Chapter 3: The Offspring She Raised Has Gone Astray Again

Page 1/3

Jiang Liwu finished bathing and changed her clothes. Led by a servant, she headed to the dining hall for breakfast.

Upon arrival, she immediately sensed an uneasy atmosphere; the surrounding servants dared not breathe loudly.

“Come here,” Wei Xifeng commanded from the main seat, issuing orders like a king.

Qiao Yiran sat far away, as if separated by a river between them. Clutching her spoon tightly, though intimidated by Wei Xifeng’s authority, she stubbornly refused to move. “I’ll just eat here.”

Wei Xifeng’s expression turned icy, his gaze dark and heavy. “Don’t make me say it again. What right do you have to refuse me?”

Those few words instantly brought tears to Qiao Yiran’s eyes, a deep humiliation washing over her.

She truly had no right to refuse, no right to say no.

She was nothing more than a bankrupt heiress—her father imprisoned, her mother gravely ill, and her own spirit long broken. She could no longer be the proud red rose she once was; she had become just a pet, a little kitten, a small golden sparrow raised by Wei Xifeng.

Slowly rising, tears trembling on her lashes, she protested with a mix of grievance and defiance, “You’re the one who told me to leave, and you’re the one who told me to come.”

Wei Xifeng slammed down the cutlery with a heavy thud. “Are you talking back to me? You’d better recognize your place.”

At this, Qiao Yiran completely lost control, swaying like a fragile white flower trembling in the cold wind.

Seeing this, Jiang Liwu was somewhat surprised. The scene immediately reminded her of the twisted dynamics between Wei Xifeng’s parents—and Wei Xifeng was a perfect replica of his father!

The child she had raised had gone astray over the past twenty years.

No, she absolutely could not let Wei Xifeng become a second version of his father. Above all, the apocalypse must never come again.

“Xifeng, don’t threaten a girl,” Jiang Liwu said as she approached and gently patted Qiao Yiran’s shoulder.

Qiao Yiran looked puzzled, and Wei Xifeng reacted sharply, standing abruptly. The sudden movement knocked over some tableware, shattering it with a clatter.

Startled, Qiao Yiran thought her hesitation had provoked Wei Xifeng’s temper.

But Wei Xifeng’s full attention was fixed on Jiang Liwu. She was so real yet seemed so unreal. His pupils trembled, his gaze locked tightly on her without blinking, reddened by the shock.

He wanted to deny it, to loudly question who she was, how she knew about the teacher, how she gathered information about the appearance, and what her purpose was in impersonating the teacher.

But when their eyes met, and he saw the calm in Jiang Liwu’s gaze, a single look was enough to confirm it.

She was his teacher.

Page 2/3

As Jiang Liwu stepped forward, Wei Xifeng suddenly panicked. “Don’t come closer.”

Jiang Liwu halted, and Wei Xifeng slightly turned his head, his nervous gaze fixed on her. He instructed a nearby servant, “Clean this place up. Make sure it’s thorough.”

The servants quickly tidied the area and replaced the tableware.

When Jiang Liwu approached again, Wei Xifeng did not stop her.

“Xifeng, don’t lose your temper like that,” Jiang Liwu said, sensing that his earlier outburst had been a fit of anger.

Wei Xifeng looked helpless. “I didn’t.”

Qiao Yiran’s expression was one of surprise. Who was this woman who suddenly appeared and addressed Wei Xifeng so casually as “Xifeng”? Most importantly, Wei Xifeng neither got angry nor contradicted her.

After all, she had been by Wei Xifeng’s side for three years and had never dared to call him “Xifeng.”

Drawn by the aroma wafting from the table, Jiang Liwu pulled Wei Xifeng down to sit. “Alright, sit down and eat. I’m hungry too.”

Wei Xifeng obediently sat, a trace of moisture glimmering in his eyes. So it wasn’t a dream. The person who had accompanied him yesterday was indeed the teacher.

The breakfast was sumptuous: milk oatmeal porridge, crystal shrimp dumplings, grilled sausages, avocado-fried eggs, caviar bread, fruit and vegetable salads—spread across a long table.

Jiang Liwu eagerly took a dumpling first; the taste was so delightful it made her feel joyful.

She hadn’t tasted such delicious food in a long time.

Before the world restarted, resources had been scarce during the apocalypse; such food was unimaginable. Even during her journey back twenty years to save the world, burdened by heavy responsibilities, she had never had proper food or rest.

Now, she could finally indulge.

Qiao Yiran stood awkwardly, watching Jiang Liwu sit in her usual seat with complicated feelings. It was neither right to approach now nor to remain seated. She glanced at Wei Xifeng but found he no longer paid her any attention.

Biting her lip, Qiao Yiran silently returned to her original spot.

Better not to go over; she hadn’t wanted to anyway.

Wei Xifeng had many things he wanted to say to Jiang Liwu, but seeing her so satisfied while eating, all his words turned into quiet observation.

Jiang Liwu picked up a dumpling and placed it on his plate.

Noticing this, Qiao Yiran shook her head in disbelief. Wei Xifeng would never eat like that.

But in the next moment, Wei Xifeng swallowed the dumpling in one bite.

Qiao Yiran’s eyes widened. She recalled how she had once offered food to Wei Xifeng before, but he refused and told her not to do unnecessary things.

Page 3/3

Wei Xifeng continued watching Jiang Liwu, his eyes showing a hint of hopeful longing. He sat quietly, as if waiting to be fed.

Qiao Yiran was shocked and somewhat flustered. She watched Wei Xifeng eat the food Jiang Liwu offered without any disdain or displeasure.

Her trembling spoon fell onto the plate with a crisp, unmistakable clatter.

Only Jiang Liwu looked over.

When Qiao Yiran stood, the chair scraped against the floor. “I’m full,” she said quietly.

In the past, Wei Xifeng would never allow her to leave the table early; even when she finished eating, she had to sit and wait for him.

But this time, Wei Xifeng didn’t force her to stay, and Qiao Yiran only ever saw his profile.

A wave of discomfort rose in her heart, so she left the dining hall without lingering.

After Jiang Liwu finished eating and drinking, she put down her utensils. Seeing this, Wei Xifeng also stopped.

She reached for a napkin to wipe her hands, but Wei Xifeng had already offered a clean handkerchief.

Jiang Liwu was momentarily taken aback, then accepted it with a smile toward Wei Xifeng.

Nearby, Uncle Wang quietly observed this scene with surprise. In his experience, the family head had never cared for anyone like this—even Qiao Yiran, who held a special place in the household, had never received such treatment.

“Do you have a phone?” Jiang Liwu asked.

“Yes.” Wei Xifeng immediately handed over his phone.

Halfway through, he began demonstrating the phone’s unlocking features—how to open it using fingerprint, facial recognition, or iris scan.

Because in his understanding, though he didn’t know how the teacher had come back to life, essentially, she was still an antique from twenty years ago.

Watching Wei Xifeng seriously explain the functions of various apps, Jiang Liwu smiled and ruffled his hair. “Xifeng, you’re starting to act like a teacher now.”

Wei Xifeng’s ears reddened.

“I already know these things you’re teaching, because I belong here.”