Chapter 777: Chapter 520
First change.
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“Why should I feel inferior when I see Lin Chuxia?” Zhao Qiyan stared at Luo Xiaoqiong with dissatisfaction, “Explain yourself, what do I have to be inferior about?”
“You’re so fat now, and you don’t feel inferior?” Luo Xiaoqiong exaggeratedly looked at her, “You’ve always liked to compare yourself with Chuxia, haven’t you? Now that you’ve become so unattractive, don’t you want to stay far away from her?”
Zhao Qiyan proudly puffed up her belly, “She got married earlier than me and is still a barren hen. A woman needs to be fertile to please her husband’s family; a man is only good to her for a short while for novelty. Before long, he despises her, and her in-laws despise her even more. They get a wife to continue the family line, not just for display, like some ancestor.”
“Don’t you have any shame?” Luo Xiaoqiong looked at her with disdain, “Getting pregnant before getting married, and now you have the nerve to talk nonsense here. Chuxia doesn’t want kids for now because she’s young; unlike you, who rushed to conceive. Is it because you’re crazy about men?”
“Shame? You really have some nerve. If you’re so concerned about face, why do you keep trying to please my brother? Isn’t it because you’re afraid he’ll find another woman, leaving you out?”
You think we’re all blind? In the past, when you kept going to my grandparents’ house, it was obviously for my brother. Saying you were there for Chuxia was just a cover! Only that fool would believe it!”
“Qiyan, that’s not right. Xiaoqiong and I are together because we both think highly of each other, and the elders suggested it; there’s no such thing as one chasing the other.
Besides, if Xiaoqiong wanted someone better than me now, it’d be easy. Do you really think your brother is such a catch? Xiaoqiong is now the assistant director, and her position is much higher than mine.”
“Brother, keep defending her; you’ll regret it one day.” Zhao Qiyan looked at Zhao Qiliang with disappointment, “She talks about me, and you say nothing. When I speak up for you, you put me down. Brother, you’re really something.”
“Qiyan, I’m just speaking the truth. As Xiaoqiong’s boyfriend, I can’t disrespect her in front of family or friends. If you falsely accuse her and I say nothing, would I still be a man?
Of course, I know you’re siding with me, but there are certain things you just can’t side with. Brother hopes you can see things from another perspective—if Liu Zhenqiang doesn’t stand up for you in front of his cousins, how would you want him to act?”
Zhao Qiyan’s expression fell, and she looked at Zhao Qiliang gloomily, “Brother, you’re right. His cousins bully me, but he doesn’t help anyone. If only he were like you.”
Instinctively, Luo Xiaoqiong felt that Zhao Qiyan was now much more subdued than before. In the past, she would never admit her weaknesses in front of her, but now she does, which shows she values family ties and realizes the importance of having maternal family support. It also indicates her husband’s family isn’t as good to her as she’d imagined.
Zhao Qiliang realized this too and asked, “Where are your in-laws?”
“They live in their own house.” Zhao Qiyan pouted, “I can’t be bothered to see them.”
“You know, as someone’s daughter-in-law, you should learn to be more accommodating. What will you do when you have children? From what you said, Liu Zhenqiang is super busy, and he can’t help you, right?”
“Isn’t that what nannies are for? Why should I need to be busy?” Zhao Qiyan waved her hand nonchalantly, “I’m giving him a son, and if he doesn’t take good care of me, what kind of person is he?”
“Isn’t it your son too? Why would you say you’re having a son for someone else?” Luo Xiaoqiong couldn’t help but scold her, “If you think like that, don’t expect people to take you seriously.”
“I wasn’t talking to you!” Zhao Qiyan glared at Luo Xiaoqiong in annoyance, “I was talking to my brother; can you stop interrupting?”
“Qiyan!”
“I know, I know. My attitude was bad; I’m sorry.” Zhao Qiyan reluctantly apologized to Luo Xiaoqiong and pitifully looked at Zhao Qiliang, “Brother, could you visit me when you have time?”
“Okay, I’ll come see you when I have time.” Zhao Qiliang nodded in agreement.
“Brother, you’ve promised, so don’t go back on it.” Zhao Qiyan’s voice was filled with joy, and it was clear that her happiness was genuine.
Looking at his cousin like this, Zhao Qiliang didn’t know what to feel inside.
From a young age, this cousin had never known what humility meant, and she always felt others owed her. In the past, if he promised her something, she’d take it for granted; if he didn’t, she’d throw a tantrum. But now, her expression showed his agreement was unexpected.
A person’s character often changes after experiencing new situations. After all, they’re family by blood, and Zhao Qiliang didn’t want her to have a hard life, even if her feelings toward the Zhao family were faint. He didn’t want her to be bullied outside, and that was the bond of blood relations.
