Chapter Twelve: The Challenges of Being a Stepmother

“Buddy.”

Those three syllables left a burning sensation in Qin Ruonan’s throat, tinged now with a hint of bitterness. She turned her face away, gazing out the window at the buildings and cars quickly receding behind them. In her mind’s eye, she pictured Tao Yinyin.

A figure neither plump nor thin, with alluring curves and smooth, fair skin—her delicate oval face wasn’t sharpened by the pointed chin so fashionable among some women these days, but retained a trace of baby fat that lent her an innocence, a helpless charm. Especially those dimples: when she wasn’t smiling, they flickered faintly beneath the surface; when she did, they blossomed on her cheeks, impossibly sweet.

A girl like that could arouse envy, even in the eyes of another woman—let alone a man.

Qin Ruonan imagined An Changpu and Tao Yinyin standing together, and had to admit, the two of them looked perfectly suited.

Then she caught her own reflection in the rearview mirror—a face with an indifferent expression, thin, skin still bearing the lingering bronze of the sun, brows drawn tight, lips pressed firmly. If she were a man, she’d also find a girl like Tao Yinyin adorable, irresistible.

As for herself… Qin Ruonan looked again at the mirror. She should be content to be taken as “one of the guys.”

She closed her eyes in frustration, unwilling to see a face even she struggled to like. Resting her head against the seatback, she pressed a hand to her brow, trying to calm her thoughts.

An Changpu, oblivious to the turmoil of his partner, simply assumed she was exhausted from work. She’d told him at the train station about Qian Yuling coming to her with complaints the previous night. So he turned down the volume on the car radio, hoping Qin Ruonan could rest a little, and closed the window that had been left open a crack.

Qin Ruonan heard the window closing and the abrupt drop in the radio’s volume. Her eyes stung, but she kept them shut, feigning sleep.

The longer she spent with him, the more she could feel the goodness in this man, enough that even the shame she’d once harbored began to fade.

But now, it was clear: a man like him was an unattainable luxury for her. If being called “buddy” was the only consolation prize, she would have to accept it.

Forcing herself to let go of these tangled thoughts, Qin Ruonan tried not to dwell on what could never be. Fortunately, since An Changpu had accidentally gotten “advice” from her, he hadn’t brought up the matter of blind dates again. They visited two other bus stations in the city, making inquiries and leaving photocopies of Fang Wan’s picture, hoping someone would contact the police with any news.

They spent the whole morning searching to no avail. To avoid upsetting the elderly members of the Fang family, and at Fang Da’s repeated insistence, they couldn’t post missing-person flyers or seek help from the press or TV stations. Searching without outside help was like looking for a needle in a haystack—frustrating and nerve-wracking.

At noon, they bought some bread and bottled water, eating in the car before heading out again. After several more stops and calls to Fang Da, they finally learned that Fang Da’s current wife, Xia Ying, had returned from her parents’ home.

The meeting was set at Fang Da’s apartment. An Changpu drove them there according to the address Fang Da had given. It was a new residential complex in City C, less than a year since completion, still looking impressive and in a good location. The price must not have been cheap.

An Changpu and Qin Ruonan were warmly greeted by Fang Da. Compared to yesterday, he seemed tired, his complexion dull, and his attempts at hospitality forced—torn between anxiety and the desire not to offend the police.

In contrast, Xia Ying, whom they were meeting for the first time, appeared indifferent.

As soon as they entered, Qin Ruonan and An Changpu saw Xia Ying sitting on the living room sofa, watching TV. At only twenty-five, this stepmother was just as Fang Wan’s homeroom teacher, Ms. Chen, had described: good-looking, not exactly beautiful when her features were considered individually, but harmonious together. A narrow, oval face, slender phoenix eyes, a hint of seduction in her gaze, full lips painted a rich color, and even the faint freckles on her cheeks added to her allure.

All in all, she wasn’t beautiful, but she was certainly attractive—seductive, but with no trace of “dignity,” “virtue,” or “innocence.”

This woman was definitely not someone to be underestimated, Qin Ruonan assessed silently.

Fang Da invited them to sit and busied himself making tea. All the while, Xia Ying lounged lazily against a large, soft pillow, eyes fixed on the TV, fingers rapidly flicking through channels, never lingering on any show for more than three seconds.

“Xiaoying, come on. The officers are here, at least greet them,” Fang Da said, sitting down and noticing his wife’s indifference.

Xia Ying turned her head, glanced at An Changpu, then at Qin Ruonan, and gave a brief nod. “Hello.”

Then she turned back to the TV, ignoring Fang Da’s growing embarrassment.

“Xiaoying! Stop watching TV,” Fang Da snapped, snatching the remote and switching the screen off. “Did you hear what I just said?”

“What are you doing!” Xia Ying cried, reaching for the remote, but Fang Da pulled it away. She grew angrier, glaring at him. “What’s wrong with you? You wanted me to greet them—I did! What more do you want?”

Fang Da wanted to scold her further, but held back in front of guests. Seeing this, An Changpu had no choice but to interrupt. “You must know about Fang Wan’s disappearance. As his stepmother, we want to ask you a few things about him.”

“You said it yourself—I’m just the stepmother. If you want to know about that kid, ask his real mom. Or—” she shot a look at Fang Da’s darkening face, “—ask his real dad!”

“We’ve already spoken with his birth parents,” Qin Ruonan said formally. “But as a main member of the household, even as a stepmother, we hope you’ll cooperate with our investigation.” Xia Ying’s attitude made it clear she was unwilling, and it was better for Qin Ruonan, rather than An Changpu, to play the uncompromising role.

Xia Ying shot her a resentful look and pressed her lips together. “I don’t know how to cooperate. I don’t know anything about that kid. You’d be better off asking the security guard at the gate—he probably knows more than I do, seeing the kid come and go every day!”

“If even outsiders are aware of Fang Wan’s situation, you, as a family member, should be even more so.”

“Say what you want. I have nothing to say. Whether I’m considered family or not, that’s not for me to decide. Go ask him yourself!” Xia Ying was still unwilling to engage and reached for the remote again.

At that moment, Fang Da, who had been silent, suddenly exploded. He sprang up, slammed the remote to the floor, and stomped it until it shattered.

“Watch! Go on, watch TV!” Fang Da was like a raging beast, pointing at Xia Ying. “My son’s been missing for four days and you didn’t even notice! I work late every day, come home and ask how the boy is—you always say he’s fine! Is this how a stepmother behaves? If you had a shred of responsibility, my son wouldn’t have been missing for so long without anyone realizing! Now that he’s gone, I’m frantic, but you refused to come home from your parents’. When you finally do, you’re still in the mood to watch TV! The police ask you questions and you can’t even answer properly! Let me tell you, Xia Ying—this isn’t over!”

Xia Ying was stunned by his outburst. For a moment she stared, then burst into tears.

“Fine, fine! I’m sorry for your whole family! Was I the one who lost your son? If I’m an irresponsible stepmother, are you a responsible father? If you care so much, why didn’t you notice yourself? Step, step, everyone acts like being a stepmother is easy! No matter what I do, people look at me with suspicion! I can never be right! I never asked for this, but now I’m the villain, the homewrecker, and when the kid goes missing, it’s my fault too!” Crying and shouting, she stormed to the coatrack by the door and grabbed her purse. Just as everyone thought she was about to leave in a fury, she instead pulled out a medical report and thrust it at Fang Da.

“Fine! You and that woman have your precious son! What about me? What are you going to do about my child?”

Fang Da took the report, his hands trembling. He glanced at the words, then up at Xia Ying, his expression growing complicated.

“You… you’re pregnant?” he asked, voice shaking.