Сhaptеr 24: А Slар in thе Face.
Lin Тing fеlt a chill run dоwn her spinе.
Shе еvеn susреctеd thаt thе liе she told lаst night had been eхрosеd.
Вut rеmеmbеring how hе hаd оnce thrеаtenеd He Yang with hеr and Gu Нui, Lin Ting refused tо baсk down.
It wаs оften said thаt Jiang Xiaо wаs а sinistеr man, skilled in ruthlеss tасtiсs, like a vеnomоus snake in а cavе, while Jiang Siуe was a рrоud рeасock. In terms оf cunning аnd tеrror, Jiang Хiao wаs undoubtеdlу thе morе formidablе.
But Lin Ting bеliеvеd they were all mistaken.
Jiang Siуе was the venomоus snаke drapеd in рeacock feathers.
Returning to the Jiang residence, Da Ke came wagging his tail.
He Yang walked past without even glancing, not bending down to pet him as she used to.
Da Ke whimpered pitifully.
Jiang Siye fell silent for a moment, touching the wound on his arm, and muttered softly, “What are you whining about? She just ignored you—at least she didn’t try to kill you.”
The Jiang household was lively. Xu Fang, Jiang Sanyun’s prospective marriage partner, had come over.
It was rare for the eldest brother, Jiang Shouting, and his wife, Wu Xian, to be there as well.
Jiang Shouting and Wu Xian had a son named Jiang Mu. As the eldest son of the Jiang family’s eldest son, his importance went without saying, and Wu Xian disciplined him strictly.
Jiang Shouting was in the study holding a meeting, while Wu Xian took Mu Mu to the bathroom to wash his hands.
He Yang’s arrival was like a bucket of ice water—the once lively living room instantly fell silent.
In the past, He Yang didn’t understand, thinking she was dressed inappropriately or had said or done something wrong, always blaming herself.
Later, she realized it was nothing more than contempt and hostility.
Seeing the living room scene replay itself, He Yang didn’t bother greeting anyone. Instead, she found a comfortable seat and sat down, waiting to see how long they could hold their tongues.
Who were they trying to disgust?
Duan Tianhua sneered, “This is Xu Fang, your third brother-in-law. Don’t you know how to greet him?”
“Hello, third brother-in-law,” He Yang said obediently. “Are you here to discuss the conditions for marrying into the family?”
Xu Fang’s expression immediately changed.
The entire room fell into a tense silence.
Jiang Sanyun was furious. “He Yang…”
Duan Tianhua coughed heavily.
Jiang Siye had already entered with Da Ke.
“What do you want with my wife?” he said impatiently. “Looking to die?”
Jiang Sanyun forced herself to hold back. “Does your wife have any emotional intelligence at all?”
He Yang feigned panic. “Did I say something wrong? Isn’t that what you and Mom said?”
Xu Fang’s face darkened. “I never meant anything like that.”
Although the Xu family couldn’t compare to the Jiang family, they would never allow their son to marry into another family.
“…” Jiang Sanyun was about to lose her mind. “Don’t listen to her nonsense.”
He Yang curved her lips slightly, temporarily ceasing the battle.
Jiang Siye lowered himself and sat on the armrest of her sofa, letting her lean against his leg.
The living room fell silent again.
Even more so than before.
It wasn’t until Wu Xian led Mu Mu over that the silence was broken.
Mu Mu was eight years old, raised with restraint and elegance.
He Yang couldn’t help but stare, her gaze fixed on his face, which bore some resemblance to Jiang Siye’s.
A wave of warmth surged uncontrollably within her.
He Yang reached out her hand. “Mu Mu, come to Fourth Aunt.”
Jiang Mu looked up, seeking Wu Xian’s permission.
Jiang Siye frowned unhappily.
Wu Xian smiled. “Go ahead.”
The child had just washed his hands, his fingers slightly cool and damp.
He Yang’s eyes suddenly grew hot as she enveloped his small hand to warm it. “It’s autumn now—you should wash your hands with warm water…”
Jiang Mu exerted a little force and withdrew his hand. “Thank you, Fourth Aunt.”
He Yang was taken aback.
“Mu Mu,” Wu Xian called, “it’s time for fruit.”
Jiang Mu said, “Mom, I’ll go wash my hands again.”
Jiang Siye grabbed him by the collar, yanking his small body so hard he stumbled. “Who the hell do you think you’re acting all high and mighty with?”
The entire room was stunned.”Fourth Brother, he’s still young and doesn’t understand things,” Wu Xian explained. “Mumu, quickly apologize to your uncle.”
Jiang Mu stood stubbornly.
