Chapter 664 - 572: Public Humiliation
Chapter 664: Chapter 572: Public Humiliation
Wu Xiangyun had long been aware of Zeng Rong’s intentions. Without betraying any emotion, she watched them from the corner of her eye, curious to see what kind of mischief they would get up to.
She wasn’t a fool. Tian Xueqin despised her, wishing she would drop dead, yet was so fond of Zeng Rong. Anyone could figure out the reason. Besides, the spoiled Gu Shaoling had already expressed her feelings directly to her: "My mom and I hate you because you’re not good enough for my brother and you’ll get in the way of his career! Only the outstanding Sister Rong is a perfect match for my brother. They were childhood sweethearts who grew up together and were supposed to be together. It was you who shamelessly stole Sister Rong’s place!"
Xiao Man had also tactfully warned her to be wary of Zeng Rong, sensing something unusual in her feelings for Shaofeng. Despite her elegant, poised, and seemingly harmless appearance, you can know a person’s face without knowing their heart. One could never see what was truly inside. When it came to a love rival, it was always safest to be on high alert.
Wu Xiangyun had asked Gu Shao Feng about Gu Shaoling’s words, and he had of course reassured her. He explained that kids who lived in the same residential area were bound to play together. He had even saved Zeng Rong’s life once, out of a sense of camaraderie. He treated all his childhood companions more or less equally; no one was particularly closer than anyone else. As for being "childhood sweethearts," he said that, frankly, he still didn’t quite grasp the true meaning of the term.
In any case, he knew his own heart. He had absolutely no romantic feelings for Zeng Rong. He saw her on TV every day and had never once felt a spark. In fact, before Wu Xiangyun, no woman had ever captured his heart. When he met her, his private nurse, she had seemed like a little sparrow, bombarding him with her constant chirping. Then, something suddenly clicked, and his only thought was to marry this chattering woman and keep her all to himself.
Wu Xiangyun’s heart bloomed with joy. Now that she had her answers and his reassurance, she had no reason to feel insecure. Gu Shao Feng was her husband. They had started a family together and were deeply in love. If Zeng Rong dared to come between them as a third party, she would fight back without a moment’s hesitation, no matter who was pulling the strings.
Zeng Rong had visited the Northern Military Region a few times, but Gu Shao Feng had ignored her and refused to host her. He never mentioned these visits, worried that if Wu Xiangyun got angry, it would be bad for her health. However, whenever Wu Xiangyun returned from school to the military family housing on weekends, someone would inevitably bring it up. Wu Xiangyun wasn’t a pushover; she had been bottling up her anger. If Tian Xueqin and Zeng Rong behaved themselves this time, then so be it. But if they started trouble, it would be the perfect chance to have it all out in the open, so everyone could see and judge for themselves what was going on.
As the meal was winding down, Mrs. Zeng suddenly addressed Grandma Tang, bringing up the Tang family’s pair of precious grandsons. She smiled, saying she had seen the two babies at their one-month celebration. "Those two little brothers are growing so wonderfully—so fair, chubby, and handsome. It’s truly enviable. What a pity they aren’t here today; we’re missing out on a real sight."
Because Jun Ran had previously played tricks and spread rumors that Xiao Man was a "jinx," Grandma Tang held a grudge against the Jun Family. She also detested Tian Xueqin for repeatedly targeting Xiao Man. Since this Mrs. Zeng was good friends with Tian Xueqin and Madam Jun, Grandma Tang was naturally disinclined to give her a warm reception. Hearing Mrs. Zeng mention her precious grandsons, she merely offered a faint smile and said, "Thank you for asking after them," before falling silent.
Mrs. Zeng, however, latched onto the topic and continued to chat about children and future generations. She listed off every adorable grandson and clever, promising son in their social circle, and then, smiling, she glanced at Wu Xiangyun before turning the conversation to Tian Xueqin:
"Xiao Wu has been a member of your family for quite some time now. Will you be holding a grandson and becoming a grandmother soon?"
Wu Xiangyun and Xiao Man exchanged a glance. ’Here it comes,’ Xiangyun thought. ’They’re setting a trap for me.’
