Chapter 802: Chapter 541: Worries
The second watch has arrived.
———-
Zhou Mikang had a meeting in the evening, so Chuxia ended up catching a ride home with Jing Zhe. Though she said she was hitching a ride, Jing Zhe was actually tasked by Zhou Mikang to specifically take her home—both homes were not on the same route at all.
“Chuxia…” As soon as Chuxia got in the car, Zeng Meili greeted her with a big smile, “It’s been so long since I last saw you, did you miss me?”
“Of course I did, Sister Meili, you’re finally back.” Chuxia looked her over, “You look thinner. Seems like the food over there wasn’t great. Or maybe, you’ve been missing big brother.”
“Missing him…” Zeng Meili side-eyed Jing Zhe, “I don’t miss him at all. He’s almost forgotten what I look like. If I miss him, wouldn’t that make him overly proud?”
“What are you saying…” Jing Zhe shook his head, “Heaven’s truth, ask Chuxia, have I ever mentioned you in front of her?”
“Did Chuxia mention me first, and then you just followed suit?”
I have to say, Zeng Meili really knows him well. Jing Zhe awkwardly laughed, “But I still mentioned you, and even if we don’t see each other for ten years, I wouldn’t fail to recognize you.”
“Hypocritical man…” Zeng Meili shook her head and sighed, “You clearly don’t miss me, and you’re too afraid to admit it, always skirting around the issue. Can you not just say that even after ten years, you wouldn’t forget how I look?”
“Isn’t it the same thing?”
“Not at all. Recognizing me after ten years could just mean I haven’t changed much. But not forgetting how I look represents that I’ve always been in your heart. Jing Zhe, you are someone who doesn’t talk against your feelings. So, on the day I marry you, it has to be the day you personally tell me that even after ten years, you wouldn’t forget my appearance.”
Jing Zhe was exasperated: “What kind of logic is that?”
“A logic that suits your character,” Zeng Meili said, poking someone’s back who was pretending to be a background character while looking out the window, “Chuxia will testify for us.”
“Testify for what?” Chuxia pretended to be clueless, “To be a witness at a wedding? I’m not quite qualified, right? Aren’t those roles typically for elders and leaders?”
“You’re pretending to be confused…” Zeng Meili glared at her, “All the love I had for you is wasted, you’re just siding with your brother.”
“Siding with my brother is the same as siding with my sister-in-law…” Chuxia said with a cheeky smile, “Sister Meili, you should marry my brother soon so others won’t have a chance to make a move on him, that’s the right move.”
“Wouldn’t that be too easy for him?”
“Not at all…” Chuxia looked seriously at her, “Locking my brother up in your cage early on, giving him no chance to stray, is the right path.”
“Am I that kind of person?” Jing Zhe helplessly glanced at Chuxia, “Stray? Can you be any more exaggerated?”
“You’re not that kind of person, but I’m afraid of the temptation from those outside the wall. I believe big brother wouldn’t do anything disgraceful, but what if Sister Meili misunderstands?
Better to avoid unnecessary trouble altogether, so getting married early stops some people from having thoughts and allows you to live in peace. That’s truly the correct way. This is the most useful advice from someone with experience.”
“You with experience…” Zeng Meili chuckled and ruffled her hair, “Can you exaggerate even more?”
“I’m not exaggerating one bit. Look at how many people are around Zhou Mikang. If he weren’t married, wouldn’t I be worried to death right now?” Chuxia sighed as she spoke, “Men, if they’re not excellent, it’s bad. If they’re too excellent, it’s also bad. How much more effort does it take?”
Zeng Meili laughed so hard she almost doubled over: “Honestly, seeing you like this gives me the feeling of a young person pretending to know sorrow just to write new lyrics.”
“Heartless!”
“Alright, alright, I’m heartless.” Zeng Meili appeased her by holding her little hand, “I know you’re kind-hearted, can you help me with something?”
“What?” Chuxia looked at her warily, “If it’s about accompanying you to your husband’s family, I’m not doing it, just so you know.”
“You…” Zeng Meili pushed her away in frustration, “So heartless.”
Chuxia laughed without responding, and Zeng Meili couldn’t do anything about it. Her eyes darted around as she looked at Jing Zhe: “How about having dinner at my second aunt’s place, and you can head back after dinner.”
“What are you afraid of?” Jing Zhe asked, dumbfounded, “It’s just that your mom said a few unpleasant things. My mom won’t mind, don’t worry.”
“Did Aunt say something unpleasant?” Chuxia looked puzzled, her impression of Lin Yanmei was that she had a pretty good temper.
Zeng Meili didn’t respond, her expression clearly unnatural.
“What’s going on?” Chuxia nudged Jing Zhe, “Big brother, what secret are you two keeping from me, tell me.”
“Really want to hear it?”
“Of course.”
“Alright, you asked for it.” Jing Zhe cleared his throat, then looked at Zeng Meili. “Why don’t you tell it, it’s inconvenient for me to say.”
“I won’t say it.”
Chuxia looked at the two with a dark face, what are they trying to do?
