Chapter 213: Jealous Rivalry
Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Jealous Rivalry
Zhang Yuqing never interfered too much in her son’s marriage. Because of her own experiences, she hoped Shen Yan could find someone he truly loved to marry. So, when she saw that Shen Yan never rejected Liang Xiaoxiao, she didn’t say anything, even though she was unwilling in her heart.
Just then, rumors about Shen Yan and Xu Qingsui began to spread. At that time, she took the initiative to meet Xu Qingsui, wanting to evaluate whether this woman was fit to be her daughter-in-law. During their first meeting, although Xu Qingsui spoke bluntly and didn’t try to curry favor with her like the women from other prominent families, it was exactly because of this that she held Xu Qingsui in high regard.
Later, she investigated Xu Qingsui’s background. Although she felt her family status wasn’t a match for Shen Yan, compared to Liang Xiaoxiao, it wasn’t important anymore. And when Shen Yan finally made things clear with Liang Xiaoxiao for Xu Qingsui’s sake, it completely put her anxious heart at ease.
However, at this time, some discordant voices finally emerged within the family.
To her surprise, Shen Zhiqiu was dissatisfied with Shen Yan rejecting Liang Xiaoxiao. He even allied with several elders to privately persuade Shen Yan, urging him to accept the supposedly well-matched Liang Xiaoxiao. This matter was even carried out behind her back.
When she found out, her eyes instantly turned red with fury. Shen Zhiqiu wasn’t trying to make Shen Yan marry a well-matched wife at all; it was clearly just because Liang Xiaoxiao was Su Qing’er’s daughter. Fortunately, she had already confirmed that Shen Zhiqiu was infertile, and Shen Yan was his and her biological child. Otherwise, she would have thought Liang Xiaoxiao was his actual daughter.
The fact that Shen Zhiqiu would go to such lengths made her even more certain that he still harbored feelings for Su Qing’er. She didn’t deliberately expose it, but she swore she would never let Shen Zhiqiu get his way. She would not allow that woman’s daughter to enter her family.
That was why tonight’s events happened. She had decided that as long as Xu Qingsui obeyed her, she would definitely make the family accept her and completely drive Liang Xiaoxiao out of the picture. She had given Xu Qingsui plenty of face tonight, thinking that since her son was interested in her, it would count as him marrying someone to his liking.
Yet, to her surprise, Xu Qingsui actually rejected her, and without leaving any room for negotiation.
SMASH!
Zhang Yuqing casually threw the empty bottle beside her, shattering it to pieces. Since Xu Qingsui refused the easy way and chose the hard way, she didn’t need to hold back anymore. There were plenty of women, and plenty of candidates for a daughter-in-law. It was just one Xu Qingsui. She didn’t care, but...
She was no longer the Zhang Yuqing of the past; she was Mrs. Shen. Anyone who humiliated her would have to pay the price. It was also the perfect time to make her son completely give up on this ungrateful woman so he could better accept someone else.
After leaving the restaurant, Xu Qingsui strolled back to the laboratory dormitory alone. But just as she arrived downstairs, she suddenly sneezed several times in a row. She rubbed her nose, guessing who was cursing her behind her back.
"Do you have a cold?" Lu Jingyu suddenly popped up from behind her and considerately handed her a tissue.
Xu Qingsui took the tissue, wiped her nose, and shook her head. "No, someone’s probably cursing me. Where did you go just now? I wanted to find you for dinner, but you weren’t in the RV."
Although Xu Qingsui had enjoyed a dinner tonight that many people wouldn’t get to eat in their lifetimes, Zhang Yuqing’s behavior had genuinely nauseated her, making even the delicacies lose their flavor. There was a hint of resentment in her tone. If Lu Jingyu had been there tonight, she could have rightfully rejected Zhang Yuqing’s invitation. Even if the food wasn’t as good, at least she could have properly enjoyed her dinner.
"The Alliance has now officially taken over the work here," Lu Jingyu explained. "But because the previous situation was so terrible, even a normal handover is somewhat difficult. So, I have to personally arrange a lot of things."
Xu Qingsui nodded. Lu Jingyu had official business to attend to, so she couldn’t be unreasonable. "Can just the few of you handle it? Didn’t you notify Yun Fei to arrange for more people to come over?"
"I’ve already sent the message out. Since this place is now considered Alliance territory, we’ve arranged to build Teleportation Arrays between here and Zone 9. When the time comes, they can just teleport directly over."
Xu Qingsui nodded again. That would indeed be more convenient and easier to manage. The two chatted casually downstairs for a few moments before Xu Qingsui excused herself to rest in her room.
Upon entering the dormitory building, Xu Qingsui realized that Shen Yan was actually standing at the door, watching her. Seeing him immediately reminded her of Zhang Yuqing, leaving her utterly speechless. Too lazy to say much to him, she simply gave a nod of acknowledgment and went straight to her room.
The words on the tip of Shen Yan’s tongue were swallowed back. Staring at the closed door, he immediately looked outside toward the RV. Lu Jingyu was still standing in front of the vehicle, looking right back at him.
Xu Qingsui was suddenly so cold to him; he suspected that Lu Jingyu must have just badmouthed him to her. Displeased, he was about to step forward and have a proper argument with Lu Jingyu. They had agreed on fair competition; there could be no underhanded tricks behind his back. But seeing his movement, Lu Jingyu turned around and went back into the RV, perfectly demonstrating his refusal to communicate.
Shen Yan’s footsteps halted. Really not wanting to have the door slammed in his face, he had no choice but to turn around and return to his room.
Over the next few days, Lu Jingyu personally led his men to handle the handover every day. Shen Yan also had to deal with the reconstruction of the laboratory. Both men left early and returned late, leaving neither of them with time to hover around Xu Qingsui. Blessed with some peace and quiet, Xu Qingsui actually enjoyed a few comfortable days.
One evening, Xu Qingsui returned from outside, only to see both Lu Jingyu and Shen Yan standing at her door. The two seemed to have been waiting for quite a while. They were glaring at each other, and a rather unharmonious atmosphere permeated the air.
Seeing them from afar, Xu Qingsui’s first reaction was to wonder what these two had argued about today. Were they here to ask her to mediate?
While she was hesitating, the two of them spotted her simultaneously and walked over to greet her. Both wanted to reach her first, secretly exerting force in their steps, each trying to edge out the other. They also wanted to take the opportunity to block the other’s figure, resulting in their shoulders repeatedly colliding as they walked.
Watching two SSS level sentinels act so childishly, Xu Qingsui really couldn’t bear to look and didn’t bother to pay them any attention. Just as she was considering whether to pretend she hadn’t seen them and walk away, the two had already arrived in front of her.
"Qing Sui, I have good news for you," Lu Jingyu said. "The handover is basically finished. The team members assigned to garrison here have already set off and will arrive soon. The Teleportation Array in Zone 9 has also been built. Engineers will come with the team to establish the Teleportation Array on this side. Once the two arrays are connected, the task will be complete."
Lu Jingyu had been so swamped lately that he hadn’t had time to accompany Xu Qingsui. Now that everything was falling into place, it was truly a good thing for him.