“The transaction must go through the proper procedures in the real world. It will take approximately three to seven days before you can move in.”
That meant she would need to wait nearly a week.
Based on what she knew about the Meng family, they probably would not tolerate her staying in their house for even one more day.
Forget it.
She had enough money now, so staying at a hotel for several days would not be a problem.
After resolving the most important issue of accommodation, Meng Yao was in an excellent mood.
She found a state-owned restaurant and decided to reward herself with a good meal.
Meanwhile, the three members of the Meng family sat around the dining table with gloomy expressions.
“Where exactly did she go?”
“She left early this morning without saying anything. It’s almost dark, yet she still hasn’t returned.”
Meng Liangcai frowned.
“That child has been intelligent since she was young. Could she have guessed what we were planning and escaped?”
The atmosphere immediately became silent.
Too many things had happened over the past two days, and everyone had developed an ominous feeling.
Meng Yao seemed to have become uncontrollable.
If she had truly escaped, then both the marriage arrangement and the family factory would fall into complete chaos.
Li Yuqin became so anxious that she suddenly jumped to her feet, her expression twisted.
“No!”
They had worked so hard to raise her.
Everything she had eaten, worn, and used had come from the Meng family.
If they allowed her to escape now, the Meng family would suffer an enormous loss.
“Come on. We need to go out and look for her.”
Meng Ying rubbed her empty stomach and complained,
“Mom, I’m hungry…”
Li Yuqin glared at her.
“Which is more important—eating or your lifelong future?”
Meng Ying trembled at those words.
She had nearly forgotten the main purpose of that evening.
Without caring about anything else, the three hurried out of the house.
However, halfway through the courtyard, they encountered Meng Yao, who had already eaten her fill.
“Well, where are all of you going?”
Meng Yao raised an eyebrow.
“It’s already so late, yet you’re still busy preparing for Meng Ying’s wedding. You’re truly devoted.”
She looked up and pointed at the darkening sky.
“But the shops have probably closed by now. You should wait until tomorrow morning.”
The three exchanged glances, unable to conceal their anger.
However, remembering Meng Yao’s strength, they suppressed their emotions and did not dare provoke her again.
Li Yuqin instantly changed her expression and forced a smile.
“Where did you go today? Why did you come back so late? You must be starving. Hurry inside and eat with us.”
How unusual.
The sun must have risen from the west for them to suddenly care whether she had eaten.
Ever since Meng Ying returned to the family, Meng Yao had not eaten a single satisfying meal.
All the good food was reserved for Meng Ying and her son.
On the surface, the family ate plain food because the factory was in crisis.
In reality, they sent Meng Yao away and secretly enjoyed better meals behind closed doors.
That morning, when Meng Yao saw Li Yuqin carrying several large bags of groceries, she immediately sensed something was wrong.
Sudden kindness usually concealed either treachery or theft.
“I’ve already eaten. I won’t ruin your appetite by joining you.”
She raised her foot and prepared to return to her room.
Unexpectedly, Meng Ying spread her arms and blocked her path.
“Mom and I worked all day preparing tonight’s meal. Isn’t it too much for you to simply refuse to eat?”
Meng Liangcai quickly agreed.
“That’s right, Yaoyao. Your mother and Yingzi put so much thought into this. At least eat a little.”
Li Yuqin put on the appearance of a loving mother and tightly held the back of Meng Yao’s hand, as though afraid she might escape.
“The factory has performed poorly over the past two years. You sisters have suffered because of it. As your mother, I feel that I have failed both of you.
“That’s why I specially bought food today. Before Yingzi gets married, I wanted the whole family to gather and enjoy a proper meal.
“Give your mother some dignity and eat with us.”
Meng Yao’s eyes shifted thoughtfully.
Although she knew the three had malicious intentions, she did not refuse again.
After all, she had not yet completely separated herself from the Meng family.
