"That man really isn’t anything good," Qiao Ying interjected, "but you have to admit, he’s got a bit of quick wit. Most people faced with that situation would have panicked. Who else could turn defeat into victory that fast?"
"Yeah," Zhao Qihui nodded, "I was pretty sure he was no good, but seeing how he explained himself without batting an eye, I started to doubt my own judgment. Not to mention Su Qin, who had a favorable opinion of him from the start."
"Sister," Qiao Ying said with a smile, looking at Zhao Yulan, "Chuxia may be young, but she’s quite perceptive. You keep saying she’s immature, but I think it wouldn’t be easy to take advantage of her."
"Are you complimenting me?" Chuxia said with a grin as she walked out holding Miaomiao.
"Chu..." Zhao Qihui greeted her with a pleased smile, "Did you send Lin Chuxia back home?"
"Mhmm, I sent her back," Chuxia said with a laugh, looking at her, "Sis, why are you feeling guilty?"
"I was afraid you’d be mad at me," Zhao Qihui admitted, looking at her, "I should have trusted you, but I wavered in the moment."
"I’m not that petty," Chuxia said, sidling up to Zhao Qihui with a gossipy tone, "What did Su Qin finally decide?"
"What else could she decide?" Zhao Qihui said with a bitter smile, "Yao Xinshan was the first man she took a fancy to, and now she’s completely set on trusting him. Actually, when we first told her about Yao Xinshan breaking off the engagement, didn’t you feel she was somewhat skeptical? Otherwise, she wouldn’t have suggested that we bring Lin Chuxia over for a confrontation.
I really regret listening to her now. It ended up dragging Big Brother Lin and Big Brother Jing into the mess. Chu, I’m sorry. I won’t cause you this kind of trouble again."
Chuxia waved it off, "It’s okay. Whether Su Qin believes it or not, I think our earlier efforts weren’t in vain. At the very least, Lin Chuxia can now see Yao Xinshan for who he truly is through this incident and can accept others without dwelling on why he broke off the engagement with her.
As for Su Qin, we gave her a chance to see Yao Xinshan clearly. If she refuses to believe it and insists on jumping into the fire pit, there’s really nothing we can do. Whether she has a good or bad life in the future, she can only blame herself.
Sis, you’ve done enough. Don’t take the responsibility upon yourself. You’re not her parents; you don’t have the duty to be hated by her now so she can have a better life later."
Zhao Qihui said with a bitter smile, "Her parents wouldn’t offend her just to ensure she has a good life. They just want to squeeze as much dowry money out of her as they can. Sigh! If I don’t keep an eye out for her, no one will care whether she lives or dies."
Chuxia disagreed, "She has to live her own life. Besides, what you think is for her good, she might see as jealousy on your part."
Zhao Qihui sighed and nodded, "Maybe. Ever since her little aunt agreed to bring her to the city to work, there’s not a single young man or woman in the village who isn’t envious. She probably can’t trust anyone now, which might be why she won’t listen to any of my advice."
Chuxia pursed her lips, "If that’s the case, she has only herself to blame if she chooses the wrong person."
Zhao Yulan found her daughter’s words sensible, but a bit heartless. She was worried that the newly acknowledged relatives might dislike her daughter as a result, so she glanced anxiously towards Qiao Ying and Jiang Xinwan.
"Second sister-in-law, we were talking before about how Chuxia looks so much like her great-grandmother. Now I see that in her character too. She’s kind-hearted but not timid, decisive and straightforward in her actions. If the old lady were alive, she’d surely cherish her like a treasure." Jiang Xinwan made these remarks, perhaps influenced by Zhao Yulan’s concerned look.
"When we were at the hospital, I already felt that Chuxia was a wonderful girl," Qiao Ying commented, nudging Miaomiao beside her with her elbow. "You admire your Sister Chuxia, don’t you? Even if you can’t look exactly like her, being like her in character is just fine."
"Eldest Uncle’s Wife, Auntie, you’re praising me on purpose to reassure my mother, aren’t you?" Chuxia said openly with a smile, "We’re family. I don’t want to pretend in front of you. To me, I’m truly good to those who deserve it. And if they’re not worth it, why should I care about their fate?"
"People from the Lin Family all have this temperament. When you meet your little aunt, she’s going to like you a lot because she has the same personality," Jiang Xinwan said, looking at Zhao Yulan, "Sister-in-law, I’m not just saying this to make you happy. After spending more time with us, you’ll know whether I’m telling the truth."