novelraw Chapter 405
Chapter 405
The room fell into stunned silence, and every gaze turned toward Ji Fei.
The shock was particularly evident on the faces of the new “family of three.” Their pupils practically trembled in disbelief.
Ji Fei seemed startled by her own words and instinctively moved closer to her husband.
Qin Xian, completely composed, wrapped his arm protectively around her.
The second branch of the Qin family, who had been watching nervously, thought Ji Fei had accidentally blurted out her inner thoughts.
No one was more astonished than Qin Yi.
After all, Qin Yi had just introduced them moments ago.
“You… are you talking about me?” Lu Yunqing was the first to react, her eyes welling up with tears.
“Of course, I’m talking about you. Aren’t you the mistress? I just saw you making eyes at my ex-uncle-in-law,” Ji Fei replied boldly, showing no sign of fear.
The surrounding people exchanged uneasy glances.
“You… you misunderstood. I was just talking to Ah Yu!” Lu Yunqing hurriedly turned to her friend, hoping for support.
But her friend’s expression briefly flashed with confusion.
“You’re Qin Xian’s wife? How could you speak like that? She… she’s your aunt’s friend!” Zhao Jianghe steadied himself and questioned Ji Fei sternly, his tone laced with indignation. As an elder, he wasn’t about to tolerate such humiliation from a younger woman.
“Oh? Is that so?” Ji Fei tilted her head, feigning doubt.
“Cough, cough. Speak to my daughter-in-law with some respect,” Qin Mom quickly interjected. “They weren’t here earlier, and this is Feifei’s first time in this setting. She hasn’t even met you, let alone anyone else. She’s still a child—how could she know the difference?”
Ji Fei immediately nodded, her face filled with innocent grievance.
The others: Still a child?
Though Ji Fei’s earlier remark seemed strange, it now appeared it might truly have been a misunderstanding.
“She’s a close friend of mine from over there, Lu Yunqing,” Qin Wu Gu explained. “And you must be Ji Fei. It’s our first time meeting, though this isn’t the best setting for introductions. I’ll greet you properly later.”
Despite Qin Wu Gu’s forced smile, Ji Fei wasn’t ready to let it go. “Auntie, I’m sorry. I thought Ex-Uncle had brought a mistress along to apologize. I never imagined it was your friend.”
Hearing this, the others sighed in relief, and Qin Wu Gu’s smile became slightly more genuine.
But Ji Fei wasn’t finished. “I must say, though, I really envy you, Auntie, for having such a devoted friend. It’s rare for a best friend to involve themselves in family matters like this. To outsiders, it might even look like our Qin family is so disorganized that your own family isn’t standing up for you.”
Her words caused another shift in the room. Even those who hadn’t heard Ji Fei’s inner thoughts began to sense something was off.
After all, even if they were close friends, wasn’t it strange for someone to insert themselves into such a deeply personal family matter? It wasn’t like Qin Wu Gu lacked support—her family was right here, in full force. Why would a friend need to fly across the globe to “help”? Did she not have her own life, her own responsibilities?
Though most refrained from openly speculating, the question lingered in everyone’s minds.
Qin Wu Gu’s expression turned subtle, as if she, too, was beginning to question things.
“I… I just couldn’t bear to see Ah Yu go through this alone,” Lu Yunqing stammered, cold sweat forming on her back. “I watched their family live such a happy life. I don’t want to see it ruined. Marriage is hard work. Ah Yu leaving this home would be too tragic. Why can’t she compromise?”
Qin Wu Gu frowned deeply, her feelings visibly conflicted.
“That’s where I disagree,” Ji Fei cut in, her voice sharp. “You don’t sound like you’re here to support Auntie—you sound like you’re here to mediate for Ex-Uncle. Did Zhao’s family pay you off, or are you closer to Ex-Uncle than to Auntie? As a best friend, shouldn’t you be helping Auntie beat up the cheating scumbag? Why are you preaching forgiveness instead?”
Lu Yunqing’s tears finally spilled over. “What’s wrong with you? I came here out of the kindness of my heart to help! Even the gods say it’s better to destroy ten temples than to break up a marriage. What’s so unacceptable about what I’m doing? My parents were divorced—I know the pain of a broken family better than anyone!”
Ji Fei was dumbfounded. Did this woman seriously just say that? Destroying ten temples is better than ruining one marriage?
Lu Yunqing’s crying was a calculated performance, every tear falling like a delicate flower in a storm. She looked so pitiful that even Zhao Jianghe seemed ready to embrace her and offer comfort.
Zhao Chengle, too, seemed desperate to protect her.
“How can you say that? She came here to help, but you keep picking fights and falsely accusing her. Are you just trying to cause trouble?” Zhao Chengle snapped, his voice full of anger. Though he didn’t dare speak to the elders this way, he saw no reason to hold back against someone his age.
Just as he was about to continue, a chilling gaze froze him in his tracks.
Qin Xian’s expression was icy as he stared Zhao Chengle down. “My wife isn’t causing trouble—she’s standing up for my aunt. That’s more than can be said for some sons who aren’t even worth the loyalty of a dog.”
Qin Xian rarely spoke so bluntly, which only emphasized how furious he was.
The room immediately noticed the shift. While his anger might have had several causes, it was clear that most of it stemmed from Ji Fei being attacked.
For once, the Qin family couldn’t help but feel amused. If it weren’t for Ji Fei, they might never have seen Qin Xian show such raw, human emotion.
However, the timing wasn’t ideal, and Qin Xian’s words were a bit harsh. Calling his cousin worse than a dog was extreme, even if Zhao Chengle’s actions had been infuriating.
The rest of the relatives, though, remained indifferent. If anything, they had been itching to say something similar.
Zhao Chengle, unfamiliar with Qin Xian due to their infrequent interactions, had always admired and feared him. Stories of Qin Xian’s brilliance and success had reached even the Zhao family.
Hearing Qin Xian chastise him so harshly now left Zhao Chengle red-faced and teary-eyed.
“It’s not fair…”
Ji Fei, still wearing an innocent expression, spoke again. “Oh, I didn’t mean any harm. I just thought it was strange. Why so sensitive?”
Her seemingly knowing gaze sent a chill down Zhao Chengle’s spine, making him question if his guilt was written all over his face. His nerves were frayed, as if walking a tightrope over a cliff, afraid that everything might come crashing down.
Blaming Lu Yunqing for his unease, Zhao Chengle thought, She’s too kind. Her guilt over my parents’ marriage drives her to meddle, even at the cost of her own dignity. Of course I have to defend her—she’s the closest person to me.
“Enough,” Zhao Jianghe finally interjected. “This conversation is pointless. I agree—I’ll leave with nothing.”