Chapter 242 - 94: Mom, Don’t Be Like This
"Second Daughter-in-law Jing." Quick as a flash, Aunt Zhang clapped a hand over her mouth again and whispered a warning in her ear. "Keep your voice down. I’ve been thrown out of the Jie Family home. Without me, you’ve lost your right-hand woman. There’ll be no one to help you deal with Qin Mei, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re kicked out, too. Think about the tragic fate of your Xu Family."
Psychological manipulation was Aunt Zhang’s specialty, especially when it came to Xu Chunyan.
Sure enough, the shock on Xu Chunyan’s face was replaced by a storm of fury in her eyes.
’Her father was the pillar of the Xu Family. Now he’d been sent to the Northwest for labor reform, and there was no telling how long he’d be gone—or if he’d ever return. Chunwang was broken, listless and depressed day after day. Her mother spent all her time crying, growing gaunt from the sorrow. It broke her heart to see them.’
’And as for her, she had to face her enemy every day, unable to take revenge. She had to endure it all and pretend nothing was wrong. It was so humiliating.’
"Me or Qiao Yanqiu—who would you rather have as your mother-in-law?" Aunt Zhang asked again.
The hatred calmed Xu Chunyan. Aunt Zhang released her, and this time, Xu Chunyan didn’t panic. She was quite composed. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Aunt Zhang seriously. "Auntie, my father-in-law loves Qiao Yanqiu."
"I want the man himself, and the position of the factory director’s wife. As for his heart, who cares?" Aunt Zhang said in a low voice.
Xu Chunyan thought for a moment, then said, "My father-in-law won’t divorce Qiao Yanqiu."
"That’s simple." Aunt Zhang glanced warily outside, then pulled Xu Chunyan over to the stove and whispered, "I’ve already slept with your father-in-law. A woman as proud as Qiao Yanqiu would never be able to accept that. She’ll definitely divorce him."
"Auntie, my father-in-law has already been married twice." Xu Chunyan didn’t say it aloud, but her implication was clear.
"Hmph!" Aunt Zhang snorted coldly. "If she won’t divorce him after one time, then I’ll just have to sleep with him a few more times."
Xu Chunyan rolled her eyes. ’She got kicked out of the Jie Family for sleeping with him once, and she wants to do it again? Wishful thinking.’ "Auntie, I advise you to just give up. Neither of us can guess what Qiao Yanqiu is thinking. What if she chooses to forgive my father-in-law? It wouldn’t be worth it for you."
"She won’t forgive him," Aunt Zhang stated with certainty. When Xu Chunyan looked skeptical, Aunt Zhang thought for a moment and added, "Years ago, Qiao Yanqiu was betrayed by a lover. That’s why she ignored the Qiao family’s objections and insisted on marrying your father-in-law, a widower with three kids. Betrayal is the one thing Qiao Yanqiu hates most in this world. If your father-in-law betrays her, she will absolutely divorce him."
"What!" Xu Chunyan was shocked and astounded. She couldn’t help but ask, "Who was Qiao Yanqiu’s lover?"
"That’s not important. What’s important is, who would you rather have as your mother-in-law—me or her?" Aunt Zhang clearly had no intention of satisfying Xu Chunyan’s curiosity.
Xu Chunyan didn’t press the issue. It was all ancient history concerning her elders, and knowing too much wouldn’t do her any good.
"You, of course," Xu Chunyan said perfunctorily. If she told the truth, her aunt would definitely fly off the handle.
’Aunt Zhang had no money, and her family was poor. Qiao Yanqiu, on the other hand, was rich, and her family was wealthy. Even though they couldn’t stand each other, Qiao Yanqiu had never treated her unfairly. Her little family of three never had to spend a dime on food, clothing, or housing. Sometimes, she even used Xiao You to get spending money from Qiao Yanqiu. Qiao Yanqiu was incredibly generous with Xiao You, giving the child more pocket money than could ever be spent. She had already saved a nice sum for Xiao You from it.’
’Her family of three ate Qiao Yanqiu’s food, lived in her house, and spent her money—all while saving their own.’
’If her aunt took over, forget the fact that she was broke—even if she did have money, she would only spend it on her own children, certainly not on them.’
’If Qiao Yanqiu and her father-in-law divorced, this house would be gone, since it belonged to Qiao Yanqiu. They would have to follow him and move into the housing assigned by the machinery factory. That apartment was tiny, with a small yard—nowhere near as comfortable as this large courtyard house.’
"Really?" Of course Aunt Zhang could tell that Xu Chunyan was just humoring her.
"Yes, really. It’s the honest-to-god truth," Xu Chunyan said.
"Then will you help me?" Aunt Zhang asked.
The corner of Xu Chunyan’s mouth twitched. ’Help you? Have I lost my mind?’ she thought, but she didn’t say it aloud. "Auntie, I need to discuss this with Jing Er."
"This is our secret. You can’t tell Jing Er," Aunt Zhang said.
"Ugh!" Xu Chunyan felt a headache coming on. She had the sudden urge to turn on Aunt Zhang, but then she thought, ’If I make an enemy of her now, who will help me?’
’I should placate Aunt Zhang for now,’ she decided. ’But helping her get together with my father-in-law is absolutely out of the question. I may not like Qiao Yanqiu, but I certainly like her money. Aunt Zhang and I may be of one mind, but unfortunately, Aunt Zhang is broke.’