“I missed Tangtang,” Old Madam Yao said bluntly, interrupting Qin Mean. “Do you have a problem with me inviting her for a meal?”
“Well, this…” Qin Manheaved a long sigh. “Tonight is different.Ranranand… What I mean to say is, this is a family banquet between our family and the Yang family.Yao Tangwould only feel out of place here.”
“Why would you say that?” the old lady challenged. “Tangtang is your niece, isn’t she? You call this a family banquet, well isn’t she a part of our family? It’s only natural for her to attend the banquet. Besides, what I do with my granddaughter is none of your business.”
Qin Man trembled with barely contained anger. Although she was able to stop herself from saying anything more, she failed to keep her emotions from her face.
‘It’s exactly because this is a family banquet that this bumpkin shouldn’t be here! She doesn’t belong with us!’
They had set this dinner up for RanranandYoung Master YangNian. They were supposed to share a meal and get to know each other. Now thatYao Tangwas in the picture, their plans were bound to come apart.
Qin Man had been delighted whenOld Madam Yaooffered to pick upRanranfrom school. She thought that the old lady had finally come to her senses and wanted to treatRanranas her rightful granddaughter.
She didn’t expect the shrewd harridan to trick them like this!
It was an eye-opener for Qin Man. She had tried so hard not to hold a grudge against her mother-in-law, but now it seemed that her efforts were futile. She would foster her grievances from now on and wait for the perfect moment to strike back.
“I was just worried that this dinner party would affect Yao Tang’s studies,” she said toOld Madam Yao, biting back his anger. “This is a crucial time in a high school student’s life, after all.”
Then she turned to Yao Tangwith an earnest look and said, “Do understand,Yao Tang. I only have your best interests in mind. There are less than a hundred days left before the college entrance exams, but you’re always skipping your homework. How will you do well at this rate? If you want to get good grades, then you should stop gallivanting around and focus on your studies instead.”
Yang Nian frowned.
‘What? Yao Tanghad entered the top ten of the grade, but she isn’t doing her homework? And she keeps playing outside instead of studying?’
The girl was too complacent! Or perhaps she was simply arrogant.
“My studies have nothing to do with you,” Yao Tangsaid calmly.
Her voice was soft and quiet, but there was no mistaking the aloofness in her tone.
Qin Man sputtered in outrage. “I’m doing this for your own good, don’t you understand that? I just want you to get into a good university and have a bright future.”
“Your concerns are unnecessary,” Yao Tangreplied, confoundingthe woman yet again.
Qin Man’s face contorted with rage.
She opened her mouth and was about to berate the insolent girl when Old Madam Yaostepped in.
“All right, that’s enough. Don’t say anything you might regret. Yao Tanghas her own plans. She can handle her studies on her own, so stop meddling in her business.”
The old lady slammed her walking stick against the ground, as if to reiterate her message.
A muscle twitched in Qin Man’s jaw. She wanted to say that she wasYao Tang’s biological mother, not her aunt, therefore she had every right to meddle with the girl’s affairs! But just as she was about to blurt it out, she found that she could not say the words out loud.
Yang Nian maintained a pleasant expression as the fiasco unfolded.
He extended his courtesy as their guest and pretended not to see the conflict within their family.
Yao Ran sidled up next toOld Madam Yaoand offered to help her inside. Thankfully, the old lady accepted.
Yang Nian took that as his cue and followed close behind them.
As they walked inside, they passed by a glass wall. Yao Rancaught sight of their reflection, and an acrid taste rose on her tongue.
She didn’t like the way she looked like a servant attending to Old Madam Yao.
Her intention was to display a show of filial piety, and maybe score some brownie points from the matriarch.
Now, she realized that the sight she painted was nothing like she wanted.
When they were about to enter their private room, Yao Ranpretended to trip and twist her ankle, then proceeded to throw herself to the floor.
In the process, her grip around Old Madam Yao’s wrist tightened.
The next thing she knew, an urgent scream rang out, and her hand was forcefully wrenched away from the old lady.
Yao Ran fell back a few steps. When she looked up,Aunt WangandYao Tangwere standing on either side ofOld Madam Yao.
Aunt Wang glared at her. “Miss Yao Ran, what were you trying to do just now?”
