Chapter 159: Illusion or Reality (5)_1
Back home, Li Wanying bustled about with Auntie Zhang, preparing dinner. A tender smile graced her face; she was no longer the woman who had been weeping so loudly earlier. Shangguan Rou also dutifully helped with the cooking, while Old Madam Shangguan sat chatting with Auntie Zhang. Auntie Zhang always kept a careful distance of three feet whenever Li Wanying was present. Since Shangguan You wasn’t home, Auntie Zhang didn’t need to be overly busy. The family chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.
The men were naturally in the study; downstairs, the women were busy preparing dinner.
As soon as Shangguan You returned, Shangguan Rou affectionately latched onto her arm, calling out "Sister! Sister!" repeatedly. Li Wanying, playing the part of an even more virtuous stepmother, also called out "Youyou, Youyou," demonstrating for Shangguan Hao how much she supposedly doted on her stepdaughter.
"Sister, you and Brother Qing went shopping and didn’t even call me! I want to go with you too. Next time you go anywhere, please remember to ask me along. It would be good for us sisters to look out for each other," Shangguan Rou’s sweet voice piped up.
Hearing this, Old Madam Shangguan nodded to herself in approval. This granddaughter of mine certainly is sensible.
"Sister, Auntie Li said you were going to the restroom, and I was afraid you wouldn’t have time. Besides, how would I know if you even like shopping? After being out all day, I’m going up to take a bath. Don’t call me for dinner; Brother Qing and I already ate."
Shangguan You pried Shangguan Rou’s hand off, one finger at a time, ignoring how Shangguan Rou’s gentle expression froze, then turned ashen with fury.
"Youyou, someone delivered many things today; they’ve all been placed in your room," Li Wanying said warmly, the very picture of a loving mother.
"I know. I’m going up first," Shangguan You replied.
"Sister, let me join you; I want to stay here too," Shangguan Rou pleaded, once again clinging to Shangguan You.