novelraw Chapter 451 - 368: Slanderous Accusations
Chapter 451 - 368: Slanderous Accusations
Zhang Yao saw her brother-in-law also heading upstairs, and in a fit of frustration, she threw her pink purse onto the sofa and pouted discontentedly, "Sis! Are you not welcoming me here?"
Did she really think Zhang Yao couldn’t tell? The candlelight dinner on the dining table, the red wine and steak, and when she walked in, there was romantic music playing in the background.
Then there was Zhang Shan’s unwilling expression toward her—was she upset about being interrupted?
Zhang Yao couldn’t quite explain it, but seeing her handsome and charming brother-in-law being so romantic and considerate toward Zhang Shan made her feel a pang of discomfort!
And a wave of bitter jealousy!
Why did Zhang Shan get to marry better than her and live a life of luxury?
Even though they both worked, Zhang Yao was in a foreign enterprise, which sounded prestigious as a white-collar job, but the workload was crushing, the pressure immense, and the competition among colleagues was ruthless; everyone pretended to get along on the surface, but you never knew who might stab you in the back.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shan had it easy, working in her own family business, practically holding the role of the boss’s wife.
She could come and go as she pleased, and no one dared to say a word about it. She could dress up beautifully every day, buy whatever she wanted, and live the kind of life Zhang Yao thought she should be living.
If it hadn’t been for her urging Zhang Shan to go on that blind date with Qiao An back then, would Zhang Shan have everything she has today?
The thought made Zhang Yao regret it bitterly—why hadn’t she insisted on meeting Qiao An herself? Even if he had told her he wasn’t wealthy, with his looks and charm, she would have given him a chance!
By now, everything Zhang Shan had would undoubtedly have been hers!
She was so foolish! She had pushed away the happiness that should have belonged to her!
Zhang Shan looked at Zhang Yao, speechless, "Whether I welcome you or not, you’re already here! And what’s with that dramatic performance?"
She had truly reached her limit with Zhang Yao’s spoiled temperament. If it weren’t for the fact that Zhang Yao had struggled in her childhood due to their parents being preoccupied with business and lived with their uncle for a period during middle school, Zhang Shan would have cut ties with her long ago!
Zhang Yao noticed her irritation and lowered her head to hide the fire in her eyes. She moved closer to Zhang Shan, hooking her arm affectionately and complaining, "Sis! Look at you! I wasn’t aiming that at you! Ugh, today has been the worst!"
Zhang Shan folded her arms, putting some distance between them, and raised an eyebrow in mild annoyance, "What happened? Did you rear-end someone again?"
"Driving around like your car’s a bumper car every day, huh?"
"It wasn’t like that! It was Leng Mochen! I was trying to be nice—I passed by his company and thought I’d buy him lunch to express my apology! After all, it was my fault regarding the rear-end collision. But who knew—he not only rejected the gesture, didn’t show a shred of kindness, and wasn’t the least bit considerate toward a lady—instead, he had security throw me out of the building!
Seriously, what kind of person does that? And he didn’t even respect your name! Sis, next time you meet with him, you have to talk to him about it!"
"He’s the CEO of a huge company—what, do you think he’s desperate for a free meal from you? Zhang Yao, I don’t even know what to say to you. I’ve told you before, I’m not close with him; I only met his wife at the maternity center during postpartum care!
And you barging into his life—how do you think that will make him view me?"
Holding back the urge to roll her eyes, Zhang Shan was almost beside herself with frustration. How could Zhang Yao act like this? If her husband, Li Si, ever found out, what would he think? He might even believe Zhang Shan was encouraging Zhang Yao’s behavior!
Zhang Yao sneered dismissively, "Let people think whatever they want. Regardless, the rear-end collision was my fault. I saved twenty grand on car repairs—so offering him a meal is perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?
And about his so-called wife! Ask around—none of the people I know are even aware he’s married! Who knows if the child she had was his legitimate son or something else entirely?"
Zhang Shan felt like she was hitting a wall, desperately trying to reason with Zhang Yao. Was she pretending not to understand, or was she intentionally ignoring the truth?
"Zhang Yao! Are you crazy? How many times do I have to tell you?! They are married, and they have a son! Can you show some moral decency?"
