Chapter 419: The Chang Family Is Nothing to Me
Ruan Danchen sighed when she realized that her fate was sealed.
Sure enough, Grandmother Chang was in a good mood when she entered the shop with Chang Jingqiu initially, but stopped immediately upon noticing Ruan Danchen sitting on the couch as if the thought of sitting together with Ruan Danchen would sully her identity.
“Why are you here?” Grandmother Chang’s voice became thunderous and abnormally sharp all of a sudden which was contrasting to her initial amiable attitudes.
Ruan Danchen stood up grudgingly. She was reluctant to acknowledge their presence but refused to be disrespectful towards elders. Grandmother Chang could potentially criticize that the Qi family’s daughter-in-law did not have any sense of courtesy if Ruan Danchen ignored both of them.
“Old Madam Chang, Miss Chang,” Ruan Danchen nodded and greeted lightly.
“Humph! Do you think you’re worthy enough to shop here? Do you think you can shop at such a high-class place after becoming the Qi family’s daughter-in-law?” Grandmother Chang stomped her foot angrily.
Ruan Danchen kept quiet as she felt lazy to give her any response. She had no choice but to wait for Qi Chenglin to wrap up his phone call so that they could leave the place immediately.
If it was not that Ruan Danchen had no idea where Qi Chenglin went for the phone call and he would get worried if he returned only to find her missing, she would wait with him outside instead of facing an old lady who thinks she was right all the time despite being irrational.
Then, Grandmother Chang yelled at the shop assistant, “Since when did your shop stop being particular about the customers you serve? She can even visit your shop to buy stuff even though she isn’t up to the standard. How can we visit here again if others think we belong in the same category as her? I’m afraid my sisters won’t visit your shop again if they knew about this.”
To be honest, Grandmother Chang loathed Ruan Danchen not only because of Chang Jingqiu’s initial false accusations, but also due to Qi Youxuan and Chang Jianan’s bickering at the amusement arcade in the mall last time. Moreover, Grandmother Chang had preconceived notions about Ruan Danchen since Chang Jingqiu had implanted a bad impression on Ruan Danchen in her brain. On top of that, Chang Jianan’s unjust treatment from Ruan Danchen and her son made her feel even more disgusted at Ruan Danchen.
If Ruan Danchen did not bear Qi Chenglin’s child, there was no way she would be superior to her granddaughter in any aspect.
Thus, Grandmother Chang firmly believed the revelation that was posted on Weibo.
The shop assistant felt especially awkward after listening to Grandmother Chang. If the Qi family’s daughter-in-law was not up to the standard, then who was?
Disregarding moral quality, Ruan Danchen was far superior to Grandmother Chang in terms of identity. Moreover, Mrs. Qi did not even start defending herself and instead, Grandmother Chang was the one acting rudely the moment she saw Ruan Danchen.
However, the shop assistant did not dare to mention these since she could not afford to offend both parties. The only thing she could do was smile and try to mediate the dispute. “Old Madam, Mrs. Qi is here to take her wedding dress.”
The shop assistant was trying to remind Grandmother Chang unobtrusively regarding Ruan Danchen’s current identity so that she would not go too far.
However, Grandmother Chang was used to having absolute authority at home. None of her sons or daughters-in-law dared to cross her path at home and all of them would obey her every command. Thus, Grandmother Chang could not bother with the shop assistant’s reminder amidst her overwhelming hatred towards Ruan Danchen.
The title ‘Mrs. Qi’ fuelled the fire that burned within Grandmother Chang, and the big box sitting on the table was like gasoline. She exploded with anger.
She pointed at Ruan Danchen and yelled, “Tell me, which part of you is worthy of the title ‘Mrs. Qi’? I feel ashamed for the Qi family when you come out and let others address you as Mrs. Qi! A lady without courtesy, of bad quality, and family upbringing like you would just embarrass yourself, so just don’t leave your house! It’s alright if you embarrass yourself, but don’t bring shame to the Qi family too!”
