Su Muqiu's expression tightened, and she quickly shook her head: "That's not true! Mom, don't overthink it, how could I possibly like him? I just..."
"Just couldn't struggle free for a moment."
She said, her face flushing again.
It was absolutely impossible that after just half a day together, Su Muqiu had fallen head over heels in love with Xiao Zhan at first sight. That would not match Su Muqiu's personality or her current circumstances.
Over the past few years, Su Jiancheng had become disabled and paralyzed, Su Xiaomeng was still young, Liu Hongxiu had retired early to take care of those two generations, and the family's living expenses all depended on Su Muqiu alone.
As a woman, the burden on her shoulders was very heavy!
Now, kicked out of Su Group and losing her job, facing severe threats to her livelihood, how could she possibly have the extra mindset to fall in love under these circumstances?
Moreover, the sudden pregnancy five years ago had indeed caused her tremendous psychological trauma. She had long lost her yearning for love and men, only retaining her aversion.
"Really?"
Liu Hongxiu frowned, somewhat incredulous.
"Of course it's true."
Su Muqiu's tone was firm: "Mom, when have I ever lied to you? For five years, I've been investigating how I got pregnant. Until I uncover the truth behind it and find Xiaomeng's biological father, I won't get over this hurdle in my heart."
"Until then, I absolutely won't accept advances from any other man!"
"As for Xiao Zhan..."
Su Muqiu glanced towards the door and sighed, "Mom, you saw it too. Although he's committed crimes and been to jail, resorting to violence at the drop of a hat, but each time he fought, it was to protect me and Xiaomeng, to protect our family."
"He's been really good to Xiaomeng, and Xiaomeng is willing to get close to him. As long as Xiaomeng is happy, let him stay with our family for now. He just got out of jail and has no home to return to, so he's quite pitiful too."
Xiao Zhan's impression on little Su Xiaomeng exceeded everyone's expectations.
Even Su Muqiu had to admit that compared to other men, she didn't feel as strong of an aversion towards Xiao Zhan. It was a very strange feeling, like when Xiao Zhan held her hand earlier, her instinct was to struggle free, but after failing to do so, her flushed face and racing heart didn't contain any disgust.
However, she definitely didn't dare tell any of this to Liu Hongxiu.
"I see."
Liu Hongxiu thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Those clothes, plus that car, add up to over 700,000 RMB! How could an ex-con rapist like him have so much money?"
"Did you ask?
Where did his money come from?"
Su Muqiu shook her head: "He didn't say, and I didn't ask. After all, we're not truly husband and wife. With no emotional foundation and no registered marriage certificate, it's his business where he got the money, I shouldn't pry."
"But..."
Liu Hongxiu worriedly said, "What if that money came through illegal means? He dared to commit rape, so he'd dare to rob too. If the money was stolen, wouldn't it implicate our whole family if investigated later?"
"This..."
Su Muqiu was rendered speechless.
"No way!"
Liu Hongxiu gritted her teeth and said, "If you want him to stay with our family, fine, but first, we must get to the bottom of his background. He was brought here by Su Wenchao from prison. Who knows if they conspired together, deliberately having him beat up Su Wenchao in front of us as an act to trick us?"
"If that's really the case, who knows what nasty schemes he has brewing inside!"
The more she spoke, the more worried she became.
Liu Hongxiu picked up a kitchen knife and huffed, "Go call him over. I want to talk to him alone. If he dares to have ulterior motives or ideas about harming you and Xiaomeng, I... I'll fight him to the death!"
The more outstanding Xiao Zhan's behavior was, the more suspicious and worried Liu Hongxiu became. She couldn't eliminate these doubts, so Xiao Zhan was like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment in her eyes.
Keeping Xiao Zhan in their home was too dangerous!
Su Muqiu couldn't win against Liu Hongxiu, so she had no choice but to leave the kitchen to call Xiao Zhan. But when she reached the living room, she saw an unexpected scene that left her dumbfounded.
In the living room.
Su Jiancheng sat in his wheelchair while Xiao Zhan squatted before him, actually helping to massage his legs and wash his feet.
"Dad!"
Su Muqiu strode over in astonishment and exclaimed, "What are you two doing?"
"Just washing Dad's feet and massaging his legs."
Xiao Zhan glanced back at Su Muqiu and smiled, "Dad's legs aren't well, soaking them in hot water and massaging them regularly should help."
"Yes, yes, soaking feet."
Su Jiancheng nodded in agreement. He had deliberately reminded Xiao Zhan earlier not to mention the treatment to Su Muqiu and Liu Hongxiu. The reason was simple - he didn't harbor much hope himself and didn't want Su Muqiu and Liu Hongxiu to be disappointed along with him.
Su Muqiu rolled her eyes.
Massage legs? Wash feet?
Why do I feel like you're deliberately sucking up to my dad?
Originally, Su Muqiu hadn't taken Liu Hongxiu's words to heart. But now, she suddenly felt Liu Hongxiu's concerns weren't unreasonable.
Figuring out their preferences!
Earlier, Xiao Zhan had beaten up the bad guys for little Su Xiaomeng, making her warm up to him more and more. This afternoon at the mall, he bought Su Muqiu clothes and a car, getting her to lower her initial wariness and aversion towards him, and took the chance to hold Su Muqiu's hand.
Now, upon learning Su Jiancheng's legs were not well, he enthusiastically offered his services, rushing to wash Su Jiancheng's feet and massage his legs as soon as he got back!
Wasn't this figuring out their preferences? Was he planning to take them out one by one?
Would Liu Hongxiu be next???
There was no causeless hate or causeless love in this world. Xiao Zhan's behavior was truly too abnormal, completely unlike a new son-in-law who had just married into the Su family, much less a low-key, hidden tycoon!
When things went against the norm, there must be a monster at play!
Even Su Muqiu could no longer believe that Xiao Zhan didn't have ulterior motives.
"Mom is looking for you."
Su Muqiu buried these suspicions deep down and grew more vigilant towards Xiao Zhan. She beckoned, "She wants to talk to you alone."
"Alright."
Xiao Zhan nodded, "Give me ten minutes, I'll be done in ten minutes."
"You go first."
Su Muqiu said, "I'll wash Dad's feet and massage them."
"No, that won't do."
Xiao Zhan shook his head: "I learned massage professionally before, so I have to personally massage Dad's legs. And for the next half month, I'll need to massage them for half an hour every night."
Su Muqiu's mouth twitched as she resisted the urge to roll her eyes again. She couldn't help thinking, aren't you going overboard? Even if you want to suck up, you can't be so blatant. I'm his biological daughter, okay?
You're even competing with me to wash feet and give massages?
Shameless!
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Su Jiancheng gave a light cough and said with a smile, "Muqiu, just let Xiao Zhan massage me. He means well, and he's quite skilled... the massage feels rather comfortable..."
Upon hearing this, Su Muqiu almost rolled her eyes to the heavens.
Comfortable???
This is my dad! In less than half an hour, you've fallen for him just like Xiaomeng? Been captured by him? Your legs have been disabled for years and lost sensation long ago, how could you possibly still feel comfortable?
Do you think I'm a three-year-old kid? You're obviously lying!
Su Jiancheng also realized he had misspoken and grew embarrassed.
However, Xiao Zhan wasn't lying. The massage he gave Su Jiancheng wasn't an ordinary one, but involved subtly transferring strands of inner energy into Su Jiancheng's legs while massaging, using the inner energy to then treat Su Jiancheng's injured legs.
Not even a professional masseuse could replace this!