Jiang Siye looked him up and down with the gaze of a gang leader sizing up a little punk: “Tuck your tail between your legs. Don’t put on airs like a young master in front of me. This is my wife. Her willingness to touch you is giving you face, giving your father face. Understand?”
Wu Xian’s expression stiffened.
He Yang’s mind, which had grown feverish upon seeing Mumu, gradually cooled.
Yes.
Wu Xian was a wealthy heiress. He Yang originally couldn’t have come into contact with such a young lady. Wu Xian ignoring her wasn’t wrong.
Jiang Mu ignoring her wasn’t wrong either.
It was just that He Yang couldn’t help but think of Zhengzheng whenever she saw a child.
Her enthusiasm was unnecessary for Wu Xian and Jiang Mu. They were only being polite because of Jiang Siye.
Jiang Mu had never seen such a fierce uncle.
Tearfully, he apologized to He Yang: “I’m sorry, Fourth Aunt.”
He Yang sat up straight, no longer making intimate gestures: “I’m fine.”
Being young after all, Jiang Mu felt wronged: “Then why is Uncle angry with me?”
“Hmm?” He Yang said, “Probably because you slapped his face.”
Jiang Siye’s brow darkened.
She interpreted his anger as him protecting his dignity.
Jiang Mu: “I didn’t hit him…”
He Yang: “I am his face.”
Jiang Mu: “I didn’t hit you…”
“Who knows,” He Yang said dismissively. “Men’s pride always involves everyone, young and old.”
Jiang Mu wanted to say more.
He Yang: “Go wash your hands.”
Jiang Mu sniffled: “I won’t wash…”
He Yang: “Wash up. I didn’t wash my hands when I came in, and I patted your uncle’s butt.”
Jiang Siye took the blame smoothly: “Mm.”
Jiang Mu: “…”
Jiang Mu went to wash his hands.
The living room fell even more silent than before.
He Yang stood up: “I’ll go wash my hands too.”
Jiang Siye’s dark eyes fixed intently on her.
“Fourth, go to the study,” Duan Tianhua spoke up. “There’s some trouble with your eldest brother. You all should discuss it.”
Jiang Siye turned and left.
His anger was unmistakable.
Though it was unclear who it was directed at.
He Yang went outside to wash her hands. Beside the flower bed was a sink used for watering plants and washing vegetables.
The cattails were growing vigorously. He Yang thought about cutting a few stems to arrange in a vase indoors.
Wu Xian approached.
He Yang didn’t speak. Since Wu Xian had come over proactively, she must have something to discuss.
“I don’t want to have conflicts with you,” Wu Xian said. “With Fourth’s temper, even his elder brother has to give him some leeway.”
Moreover, the relationship between sisters-in-law was quite delicate and prone to issues.
Given their family backgrounds, she had no need to lower herself to make things difficult for He Yang.
Her ideal situation was for everyone to keep to themselves without interfering.
Wu Xian: “You’ve made too much of a scene.”
Jiang Sanyun was a daughter, and Jiang Xiao was an illegitimate child. Neither of them could take charge of the Jiang family.
That left only Jiang Shouting and Jiang Siye.
He Yang had stirred up such trouble in the Jiang family. Regardless of the reason, Wu Xian had to return.
To suppress her.
“Eldest Sister-in-law,” He Yang straightened up, “if I were you, I’d play deaf and dumb and let it pass.”
“……”
He Yang: “If I still wanted this marriage, I wouldn’t have made a scene. Since I did, do you think I’m afraid of your suppression?”
Wu Xian frowned, displeased at having her dignity challenged.
“Since you haven’t divorced,” Wu Xian’s tone grew stiff, “behave properly. Otherwise, Mother-in-law will keep calling Shouting. I really don’t want the Jiang family’s embarrassing affairs to spread.”
At this, Wu Xian’s attitude softened again: “If you have grievances, you can tell me.”She handed over two items: “Rather than staying unhappy at home, why not go get a beauty treatment or do some shopping, okay?”
One was a prepaid card for a beauty salon, the other a black-gold VIP card for a shopping mall.
The two gold cards gleamed dazzlingly under the sunlight.
They nearly blinded He Yang.
This was the second absurd thing to happen to He Yang after Jiang Siye had taken it upon himself to sign Zhengzheng’s do-not-resuscitate order.
“Sister-in-law,” she said, utterly bewildered, “my husband may not be much in other areas, but in terms of financial resources alone, he’s on par with your husband, isn’t he?”
Jiang Siye’s defining trait was his wealth, and his most prominent characteristic was being both rich and generous. The diamond jewelry in He Yang’s collection was so abundant she could have used it as marbles to play with.
All of it had been bought for her by Jiang Siye.
So what was Wu Xian doing now?
Trying to send her off with two cards?
Ha.
Jiang Siye’s face had been slapped once again.