Aunt Zhao came to call everyone for dinner.
Qin Xingyun looked like he had seen a savior. “Aunt Zhao, tell them—wasn’t my little aunt extremely ugly when she first arrived? Like she weighed two or three hundred jin?”
Aunt Zhao didn’t dare speak ill of Su Manman anymore.
Old Master Qin clearly spoiled that girl.
And now even Old Madam Qin had been coaxed by her into treating her like a precious granddaughter.
If she joined the young masters in gossiping about Su Manman and word got back to the old couple, the worst she would get was a scolding—but what about her?
Would they spare her?
But she also didn’t want to offend Qin Xingyun. “Wasn’t it said she looked like that because of an allergy? Hurry up, I still have work to do.” She quickly left.
Qin Xingyun said, “Did you hear that? Even Grandpa knows about it.”
Hearing that, the others didn’t press further.
The four brothers went to the living room together.
Old Madam Qin greeted them to sit down. At the same time, they all looked toward Su Manman.
She was wearing a bright red sweater, her face delicate like peach blossoms, sitting obediently next to Qin Lin.
The brothers silently cursed Qin Xingyun in their hearts again.
“Many of today’s dishes were cooked by your little aunt. Try them,” Old Madam Qin said.
Chen Shuyi tasted the tofu and praised, “Manman’s cooking is really good. How is this tofu made? So fragrant, and slightly crispy when chewed.”
Su Manman organized her thoughts. “First fry it in oil—don’t use too much, tofu doesn’t absorb much oil. Fry until the surface is slightly firm, then take it out. Stir-fry minced pork belly, add soy sauce, salt, vinegar, a bit of water, then put the tofu back in. Simmer for about ten minutes. The sauce is especially good with rice.”
Her voice was fresh and sweet, pleasant to listen to.
But to the young men present, it only fueled their anger.
Anger toward Qin Xingyun.
Was that a duck throat voice?
Qin Xingjian pinched Qin Xingyun’s thigh hard.
“Ow!” Qin Xingyun screamed. “Mom!”
Chen Shuyi: “……What are you doing?”
“My leg hurts,” Qin Xingyun said pitifully, glancing at Qin Xingjian. “The other night a centipede crawled into my bed and bit me. Little aunt, your room is opposite mine—you should be careful.”
He deliberately looked at Su Manman, hoping she would panic and expose herself.
Old Master Qin saw through his intention and glared at him. “What centipede? It’s freezing outside.”
“Outside is cold, but indoors is warm! Even mosquitoes exist, right, little aunt?”
He pressed on, trying to force a reaction.
Su Manman calmly looked up. “You said I live opposite you—how would I know what’s inside your room? And why are you warning me? That makes it sound like I have something to do with you. Watch your words—people might think I have an affair with you.”
Qin Xingyun: “……”
Everyone: “……”
She continued, “For your uncle’s sake, I won’t argue with you. Where I come from, snakes and insects are common. I’m a village doctor—I’m very experienced with centipede bites. If you were really bitten two days ago and still alive, that’s basically impossible. If there’s no allergy reaction, it’s like a scratch. If there is, you’d already be dead.”
She glanced between Chen Shuyi and Qin Xingjian.
“Your mom wouldn’t bite you, so it must be your second brother.”
Her gu insects were well trained. Without her command, they wouldn’t attack anyone.
If she really released them, he would have been dead on the spot.
By now, everyone would already be attending his funeral.
Qin Xingyun: “……”
Qin Xingjian: “……”
Old Master Qin snapped, “Stop fighting like children!”
Qin Dingguo also scolded, “When will you two grow up?”
Old Madam Qin eased the tension. “Alright, eat first.”
Chen Shuyi changed the topic. “Winter solstice is coming soon. Aunt Zhao will be on holiday, right?”
“Yes, three days off,” Aunt Zhao said.
Chen Shuyi smiled. “Usually during holidays, no one cooks at home. This year with Manman here, we don’t have to worry.”
Su Manman looked up again. “So before I came, your whole family just starved during holidays?”
Chen Shuyi: “……Mother used to handle it. With you here, she can rest a bit.”
Su Manman licked her lips. “So I came to be the one serving you? Or should I have married your son instead, so I could learn from your mother-in-law’s example and be properly served by you?”
Chen Shuyi: “……”
Qin Dingguo coughed repeatedly.
This mouth was too sharp.
He tried to smooth things over. “Your second sister-in-law also works at home. She just gets some rest here.”
Su Manman: “So I don’t get to rest? I’m supposed to take over and serve her?”
Qin Dingguo: “……Who said that?”
“You did!” she said, biting into a dumpling. “Don’t think I’m easy to bully—I eat meat!”
Qin Lin pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh. His wife was too adorable.
The entire Qin Dingguo family ended up speechless and defeated.
The little aunt watched the scene unfold and felt unexpectedly delighted, even her appetite improved.
So even big families had chaotic days.
……
As night fell, Qin Dingguo and Chen Shuyi left.
Qin Xingyun and his brothers, along with the little aunt and her grandson, stayed overnight.
Because of the guests, Old Madam Qin privately told Su Manman, “Your father said you usually stay with the third one. But with so many people here, it’s not appropriate. Stay in your own room tonight.”
Su Manman didn’t understand. She and Qin Lin were legally married. Why did they always have to avoid others?
But she respected the arrangement. “Alright.”
Because the brothers were still around, Qin Lin installed new curtains for her window.
Su Manman stood nearby handing him tools.
Qin Xingyun slipped into the room during the commotion, determined to expose her. “Uncle, need help?”
“No.”
His eyes darted around, searching for the black jar.
Under the bed—nothing. Desk—nothing. Wardrobe top—nothing.
Only place left: the wardrobe.
“A mouse! There’s a mouse in the wardrobe!” he suddenly shouted and opened it.
Inside were only two extremely plain clothes.
Qin Lin frowned. “Xingyun, what are you looking for?”
If not for the fact that most of Su Manman’s clothes were kept in his wardrobe, her more private garments would have been exposed.
Too much.
Qin Xingyun insisted, “A mouse.”
At that moment, Su Manman stepped forward and opened her palm.
A colorful spider appeared in her hand.
Its vibrant colors stood out against her fair skin, almost eerie.
Her sweet voice turned slightly strange. “Looking for this?”
Qin Xingyun recoiled instantly. “Ah! Uncle, look! A poisonous spider! I wasn’t lying!”