So? Can’t you understand human language? Jiang Ci glanced at Qin Huai’an with mockery in her eyes and continued, You keep calling yourself a modern youth and looking down on traditional women, yet you watch your own sister being raised exactly like one of those old-fashioned ladies.
And that’s not all. After all, you only learned these so-called new ideas from the West after studying abroad. But now that you’ve returned, when Huainan wants to go to school, you turn around and accuse me of corrupting her. I ask you, how is going to school considered bad? Is it because Huainan is starting to use her brain and doesn’t want to be a traditional woman that you see as being spoiled?
She pointed at Liang Manyin and said, According to your logic, what exactly is she then?
Don’t you dare use Manyin as an excuse! Qin Huai’an exploded like a beast whose territory had been invaded. Your so-called schooling is just an excuse to go out and cause trouble and jealousy! Huainan learned all those sharp and hurtful words from you! It’s better for her to stay at home than to follow you and learn crooked things at school!
At this point, Qin Huainan lifted her head from Jiang Ci’s arms and glared at Qin Huai’an angrily. Stop blaming Sister-in-law! This was entirely my idea from start to finish! I see now, you’ll say anything just to protect that vixen! There’s no need to twist the truth like this. I don’t need your help anyway!
Jiang Ci’s gaze focused sharply on Qin Huainan’s face. Huainan, what happened to your face?
Qin Yange immediately pushed forward to take a look, her expression turning icy. Who hit you?
Qin Huai’an looked visibly awkward and averted his eyes.
Who else could it be? Qin Huai’an!
Qin Huainan didn’t even call him brother this time, showing just how angry she was.
Just then, Liang Manyin stepped forward and pulled at Qin Huai’an’s sleeve. Huai’an, it’s actually my fault. I decided to come see you on impulse today, which caused all this trouble. They couldn’t have known I would be here, so please don’t blame good people wrongly.
Qin Huainan widened her eyes. Save your fake kindness!
Qin Huainan!
Jiang Ci pulled Qin Huainan behind her and looked fearlessly at the furious Qin Huai’an. Look, even Miss Liang knows that you are blaming the wrong person. Qin Huai’an, what are you so stubborn about? Is admitting you are wrong harder than death for you?
That’s because Manyin is kind-hearted and doesn’t know how treacherous people can be!
Jiang Ci couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She let go of Qin Huainan and took a few steps forward, standing right in front of Qin Huai’an. She looked him up and down with disdain and said slowly, Speaking of treacherousness, I know exactly how calculating and selfish you are.
Nonsense!
So eager to refute? Are you guilty? Jiang Ci silenced him with one sentence and continued, You don’t want Huainan to go to school, and it’s not hard to understand why. If she doesn’t go to school and stays a traditional woman, she will only take a small share of the family property as her dowry. But if she goes to school and learns about equality between men and women, then the family property of the First Branch might have to be split equally. Every man for himself is the law of nature, and there are plenty of people who sacrifice family for profit. Why act so secretive about it?
Qin Huai’an was so angry he almost choked, his face turning bright red. Stop spouting lies!
You are only deceiving yourself! Jiang Ci’s expression turned serious. Stop pretending, Qin Huai’an. You don’t truly believe in modern civilization; it’s just a pretty tool you use for romance. You are greedy and want everything. On one hand, you enjoy having traditional wives who sacrifice themselves to take care of everything for you. On the other hand, you enjoy the romance and excitement brought by modern women. And yet you complain constantly as if you are the one suffering the most. I am truly ashamed of you!
Qin Huai’an looked wronged. I don’t even go home, so what is there for you to manage? Jiang Ci, don’t think you can talk nonsense just because you are a woman!
Nonsense? Jiang Ci counted on her fingers. Let me do the math for you. Your salary as a clerk is only thirty dollars a month. Yet your suite at the Central China Hotel costs seven dollars a day. On top of that, you eat at restaurants, go to dance halls, watch movies… adding it all up, your monthly expenses must be three to five hundred silver dollars. Who do you think pays for all that? Isn’t it the traditional woman managing the household for the First Branch? What right do you have to stand here talking big? What right do you have to hit Huainan?
You aren’t even the official mistress of the house yet! How the family property is distributed or how I discipline my sister is none of your business!
With his financial facade torn away, Qin Huai’an glared at Jiang Ci as if she were the guilty one.
Jiang Ci looked at him, then suddenly curled her lips and said, Fine.
She turned around and called out, Third Aunt, please come here.
Qin Yange seemed to understand immediately and walked over without hesitation.
Jiang Ci said, Since I have no right to speak, please trouble you—give him a slap, as a lesson from an elder.
Jiang Ci, you—
Smack!
Before Qin Huai’an could finish, his head was snapped to the side by the force of the blow.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment.
Qin Huai’an stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what had just happened.
Liang Manyin was also stunned, unable to react.