As long as she continued living there, she would not be able to avoid their schemes forever.
She was also energetic and alert at the moment.
She might as well confront them and see what trick they intended to play.
“Fine. Let’s treat it as a celebration for Meng Ying finding such a wonderful husband and finally escaping the Meng family’s sea of suffering.”
Ignoring the hatred in their eyes, she walked toward the kitchen first.
When she saw the square dining table covered with dishes, Meng Yao could not help sighing inwardly.
They had truly spent a fortune just to deal with her.
“Yaoyao, eat more. Look how thin you’ve become recently…”
Seeing her obediently sit down, Li Yuqin finally relaxed.
She enthusiastically placed food into Meng Yao’s bowl while nagging,
“Anyone who didn’t know us might think the Meng family had mistreated you.”
How ridiculous.
A mocking smile appeared on Meng Yao’s lips.
While she hesitated over whether to pick up her chopsticks, she noticed all three of them staring directly at her.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Yes, of course. Everyone must be starving. Hurry and start eating.”
Perhaps afraid that Meng Yao would become suspicious, Meng Liangcai quickly stuffed food into his mouth.
However, he continued watching her from time to time.
The four people at the table seemed to possess thousands of hidden schemes between them.
Remaining highly cautious, Meng Yao carefully confirmed that they were eating the same dishes before she dared swallow anything.
Was there truly nothing wrong with the food?
Had she been overthinking?
While Meng Yao was still confused, Li Yuqin suddenly stood and brought several bowls of chicken soup from the pot.
She placed one bowl neatly in front of each person.
The previously gloomy Meng Ying suddenly revealed a strange smile.
It appeared that their plan was about to succeed.
The three quickly exchanged glances before focusing on the bowl of chicken soup in front of Meng Yao.
“Here, Yaoyao. You’ve worked hard recently. Drink the chicken soup and nourish yourself.”
“That’s right. This chicken was raised by our family. It’s extremely nourishing.”
So this was what they had been waiting for.
When Meng Yao saw Li Yuqin hand the final bowl of chicken soup to Meng Ying, she suddenly stood and swiftly exchanged their bowls.
Her movement was so fast that everyone present was startled.
The three exclaimed at the same time,
“What are you doing?”
Li Yuqin instinctively reached out to snatch the bowl of chicken soup from Meng Yao’s hands, but she grabbed nothing.
Her face visibly flushed with anger.
“Yaoyao, that bowl contains the large drumstick Yingzi loves most. Hurry and return it to her.”
As she spoke, she pushed forward the bowl containing a small chicken wing.
Meng Yao lowered her head and silently prepared herself.
When she looked up again, her eyes were red and her face filled with sorrow.
“But Mom, I’ve never been allowed to eat the drumstick since I was little.
“First it was always given to Xiaoyu, and now it belongs to Yingzi…
“Could you let me taste it just this once?”
As she spoke, tears began falling one after another.
Her voice trembled with grievance.
The performance had come so suddenly and seemed so sincere that the others stared at her in astonishment, unable to react for a moment.
Under normal circumstances, they would have simply given it to her.
But today was different.
The bowl with the chicken wing had been drugged.
Meng Yao had to drink it.
Li Yuqin quickly picked up the drumstick and exchanged it with the chicken wing.
Then she handed the bowl over.
“Here. You can have it.”
As she spoke, she reached out to take back the bowl Meng Yao was holding.
However, Meng Yao clutched it protectively and refused to release it.
She wiped away her tears and sighed.
“Forget it. I won’t compete with my younger sister.
“Since all of you care so much, I’ll return it to Meng Ying.”
Before the three could react, she swiftly picked up the chicken wing, placed it in her own bowl, and began eating happily.
The bowl of drugged chicken soup was ultimately pushed back in front of Meng Ying.
Meng Ying lowered her head and stared bitterly at the soup.
Then she looked helplessly at Li Yuqin.
Mom, what should I do?