When Father Pei and Mother Pei heard the knock and opened the door, they were momentarily stunned to see Qiao Jiangyue standing there.
With a proper and cordial smile on her face, Qiao Jiangyue subtly glanced past them.
“Uncle, Auntie, sorry to disturb you. Captain Pei asked me to come by and look for Sister Zhong.”
Father and Mother Pei exchanged puzzled looks. Pei Yanshen had indeed left on a mission these past few days and wasn’t home.
But even if there were something to pass along, why would he ask Qiao Jiangyue to do it?
Especially since the last time they met, Mother Pei had already felt that this young woman was far from simple.
Mother Pei’s expression cooled. She was just about to send her away when the door behind them opened and Zhong Qing stepped out.
“Mom, who is it?”
Father and Mother Pei looked at each other. Oh no.
Qiao Jiangyue, however, seemed completely oblivious to the subtle tension. Seeing Zhong Qing, her smile brightened even more.
“Sister Zhong, so you’re home!”
She extended the exquisitely wrapped gift box in her hand. As she did, the gold necklace around her own neck was “accidentally” revealed.
“Captain Pei specifically asked me to bring this. He said he made you angry before and has felt guilty ever since. He told me to make sure I picked out a piece of jewelry for you—as an apology. He hopes you won’t stay mad at him.”
Her voice was gentle, every word seemingly meant to smooth things over between husband and wife. Anyone unaware of the truth might even think she was sincerely helping.
But in the end, what business was it of an outsider like Qiao Jiangyue to mediate between husband and wife?
Zhong Qing arched a brow, smiling faintly at her.
Seeing she didn’t take it, Qiao Jiangyue pushed the gift box forward again.
“I thought Captain Pei’s sincerity shouldn’t be delayed. Sister Zhong, hurry and open it! He spent quite a lot to get this.”
Qiao Jiangyue didn’t really care about Zhong Qing’s reaction.
What mattered was that Father and Mother Pei saw it. That alone would achieve her goal.
Zhong Qing already had a poor reputation because of her background. If the elders saw her accepting such an extravagant gift, surely they’d think she was wasteful. And knowing how frugal they were, how could they continue liking her?
At last, Zhong Qing accepted the box and opened it right in front of everyone.
Inside lay a gold necklace—identical to the one Qiao Jiangyue was wearing.
So she’d really gone all out. Surely it wasn’t fake?
Free gold delivered to her doorstep—why refuse it? She’d treat it as compensation for emotional distress and performance fees.
“Alright. Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Qiao.”
Qiao Jiangyue’s smile stiffened. She craned her neck in front of Zhong Qing again.
Didn’t Zhong Qing see she was wearing the exact same necklace? According to what she knew about her, wouldn’t she be furious?
Qiao Jiangyue met Zhong Qing’s eyes—and was greeted by a pair of sly, smiling eyes. Zhong Qing even asked innocently,
“Is your neck uncomfortable, Doctor Qiao? If there’s something wrong, you should get it treated quickly. Illness shouldn’t be delayed.”
…She did it on purpose!
Clenching her teeth, Qiao Jiangyue forced a smile. “I’m fine. No need for your concern, Sister Zhong.”
Since the gift had already been given, she couldn’t take it back. She quickly turned her hopeful gaze to Father and Mother Pei.
Sure enough, their expressions had changed.
Perfect. She was ready to step in and pretend to persuade them—
Mother Pei, however, grabbed Zhong Qing’s hand with displeasure.
“You silly girl, are you this happy over just one gold necklace?”
Zhong Qing looked confused. Qiao Jiangyue could barely suppress her smugness.
Father Pei chimed in, “Yanshen too—if he’s giving something, how can he only give a gold necklace?”
Mother Pei held Zhong Qing’s hand warmly. “You and Yanshen have been married this long. It’s about time we replace your three golds with new ones.”
“What?!”
Zhong Qing hadn’t even reacted yet when Qiao Jiangyue blurted out in disbelief.
Ignoring her, Zhong Qing hurriedly declined. “Mom, Dad, there’s no need to spend so much!”
When she first married into the Pei family, they had already prepared everything—three golds, the ‘three turns and one sound,’ all the big furniture replaced with brand new items. Not long ago, Mother Pei had even secretly given her private savings.
Mother Pei waved it off. “Money spent on a daughter-in-law is never too much. And those old pieces are outdated. This time I’ll personally take you to choose what you like. Let Yanshen pay!”
If Mother Pei couldn’t see through Qiao Jiangyue’s scheme, she might as well have wasted her whole life.
This was the perfect chance to treat her daughter-in-law well—and make her son bleed a little too. That way, random outsiders wouldn’t dare come stirring up trouble again.
She immediately tried to drag Zhong Qing out.
Zhong Qing couldn’t resist her at all.
But since Pei Yanshen would be paying, she didn’t feel too guilty. After all, she planned to divorce him sooner or later—it wouldn’t be right to take such a large sum from Father and Mother Pei.
And after being harassed by Qiao Jiangyue for so long, Pei Yanshen did owe her some compensation.
Only as they were about to leave did Mother Pei seem to remember someone else was still standing there.
“Oh? You’re still here, young lady?”
Qiao Jiangyue nearly coughed up blood from anger.
Not only had the necklace been given away for nothing, but Zhong Qing had gained an entirely new set of three golds!
Forcing herself to calm down, she thought bitterly: They’re just temporarily fooled.
Only a family like this is worthy of me.
Everything Zhong Qing has now will be mine one day.
She squeezed out a stiff smile and politely took her leave.
Watching her retreating figure, Mother Pei clicked her tongue. “With that kind of mindset, she could do anything else—but she just has to destroy someone else’s family. Bah!”
Zhong Qing couldn’t help laughing.
Afraid Zhong Qing’s mood had been affected, Mother Pei didn’t even bother with Father Pei—left him at home to watch the children—and personally took Zhong Qing to the mall to choose a full new set of three golds.
Zhong Qing’s life now was unbelievably comfortable.
Her husband wasn’t home. Her in-laws pampered her in every possible way. Her sweet little cotton-padded jacket was by her side, and she could tease the prickly little hedgehog from time to time.
She had already made up her mind.
When the divorce came, she could give up the money—but the two children must belong to her.
Pei Yanshen would eventually be with Qiao Jiangyue. With a stepmother came a stepfather.
Even if, in the dream, Qiao Jiangyue treated Xiaoyu and Xiao An well, the present Qiao Jiangyue bore no resemblance to that resilient military doctor from the dream.
Zhong Qing would never gamble with her children.
For now, she watered her vegetables every day, admired her new three golds, and waited for Zhao Xiulan’s family to come apologize.