Chapter 550 - 194: Mrs. Xie’s Heart Aches for Jing Ling
Sun’s mother came out of the room, all smiles. "Ah, her second brother! Our family thinks the world of yours. As soon as we heard you were getting married, we packed our bags and came along with your big sister."
Jie Jingwei sized up the unfamiliar woman, having a good idea of who she was. But he played dumb, turning to Jie Jingling. "Big Sis, who is she?"
"My mother-in-law," Jie Jingling said, then saw Sun Dexiang come out of the room as well. "And my sister-in-law."
Jie Jingwei frowned and looked at Jie Jingling, confused. ’It’s my wedding. Why didn’t Big Sis bring her husband? Why bring her mother-in-law and sister-in-law instead? What is she thinking?’
Jie Jingling gave a bitter smile. ’Could I tell him the truth? No, I couldn’t.’ "I brought them to Shijiu City to see the sights."
Sun’s mother was not pleased. Her daughter-in-law’s brother was clearly not happy to see them. She glanced at the silent Jie Jinghun, who wore a gentle, refined smile. But the more she looked at him, the more unsettling she found it.
’All in all, these two brothers of my daughter-in-law don’t welcome us,’ she thought. ’Not like the other two. Jing Si was cold-faced but still polite, and Jing Wu was so warm and welcoming. Honestly, I really like Jing Wu. It would be perfect if he became my son-in-law, but unfortunately, Ah Xiang isn’t interested in him.’
"Jing Ling."
Mr. and Mrs. Xie were home. They had both left work early since Jie Jingling was returning today.
Jie Jingling shuddered. She turned to look at them, her eyes shimmering with emotion. Her lips trembled as she called out in a shaky voice, "Dad... Aunt Qiao."
Mrs. Xie stepped forward and hugged Jie Jingling, her voice heavy. "Jing Ling, you’ve suffered."
Jie Jingling felt a sting in her nose, and her eyes began to redden. Her body was tense in Mrs. Xie’s warm embrace—a warmth she had both craved and missed.
"Aunt Qiao," Jie Jingling sobbed, hugging Mrs. Xie tightly. She couldn’t hold back any longer and began to cry aloud in her stepmother’s arms.
’When Qin Mei hugged her, she held back her tears. When Jie Jinghun hugged her, she managed to stay strong. When Jie Jingwei hugged her, she didn’t even feel like crying. But in Mrs. Xie’s arms, she completely broke down.’
Mrs. Xie couldn’t hold back either, and tears streamed from her eyes. Mr. Xie’s heart ached at the sight, and he stepped forward to wrap his arms around them both.
Standing in the kitchen doorway, Qin Mei watched the scene unfold. A complicated feeling welled up inside her, and she felt a pang of empathy, her own eyes turning red.
When Sun Tong saw her mother crying, she couldn’t help but start crying too.
Hearing Sun Tong’s cries, Jie Jingling pulled away from Mrs. Xie and turned to hug her daughter, weeping. Mrs. Xie shed tears in her husband’s arms. Jie Jinghun was overcome with sorrow, a tear escaping the corner of his eye. ’Aunt Qiao is thirteen years older than Big Sis,’ he thought, ’but Big Sis looks even older than her.’
The room was filled with the sound of crying. Sun’s mother didn’t dare make a sound. ’This is the Jie Family home, after all,’ she thought. ’If I say the wrong thing, they’ll all gang up on me. Ah Xiang and I can’t take on this many people.’
"Oh my! What’s all this?" Second Great-Aunt’s voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Sister," Mrs. Xie said, collecting herself. She wiped her tears and looked at the woman. "Is something the matter?"
"Oh, nothing. I just heard Jing Ling was back and wanted to come say hello," Second Great-Aunt said with a smile. ’The atmosphere isn’t really right for smiling,’ she thought, ’but I can’t just start crying with them. Jing Ling isn’t my daughter; it would look so fake.’ "So where is Jing Ling?"
"Second Great-Aunt," Jie Jingling said, letting go of Sun Tong. She sniffled and looked over at the older woman.
"You’re Jing Ling?" Second Great-Aunt’s smile froze on her face. She stared in disbelief at the woman who had spoken. The change in Jing Ling was so drastic that she was completely unrecognizable.
Jie Jingling gave a wan smile. "It’s me, Jing Ling."
"Good heavens!" Second Great-Aunt cried out, but then, realizing her outburst, she clamped her mouth shut. She took Jing Ling’s hand and looked her over, feeling a genuine, heartfelt urge to cry. ’She used to be such a radiant, beautiful girl,’ she thought sadly. ’But after more than ten years in the countryside, she’s been worn down to... this...’
Sigh! Second Great-Aunt sighed in deep regret.
"Jing Ling, was it a bad marriage? Don’t your in-laws treat you well?" Second Great-Aunt asked.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Sun’s mother.
Qin Mei mentally gave Second Great-Aunt a thumbs-up. ’The Jie Family has to be more reserved and can’t speak so bluntly, but she has no such qualms. Plus, she has no idea Jie Jingling’s mother-in-law is right here.’
"Now hold on, that’s not right," Sun’s mother couldn’t help but interject. She didn’t know who this "Second Great-Aunt" was. ’Asking something like that at a time like this... is she trying to stir up trouble?’
"And who are you?" Second Great-Aunt asked, looking at the unfamiliar woman.
"I’m Jing Ling’s mother-in-law," Sun’s mother said, puffing out her chest.
Second Great-Aunt was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mr. Xie," Sun’s mother began, turning to him, "who might this be?" She had figured out who everyone else was; only this "Second Great-Aunt" remained a mystery.
’Mrs. Xie is the stepmother,’ Sun’s mother thought. ’Don’t be fooled by her hugging Jing Ling and crying her eyes out. In my book, all stepmothers are villains—it’s all an act.’ That’s why she ignored Mrs. Xie completely and addressed Mr. Xie instead.