novelraw Chapter 255 - 98: She Wants to Marry Your Dad (Part 2)
Chapter 255 - 98: She Wants to Marry Your Dad (Part 2)
"Spreading rumors? I wouldn’t dare spread rumors about anyone, let alone Father-in-law and my aunt." Xu Chunyan walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut. "Qin Mei, I don’t have time to mess around with you, and I can’t let my aunt find out I came to see you. My aunt wants to marry Dad. Believe it or not, it’s the truth."
"Just because she wants to marry him, does that mean Dad will?" A hint of mockery flickered in Qin Mei’s eyes. "Dad’s not a fool. My mother-in-law and Aunt Zhang are worlds apart, whether in status or looks. If my mother-in-law is a pearl, Aunt Zhang is a fish eye. Who would be dumb enough to trade a pearl for a fish eye? He’s not an idiot."
Xu Chunyan didn’t argue with Qin Mei. She sighed and said, "My aunt wants to sleep with Dad. Once they do, Aunt Qiao will be disgusted—she despises unfaithful men more than anything. Even if Dad refuses a divorce, Aunt Qiao will leave him."
Qin Mei’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her almond eyes hardening as she said sarcastically, "Tch, she thinks she can just sleep with him because she wants to? If Dad is the type who can’t keep it in his pants, then his character is questionable. It would be a good thing for my mother-in-law to divorce him."
"What if my aunt drugs Dad?" Xu Chunyan asked.
Qin Mei fell silent. ’She remembered Jie Jingchen letting it slip that the original owner of this body had drugged him. And it wasn’t just any drug, but a powerful one—the kind used for breeding cattle. Of course it was potent.’
’Jie Jingchen couldn’t even resist its effects; Father-in-law is older, so he’d stand even less of a chance. Mother-in-law has to work, sometimes even night shifts. If Aunt Zhang takes advantage of a night shift to drug Father-in-law and the deed is done, this family will fall apart.’
’Qin Mei instantly understood why Xu Chunyan was willing to sell out Aunt Zhang. This courtyard belongs to Mother-in-law. If she and Father-in-law divorce, the rest of them would have to move out with Father-in-law.’
"A man who can’t keep it in his pants isn’t a good man anyway. It would be for the best if my mother-in-law divorced him."
"Qin Mei!" Xu Chunyan flared up, her voice rising uncontrollably. She immediately clapped a hand over her mouth, hurried to the window, and lifted a corner of the curtain. Seeing no one had come out of the main room, Xu Chunyan breathed a sigh of relief. She dropped the curtain and turned to Qin Mei, whispering reproachfully, "Qin Mei, what are you saying? If Aunt Qiao and Dad divorce and this family falls apart, what good does that do you?"
Qin Mei looked at the furious Xu Chunyan, a playful smile on her lips. "The biggest benefit? Father-in-law takes all of you and moves out. Then I won’t have to see you or Aunt Zhang. Out of sight, out of mind."
’Xu Chunyan’s breath hitched. Moving out was her greatest fear, and Qin Mei had just said it out loud. The Fourth Wife of Jing was no simple woman! She herself was greedy, but she only wanted to take over three rooms. Qin Mei was even more avaricious—she wanted the whole courtyard.’
’Qin Mei refuses to stop my aunt, hoping Father-in-law and Qiao Yanqiu will divorce, hoping he’ll take them all away when he moves out. What a clever little scheme! Hmph! She wants to take over this courtyard? In her dreams!’
’As long as I’m here, Qin Mei can keep daydreaming. If she won’t stop it, fine. Someone else will.’
Xu Chunyan snuck out of Qin Mei’s room, but Aunt Zhang, who had been watching her the whole time, still saw her.
Aunt Zhang came out holding a rice bowl and cornered Xu Chunyan in the courtyard.
"Second Daughter-in-law Jing." Aunt Zhang stared at Xu Chunyan, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
"Aunt." Feeling guilty, Xu Chunyan didn’t dare meet Aunt Zhang’s gaze. ’She must have seen me coming out of Qin Mei’s room.’ Xu Chunyan was incredibly frustrated. Qin Mei hadn’t just refused to stop the plan; she seemed happy to let it happen. It was infuriating.
"What were you doing with the Fourth Wife of Jing?" Aunt Zhang’s voice was warm, but with a sharp edge.
"N-nothing," Xu Chunyan’s voice trembled slightly.
"Second Daughter-in-law Jing, do you really think you can hide your little thoughts from me?" Aunt Zhang grabbed Xu Chunyan’s arm, pulling her close to whisper in her ear. "You went to the Fourth Wife of Jing for help, didn’t you? Once your father-in-law and I get together, Qiao Yanqiu will divorce him. When that happens, she’ll definitely kick us out. I understand you don’t want to leave this courtyard. You’ve lived here so long, you’re used to it. Heck, even I don’t want to move."
A flicker of joy appeared in Xu Chunyan’s heart. She grabbed Aunt Zhang’s arm and asked in a low voice, "Aunt, does this mean you’ve decided to give up?"
’If my aunt gives up, things can stay as they are. No one will have to move, and everyone will be happy.’
"No." Aunt Zhang shook her head and said in a low voice, "Qin Mei, with her ’Mrs. Zhang’ this and ’Mrs. Zhang’ that, keeps reminding me that I’m just a servant in this house. I’ve been holding back for so many years, and I’ve had enough. I’m not willing to keep enduring this for a moment’s peace. This courtyard isn’t mine. Qiao Yanqiu could kick me out whenever she pleases. Instead of living on eggshells, I’d rather risk it all."