Chapter 80 – Custody

The days of anxiety had finally passed, and with no further movement from the Si family, Lin Xiaowen began to wonder if she had perhaps overestimated the gravity of the situation. Perhaps Si Nan had simply acted on a whim, a momentary lapse in judgment, and in truth, he would never truly care about a child of the Si family who had fallen into obscurity, whose very existence was unknown to all.

Xu Ningning had taken over all responsibility for caring for Ranran, even relieving Lin Xiaowen of her duties at the shop. With a sigh of relief, Lin Xiaowen forced herself to rally and prepared to pick Ranran up from kindergarten.

Just as she stepped out of the alley, she spotted a black car she had never seen before—its sleek form and luxurious aura made it clear at a glance that it was worth a small fortune. Lin Xiaowen’s hand tightened around the strap of her purse until her knuckles turned white, her heartbeat quickening. She wanted nothing more than to hurry past the car and leave.

A person’s sixth sense is often sharpest when danger lurks, and in this moment of heightened alert, every fiber of Lin Xiaowen’s being told her that the sudden appearance of such a dazzling vehicle in this shabby old neighborhood had something to do with her and with Ranran.

She kept her head down, quickening her pace to slip past, but just then she heard the heavy sound of the car door opening, followed by a man’s voice, deeper and more somber than the very door itself.

“Miss Lin, please wait.”

Xia Bin stepped out of the car, still wearing his signature gold-rimmed spectacles, his lifeless eyes watching Lin Xiaowen’s retreating figure with a faint detachment.

Lin Xiaowen froze, her white sneakers coming to a slow halt.

She closed her eyes for a moment. Oddly, her heartbeat calmed, no longer racing as before. When she turned, her gaze met Xia Bin’s.

“And you are…?”

She did not recognize Xia Bin; in fact, he had left no impression on her whatsoever—good or bad. For a fleeting second she wondered if he might have been sent by Cheng Yishu, but that thought was quickly dispelled as Xia Bin clarified his intent.

“Miss Lin, good afternoon. I am Xia Bin, special assistant to Si Nan, the general manager of Randong Group.”

While introducing himself, Xia Bin had watched Lin Xiaowen’s eyes closely and could confirm that she did not recognize him. Seeing that his probing met with no reaction from her, he pressed on of his own accord.

“President Si is occupied with work and cannot get away. From now on, I will be the one to liaise with you, Miss Lin, regarding the matter of the young Miss of the Si family.”

“Liaise?” Lin Xiaowen snapped out of her daze and let out a cold laugh. “Liaise over what? Ranran is not a commodity, and let me say this again—Ranran is my daughter. I will never allow any of you to take her from me.”

“Please go back and tell Si Nan, and that old man of the Si family as well… It was he who forbade me from having Ranran in the first place. He has no right now to claim her as the blood of the Si family.”

No matter how many times she had rehearsed this speech in her mind, facing someone sent directly to her door, Lin Xiaowen could not help but grow agitated, her voice trembling.

“That is precisely the case,” Xia Bin said, adjusting his glasses. “Over the past few days, I have conducted thorough research, including inquiries at the young Miss’s kindergarten. Based on DNA testing, it is confirmed that Si Ranran is indeed the biological child of the eldest son, Si Dong. Therefore, the Si family is within their rights to pursue legal channels to regain custody of the child.”

“You went to Ranran’s kindergarten? What else have you done?” Shocked, Lin Xiaowen stared at Xia Bin, the thought of “it’s possible” once again nearly overwhelming her.

“Miss Lin, you needn’t worry. We will not take any drastic actions or do anything to harm the young Miss before following the proper legal procedures and obtaining the rightful custody.”

Xia Bin sighed and continued, “From our investigation, it is clear that you have struggled to make ends meet while raising your child. You can only afford to rent such a humble place, and your work barely covers your daily expenses. What’s more, the young Miss is now of age to enroll in primary school, but it seems you have yet to make arrangements.”

“Who says so? I’ve been searching for the best possible school for Ranran,” Lin Xiaowen retorted immediately. “In fact, I’m about to enroll her in a preparatory class for school transition.”

“Miss Lin, you must realize that if the Si family sends their lawyers to negotiate, you will stand no chance of keeping your child, let alone receiving what you rightfully deserve.” There was a trace of sorrow beneath Xia Bin’s calm expression; his words came from the heart, meant as a warning.

“What do you mean?” Lin Xiaowen looked at him, her confusion tempering the anger that had been about to erupt.

“I’m saying that you can choose to let the Si family raise the young Miss. She will then have access to the best educational resources and an exceptional future. You, Miss Lin, would receive a generous compensation and be free to pursue your own happiness. Such a mutually beneficial outcome would be best for all parties.”

She chuckled, but the laughter never reached her eyes. “So, after all this, you’re still trying to buy my daughter from me. I admit my circumstances are far inferior to the Si family’s, but I raised Ranran single-handedly. Even if she is a child of the Si family, all these years, they have never contributed a thing, never once appeared before her. And now you want her grandfather and uncle to take her away? Isn’t that laughable? So, please, Mr. Xia, go back. Whether it’s you or anyone from the Si family, my answer will never change.”

Xia Bin sighed quietly, then silently reached into his jacket and produced a blank check, offering it to Lin Xiaowen with both hands before speaking again. “Please, Miss Lin, consider this carefully. Now that President Si has entrusted this matter to me, I am sure we can negotiate many details—compensation, and even future arrangements for your own life, if you wish…”

He was careful to avoid any wording that might provoke Lin Xiaowen’s sensitivity or anger, choosing his words with utmost tact.

But Lin Xiaowen showed no gratitude. She snatched the check, glanced at the seal, and, with deft hands, shredded it into tiny fragments.

With a flick of her wrist, the pieces scattered like a sudden fall of white snow.

“Mr. Xia, please leave. Even if this goes to court, my answer will remain the same. I will not let Ranran leave me. Our life may be humble, but she is truly happy. The Si family may be as wealthy as a nation, but the old master is a coldhearted, iron-blooded man who knows nothing of familial love.”

Lin Xiaowen paused, her expression unchanged, and continued, “I can tell, Mr. Xia, that you do have some sympathy for us. But I’m sorry, I cannot accept your offer. I believe the judge will take our circumstances into consideration and will not have the heart to separate a mother and her child.”