In the end, it was Zeng Meili who spoke up.
Previously, Zhu Xinqin and Lin Yanqiu didn’t have a good relationship, and naturally, Lin Yanmei sided with her sister, treating Zhu Xinqin in a lukewarm manner. Now that they’re in-laws, the relationship improved a bit, but they’re still not particularly close.
As women, they can’t avoid complaining sometimes, but Zhu Xinqin was unfortunate. She was just complaining to her friend about how her in-law was treating her neither warmly nor coldly when Lin Yanmei arrived and overheard everything, naturally displeased.
Zhu Xinqin was embarrassed at the time, but out of instinct, she tried to cover up, yet the more she tried, the more obvious the mistakes were, ultimately leading to a few quarrels and an unhappy parting.
This happened two days before Zeng Meili returned.
So, when Zeng Meili was about to go to the Jing Family, she was a bit apprehensive. She was afraid her mother-in-law would direct her anger at her, or worse, refuse to acknowledge her as a daughter-in-law because of her own mother, what then?
When you’re deeply in love, it’s natural to have many concerns.
After listening to her, Chuxia sighed helplessly, “You were just talking about not getting married if my brother didn’t say something that satisfies you. Your heart is all tied up with him, if this drags on, can you really stay calm?”
“You’re exposing my weaknesses at a time like this…” Zeng Meili glared at her, “Can’t you say something constructive, or offer some advice?”
“My advice is, just follow your brother-in-law to his home openly. Aunt Zhu is not the unreasonable type who randomly blames people. If I’m wrong, you can come and settle accounts with me tomorrow.”
Zeng Meili nodded seriously, “Alright, you said it, I believe you. But I’m telling you, if you’re wrong, I’ll come find you tonight to settle accounts.”
Chuxia went home and had dinner, it was almost eight o’clock and Zhou Mikang still hadn’t returned. Zhao Yulan became a bit worried and pulled her aside quietly, “Did Xiaomi tell you what time he’s coming back?”
“No, he just called to say he had a meeting tonight and told me to catch my brother’s ride home.” Chuxia put an arm around Zhao Yulan’s shoulder, “Mom, don’t worry, he’s a grown up, he’ll be fine.”
“He’s grown up, I’m not worried about him, but I’m worried about you…” Zhao Yulan glanced at her daughter’s belly, “You see, your eldest sister-in-law, youngest aunt, and third aunt are all expecting, why is there no news from you?”
“Mom, what do you think this is? A group activity?” Chuxia forced a bitter smile, “I already told you, we want to wait a year or two before having a baby.”
“Child, the wedding is done, and if you don’t have kids, how can we, as elders, not be anxious? A man’s heart starts off attached to you because you’re charming, but no matter how charming, after a while it’s just the same, and if there’s no kid…”
Chuxia interrupted her, “Mom, who said something to you?”
Zhao Yulan quickly shook her head, “No one.”
“There must be someone…” Chuxia frowned and glared at her, “You are my mom, how can I not understand you? You agreed with us waiting to have kids, but now you suddenly do a 180 and keep staring at my belly. If you say no one said anything, I won’t believe it. Mom, I’m your own daughter, if there’s something going on, you can’t hide it from me, can you?”
“I’m not hiding anything from you.” Zhao Yulan’s tone was clearly dubious. After a while, unable to bear Chuxia’s stare, she conceded, “It’s… it’s Ye Meiru’s mom who told me. Ye Meiru’s younger sister-in-law is a very clever woman, and she’s been sticking around Xiaomi every day.”
“Can these two ever stop giving us grief?” Chuxia exhaled deeply and drew Zhao Yulan back into the room, “Mom, how did you end up associating with her?”
“After Ye Meiyun had a fight at home, she stayed at our place. Today, her in-laws came to find her, and your mother-in-law said that since it’s their family matter, it wasn’t appropriate for us to interfere too much, so we persuaded Ye Meiyun to go back and resolve the problem.
Later, Ye Meiyun went back with her in-laws, and when she left, Xiao Tongtong cried so hard it broke my heart. Qiang Yuxian was there crying too, and seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but comfort her with a few words.
Then she told me, because she thought I was a good person, she told me about the thing with Xiaomi and Ye Meiru’s younger sister-in-law. I wasn’t sure what to believe, but the way she said it, it seemed so convincing, so I got quite worried.
Chuxia, you are of course the best and smartest in your mom’s eyes, but mom must also admit that the girl from the Huang Family is not inferior to ours, and being together every day…”
“Mom, don’t you trust Zhou Mikang, or do you really think I’m inferior to Huang Suai, is that it?” Chuxia smiled at the obviously tense Zhao Yulan shaking her head, “Mom, don’t worry, you haven’t discouraged me. I know you’re just concerned about me, that’s all.
Rest assured, Zhou Mikang is not that kind of person. Your daughter is also not as clueless as you imagine. If there was really any indication of something between them, I would notice.
Today, Zhou Mikang really had a meeting, so don’t worry. If you want, when he comes back, I’ll have him explain everything to you personally and promise?” (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, visit Qidian () to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit to read.)