The stare Ruan Danchen gave Grandmother Chang was freezing cold. “Old Madam, I didn’t say a word after your arrival but you were scolding and criticizing me ever since. Let me ask you now, who’s the one without courtesy and standard? We’ve only met each other twice. Each family will try to get along well with others and they’ll greet each other politely when they met outside. None will offend others at first glance. You do realize that you’re not actually embarrassing the Qi family by yelling and howling around in public.”
“I know you’re good at talking!” Grandmother Chang said as she pointed at Ruan Danchen. “The news on the internet is drawing so much attention now. I wouldn’t even leave the house if I were you, you shameless b*tch! You’re not considering the Qi family’s fame by showing off publicly instead of hiding at home and waiting for the news to subside. Have you no sense of decency? The Qi family must’ve been cursed to have you in their family!” Grandmother Chang scolded.
“Thank you, Old Madam, for having so many worries. But this is the Qi family’s issue. You just need to take good care of your health instead of worrying about other family’s matters,” Ruan Danchen replied coldly.
The shop assistant felt that Grandmother Chang was sticking her nose into other people’s affairs too. The Qi family was not bothered about it, so how did it concern Grandmother Chang?
Besides, Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen’s relationship was very stable seeing how well they get along with each other just now.
The shop assistant quickly gestured to another shop assistant to get Chang Jingqiu’s dress, to which he nodded and scurried away.
Grandmother Chang then said unexpectedly, “How can I not worried? Qi Chenglin is a good man, but how does he get tainted by a lady born but not raised by her mother? How does a charming man like Qi Chenglin adore a lady like you? I knew it. You must have used tricks and deceptions to get near him and made him yours by bearing his child! What an indecent lady who would do anything for money. Shameless b*tch!”
Ruan Danchen squinted and her lips curled up involuntarily upon hearing Grandmother Chang’s compliments on Qi Chenglin. She did not expect Qi Chenglin to have such a good impression on Grandmother Chang’s mind, but she could not help but wonder, perhaps Grandmother Chang had mental retardation.
“Old Madam, I respected you and treated you politely because you’re an elder, but please act like one instead of simply behaving rudely and swearing arrogantly. Even a child raised in an ordinary family won’t swear rudely like you did, not to mention those from renowned families. You shouldn’t involve family when you’re scolding me, and you don’t even know much about me, so please refrain from speaking maliciously which may cause your health to deteriorate. We can pretend to be strangers if you really despise me, and I don’t want to get angry too for no absolute reason. You don’t have to stand right in front of me and make yourself angry too. That’s your body, so I won’t compensate if there’s something wrong with it.” Ruan Danchen was obviously mocking Grandmother Chang brazenly.
Since Grandmother Chang was being discourteous even as an elder, there was no need for Ruan Danchen to show her any kind of respect.
“You should respect me because I’m an elder! You’re not a kid either so why should I treat you kindly? In fact, you were mocking and cursing me instead, you uneducated b*tch! You dare to continue living with the Qi family despite all the shameful matters you did. I would pack up my stuff and get the hell out of the Qi family if I were you, for the Qi Chenglin and the Qi family’s sake! You’re so full of sweet talk but you actually don’t want to let the Qi family go, you shameless b*tch!”
Even the shop assistant frowned involuntarily upon hearing Grandmother Chang’s criticism. Grandmother Chang was supposed to be a well-reputed individual. Even though academics and education were not the priority during her youth, she must have been well-educated as a daughter from an eminent family. However, her current behavior was like a shrew shouting and cursing hysterically in public, even the other shrews would be too embarrassed to curse like how Grandmother Chang did just now.
The shop assistant’s ears ached upon listening to Grandmother Chang’s curses.
