish and a dish of chili sauce.
Xia Wantang smiled nonchalantly and sat down next to Qiao Xinyue.
Ouma was still enthusiastic, "These side dishes are all homemade, I don't know if they suit your taste.
I didn't put chili in the noodles, there's chili sauce here, you can add it yourself."
"Thank you, Ouma."
Xia Wantang expressed her gratitude and then quickly lowered her head, afraid her red, swollen eyes would be seen.
Fortunately, neither Ouma nor Qiao Xinyue paid much attention to her.
Xia Wantang ate slowly and meticulously, her movements extremely elegant, making almost no sound.
This was all thanks to Xia Linfeng and Han Wenjuan.
It wasn't that they were kind enough to teach her, but rather that they had always been critical of her since childhood, finding fault with everything.
As long as there was the slightest mistake, she would be met with endless scolding, and then she wouldn't get to eat.
Later, she developed a habit of being cautious, whether eating or doing anything else, she would subconsciously observe others' reactions.
And she herself became more careful in her actions and always thought twice before speaking.
Ouma and Qiao Xinyue had lived in the Ling family for many years, so they had also developed good table manners.
The breakfast was eaten quietly, without any unusual sounds.
Ouma kept observing Xia Wantang and found that she really liked the pickled radish.
She ate little of the pickled cabbage and barely touched the chili sauce.
So, she secretly noted down her preferences.
Likes pickled radish, doesn't eat spicy food in the morning.
But her usual taste is heavier, possibly afraid of getting an upset stomach, or perhaps she prefers a lighter meal in the morning.
So, she thought about making some grass jelly tofu later; there was grass jelly bought from the kitchen.
This is cool and helps to reduce internal heat.
Young people like to drink milk tea, she'd look up how to make milk tea later.
Xia Wantang silently ate her noodles, her sensitivity allowing her to constantly feel Ouma's gaze.
She was afraid her red eyes had been discovered.
Although the food was tasteless, Xia Wantang still ate all the noodles clean.
"I'm finished, thank you Ouma," she put down her chopsticks, looked at Ouma, then lowered her head and gently wiped her mouth.
"Good, good," Ouma replied, and quickly poured her a glass of water.
She also reminded her, "Your medicine is on the coffee table, Young Master asked me to remind you to take it."
Xia Wantang silently took the teacup, but her heart gradually warmed.
He always remembered these small things. If Ouma hadn't reminded her, she really would have forgotten again.
Holding the teacup, Xia Wantang walked directly to the living room.
"Mom, pour me a glass of water too," Qiao Xinyue said, putting down her chopsticks after finishing.
Ouma said sternly, "Don't you have hands? You can pour it yourself."
Though she said that, her actions were quick. She poured a glass of cool boiled water and handed it over.
"Take the young madam out for some fresh air. It's hot, so avoid places like the equestrian club or the golf course."
"Isn't it because you're nearby that you're asking me to pour it?" Qiao Xinyue took it, took a sip, and replied, "Got it. Clearly, I'm your biological daughter, and you don't care about me this much."
"If you had found a boyfriend early on, I would definitely care about you every day." Ouma rolled her eyes at her, a look of disdain in her eyes.
The usual nagging about marriage.
Qiao Xinyue was already used to it.
Before going to college, she was constantly urged not to date.
After going to college, she wished she would immediately bring a man home to get married.
Gulping down half a cup of water, Qiao Xinyue quickly got away from Ouma as if escaping.
Ouma let out a cold hmph and took the dishes and bowls into the kitchen.
After taking her medicine and drinking a glass of water.
Xia Wantang stared blankly out the window, lost in thought.
Outside the window, the lush green was full of vitality, but her heart was a mess of grayness, as if the pain had already numbed her.
"Sister Wantang, want to go to the ski resort?" Qiao Xinyue leaned in and suggested.
Xia Wantang had no mood to go out and play right now; her chest felt stuffy and painful.
Facing the smiling Qiao Xinyue, she smiled as if nothing was wrong.
"I don't really feel like going, I just want to slack off at home today."
Qiao Xinyue couldn't see anything wrong, so she said, "Alright then."
Slumped on the sofa, bored, she took out her phone and clicked on a video.
Soft music accompanied the cold, clear voice of a man.
"She is my girlfriend, I love her very much, and we will be registering our marriage in two days. I hope everyone will not spread rumors, thank you."
"Ahhhh, this is too sweet!" Qiao Xinyue shrieked and thrust the phone in front of Xia Wantang.
The moment this voice sounded, Xia Wantang froze, because it was Ling Yuchen's voice.
The video was short, played repeatedly.
Xia Wantang's eyes slowly turned red.
If only they could live like this forever, wouldn't that be wonderful?
But she dared not fantasize too much; she would never dare to hope for what she shouldn't have in this lifetime.
Seeing her cry, Qiao Xinyue thought she was moved and quickly handed her a tissue to wipe her tears.
"Sister Wantang, you are too fortunate, I'm so envious! I want a sweet romance too."
Xia Wantang took the tissue and randomly wiped away her tears, her heart filled with bitterness and happiness.
Qiao Xinyue then realized that she wasn't crying out of emotion, but seemed genuinely sad.
"What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood? Is there anything you want to talk about?"
Looking at her sincere face, Xia Wantang wanted to confide in her, but a thousand words left her speechless.
"Oh dear, Wantang, why are you crying?" Ouma hurried over, looking directly at Qiao Xinyue, "What's going on? Why is Wantang crying?"
Qiao Xinyue was even more anxious than her, her face a picture of distress, "I don't know either. I just showed her a video, and she became like this."
She handed the phone to Ouma, who watched it once and found nothing unusual.
Seeing their worried and anxious expressions, Xia Wantang felt very embarrassed, but her emotions overwhelmed her and she couldn't control them.