Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Vicious and Despicable Purpose and Method
When Zhao Huilan heard her grandmother’s words, her eyes lit up. She pressed urgently, "Grandma, what’s really going on? Why did Dad bring Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuanyang back?"
The thought that there was a secret she wasn’t privy to sent a thrill of excitement through Zhao Huilan.
"Of course, it’s a chance for a promotion and a fortune," Wang Lianhua said with a smug smile. "I even arranged it myself! That Manager Li has an idiot son who’s already twenty-five and still doesn’t have a wife! Your father and I felt sorry for Zhao Nuanyue and her brother, so we wanted to find a good family for her to marry into. Hahaha..."
Wang Lianhua couldn’t help but laugh after she finished. ’This is perfect,’ she thought. ’I always thought raising those two burdens was a drag, but I never expected they’d have a use like this. It’s just perfect.’
Zhao Huilan was ecstatic when she heard this. "That’s wonderful! Zhao Nuanyue is going to marry an idiot, that’s just perfect! She’ll be living the life of a pampered young mistress. It’ll make everyone so envious!"
Zhao Huilan fully understood her grandmother’s and father’s intentions. ’Even though Zhao Nuanyue is a plain country bumpkin, she’s still an able-bodied person. If she marries the Li family’s youngest son, Dad’s chances for promotion will be much better. Then I’ll be the director’s daughter, and even more people at my work unit will suck up to me. Besides, it’s about time I found a husband, too. If Dad has a higher position, I’ll be able to find a better man.’
"That’s right. You won’t find people as kind-hearted as your father and me anywhere else in the world. An opportunity this good... I couldn’t even bear to give it to you, but I gave it to Zhao Nuanyue. It’s just that those two little brats don’t know what’s good for them and are completely ungrateful. So, you keep your mouth shut. We’ll be the anonymous benefactors. Once it’s done, our consciences will be clear and we’ll be perfectly satisfied." Wang Lianhua looked utterly smug, her hideous expression as vicious and hypocritical as a specter from hell.
Zhao Huilan and Wang Lianhua shared a malicious smile.
While using her Divine Sense to monitor Zhao Jinghai, Zhao Nuanyue also kept a watch on Wang Lianhua’s room. She could do this because there was a basin of face-washing water in the room, which her Divine Sense could merge with. ’It’s disgusting, but compared to getting useful information, a little disgust is a small price to pay!’
Hearing Wang Lianhua and Zhao Huilan’s words, an icy chill ran through Zhao Nuanyue. She wasn’t being given away as a plaything, but what was the difference between marrying an idiot and the fate she had suffered in her past life?
Right now, Zhao Nuanyue was chilled to the bone, her mind almost blank. But her rational mind screamed at her. ’Don’t panic! You have to stay calm, calm down, and find a chance to buy a train ticket and leave. Staying here is a death sentence.’
Xia Yingyu finished changing, putting on a small, floral-patterned padded jacket that covered her stomach. She sat down in front of Zhao Nuanyue and noticed her pale face. "Nuanyue, what’s wrong?" she asked with concern. "Are you not feeling well?"
Zhao Nuanyang also looked at his sister with concern, reaching out to touch her forehead as if his small gesture could protect her.
Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t tell Xia Yingyu, at least not now, lest she tip them off. ’Besides,’ she thought, ’I brought my brother with me; I’m not alone. I have to keep my wits about me. I can’t panic. I absolutely cannot fall apart.’
"It’s nothing. Maybe I’m just hungry," Zhao Nuanyue said, lowering her head and feigning shyness. She didn’t dare to look up, terrified her eyes would betray the panic and horror she felt.
Seeing that Zhao Jinghai still hadn’t finished cooking, Xia Yingyu went back to her room and returned with a packet of mung bean cakes. "Here, have some of these to tide you over. Dinner will be ready soon," she said. "It was my fault before, for not protecting you well. Seeing you both growing up, I can finally rest a little easier."
Looking at Xia Yingyu, who already had faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, Zhao Nuanyue found that while she couldn’t forgive her mother from her past life, this mother, at this moment, at least genuinely cared for her and her brother. From the moment they arrived, the Dragon Bright Grass around her neck hadn’t sensed any malice from her mother.
This brought a sliver of solace to Zhao Nuanyue’s scarred and broken heart. At least her brother Zhao Nuanyang’s pure and sincere heart wouldn’t be shattered by their own mother.
As they ate the pastries, smiles appeared on Zhao Nuanyue’s and Zhao Nuanyang’s faces.
"Mom, you eat too," Zhao Nuanyang said, handing a piece to Xia Yingyu first, then one to Zhao Nuanyue, before finally taking one for himself.
"Good boy, Nuanyang." Xia Yingyu smiled brightly. "My Nuanyang is all grown up. He knows how to take care of his mom and sister now."
"Mhm!" Zhao Nuanyang nodded excitedly, his smile growing even more radiant.
Just then, Wang Lianhua came over with a handful of candy, placing it on the table. "Here, Grandma has some candy for you."
’There’s no way I’m eating that candy,’ Zhao Nuanyue thought.
Neither Zhao Nuanyue nor Zhao Nuanyang took any, keeping their heads down and continuing to eat the pastries their mother had given them.
"Sigh. No matter what, we’re still family. You’re being too distant." Wang Lianhua’s expression soured, and she continued awkwardly, "Fine, I know you’re keeping your distance from me. I’ll go help in the kitchen."
With that, she left, shaking her head and sighing as if she were deeply hurt.
Zhao Nuanyue was impressed. ’This old witch can really act.’
Xia Yingyu pursed her lips, her expression full of disdain.
Zhao Huilan poked her head out of her room and gave Zhao Nuanyue a meaningful, smug look, as if Nuanyue were about to be cast into a living hell.
But Zhao Nuanyue knew that if they got their way, her future wouldn’t just be a living hell. It would be a fate worse than death.
’I absolutely cannot eat that dish.’
Zhao Jinghai brought the dishes to the table. The spread was lavish, with not only meat but also fish. The plate of fish, in particular, was placed directly in front of Zhao Nuanyue. It was obvious the medicine powder had been prepared just for her.
"Nuanyue, I know you like fish, so I made it especially for you," Zhao Jinghai said with a smile. "This is my specialty. Eat up."
"Dad, I like fish too," Zhao Huilan protested. "You can’t neglect your own daughter just to curry favor with my stepmother."
In the past, she always got to eat first; only after she was done were Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuanyang allowed to have anything.
But now, everything was being given to Zhao Nuanyue. Even though she knew Zhao Nuanyue might bring her father great benefits, Zhao Huilan was still deeply resentful.
"Ahem!" Seeing her granddaughter disobeying orders and forgetting what she’d just been told, demanding food and drink at a time like this, Wang Lianhua coughed pointedly. ’She’s so thoughtless,’ she fumed internally. ’I hate to admit it, but my own granddaughter is nowhere near as cunning as Zhao Nuanyue.’
Taking her grandmother’s hint, Zhao Huilan realized she’d gone too far. She smiled sheepishly and said, "I was just kidding. Nuanyue, Nuanyang, you’re rarely here, so eat up, eat up."
Seeing her mother-in-law and stepdaughter back down from hassling her daughter, Xia Yingyu felt a small sense of victory. ’Sometimes you have to fight for your position,’ she thought, ’otherwise, no one will ever take you or your children seriously.’