It seemed he should find some time to have a private talk with his cousin. Both his cousin and niece were here, and as their brother, he had the responsibility to look after them.
“Madam, it’s your turn.” Nanny Qi hurried over, reaching out to support Zhao Qiyan, “Madam, it’s your turn. Let’s go over now.”
“Brother, I’m going over now. Remember what you promised me.”
Zhao Qiliang nodded, “Don’t worry, I will definitely do what I promised you. You know what kind of temper I have.”
“She’s changed a lot.” As Zhao Qiyan and the nanny’s figures disappeared around the corner, Luo Xiaoqiong sighed, “I don’t know if this is good or bad.”
“You have such a sharp tongue. You clearly care about her, but you have to say things so harshly.” Zhao Qiliang looked at her helplessly, “You should be more tactful now that you’re in management, right?”
“Of course I don’t talk like that at work…” Luo Xiaoqiong paused and sighed, “If I knew her personality had changed, I wouldn’t have treated her that way. Do you think I might have upset her?”
“You’re overthinking it. Not many people can upset her. Don’t worry, no matter how her personality changes, some fundamental things won’t change.” Saying this, Zhao Qiliang laughed, “Since she was a child, I’ve never seen her back down to anyone. I don’t know where she gets her confidence, but she always thinks she’s the best.”
After work, Luo Xiaoqiong and Zhao Qiliang came together to find Chuxia, and the first thing they talked about was Zhao Qiyan’s situation. In the end, Luo asked, “Do you think she may not actually be married?”
After thinking for a while, Chuxia nodded, “It’s possible. Otherwise, why wouldn’t her in-laws live with them? No matter how bad it is, she’s still my cousin. We’ll have Zhou Mikang help find out what’s really going on.”
“No wonder you two get along so well.” Zhao Qiliang looked at the two of them and smiled helplessly, “Your words are sharp, but you have hearts of gold. Can’t you change that temper of yours?”
“Why are you so nagging? You just mentioned this, and now you’re saying it again.” Luo Xiaoqiong glared at him, “After going on a mission, why have you become so fussy?”
“You…” Seeing Wang Jing and Song Xiaoyu laughing with their mouths covered, Zhao Qiliang smiled bitterly and stopped saying anything.
“Chuxia, don’t stay out too late tonight. You have to work tomorrow.” Song Xiaoyu reminded as they were leaving.
“I know, Teacher.”
“I won’t go with you guys. My dad just moved, and I need to go back early to have dinner with him. These days, he’s surely not in a good mood.” Wang Jing sighed and waved goodbye to everyone.
Chuxia waved a paw at her, “Tell Uncle Wang we’ll visit him in a couple of days.”
After Wang Jing left, Luo Xiaoqiong whispered gossip at Chuxia’s ear, “Your senior sister is really dedicated, coming back for a handover even after work.”
“That’s why there’s something to learn from everyone, right?” Chuxia looked at her with a smile, “You can’t just remember her being resistant to colleagues in the past. If Teacher Song can bring her along for so many years, it means she must have qualities that Teacher Song likes. Do you really think Teacher Song is foolish?”
“I don’t think Teacher Song is foolish. I just think you’re even more suitable for administration.” Luo Xiaoqiong pursed her lips, “You’re always lecturing, I don’t like you anymore.”
“I know, my brother is back, so of course you don’t like me anymore.” Chuxia shrugged, “It’s okay, if you want some couple’s time with my brother, go ahead, I definitely won’t laugh at you.”
“Zhao Qiliang, are you going to manage your sister?”
“Haha…” Zhao Qiliang chuckled, “I better not meddle in matters between you two.”
“Now I’m really wondering, what position do I really hold in your heart? Earlier, when Zhao Qiyan was targeting me, you sided with me a little and stopped meddling because Zhao Qiyan was clearly wrong.
Now that Chuxia is targeting me, you don’t even side with me a bit. Clearly, Chuxia is just bullying me.”
“Look at you all proud and imperious.” Chuxia gave her a sideways glance and checked the time, “Why aren’t they here yet? Did they forget about us?”
“They wouldn’t, would they?” Luo Xiaoqiong calmed down and stopped messing around with Chuxia, “Or maybe Doudou and Zhou Hanliang chickened out?”
Yun Doudou and Zhou Hanliang had made plans with everyone to go to the Yun Family to give them some moral support. They were supposed to set off at five-thirty, but it’s already five-forty, and they haven’t shown up, so it’s no wonder Luo Xiaoqiong was worried.
Chuxia thought about it and shook her head, “They wouldn’t; maybe Doudou hasn’t finished up with her work yet. You know, they always have a lot of patients over there. It’s normal to get off work a bit late. Let’s wait a bit; they should be here soon.” (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (); your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit to read.)