Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lu Weining held her hands and consoled, “Don’t be angry. What happened already happened, just consider it lucky that it didn’t affect much. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if we didn’t meet today. Just let it go. Oh right, you visited the Mansion today, the two elders must be very happy, right?”
Yan Zhiqing replied with annoyance, “Don’t talk about it. It was supposed to be a happy day but my grandparents insisted for my brother to bring Lin Chu over. They even made me address her as sister-in-law. I didn’t want to, but it wouldn’t be nice of me to object, so I had to. Sister Lu, don’t blame me. You’re the only sister-in-law I recognize.”
“Do I look like someone petty? How could I allow you to create friction with your family on my behalf? It’s enough that I know you’re thinking about me.” Lu Weining gave an understanding smile as she held Yan Zhiqing’s hands.
Yan Zhiqing held her hands back tightly. “Sister Lu, you’re the best. I didn’t think much of Lin Chu tonight. She’s full of pretense. My brother actually scolded me for her sake. All I did was say a few harmless words and I wasn’t even doing it on purpose. She pretended to be such a good person in front of my brother and my grandparents. Even that little boy, Yan Ningbai was tricked by her. I think Lin Chu instigated him to go against me, Yan Ningbai was so rude to me tonight. Sister Lu, it would be awesome if you were my sister-in-law, much better than that hypocrite, Lin Chu.”
Lu Weining’s expression changed slightly as she quickly waved her hand and said, “Zhiqing, don’t let Master Yan hear you say those words. He may think that I’m trying to instigate something. He already doesn’t like me because of Lin Chu.”
“What do you mean by ‘instigate’? You didn’t say anything, it’s all just my own opinions! It’s such a joke that they can’t see as clearly as I did, especially since they’re much older and have seen so much of life and people. That Lin Chu wouldn’t be able to catch up to you even if she was driving a Lamborghini,” Yan Zhiqing rolled her eyes. She really thought that she had everything figured out.
Lu Weining seemed to have been cheered up by her words. She patted her on the hand. “You’re still the same, always funny with your words.”
Yan Zhiqing smiled sweetly and said, “Sister Lu, don’t worry. She can only pretend for so long. She can’t be putting up an act all her life, right? She will reveal herself sooner or later. My brother and grandparents will soon see through her. I’ve also given it a thought. I’ll find an opportunity to introduce you to my grandparents. They will love you when they meet you. You’re so much better than Lin Chu. My grandparents are always hiding at home and no one dares to bring their daughters to visit them, so they don’t know much.”
“But if I introduce you to them, they will compare you with Lin Chu. The two elders will like you more and realize Lin Chu is nothing,” the more Yan Zhiqing said, the more she thought she made sense.
Lu Weining looked hesitant, she let go of the straw in her mouth, “I don’t think that’s appropriate. To tell the truth, I’ve let it go. After all, with Master Yan…”
“Stop being such a stranger in front of me! It’s weird and not right to hear that,” Yan Zhiqing interrupted her and put on a fierce expression.
Lu Weining smiled gently. “Okay, I won’t be unreasonable with you. But if I get splashed with acid for calling out his name in front of Lin Chu, I’ll be blaming you.”
“She won’t dare!” Yan Zhiqing said haughtily.
Lu Weining took another sip of her cocktail. “I just think that Beicheng has already made his choice. It’s a one-sided affair that I have feelings for him. He is now with Lin Chu, why should I create more trouble? If word got out, wouldn’t I become the third party? Besides… It’s not nice to be doing something like this.”
“What is not nice about this? I’m not asking you to do something bad like ruining their relationship. I’m just asking you to meet my grandparents, they’ll definitely love you. It’s not like I’m getting you to set up Lin Chu. I just want my brother to see what a good person you are. If he likes you, then you’ve done nothing wrong to Lin Chu. By that time, Lin Chu wouldn’t be able to interfere with your relationship.”
Yan Zhiqing sighed, “Sister Lu, you’re always being this way. You’re too kind-hearted. This is why it’s easy for you to be taken advantage of! Just treat it as spending some time with the two elders or they’d be too bored at home. Even if it wasn’t because of my brother, it would still be nice to know the two elders!”
Lu Weining looked hesitant before nodding, “Alright then.”
Yan Zhiqing clapped her hands. “That’s great. Let me find an opportunity to introduce you!”
…
Lin Chu was still unaware that Yan Zhiqing and Lu Weining were plotting against her. She went out for lunch with Zheng Yuntong and a few colleagues the next day at work.