Sure enough, Tian Xueqin’s face instantly became as cold as ice. She picked up a hot towel to dab her lips, shot Wu Xiangyun a disgusted look, and snorted. "Anyone with eyes can see it. With a wrecked body like hers, wasting money on medicine and injections all day long... She should thank her lucky stars she’s still alive. It would be a miracle if she could ever have a child!"
Wu Xiangyun had expected harsh words from Tian Xueqin, but she hadn’t anticipated such venom. She froze, her expression instantly twisting into one of grief and indignation. Her breathing grew ragged. Xiao Man reached out and gently squeezed her hand.
The table suddenly fell silent. There were quite a few female guests today. However, because Gu Shaoying had been too clingy, Third Aunt Gu, worried Xiao Man wouldn’t be able to eat in peace, had coaxed Shaoying away to be fed in the living room, not at the dining table. Furthermore, the girl Gu Shaozhen had brought home had been sent away at some point, so the table didn’t feel too crowded after all.
Tian Xueqin, Mrs. Zeng, Zeng Rong, and Gu Shaoling formed their own faction. Wu Xiangyun, Xiao Man, and Zhou Jiayu, with Huang Minyan included, could be considered another. The Zhou family’s Second Aunt, Granny Gu, Grandma Tang, and Mrs. Gu were seated at the head of the table, eating slowly while chatting and laughing in pleasant harmony. If Tian Xueqin had kept her voice down, her words might have been ignored. But she had deliberately spoken loudly, making it difficult for anyone at the table to tune her out. All eyes turned to her, while also sizing up Mrs. Zeng and her daughter, Zeng Rong, who were seated on either side of her.
Naturally, Wu Xiangyun, the innocent victim of her mother-in-law’s vicious verbal assault, also found herself in the spotlight. That’s why Xiao Man squeezed her hand under the table, signaling her not to lose her temper yet.
Huang Minyan was a little younger than Zeng Rong, but as Jun Ran’s cousin, she naturally knew her. She likely wasn’t aware that Zeng Rong and Jun Ran were no longer as inseparable as before, so she blinked, trying to catch Zeng Rong’s eye with a meaningful glance.
Zeng Rong, however, pretended not to notice. Smiling, she picked up where Tian Xueqin had left off. "Aunt Tian, you’re a medical authority. I’m sure you can diagnose certain conditions just by looking, can’t you? Shaofeng is in peak physical condition, of course. If his wife were perfectly healthy, they would have had a child long ago!"
As she spoke, Zeng Rong’s eyes glistened with tears. She shot a hateful glare at Wu Xiangyun through the watery veil, struggling to maintain her outward composure while inside, she was seething like boiling water. ’In my past life, our son had already been born by now, and he was growing up healthy and strong. My status was secured because of him. Not only did the entire Gu family respect and dote on me, but even the cold, proud Shaofeng had softened, wholeheartedly building a life with me. Our little family of three was so happy, so perfect!’
But now, my husband has been stolen away. Where is my beautiful, adorable son?
"Exactly! I must have committed some terrible sin in a past life to have this happen to my son. He’s been saddled with a broken-down woman who does nothing but drag him down. She wants to see my family line end with me!" Tian Xueqin had drunk a couple of half-glasses of red wine and seemed to have forgotten her own mother-in-law was sitting at the table.
"Well," Mrs. Zeng chimed in swiftly, "why don’t you take Xiao Wu to the hospital for a check-up?"
"A check-up for what? Is a check-up even necessary? Do you have any idea how frigid freshly melted ice water is? She was submerged in it for half a day, her body as stiff as a corpse! Her womb was ruined long ago. If she can have a child, I’ll let you cut off my head and kick it like a ball! My son is the only one foolish enough... Show me any other man who would want such a useless woman!"
Tian Xueqin made her declaration with absolute certainty, her face contorted with resentment. Tears streamed down Wu Xiangyun’s face as she sobbed uncontrollably, completely unable to speak.
Zeng Rong and her mother both sighed in relief. ’As long as Wu Xiangyun can’t have a child, we still have a chance!’