It was just a casual excuse, but the Old Madam took it seriously. She couldn’t bear the thought of Tan Qingya going hungry, so she immediately instructed the servants to serve the food.
The meal passed in relative quiet, with only the clink of bowls and chopsticks breaking the silence.
Mindful of Zhou Jianghao’s timid nature, Tan Qingya took special care of her. After spending so many days together, she had a good sense of what the girl liked to eat. Seeing that Zhou Jianghao hesitated to reach for the lazy Susan, Tan Qingya didn’t care what anyone else thought. She called for an extra bowl and filled it to the brim with all of Zhou Jianghao’s favorite dishes before placing it right in front of her.
It was a bold move, heedless of the stares.
Zhou Jianghao, with her thin skin, felt her face burning. She didn’t dare lift her head to meet anyone’s gaze.
Tan Qingya’s expression remained perfectly composed, as if there was nothing out of the ordinary. The Tan family dining table was enormous, and there were so many dishes that Zhou Jianghao’s favorites were few and far between. Even someone thicker-skinned than Zhou Jianghao would struggle to spin the lazy Susan around to get to them—it could take forever.
That was just how it was in a big manor house: with so many people, the lazy Susan was huge, and dishes often swept past you only to return as empty plates.
With Zhou Jianghao’s personality—hesitating and second-guessing every little thing—she might starve to death at this rate.
With that in mind, Tan Qingya picked up her chopsticks and added a few more pieces of meat to the bowl in front of Zhou Jianghao. In a gentle voice, she said, “Eat more.”
Reactions around the table varied.
Only the Old Madam’s smile seemed genuinely warm.
“She does need to eat more.” The Old Madam joined in, picking up some food for Zhou Jianghao as well. She glanced at her daughter. “Look how thin Little Hao is. Are you so wrapped up in work that you neglect your own wife? She looks even skinnier to me.”
Tan Qingya was about to protest when she suddenly remembered the last time she hadn’t kept a close eye on her, and Zhou Jianghao had fallen ill and fainted. Guilt washed over her instantly.
She cleared her throat lightly. “I’ll balance work and family better from now on. Don’t worry.”
“As if I could not worry.” The Old Madam snorted, then turned to Zhou Jianghao with a noticeably softer tone. “Little Hao, Qingya gets like a woman possessed when she’s busy. You need to keep her in check. If she won’t listen to you, just tell me, and I’ll set her straight.”
At that, Tan Qingya couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Mom, you should be saying that to me.”
It was Zhou Jianghao who was the real workaholic, throwing herself into her tasks without regard for her life or health—too busy to even care when she got sick.
She was about to say more when someone tugged at her sleeve.
Tan Qingya paused and glanced sideways at Zhou Jianghao, meeting her pleading eyes. She curved her lips in a smile and, for Zhou Jianghao’s sake, let the matter drop without exposing her.
“Who knew Qingya could be so caring.” Tan Yanxi, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up. Her gaze lingered darkly on the little mountain of food piled in Zhou Jianghao’s bowl, and she let out a laugh. “Sometimes Qingya goes months without speaking to someone, cold as ice. I thought she was like that with everyone.”
Tan Qingya, of course, didn’t take it as a compliment, but her smile didn’t falter. She acted as if she hadn’t caught the sarcasm and was about to reply when the quiet girl beside her suddenly looked up.
“She really is caring. Big Sis, hasn’t she ever been caring toward you?” Zhou Jianghao asked earnestly, her eyes fixed straight on Tan Yanxi.
Tan Yanxi’s smile froze on her face.
For a moment, she wasn’t sure whether to be angry at being called “Big Sis” or at the sarcasm dripping from Zhou Jianghao’s words.
She was used to Tan Qingya’s barbs and swallowing her pride around her, but Zhou Jianghao was different. Just a few months ago, she could do whatever she wanted to her. Now she dared to talk back?
How long had they been married? And already Zhou Jianghao was getting cocky, throwing her weight around? Tan Yanxi itched to slap her.
But remembering what had happened to Li Zhenyu and the others, she took a deep breath and forced a smile. “As long as she’s caring, that’s good. Seeing how lovey-dovey you two are, Mom can rest easy.”
Tan Qingya was in high spirits, so her words carried little venom—just a meaningful edge. “When you and Big Sis’s husband settle down and stop chasing after every pretty face you see, then Mom can really rest easy.”
At that, the Old Madam’s expression soured. She shot her son-in-law a dark look but said nothing.