Zhang Yao boldly pointed her finger at Zhang Shan’s nose and retorted, "Who’s immoral here? Zhang Shan! If you don’t know the whole story, then stop making baseless claims! I’ve already had them investigated—they do have a kid, but they haven’t even had their wedding yet! As long as there’s no wedding, I still have a shot!"
The investigation revealed even more: Li Si came from a poor, out-of-town background. What made her deserve someone as rich, handsome, and successful as Leng Mochen?
Seeing Zhang Yao’s sheer determination, Zhang Shan felt like she was losing her mind. How could she possibly knock some sense into her?
"What chance do you think you have? You’re a decent young woman—why don’t you find yourself a proper boyfriend instead of ruining other people’s marriages? If you push this any further, I’ll tell Mom and Dad! Let’s see how Mom handles you!"
Being reckless was one thing, but deliberately aiming to become a third party in someone else’s relationship crossed the line—it was a complete lack of integrity!
With her eyes turning red in seeming grievance, Zhang Yao protested, "Sis! When you bring up Mom and Dad, it just proves you care about them. So let me speak from the heart! Look at me—I’m already twenty-eight, just a year younger than you. But look at the life I live compared to yours!
If I hadn’t introduced you to my brother-in-law, would you have this life as a wealthy housewife?
I know deep down you despise me; you think I’m delusional, overreaching. But sis, think about it—nowadays, no one cares about impoverished virtue! If I were really with Leng Mochen, wouldn’t Mom and Dad’s lives become easier? I could buy them whatever they want, couldn’t I?
They haven’t even had their wedding—it doesn’t count as marriage! And that woman having a child without any wedding—she has some nerve! Why can’t I take what rightfully should be mine?"
Zhang Shan was completely floored, utterly stunned by Zhang Yao’s shameless line of reasoning.
"Zhang Yao! I am telling you one last time. Not having a wedding doesn’t mean they’re not married—they’ve probably already registered their marriage, which makes it completely lawful in the eyes of the law! And you barging in like this—what are you even thinking?
Don’t make things sound noble, like you’re doing this all for Mom and Dad. Your family’s circumstances aren’t even that bad to begin with!
This boils down to your vanity, doesn’t it? You just want to live that kind of life!
And don’t keep dragging me into this with how I met Qiao An! You caused enough drama at my wedding to nullify anything you’ve done for me!
Back then, you clearly looked down on him and refused to meet him—don’t regret it now and try to make up for it here! I’m warning you: it’s impossible!"
Zhang Yao, trembling with rage, had veins bulging on her forehead and a cold sneer in her eyes. "So this is your true face! I should show Mom and Dad the real you—see how they’d feel about the ungrateful daughter they’ve cherished all these years! Don’t worry—I’ll never set foot in your home again!"
"I have nothing more to say to you! I’ll talk to Mom and Dad and let them decide who’s really at fault here!" Zhang Shan pointed coldly at the door, "Get out!"
If Zhang Yao didn’t leave, Zhang Shan might really lose control and give her a beating!
Grabbing her purse, Zhang Yao turned to leave. After two steps, she paused, spun around, and smirked mockingly, "Zhang Shan! You know what? Just looking at you makes me sick! Acting all high and mighty as if I don’t know—you investigated Qiao An right after you met him. If it weren’t for knowing his income and status in advance, someone like you wouldn’t have willingly married him! Don’t kid yourself. At the end of the day, we’re the same kind of person!"
"You!" Zhang Shan’s face froze in shock as she vehemently denied it and angrily retorted, "You’re slandering me! I didn’t know anything back then!"
"Lower your voice! Aren’t you afraid of your brother-in-law hearing?" Zhang Yao mockingly glanced toward the upstairs and then walked away triumphantly.
Zhang Shan quickly looked upstairs. Seeing no one on the staircase, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
This Zhang Yao was completely irrational! She had gone mad!
She picked up her phone, intending to call their uncle, but hesitated for a long time and couldn’t bring herself to dial. She’d said too much already—her uncle might not mind, but her aunt might hold it against her!
Forget it. Let her do as she pleases!
Darkly brooding, Zhang Shan figured that even if Zhang Yao had the intention, Li Si’s husband likely wouldn’t give her the chance. If Zhang Yao could truly win him over, why would he have had her thrown out?
Whatever consequences Zhang Yao faced from her actions, Zhang Shan thought with a grim satisfaction, it would be her own doing. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian.com to cast recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support drives me forward. Mobile users can visit m.qidian.com for reading.)