There was a new skewer hotpot place that opened nearby. It was a famous chain from Chengdu that was delicious and inexpensive. As it was newly opened, there was an online promotion on WeChat where one could get 30% off with a certain amount of ‘likes’, the restaurant would even throw in some free vegetable skewers.
Though the promotion was not worth very much, it was still something for those working for a living. No one will let such an opportunity pass when there was a possibility of saving some money. This was why everyone had gotten into the frenzy of collecting ‘likes’, even Lin Chu was sucked into the frenzy.
That was why everyone had gotten together to head there this afternoon.
The moment she walked out of the office building, Lin Chu was blocked.
It was a decent looking pretty woman. It was hard to tell her age but one could give a good guess from her appearance and say she was around 40 plus years old. While she was an older woman, who had on light makeup and dark red lipstick, she looked like an old ‘white lotus flower’.
From the woman’s face, one could vaguely spot some similarities with a certain someone. Lin Chu had a good idea of this woman’s identity.
Lin Chu scoffed in her heart at the woman’s look of arrogance and the way she was measuring her up without even acknowledging her. It was very rude.
She gave a dignified nod but did not smile. She said coldly, “Hello.”
Lin Chu had no plans of buttering up to her after guessing her identity.
She had not paid for Yan Beicheng’s past sufferings, and she still owed Yan Beicheng the life of his father. While it should not be up to Lin Chu to demand an apology on behalf of Yan Beicheng, she did not feel the need to be nice to her either.
Jiang Changdai pressed her lips together unhappily. Lin Chu did not want to waste any time with her, but she wanted to know why she was here, so she told Zheng Yuntong and the others, “You guys can head over first, I’ll go look for you later.”
Zheng Yuntong took a look at Jiang Changdai and nodded, “Call us if you need anything.”
“Don’t worry,” Lin Chu gave her a warm, gentle smile. When she turned back to Jiang Changdai, however, her expression was cold.
Jiang Changdai was seething with anger. She had met people who said one thing in a person’s face and another behind their back, but she has never seen someone change their expression so fast!
She turned to speak politely to her colleagues but was so cold when it came to her. Was she not aware of who she was? Well, she would cry once she revealed her identity!
Jiang Changdai was still considering what was the best way to pick on Lin Chu. She did not expect Lin Chu to be so strong-willed, acting so terribly for the first time they meet.
At the same time, Jiang Changdai had come to believe Yan Zhiqing’s words. Lin Chu was not a good person, and unworthy of Yan Beicheng. Lu Weining was much better. She was always trying her best to make her happy when they were in Ning City, she was also especially respectful toward her, much unlike Lin Chu.
Yan Beicheng might be unaware of how rude she was in person.
It was only after Lin Chu’s colleagues had left that Jiang Changdai spoke up coldly, “I guess you must be Lin Chu?”
Lin Chu scoffed in her heart. Who was she trying to show off to?
She smiled with a vague sarcasm. “You have no idea who I am, and yet you’re stepping in front of me to block my way?”
Jiang Changdai was taken aback by Lin Chu’s retort and got angrier by the minute. The more she looked at Lin Chu, the less she liked her.
However, she could not stay silent at Lin Chu’s sarcastic comment, because Lin Chu continued, “If you’re blocking the wrong person, I’ll be on my way.”
Lin Chu gave a small, obligatory smile and turned to walk away.
Jiang Changdai quickly said unhappily, “Yes, I know you’re Lin Chu.”
It was then that Lin Chu stood where she was. She was silent and looked like she was not planning to say anything.
Jiang Changdai measured up Lin Chu coldly and was looking at her fashionable yet low profile dressing – regular light blue denim shirt covered with a tasseled shawl, paired with a pair of light washed-out jeans. But to Jiang Changdai, it looked to be a low-class choice. There were not branded items on her and she only wore clothes that were worth a few hundred Yuan. She could hardly compare to the dignified and magnanimous looking Lu Weining.
“I’m Beicheng’s mother,” Jiang Changdai’s chin lifted slightly with a vaguely arrogant smile.
It was time for this Lin Chu to get scared and regret her rude actions!
She was so rude to her the minute before, now that she was aware of her real identity, she should know her place now. If she wanted to be with Yan Beicheng, she should know to treat her future mother-in-law better.
Especially since Lin Chu had no family and was all alone. She had no one to rely on, the kind of woman who had nowhere to go home to after getting into a big fight with her husband. It was only right that she should be treating her nicely.
Lin Chu gave an exaggerated reaction of realization as she nodded, as if she had just met someone she admired extremely, but merely said, “Oh, so it’s Miss Jiang.”