She had heard some rumors lately. She hadn’t expected her son-in-law to revert to his old ways so soon after a few years of good behavior—like a dog that couldn’t kick its habits, unable to control his lower half.
But today was supposed to be a good day, and she didn’t want to ruin the mood. In a flat voice, she changed the subject. “As long as you all stop causing trouble for me, I’ll rest easy.”
Tan Qingya nodded calmly. “Little Hao and I are the most well-behaved.”
The Old Madam: “…”
Shameless!
She wasn’t even bothered to call her out on it.
Tan Qingya pressed on. “Speaking of which, Little Hao and I are newlyweds. As big sister, big brother-in-law, and nieces, aren’t you all being a bit stingy by not preparing wedding gifts for us?”
They said the one who struck first was the fool, but Tan Qingya had only wanted a peaceful dinner. Still, if someone tried to stir the pot, she wouldn’t miss a chance to fan the flames.
She added fuel slowly: “If word gets out, people might think Big Sis and Big Sis’s husband from the Tan family are cheapskates.”
Tan Yanxi’s eyelid twitched. That bitch!
Not only calling her Big Sis to needle her, but also angling for gifts? What a pipe dream!
Tan Yanxi squeezed out a smile. “They probably aren’t that idle.”
“Really?” Tan Qingya raised her eyes languidly. “I thought they were as idle as you, Big Sis.”
“…”
Tan Yanxi’s face flushed alternately pale and green—she was clearly furious—but since they were her own children, the Old Madam rapped on the table. “Eat your food. What’s with all the bickering?”
Tan Qingya laughed but fell silent.
The table quieted again, and dinner finally concluded peacefully.
Knowing Zhou Jianghao had work the next day, the Old Madam didn’t insist they stay. She just pulled her into the study for a quick chat.
“Has Qingya been treating you well? Giving you any grief?”
Everyone seemed to assume Tan Qingya would mistreat her. Zhou Jianghao felt compelled to set the record straight. Earnestly, she said, “No, she’s been very good to me.”
“That’s good.” The Old Madam’s gaze fell on Zhou Jianghao’s clothes, then recalled the ones Tan Qingya was wearing. Amusement bubbled up in her eyes. “Did you buy those clothes for Qingya?”
Her daughter was always so particular.
That ordinary fabric didn’t seem like something she would wear.
“Yes.” Zhou Jianghao’s face heated up again.
Fortunately, the Old Madam didn’t dwell on the clothes. She just nodded with a smile. “That’s nice.”
She asked nothing more and, as they were leaving, handed over a wooden box. “Since you’re Qingya’s wife now, take this.”
The box wasn’t large, but it felt heavy in Zhou Jianghao’s hands. She hesitated slightly.
Seeing this, the Old Madam added, “Your big brother-in-law has one too. No need to feel burdened.”
“Alright, thank you… Mom.”
The unfamiliar term of address felt awkward, but Zhou Jianghao relaxed a little as she said it.
“What thanks between family?” The Old Madam beamed and waved her off. “Go on, before your wife comes looking for trouble with me!”
Zhou Jianghao’s freshly cooled face flushed red again. She pressed her lips together, not bothering to correct the “your wife,” and replied obediently before heading out.
To her surprise, Tan Qingya was waiting right outside the door—who knew how long she’d been there. As soon as Zhou Jianghao emerged, Tan Qingya reached out and took the box from her hands.
“Let’s go,” Tan Qingya said evenly.
As they descended the stairs, they spotted Li Zhenyu and Li Yunyan standing there nervously, clutching several items.
“Little Aunt, Little Aunt Mom.” As soon as they saw them coming down, Li Zhenyu and the others hurried forward.
Tan Qingya acknowledged them offhandedly.
Li Zhenyu eyed her expression and plastered on a fawning smile. She handed her items to Zhou Jianghao. “Little Aunt Mom, I was out of line before and offended you. I’m sorry. This is my apology gift to you.”
Even the proudest one, Li Zhenyu, led the way. The others quickly followed suit, apologizing and offering their gifts.
Tan Qingya had made it clear they had to apologize to Zhou Jianghao in person and earn her forgiveness.
So now, they put on remorseful faces, genuine or not.
“How could it be your fault?” Zhou Jianghao’s expression was indifferent. “It was just that I used to be lowly, and you all looked down on me.”
Without regard for their suddenly changed faces, she reached out and took all the items. “Consider these greeting gifts from you honoring me. I’ll accept them.”
Back at the apartment, it was already nine o’clock. Tan Qingya handed the box back to Zhou Jianghao. “Yours. Put it away yourself.”
