Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
For some reason, Qiao Lian halted.
Song Yuanxi’s presence in the household was normally very modest and she would usually be rather quiet.
But she shared an extremely close relationship with Xia Yehua.
She remembered that when the incident had just happened, Shen Liangchuan had instructed Song Cheng to investigate the information leak. Every housekeeper had been investigated, but two people in the household had not been subject to this investigation. One was Shen Liangchuan himself, and the other was Song Yuanxi.
It was obvious how much trust Shen Liangchuan had placed in Song Yuanxi.
In fact, she was considered family to Shen Liangchuan and Xia Yehua.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, she heard Song Yuanxi reply, “Brother Liangchuan will get to the bottom of this matter. You should not be gossiping about it. Hurry up and get back to work.”
This reply... was neither a denial or a confirmation.
And for some reason, it made Qiao Lian feel a tad uncomfortable.
Neither Xia Yehua nor Shen Liangchuan had suspected her.
But she could tell from Song Yuanxi’s reaction that the latter was not entirely convinced.
As she frowned, she heard the housekeeper Auntie Li say, “Madam? Why are you out here?”
Song Yuanxi jumped like a frightened rabbit and turned around. When she saw Qiao Lian, she bit her lip and looked guiltily embarrassed.
She tried to avoid Qiao Lian’s gaze in the at first. She looked as though she was trying to gather enough courage before finally walking towards Qiao Lian.
Qiao Lian stepped into the room and smiled at Auntie Li, saying, “I just got here and was about to step in.”
Auntie Li nodded and got back to work.
Although the housekeepers were suspicious of Qiao Lian, they were well-aware of what had happened to the two workers who had previously tried to harass her. Hence, they were wary of her and scurried away guiltily.
Now only Qiao Lian and Song Yuanxi were left in the living room.
Qiao Lian ignored her and headed upstairs.
She had only taken a few steps when Song Yuanxi suddenly spoke, “Sister-in-law.”
Qiao Lian stopped and turned around.
Song Yuanxi clenched her fists tightly, she was visibly trembling. As though having gathered enough courage, she asked, “Was it you?”
Qiao Lian was stunned and her pupils shrank immediately.
Song Yuanxi took a deep breath before continuing, “There were only the few of us that day and the picture was taken with your cell phone. I’m- I’m not saying it was you. But you are a suspect and I- I—”
Before she could finish, Qiao Lian spoke steadily, “I wasn’t the only person with the photo. After I took it, I sent it to Mom.”
Song Yuanxi paused. “Sister-in-law, what are you implying? It couldn’t be Mom—”
“That wasn’t what I meant,” Qiao Lian said with a wave of her hand. “What I meant was that Mom has the picture in her cell phone too. And a few people were in contact with Mom who could have had access to the picture, you... for example!”
Song Yuanxi widened her eyes at once, and they very quickly turned red and glistening. “How could it possibly be me? I’d never do anything to harm Auntie or Brother Liangchuan! I—”
“I didn’t say it’s you.” Qiao Lian said slowly, “What I meant was that a photo alone won’t tell you anything.”
Song Yuanxi bit her lip and clenched her fists.
Eventually she took a deep breath, as though gathering all her courage again, and said, “Sister-in-law, there’s something that I’ve always wanted to say.”
Qiao Lian looked at her steadily.
Did Song Yuanxi think that just because Shen Liangchuan was good to her, she, as Shen Liangchuan’s wife, had to be too?
All this time, she had believed that Song Yuanxi had treated her like family. But seeing her attitude now, she might have been mistaken.
Qiao Lian replied, “What is it?”