Her tone held no emotions, but Jiang Changdai could tell the sarcasm encompassed in the reaction.
Her face went darker and she said coldly, “There are some issues I’d like to discuss with Miss Lin.”
Lin Chu nodded. Since she had asked Zheng Yuntong and the others to leave first, she already had plans to do so.
They did not go to any restaurant and chose a café instead, but not the one below the office.
The employees there now have a deep impression of her after the Lu Weining situation. It would not be suitable to go there again.
As this was a business area and a popular place to discuss business, quiet, stylish cafes were abundant around.
They found one after a short walk.
Jiang Changdai was taken aback that Lin Chu had picked a café.
It would be a normal choice at any other time, but this was lunchtime. It was obvious that Lin Chu had no plans to have a long chat.
Jiang Changdai felt unhappy as she followed Lin Chu. They found a corner seat to occupy. Jiang Changdai did not like coffee, so she ordered a cup of black tea.
Lin Chu noticed that it was the exact style of Lu Weining. They may not be mother and daughter, but they sure looked the part.
Lin Chu did not order anything but a glass of water. She was planning to have her skewers later.
Jiang Changdai watched coldly. She thought Lin Chu’s attitude to be a cut off the low class. She was showing everything she did not like on her face and did not even bother about being civilized about things. She was so common.
She did not expect Lin Chu to be the first to speak. “It should have been Beicheng to have brought me to meet Miss Jiang. I did not expect Miss Jiang to be so impatient and show up here.”
These words, were they a veiled sarcasm of how Yan Beicheng did not care about Jiang Changdai? All this while, he did not bring Lin Chu to meet his mother, and now, she’s insinuating that Jiang Changdai was forced to make the meeting happen instead. This was suggesting that she was unreserved and had no dignity.
Or maybe, she was being sarcastic on both counts.
Regardless, Jiang Changdai was filled with anger.
Jiang Changdai narrowed her eyes, “Miss Lin, I am the senior here and I am also Beicheng’s mother. I don’t think it’s appropriate of you to refer to me as such.”
Lin Chu smiled, “This was how Beicheng referred to you as, Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Changdai could feel her eyelids twitch. Lin Chu’s expression was thick with sarcasm. She knew that Lin Chu was aware of what had happened long ago.
How could Yan Beicheng be so tactless as to tell an outsider regarding such a disgraceful past?
Lin Chu snorted in her heart at the anger that flashed across Jiang Changdai’s eyes. So, she was aware of her disgraceful conduct and was afraid someone would find out? Then, she should not have done them in the first place!
She was angry at the thought of not being able to meet her future father-in-law, who died for nothing, what more Yan Beicheng. Yet, Jiang Changdai was still thick-skinned enough to show up and acted like a mother-in-law who was dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law. What a joke!
“By the looks of Miss Jiang today, I’m afraid you’d be unwilling for me to even call you auntie,” Lin Chu smiled slightly as she nonchalantly took a sip of her water.
“Zhiqing was right, you do know how to put up pretenses.” Jiang Changdai narrowed her eyes in anger.
Lin Chu finally understood why this was happening. She looked at the time. She had to rush over for lunch, so she took a look at Jiang Changdai. “Miss Jiang, can I know what you are here for? Look at the time, I wouldn’t want to disrupt your lunchtime.”
Jiang Changdai’s widened her eyes in rage, was she rushing her to wrap up the conversation?
Jiang Changdai was filled with anger. She had planned to advice Lin Chu patiently, but after meeting Lin Chu, she decided to give a direct order, “I don’t like you. Stop embarrassing yourself and break up with Beicheng. You’re going to turn Beicheng into a laughing stock.”
Lin Chu’s lips curled into a silent sarcastic laugh.
This woman was truly self-indulgent. She came all the way just to tell her that she did not like her and gave orders for a breakup, expecting her to do as told. It was no wonder that she could not forget her old lover after marriage and ended up neglecting her husband and son. She destroyed her family with her own two hands.
“Does Beicheng know that you are here to see me?” Lin Chu asked slowly.
Jiang Changdai clenched her teeth as her eyelids twitched, “What does this have to do with Beicheng? Do you think I don’t have authority over my son?”
Lin Chu smiled slowly. “Beicheng understands your personality and attitude very well. He knew you’d be dissatisfied from the very beginning, yet he still chose to be with me. Isn’t Miss Lu your first choice? You’ve created a chance for them to meet, unfortunately, Beicheng did not express any interest. If your words held any weight, he would not have wooed me and would have been together with Miss Lu, and you wouldn’t have needed to come all the way to Ning City just to see me behind his back, wouldn’t you?”
