Chapter 20: An Octogenarian Bullying Others?

Lin Qingqing symbolically stayed with everyone at the cemetery for a while, then left early, citing physical discomfort.

The main reason was that she felt it would become awkward if she stayed any longer. Soon, she would definitely need to discuss some family matters with that group of people, but she didn’t know anything. If she accidentally said something she shouldn’t, wouldn’t that be embarrassing? It would damage her dignity as the head of the family!

Besides, she didn’t like these kinds of forced social interactions.

Qin Yansen was uneasy letting the old lady leave alone in her current state.

So he followed her and escorted her to a nearby hotel.

The old mansion was still quite a distance away. Seeing the old lady’s reddened eyes, he thought she should really rest.

Otherwise, her body might not be able to handle it.

Supporting the old lady, Qin Yansen walked into the hotel lobby and said considerately, “Grandma, please rest here for a while. After I greet my uncles and aunts, I’ll take you home.”

It was his grandfather’s memorial day. So many people had come. Though his grandmother, due to her age, wasn’t obligated to attend, the younger generation still had to observe proper etiquette. A family this large couldn’t afford to lose face.

“I’m fine. I can go straight back to the old mansion. No need to rest. My health is great—I just don’t have the mood to deal with so many people.”

Staying at a hotel served no purpose. It’d be better to go home early.

Qin Yansen said, “Grandma, just follow my arrangement, okay? Don’t push yourself. Please rest properly.”

Lin Qingqing smiled. “I’m not afraid of a little exertion. Didn’t you see the bungee-jumping video I posted in the group yesterday? I’m in great shape. I don’t need rest at all!”

Expressionless, Qin Yansen replied, “I saw it. But I’m convinced my grandfather must have pulled some strings from the afterlife to keep you alive yesterday.”

“…”

Qin Yansen added, “Don’t be so reckless next time. Otherwise, Grandpa will be watching from heaven and worrying about you.”

Lin Qingqing pursed her lips and quickly agreed, “Okay, okay, I get it.”

She verbally gave in, but that didn’t mean she had truly conceded in her heart.

Besides, if she didn’t agree now, her eldest grandson might start lecturing her in earnest later.

When she was younger, she was constantly being taught by teachers and parents. Now that she’d transmigrated into an elderly woman, she was still being schooled by her grandchildren.

Her life was basically one long series of lessons.

Just as they walked into the hotel lobby, Lin Qingqing spotted a familiar figure.

Wasn’t that the original novel’s female lead, Mu Yiyi?

Why was she here?

Could this be the classic “fated encounter with the affectionate second male lead”?

No way! She couldn’t let this love-struck idiot beside her see Mu Yiyi. She had to drag him away fast!

But of course, the love-struck fool beside her seemed to have some sort of built-in precision radar for Mu Yiyi. Almost instantly, he called out, “Yiyi, what are you doing here?”

Sometimes, there’s no need for such sharp eyesight.

Lin Qingqing immediately raised her hand to block Qin Yansen’s line of sight and said with utmost seriousness, “You’ve got the wrong person. That’s not Yiyi.”

Love-brain Qin Yansen removed Lin Qingqing’s hand and replied earnestly, “Impossible. No matter where she is, I can recognize her in a crowd at a glance—and I would never be mistaken.”

If Lin Qingqing didn’t already know the plot, she might have applauded Qin Yansen’s devotion and generously offered her blessings.

But Qin Yansen was just the second male lead, a tool character. The female lead approached him only to use him—helping the original male lead, Lu Zeyan, attain the position of the richest man.

Just as Qin Yansen finished speaking, Mu Yiyi turned around.

Lin Qingqing immediately saw that Qin Yansen’s eyes looked as if they had just glimpsed light itself—widening dramatically.

She knew all too well: this wasn’t necessarily Mu Yiyi’s charm at work, but definitely the power of the plot.

Qin Yansen, the tool character, was once again about to advance the male and female lead’s storyline.

Qin Yansen gazed at Mu Yiyi in her flowing white dress as if a goddess had descended from the heavens. The adoration in his eyes was practically overflowing. “Yiyi, are you here with your little brother to relax?”

Mu Yiyi gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and replied softly, “Mm.” Then her gaze shifted to the white-haired elderly lady beside him. Smiling, she said, “Hello, Grandma.”

The girl beside Mu Yiyi looked at Lin Qingqing and Qin Yansen with a disdainful expression. “Yiyi, why are you even talking to people like him? He’d rather cover up for his grandmother’s cheating than let your brother win. Losing to an eighty-year-old lady in the city-level competition—it was humiliating! They’ve become a joke in the eSports circle. Shameless!”

Mu Yiyi nudged Yang Jiaoyun’s arm. “Jiaojiao, don’t say that.”

Yang Jiaoyun sneered, “What did I say that’s wrong? If someone dares to do something so disgraceful, they shouldn’t be afraid of others calling it out! If they knew it was shameful, they wouldn’t have done it in the first place! A so-called noble family? Please! She’s already eighty. Instead of quietly retiring, she’s out here bullying young people who have neither wealth nor power. Completely outrageous!”

Yang Jiaoyun was the ironclad bestie of the original novel’s female lead, Mu Yiyi.

After hearing Mu Yiyi complain about the incident, she naturally took Mu Yiyi’s side without hesitation, seeking justice for her.

Qin Yansen’s expression darkened instantly, his gaze sharp. “Yang Jiaoyun! Don’t cross the line! My grandma said she didn’t cheat, and I believe her!”

Yang Jiaoyun shrank back a little under his chilling gaze, hiding behind Mu Yiyi. But she summoned her courage and continued, “You’re her grandson. Who knows if you’re just covering for her?”

Today, she was determined to stand up for her best friend!

Qin Yansen glanced at the old lady beside him. She had already been in a bad mood today. He was worried Yang Jiaoyun’s tactless accusations would push her too far.

But the old lady’s expression remained calm, without a hint of emotional disturbance.

It seemed his worries were unnecessary.

This old lady had fought her husband for power within the Qin family for half a lifetime and eventually became the head of the family. She had weathered countless storms—how could a little girl like Yang Jiaoyun so easily rattle her?

Qin Yansen said thoughtfully, “Grandma, I’ll take you upstairs to rest first. I’ll handle this myself later.”

“No need,” Lin Qingqing raised her hand to stop him. She looked at Mu Yiyi and Yang Jiaoyun and smiled. “Since you think I used cheats, then I’ll show you my strength again.”

She didn’t particularly care about being falsely accused, but she absolutely wouldn’t let her grandson be slandered!

If she didn’t do it, then she didn’t. Her family must remain spotless!

Yang Jiaoyun snorted coldly, her tone full of contempt. “Strength? You’re not seriously thinking of bribing us into silence, are you? We don’t want your money! Do you even realize how wrong it was to cheat?

The team that lost to you—because they were defeated by an eighty-year-old woman—got mocked all over the internet, humiliated to the point they can’t show their faces. Some young players were hit so hard, they’re thinking of giving up eSports entirely. Don’t you think that’s outrageous?

What you should do now is apologize, tell the truth to the public, and return the championship title to Yiyi’s brother!”