Chapter 26: Don't Be So Polite
“My eldest daughter, ever since she met that man, has been like a lost soul, running to his place every few days, not caring about what people think. And now, she hasn't finished her chores and she's disappeared again. Sigh... no matter what I say, she won't listen.”
“Could she have given herself away? Young girls, once they get a taste, they can't get enough, just like young men.”
“Impossible.”
BANG!
Qin Yanci kicked open the kitchen door, his eyes dark and cold, his voice low with suppressed anger. “Since you admit that Sisi is your eldest daughter, why are you deliberately slandering her? Wasn't it you who told her to go to our house? If she's really as you say, losing her soul over a man, why didn't she move into my house when we got our marriage license the day before yesterday?”
It was almost dinner time, and Song Hanmei, like everyone else, was heating up the buns Ying Sisi had steamed. She jumped at the sudden noise. “Yan, Yanci, what are you doing here?”
“If you don't welcome me, don't invite me next time.” Qin Yanci turned and went into the house, bumping into Li Junlu, who had come out to see what the commotion was. He looked up at Qin Yanci's icy face, stammering, “Yan, Yanci, what's going on?”
Qin Yanci ignored him. Since Ying Sisi hadn't told him where her room was, he scanned the area before stopping at a door with a small red paper-cut on it. He gently pushed it open.
There was only a bed and a table.
Clothes, from thin to thick, were neatly folded at the foot of the bed.
Just as he was about to enter, Li Junlu stopped him. “Yanci, what are you doing?”
“Helping my wife move in advance.” Qin Yanci started looking for bags.
Li Junlu stopped him. “Move in? Even if you're in a hurry, you should wait until after the wedding banquet, right?”
“I'm worried that my wife won't be able to wait that long before you guys kill her.” Qin Yanci said bluntly.
Song Hanmei, who had followed in, turned red and white. “Who would hurt her?”
Qin Yanci firmly denied her. “No, you didn't. You treat her better than your own daughter. She just doesn't understand the rules, she shouldn't have gone to my place before the wedding banquet. But as a stepmother, it's right for you to tell the neighbors that she's lost her soul over a man.”
Song Hanmei: "."
Li Junlu's expression darkened. “Hanmei, what's going on?”
Song Hanmei was at fault and lacked confidence. “Yanci misunderstood.”
“I heard it with my own ears. Auntie, you can testify for me,” Qin Yanci turned to an elderly neighbor who had come to watch the commotion.
The neighbor was put on the spot, caught between a rock and a hard place.
If she sided with Song Hanmei, she would offend the Qin family, whose influence could even make Li's family give away their daughter for marriage.
If she sided with Qin Yanci, her friendship with Song Hanmei would be ruined.
She couldn't leave nor stay.
After much deliberation, she slapped herself. “It's my fault. I always saw Sisi when I visited, but I didn't see her today, so I asked. Hanmei said she had gone to her in-laws' house, and I have a big mouth, so I said a few words. I have something to do at home, so I'll go first.”
Li Junlu was furious. So his wife had really been gossiping about his daughter behind his back?
He glared at Song Hanmei and then reasoned with Qin Yanci. “Yanci, look, Sisi only went to your place a few times, and the neighbors are already gossiping. If she really moves in, what will everyone say? I promise I will take good care of her.”
Qin Yanci considered it for a moment before agreeing. “I hope you keep your word.”
“Of course.”
Qin Yanci added, “Sisi twisted her ankle and can't walk easily. Come with me to pick her up.”
“Okay, I'll go get her. I'll carry her back.”
Only then did Qin Yanci calm down.
(End of Chapter)
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