“He’s my son! He’ll need to obey me in the end!” Jiang Changdai said grim-faced.
Lin Chu wanted to throw her glass of water into her face. There was not a day when she had taken care of Yan Beicheng, and now, she was claiming him as her son?
Lin Chu said casually, “Sure, you can meet Beicheng and request for him to break up with me. If he doesn’t choose to leave me, I’ll definitely not be the one to break up with him. Beicheng is such a good man, I can’t bear leaving his side. However, even if you manage to convince him, I’ll still go after him brazenly. Beicheng does not like Lu Weining and yet she still comes after him shamelessly. Beicheng and I have built a foundation on our relationship, what am I waiting around for? A good man such as Beicheng is worth my time wooing.”
Jiang Changdai was stunned, yet at the same time, she was mad.
Her mouth opened slightly and pointed at Lin Chu after a while. “So, the truth has slipped out from you, hasn’t it?! You’re after Beicheng’s money, aren’t you? A materialistic woman such as you will never be worthy of him.”
Jiang Changdai took out a checkbook from her purse and a pen. She hesitated before writing on it, then clenched her teeth and wrote one million Yuan on it. She tore the check and slid it across the table.
“This is one million. Take it and break up with Beicheng,” Jiang Changdai straightened herself up and tried to look noble and elegant.
Lin Chu’s mouth twitched, “Well, while I do appreciate the gesture but this one million can’t even buy me a washroom in B city, and you want me to give up Beicheng for this one million? Are you looking down on Beicheng? Isn’t it silly for me to give him up for a mere one million?”
“So, you think it’s not enough? Don’t worry, I will pass these words to Beicheng,” Jiang Changdai gave a cold smile.
“I’m looking at you highly by offering you this one million. Beicheng is not the one that’s not worth it, it’s you.”
Lin Chu smiled pleasantly. “When I’ve married Beicheng, my net worth would be at a much different level!”
At this point, Lin Chu had started looking at Jiang Changdai as a joke. She truly was stupidly naïve, it was no wonder that she would betray Yan Beicheng’s father for a worthless man such as Lu Zhenting.
She was not a good judge of character, she seemed to have a healthy pair of eyes yet acted like the blind. That might be why she had forsaken a diamond for something less worthy than glass and worshipped it.
“Miss Jiang, I was not supposed to mention this, but Beicheng and Old Lady Yan had told me about your past. As far as I know, all you did was gave birth to Beicheng. After that, you’ve never taken any responsibility for him. Beicheng is your son, and at the end of the day, you are his birth mother. No matter what wrong you’ve done him, he still respects you. I’m just an outsider who shouldn’t comment much. I’ll just look to Beicheng for how much respect he has towards you and follow his lead. As for deciding on behalf of Beicheng, such as picking a wife for him, I think you should discuss the matter with Beicheng and let him decide if he is willing to accept this goodwill of yours.”
In other words, she meant to say that ‘You have never even taken the trouble to bring up your son and yet you think you can pick his wife for him? Well, that would be wishful thinking!’
“Besides, according to your logic, if Beicheng has to obey you because he’s your son, then my relationship with Beicheng has already gotten the blessings of the two Yan elders. They do not care for status and will give their support as long as Beicheng is happy. You may have been living in Ning City all these years, but you still haven’t remarried, have you?” Lin Chu raised an eyebrow as if afraid Jiang Changdai did not understand the sarcasm in her words. Her eyebrows were raised high and the smile on her lips was especially wide.
Jiang Changdai finally got the message and the expression on her face changed. Her eyes flitted around she pointed at Lin Chu with trembling fingers. She had never met another woman with such a smart mouth before, going straight for the jugular with every word!
“For the logic of your theory, you’re still considered the daughter-in-law of the two elders. Shouldn’t you be obeying their wishes?” Lin Chu smiled saying, looking especially sweet.
Jiang Changdai was so angry, she had to press her hands against her heart. “You’re good, aren’t you? I’ll be conveying all these words to Beicheng.”
Lin Chu did not seem to mind at all. “Please do. He is well aware of my temperament. I’ve always been honest with him ever since we got together. I’ve never tried to hide who I am. I could pretend for a while, but I can’t pretend forever, can I? I’m standing by the words I mentioned. If you don’t like me and want me to break up with Beicheng, then please go ahead share this with Beicheng. I am his girlfriend now, so you’re not considered my mother-in-law. You can’t control me, the only person who can control me is your son.”