There is a proper order between seniors and juniors. As your elder, when I discipline you, you accept it. Qin Yange calmly patted her hands as if brushing off dust, then added, However, Huai’an, this kind of behavior certainly doesn’t fit with modern civilization. Where did you learn it?
This broke the silence.
Qin Huai’an’s chest heaved violently like a bellows, his eyes red with rage. He glared at Jiang Ci and Qin Yange but couldn’t say a word in retort, the veins on his forehead popping out.
After a long while, he gritted out, Jiang Ci, you are good!
Flattered. Jiang Ci cupped her hands mockingly, then turned to Liang Manyin and said, Miss Liang, you have chosen the wrong man. I hope you will reconsider carefully.
With that, she put her arm around the stunned Qin Huainan and said to the others, Let’s go.
The group got into the car, and as it drove away, Qin Huai’an and Liang Manyin grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.
Halfway there, Qin Huainan finally came to her senses and was overcome with fear.
Sister-in-law, what are we going to do? If Big Brother tells our parents about today, we are finished!
Qin Yange scoffed, looking down on her timidity. Look at you! I was the one who slapped him. Tell your parents to come ask me if they dare!
Qin Huainan slumped her shoulders. They would never dare… Besides, after today’s scene, there’s no way I’ll be allowed to go to school now. I shouldn’t have come out today…
And spend your whole life locked up like a bird in a cage? Qin Yange gave her a look of disappointment. You are the most spineless girl in the Qin family!
But Qin Huainan was truly sad and scared. She lowered her head, and tears soon began to fall onto her dress, soaking the fabric.
Then Qin Yanchi looked up into the rearview mirror and said, What is there to make such a big fuss about? After we eat, I’ll take you home and tell your father personally to send you to school.
Qin Huainan looked up sharply. Really?
Zeng Juemi laughed. Wow! It’s the first time I’ve heard someone doubt Ninth Brother’s words! If this doesn’t work out, I’ll buy your whole house tomorrow and build a school just for you!
Hearing this, Qin Huainan finally stopped crying and smiled through her tears.
Jiang Ci handed her a handkerchief and teased her, Hurry up and dry your eyes. Don’t cry anymore, or when we get to the restaurant, you’ll be hiccupping with every bite of steak. That would be quite a sight!
Blushing, Qin Huainan took the handkerchief and wiped her eyes. She leaned close to Jiang Ci’s ear and whispered, Sister-in-law, I’m sorry I got you into this. I told him it wasn’t your idea, but he just wouldn’t believe me. And that Liang Manyin… she just happened to walk into our argument. Who could say anything nice about her then? I was really hurt that he hit me just for her…
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Ci. But that slap you asked Third Aunt to give him! It felt so satisfying! At home, it’s always like that. If I make a mistake, a whole crowd lectures me. But if Big Brother does something wrong, they just say a few words and let it go. This is the first time someone has actually taught him a lesson!
Hey! Hey! Qin Yange interrupted quickly. Don’t call me that when I’m not being formal, it makes me sound old!
The atmosphere in the car became light and cheerful again. A few minutes later, they arrived at the Western restaurant.
Gentlemen, ladies, this way please.
A waiter in a tailcoat led them to a long table.
Why did you take so long? We’ve been waiting for quite a while!
Jiang Ci followed the voice and saw a stunning woman wearing a shimmering red cheongsam with her hair styled in the popular finger-wave fashion.
She looked to be in her thirties, exuding mature elegance. She wore a pair of huge, flawless Imperial Green jade earrings that would have overwhelmed anyone else, but she carried them with perfect grace.
Sitting opposite her was another gentle-looking lady, who smiled at Jiang Ci and said, This must be Huai’an’s wife!
Oh please, don’t mention him, what bad luck! Qin Yange waved her hand. Sister-in-law Seven, just call her Xiao Jiang!
Why is that? Wei Dongqing asked curiously.
While waiting for the food to arrive, Qin Yange recounted everything that had happened at the hotel.
Qin Yanlou, who had missed the drama, shook his head. That boy has been foolish for a long time. Let’s not talk about him and ruin our appetite.
Jiang Ci had originally intended to keep her distance from the Second and Third Branches, but after today’s events, she realized they were completely different from the First Branch and were actually people she could be friends with.
The filet mignon and cream shrimp soup at this restaurant were delicious. Jiang Ci said very little during the meal, focusing mostly on eating.
In contrast, the others ate very little and were engrossed in conversation.
This made Jiang Ci look like a little rabbit happily munching away.
Since in Western dining men and women sit alternately, Qin Yanchi and Zeng Juemi were sitting on either side of Jiang Ci, making it impossible not to notice her.
Qin Yanchi looked at her slightly puffed cheeks and frowned slightly, thinking:
Is this steak really that good?
Just then, Qin Yanting looked at Jiang Ci and said, Xiao Jiang, I am organizing a charity auction to raise funds for the drought relief in Guanzhong. All the prominent people in Shanghai will be there. Would you like to come?