“I feel pity for your son too when he has a shameless mother like you. You would’ve understood your son’s situation since you have such a stepmother too. I believe a parent will treat his biological child dearly no matter how wicked the parent is, since there’s a saying—a tiger, though cruel, will not devour its cubs. You should be sensible and leave the Qi family for good for the sake of your son. Stop bothering the Qi family from now on to avoid embarrassing them and your son. Besides, your bad character has led to an unsatisfactory upbringing of your son and he’s acting unreasonably now.” Grandmother Chang recalled the event where Qi Youxuan ‘bullied’ Chang Jianan and assumed that it was due to his mother, Ruan Danchen, who taught him to act in such a way.
“So, you really should leave as soon as possible for the sake of your son’s future,” Grandmother Chang continued. Ruan Danchen felt Grandmother Chang’s gaze on her was full of resentment for failing to meet Grandmother Chang’s expectations.
Ruan Danchen smirked and took a scornful peek at Chang Jingqiu who was supporting Grandmother Chang in fear that she may lose consciousness and sneered, “And give Miss Chang a chance to replace me once I left, right?”
The shop assistant understood the whole situation immediately after listening to Ruan Danchen.
The reason why Grandmother Chang was persistent in criticizing Ruan Danchen because Miss Chang was interested in a married man!
No wonder Grandmother Chang acted as if she bore a deep grudge against Ruan Danchen.
This designer branded shop was so well-reputed that it was considered an upstart in the current designing world. This designer not only designed wedding dresses, he designed formal and daily outfits too. There was a steady stream of upper-class customers who came to this shop to customize their outfits, and the shop assistants were used to this sort of issues.
They were not particularly revered about social status like Grandmother Chang was since even the womenfolk of The Great Eight Families often visited this shop too. Thus, they were quite clear about how the upper-class individuals socialized with each other. They would treat each other politely as a sign that they were well educated, no matter how severe the hostility behind these families’ backs were. This was the first time they saw a shrew like Grandmother Chang scolding and swearing rudely in public at first sight of her enemy.
“What are you talking about? Don’t even think about slandering my granddaughter!” Grandmother Chang yelled out of exasperation.
These shop assistants were garrulous and smarter than chimpanzees. They were capable of deciphering the true meaning of a simple statement made by Ruan Danchen. Then, they would gossip and spread rumors around, which could potentially destroyed Chang Jingqiu’s reputation. How was she supposed to meet people afterward?
Ruan Danchen’s motive was extremely execrable!
“Such devious and calculative mind, no wonder you can’t get up to standard. I merely gave you a few pieces of advice and now you’re mocking and setting a trap for my granddaughter. Hmph, a woman like you won’t be able to raise your child well!” Grandmother Chang pointed at Ruan Danchen and told Chang Jingqiu, “Jingqiu, a woman like her isn’t worthy to even carry your shoes!”
“There’s no need for Old Madam to bother whether I’m worthy of anything or not. The Qi family hasn’t given me any cold shoulder so it’s not your turn to express your dissatisfaction towards me. You might as well continue living your life happily,” Ruan Danchen replied coldly.
“You! What a sharp-tongued lady. I’ll help the Qi family teach you some manners today!” Grandmother Chang raised her hand in an attempt to slap Ruan Danchen.
“Ouch!” Suddenly, Grandmother Chang’s wrinkled wrist was grabbed firmly by someone just when she lifted her hand. The grip was so strong that the blood circulation in her wrist slowed, making them feel cold and numb.
“Who’s there? How dare you wound an old lady like me?” Grandmother Chang roared at the top of her voice before her hand was flung away. Then, she saw Qi Chenglin shielding Ruan Danchen upon closer look.
“An outsider like you don’t have the right to teach the Qi family’s daughter-in-law a lesson,” Qi Chenglin hissed coldly and his gaze on Grandmother Chang appeared sinister and ruthless.
Qi Chenglin was answering a phone call outside the shop just now when the shop assistant came rushing towards him anxiously. However, the shop assistant did not dare to disturb him abruptly since he was on a phone call.