Zhou Jianghao looked at her. “I didn’t accept their apology, but I took their things.”
“You did well,” Tan Qingya replied promptly. “Isn’t it only right for the younger generation to give gifts to their elders?”
Tan Qingya smiled, saying it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The gloom between Zhou Jianghao’s brows lifted, and she nodded. “Yes.”
While Tan Qingya was in the shower, Zhou Jianghao unwrapped the packages. Li Zhenyu and the others had sent luxury brand bags—pricey and seemingly thoughtful. Zhou Jianghao photographed each one and listed them all on the secondhand market.
Wearing their gifts would only annoy her; better to sell them and donate the money to charity.
Finally, she opened the wooden box. It was spacious inside, packed with valuables. Besides jewelry that screamed immense worth, there were several property deeds for prime real estate in the city’s most expensive areas, along with transfer agreements for a few major shopping malls…
She snapped the box shut with a sharp clap.
Unable to help herself, she sat down on the floor in a daze.
No matter where she put these things, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t safe. It was such a large apartment, yet everywhere seemed to radiate insecurity.
She had sat there on the floor for too long when Little Beauty came huffing over, gently nuzzling her with its nose.
In the next instant, the sound of the bathroom door opening echoed from within.
“Why are you sitting on the floor?”
Tan Qingya walked toward Zhou Jianghao while tying the belt of her bathrobe. Seeing the other woman looking dazed, like a little silly goose, she couldn’t resist half-squatting down to kiss her. As their lips met, she smiled and murmured, “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”
“You walk around barefoot at my place all the time too.” Zhou Jianghao gave Tan Qingya a little push, retorting in all seriousness.
Tan Qingya paused for a few seconds at that. Only then did she belatedly realize that this girl was accusing her. She found it utterly adorable. Lifting Zhou Jianghao into her arms, she hooked the corners of her mouth upward. “In that case, I’ve set a bad example for you. Let me make up for it.”
With that, she carried her toward the bathroom.
The sudden sensation of being lifted off the ground startled Zhou Jianghao for a moment. She hurriedly wrapped her arms around Tan Qingya’s neck.
Once inside the bathroom, Tan Qingya set her down—but Zhou Jianghao’s arms remained looped around her neck. Tan Qingya paused in her movements, then simply took advantage of the position to step forward. She pinned Zhou Jianghao against the wall, her gaze deepening with desire.
“I’ll help you wash?”
“No need!”
Zhou Jianghao snapped alert at once, her face a picture of helplessness and resolve.
Tan Qingya gazed at her quietly. All of a sudden, she realized that over this time, the expressions on this girl’s face had grown richer and richer. She no longer wore that perpetually stern look from before.
Her smile deepened. Leaning in, she kissed her again.
“Then let me kiss you?”
This time, Zhou Jianghao didn’t refuse. Her hands loosely gripped Tan Qingya’s arms on either side, her head tilting up slightly. Her beautiful red lips parted just a touch, as if offering herself up.
Tan Qingya’s eyes darkened in an instant. The desire that hadn’t been all that strong before surged into something thick and heavy.
She placed a hand on the back of Zhou Jianghao’s head, drawing her close and pressing their lips together fiercely. With skillful dominance, she pried open Zhou Jianghao’s lips and seized the moment of her opponent’s unguarded surprise to plunge inside.
“Mm…”
Zhou Jianghao tried to pull back, overwhelmed and unable to withstand it—but Tan Qingya’s hand held her fast, leaving her no room to escape. She could only tilt her head back and endure.
She could clearly feel how much Tan Qingya’s kissing technique had improved. At the very least… at the very least, she wouldn’t have gone weak all over and blank-minded quite so quickly before.
As the base of her tongue began to ache and tingle, Zhou Jianghao whimpered and clutched at Tan Qingya. She tentatively extended the tip of her own tongue to push back, trying to drive the intruder from her territory.
But she hadn’t expected that this action would only make Tan Qingya kiss her even more fiercely. Their tongues tangled together, and a trickle of saliva slid down from the corner of Zhou Jianghao’s parted lips. She shivered with a jolt, her sense of shame peaking in that moment.
“It’s… it’s dripping down.”
Whimpering, she wrenched her head to the side with all her might.
This time, she succeeded. Tan Qingya’s lips lingered at the corner of her mouth, no longer pressing insistently inside. Instead, she trailed softer kisses downward, her voice husky with desire as she asked once more, ever so politely:
“I’ll help you wash?”
