novelraw Chapter 277 - 105: Mom, Aunt Zhang Didn’t Succeed
Chapter 277 - 105: Mom, Aunt Zhang Didn’t Succeed
Everyone else had their reservations, but Qin Mei didn’t.
Mrs. Xie smiled, a genuine smile from the bottom of her heart. Mr. Xie had come to her, humbly begging for forgiveness. He swore again and again that he hadn’t betrayed her, neither in heart nor in body. Even though the drug was potent and he was tormented by lust, he hadn’t crossed that final line and had managed to keep his integrity.
Mrs. Xie knew in her heart that Second Daughter-in-law Jing and his parents deserved much of the credit. If they hadn’t shown up in the nick of time, his reputation would have been ruined so late in life.
Mrs. Xie believed her husband’s words, but not entirely. Under a drug’s influence, physical urges can easily overpower reason.
"Xiao Mei, thank you," Mrs. Xie said to Qin Mei.
Qin Mei smiled and asked, "Mom, they sent Aunt Zhang back to her hometown. Are you really going to let her off that easily?"
Mrs. Xie smiled bitterly and said, "If she doesn’t come back and cause more trouble, I’ll let it go. But if she doesn’t give up, I won’t spare her."
Qin Mei knew full well that when her mother-in-law got ruthless, she was truly ruthless. Xu Chunwang was the perfect example. A single kick from her had ensured he could never have children.
Since her mother-in-law, the person directly involved, was being magnanimous about it, Qin Mei wasn’t going to be a busybody and stir things up. After all, the person Zhang Hongying wanted to sleep with was her father-in-law, not Jie Jingchen.
’But if—and this is purely hypothetical—the person Zhang Hongying had coveted was Jie Jingchen, she wouldn’t be as magnanimous as her mother-in-law. She would have to see how Jie Jingchen reacted. If he didn’t disappoint her, then she wouldn’t disappoint him. But if he did disappoint her, she would make him despair.’
"Xiao Mei, there’s something I need to tell you. Your father-in-law wants your Grandpa and Granny to stay here for a month," Mrs. Xie said. Seeing no reaction on Qin Mei’s face, she added with concern, "Xiao Mei, you don’t know them well. Your Granny, especially, is not an easy person to get along with."
Mrs. Xie was worried about Qin Mei and Jing Qi. The men went to work during the day and only came home in the evening, so they wouldn’t have much contact with the two elders. But Qin Mei and Jing Qi were different; they were at home and could easily come into conflict with them.
"Mom, don’t worry. It’s only for a month. If they’re too much trouble, I’ll just take Jing Qi and we’ll stay out of their way," Qin Mei said with a smile.
’Her father-in-law had already convinced her mother-in-law, so how could she possibly object? Her objection would be pointless anyway. And even if it did work, if the elders didn’t stay because of her, her father-in-law would probably resent her even more. She already felt like they’d become enemies over the issue of splitting the family assets.’
"Xiao Mei." Mrs. Xie looked at Qin Mei, gratified. She hadn’t forgotten about Jing Qi. She was once again thankful that Jing Si had found the family such a thoughtful and understanding daughter-in-law, one who was genuinely kind to her sister-in-law, Jing Qi.
’If Qin Mei had been like Xu Chunyan, things would be so much more difficult.’
"Xiao Mei, them staying here won’t affect you two. You just go on living as you always do. Don’t take anything your Granny says to heart. If she tells you to do something, you can do it if you feel like it, but don’t if you don’t want to. If she gives you a hard time, you don’t need to put up with it. Tolerate it if you can, but if you can’t, then push back. You don’t need to be so considerate. Jing Si and I will always have your back. We are your strongest supporters," Mrs. Xie said.
"Okay, I will." Qin Mei nodded. When she thought about what Jie Jingchen had said to Granny, she couldn’t help but smile.
’Her own grandson doesn’t put up with her, so why should she, a granddaughter-in-law, have to?’
Mrs. Xie sighed. "To be honest, your Granny probably won’t target you too much. She’ll focus on Shen Qing and Xu Chunyan."
Qin Mei fell silent. Jie Jinghun had left with Shen Qing and still hadn’t returned; they had probably gone back to stay at her parents’ house again. ’It must be nice having your family live so close,’ she thought. ’The moment things get tough, you can just run home.’ Meanwhile, Xu Chunyan was incredibly skilled at winning people over and had long since gotten Granny on her side.
’So, that means I’ll be the one she targets after all. How tragic.’
"Mom, don’t you have a shift tonight?" Qin Mei asked.
"I had someone cover for me," Mrs. Xie said. With such an ugly scandal at home, she knew she’d be too distracted to focus on her shift at the hospital, so she’d just asked for a replacement.
"Jie Jianguo, you unfilial son!" Granny’s shout rang out, followed immediately by the grating sound of an enamel mug crashing to the floor.
Mrs. Xie and Qin Mei exchanged a look. ’What’s with the old woman now?’
Mrs. Xie’s expression darkened. ’I already agreed to let them stay for a month. Don’t tell me they’re actually planning to move in for good and never leave?’
"Mom, besides that one room, you and Dad can pick any of the other empty rooms in the house. Once you’ve chosen, I’ll get it cleaned up so you two can get some rest," Mr. Xie said with a sigh of resignation.
"Second Daughter-in-law Jing told me that room has its own bathroom," Granny said forcefully. "Your father and I are getting old. It’s inconvenient for us to have to go out of the room to use the toilet. It would be much easier if we had one inside."