Silence. An eerie, deafening silence.
The Qin family nearly jumped off the sofa in unison.
What? Eloping?
Ji Fei felt a wave of movement on the shared sofa, but when she glanced over, everyone was still seated, their gazes fixed intently on Qin Rong. They were likely stunned by Qin Rong's absurd statements.
Qin Rong's face was a picture of panic. She hadn't expected her unformed plans to be known by her second sister-in-law.
She didn't really intend to elope; she lacked the courage for such an act. It was merely something Cheng Miao had been repeatedly suggesting, and she had wavered.
She had hoped to reason with her family, but their resolute attitude just now had indeed provoked her.
She thought that if she acted recklessly, her family would have no choice but to accept Cheng Yue. Once accepted, they wouldn't keep her confined or force her to go abroad. Then, both families could gradually get to know each other, and they would realize that Cheng Yue wasn't as bad as they imagined.
But in this moment, faced with her family's incredulous stares, Qin Rong felt utterly ashamed, almost overlooking Ji Fei's next statement.
The oblivious Cheng Miao nudged her, hoping this foolish girl wouldn't be swayed.
But this action caught Ji Fei's attention.
Ji Fei inwardly sneered: [The takeout was ordered by this backstabbing best friend. That good-for-nothing only knew how to reheat takeout, then pretended to have cooked it himself when Qin Rong woke up.]
Qin Rong's already confused mind received another blow. No, how could it be fake? It's impossible!
[Qin Rong actually said she tasted care and love in the food. Well, she should really thank the chef at that Chinese fast-food chain. Three dishes and a soup, all for less than thirty yuan. What a bargain.]
Qin Rong's eyes gradually widened. Even if she didn't believe it, Ji Fei's words were too detailed to ignore.
[I remember we have that chain store here too. Why don't we order from there every day while she's at home, let her really feel the care and love? I bet she'll be sick of it after a month of eating the same thing.]
Qin Rong swayed, almost losing her balance.
Cheng Miao quickly steadied Qin Rong, then said with a grief-stricken face, "Please stop tormenting Rong Rong. Perhaps in your eyes, my brother cooking for Rong Rong doesn't mean much, but it's his way of showing he cares. My brother has never done this for anyone else."
[Pfft, isn't that because he simply can't cook?]
Cheng Miao continued righteously, "Even if you don't like my brother, please don't casually trample on someone's sincere feelings."
This righteous, defiant speech might have fooled them if not for Ji Fei's inner thoughts. Now, hearing this girl's blatant lies, they were all nearly laughing with anger.
At this moment, Qin Xian spoke up: "Fine, since you say so, ask your brother to come over."
This statement caught the emotional Cheng Miao off guard. "Huh?"
"Have your brother come here and personally cook a meal for us. If we can also feel his sincerity, we won't stand in your way anymore," Qin Xian said, his dark eyes unfathomable.
[Hahaha, Qin Xian is brilliant too. Though I don't know what he's planning, having the guy come cook will expose the lie directly. Hahaha, they must be sweating bullets now.]
Cheng Miao's face changed dramatically. Her body stiffened, unsure how to respond. Just then, Qin Rong, as if grasping at straws, grabbed her: "Let's have Cheng Yue come over. If he cooks just one meal, we can be together."
Cheng Miao's face had turned almost blue. "Rong Rong, you know my brother's temperament. He won't agree to this."
"Why not? Isn't he able to cook for me? Doesn't he want to be with me?"
Cheng Miao's face immediately darkened. "Because my brother knows you're just finding ways to make things difficult for him. How could agreeing to cook one meal possibly lead to your approval? My brother loves you, but he can't be humiliated like this. How can you bear to see him mocked like this? Don't you love my brother?"
Hearing this, Qin Rong's expression changed again, as if plunged into endless confusion.
Qin Zhao coldly sneered, "So my sister living with him and taking care of his daily needs isn't humiliating, but cooking one meal for us is? You can't be this hypocritical."
"Their living together is their own business, but cooking for you is..." Cheng Miao panicked, not knowing how to turn the situation around.
Qin's parents couldn't be bothered with this circus act.
"Rong Rong, look at this. He won't even agree to such a small request. Is this the man you've chosen? You say he loves you, but where's the love? Just in words? Love that's all talk and no action?"
"He's not willing to make the slightest effort to gain our approval as parents. He only wants to deceive you into secretly dating and living together, and even... This shows a lack of responsibility and integrity. In your father's eyes, he doesn't even qualify as a decent man!"
"From start to finish, as your boyfriend, has he ever bravely stood up for you even once? It's always been you fighting, sacrificing, and compromising. He just wants to reap the benefits. Do you really want to choose someone like this?"
Before Qin Rong could react, Cheng Miao became agitated. "You can't talk about my brother like that!"
Her genuine defense actually stunned the Qin family for a moment.
But the next second, they heard Ji Fei say: [Indeed, it's true love. She's so protective. They're quite the twisted pair.]
Wait!
What did they just hear?
True love?
Between whom?
Everyone's shocked gaze turned to Cheng Miao. Cheng Miao, enraged and flustered, seemed to have reddened eyes. This reaction could be explained as protecting a family member, or as... ahem... it couldn't be, could it? How bizarre.
Qin Rong was also shocked, her pupils dilating in disbelief as she shook her head. This seemed like an outlandish fantasy; she even thought Ji Fei had gone mad.
Suddenly, a voice broke the eerie atmosphere.
"You two siblings, though from a blended family without blood ties, seem to have a relationship closer than actual siblings."
Qin Xian's casual remark fell like Thor's hammer.
Everyone silently digested this unexpected piece of information.
Qin Xian's investigated data, combined with Ji Fei's inner thoughts.
So these step-siblings with different parents had that kind of relationship!
Shocking! Absolutely shocking!
"Rong Rong, did you know they're not blood-related?" Qin's Mom asked Qin Rong incredulously, only to find Qin Rong in a daze, as if her soul had left her body. Clearly, she had no idea about this secret.
Moreover, Ji Fei's words had been too much of a shock for her. She was in a state of complete shutdown, unable to process any more information.
"Why are you only mentioning this now?" Qin's Father asked Qin Xian.
"They were too young when their families merged, and they moved homes, so they presented themselves as a united family to others," Qin Xian had always thought this information was irrelevant. Who could have imagined such an extraordinary situation? He had assumed that growing up together would naturally make them like real siblings.
Now the Qin family members finally understood why Ji Fei's expression had been so complex upon seeing Cheng Miao. This relationship twist was as dramatic as a roller coaster ride.
If the siblings were a couple, where did that leave Qin Rong in this relationship?