Qi Chenglin ended the phone call immediately because he knew something must have happened. When he heard from the shop assistant that Grandmother Chang started scolding Ruan Danchen without demur upon entering the shop, he rushed into the shop straight away with rage boiling deep within his system.
He even heard Grandmother Chang’s criticism, which was intolerable to the ears, when he entered the shop.
Even though he knew Ruan Danchen could dodge the incoming slap that Grandmother Chang was about to deliver, the whites in his eyes turned a pure red nonetheless.
He could not allow that shameless old lady to bully Ruan Danchen when he was unwilling to even give the woman of his life the slightest attitude. Without any consideration of his image, he ran forward.
This was the first time Qi Chenglin hungered for the desire to hit a female, and she was an old lady too. He could not wait to smack the unreasonable old face off that granny.
“Grandmother Chang, mind your own attitude before you start scolding someone. You can’t blame others for not showing you any respect when you’re the one who started behaving rudely to them. Respect is earned, not given. Don’t blame others for destroying your image if you don’t care about it at all.” A cruel sneer formed on Qi Chenglin’s face.
Qi Chenglin had superb self-control and hardly anyone was able to push him over the edge.
However, he did not mind to be harsh and mean when his rage was fuelled.
“Did your old age muddle your thoughts? What makes you think that the Chang family has any capability to scold a Madam in the Qi family?” Qi Chenglin peeked at Chang Jingqiu’s dress which was hanging on the shop assistant’s arm before shifting his cold gaze back to Grandmother Chang.
“The Chang family is nothing to me.”
Qi Chenglin threw the criticism at Grandmother Chang with a flat expression before holding Ruan Danchen’s hand and leaving the shop, leaving Grandmother Chang’s face paled with exasperation.
Grandmother Chang was scolded and despised, but she only dared to yell towards the door after Qi Chenglin left. “Nothing? Nothing! You’re the one who’s nothing to me! Ridiculous, I did it for your own good! You’re biting the hand that feeds you!”
The rest remained silent as Grandmother Chang did not dare to scold Qi Chenglin in his presence, only to rebuke after he left.
The shop assistant was smart enough to follow behind Qi Chenglin—who was still in a rage—with the box of wedding dress in his hands and pass it to him.
Qi Chenglin let Ruan Danchen enter the car first while he placed the wedding dress on the back seat.
Then, he got into the driver’s seat and sat still, waiting for the rage that burned within him to extinguish before he started driving to prevent possible accidents.
Ruan Danchen glanced at him, who appeared especially stern amidst his frustration. His jaws were clamped tight and he was grinding his teeth. His chest moved up and down greatly even though he was not tachypneic.
Ruan Danchen reached out for his jawline and started massaging it in an attempt to relax it.
Qi Chenglin finally turned his head towards her and grabbed her hand which was massaging his jawline. However, he remained silent.
Ruan Danchen sighed before moving towards him. This was the first time she took the initiative and sat on Qi Chenglin’s thighs in the car.
However, there was not much space in the front seat and she felt nervous since it was the first time she sat on his thighs. Thus, she accidentally hit her leg on the gear shift lever upon settling down on his legs. The pain twisted her delicate face and made her lose control, resulting in her slamming directly onto his thighs.
As a result, Qi Chenglin’s face distorted due to pain, and he groaned lightly in response.
He prioritized Ruan Danchen and asked upon seeing her distorted face, “What happened? Are you hurt?”
Qi Chenglin glanced at her leg and started massaging it.
“I’m fine. Feeling a little pain from just now. Did I hurt you?” Ruan Danchen blamed herself after noticing his pale expression.
“…” Qi Chenglin felt heartbroken, and his conscience would not allow him to lie to her.
Ruan Danchen knew where she had hurt him, but she could not massage the area in broad daylight. It was not as if she could take the pain away after massaging it. She would just be making him suffer, right?
Thus, Ruan Danchen sat extremely still on his thighs. After a while, Qi Chenglin exhaled and said, “I’m good now.”
Ruan Danchen then lifted her hand and started rubbing his chin with her soft fingers after noticing that his initial stern expression had softened up. It felt rough, like sandpaper, even though he shaved just now.
“Don’t be angry,” Ruan Danchen coaxed.
Qi Chenglin sighed before leaning forward, grabbing her hands, and kissing her fingertips.
“There’s no need to treat that old lady politely from now on.” Qi Chenglin narrowed his eyes after recalling her presumptuous criticisms and started planning his revenge to make Grandmother Chang regret what she had done.
“Okay, I got it.” Ruan Danchen leaned forward and kissed his spiky chin. Then, seeing that there was a lip print planted on his chin, she realized that she had put on a full face of makeup and was wearing a bright-colored lipstick.
His initial cold expression, which radiated abstinence, suddenly had a tinge of debauchery with that lip print on his chin. This was the first time Ruan Danchen noticed this and without a doubt, it was a rare sight.
However, Qi Chenglin had no clue that Ruan Danchen’s train of thoughts had gone down the wrong railway. He stared at her doubtfully, which made him look innocent and somehow appear dorky and adorable too.
Ruan Danchen could not help but glance at the crown of his head to check if there was any ahoge sprouting from it.
Of course the answer was no, but Ruan Danchen took out her phone nonetheless and quickly snapped a picture of Qi Chenglin.
“…” Qi Chenglin was dumbfounded.
Then, Ruan Danchen wiped the lip print on his chin away before putting on a sweet smile. “Don’t be angry. It’s not worth it to feel frustrated because of that unreasonable old lady.”
“Okay. I’m not angry now.” Qi Chenglin patted her back gently to make her feel secure, but he had a cold and sinister look on his curled up lips which made Ruan Danchen’s heart skip a beat.
It was supposed to be a joyful day to bring his wife to try on her wedding dress. Qi Chenglin’s heart bloomed with joy when he gazed admiringly at his beautiful wife in the wedding dress, and felt that his day was getting better just like the clear blue sky. However, he did not expect Grandmother Chang to intervene and disrupt his good day just like that.
“She disrupted my good mood today, so I’ll return the debt to her whole family soon enough.” Qi Chenglin’s tone sounded sinister even though it remained mellow and deep as usual.
“…” Ruan Danchen was left speechless.
Ruan Danchen was unsure what sort of evil schemes he had in mind but she lit a candle to sympathize with the Chang family for what was going to happen to them soon.
Ruan Danchen noticed that he had regained his cool, thus she attempted to shift back to the passenger seat. However, Qi Chenglin stopped her attempt by hugging her tightly.
“Since you’re here now, don’t you want to kiss me before you return?” Qi Chenglin raised his eyebrows and asked. His raging fire was extinguished by Ruan Danchen’s kiss on his chin just now, so what was left in his heart now was softness and gentleness for his wife.
“Didn’t I kiss you just now?” Ruan Danchen mumbled. She leaned forward nonetheless and planted a kiss on his lips. When their lips parted ways, a glittering red stain was left on his lips from her lipstick.
He was born with fair skin and now his lips were bright red, which added a sense of seduction in his usual cold expression. Ruan Danchen immediately thought of the phrase ‘
Red lips with white teeth just like Pan An
‘. This proverb described a handsome man in the old times, which also suited Qi Chenglin’s current appearance now, right?
Nowadays, there would be a male supporting actor who was almost as beautiful as a woman in every novel-inspired television series. However, these male supporting actors did not appear appealing to Ruan Danchen no matter how they put on their makeup.
Now, the more she stared at her husband, the more satisfied she felt. He normally had a temperament of a leading male actor, but now with a bright red color on his thin lips, he became a beauty who could bring calamity to a country.
This is a Chinese proverb “唇红齿白,貌似潘安”. Pan Yue, also known as Pan An, a famous litterateur in Jin Dynasty, might be the most famous handsome man in China. His reputation spread so widely that people used “look like Pan An (貌若潘安)” as a compliment.
