Chapter 17: Peeking Through the Door

“There’s an old saying—’Even a dog deserves respect for the sake of its owner!'”

“Ruanruan is your brother’s wife, and you are his biological sister—her sister-in-law. If someone dares to gossip about her right in front of you without any hesitation, it means they don’t respect you at all. They think you’re easy to manipulate.”

“You always think you’re so smart every day.”

Huo Yuanyuan: “…”

Why did that actually make some sense?

But… she really didn’t like Xiao Ruanruan!

Other people criticizing Xiao Ruanruan was justified! She just wasn’t good enough for her brother!

She felt like her mother was brainwashing her.

Lin Wei continued, “Today, they’re talking about your sister-in-law. Tomorrow, they might openly criticize your own mother right in front of you, and you’ll just stand there, happily cheering them on?”

This time, Huo Yuanyuan shook her head. “No way, I’m not that stupid.”

Lin Wei rolled her eyes, completely unimpressed. “You think you’re that smart?”

Huo Yuanyuan: “…”

Was she really dumb?

That couldn’t be. Her father was smart, her brother was smart, and her mother was also sharp-minded. How could she be dumb?

That didn’t align with genetics!

As mother and daughter continued talking, Xiao Ruanruan peeked out from the kitchen and sweetly asked, “Mom, how about we make a mushroom and bone broth for dinner?”

“It’s light and mild.”

Lin Wei smiled and nodded. “Sure, that sounds good.”

Xiao Ruanruan immediately retreated back into the kitchen, never sparing Huo Yuanyuan a single glance.

After she left, Lin Wei turned to her daughter. “Did you see that?”

Huo Yuanyuan looked a little embarrassed.

But Lin Wei wasn’t done with her. “Stop looking at people with such a narrow mind.”

“Admitting and correcting one’s mistakes is a great virtue.”

“A person who can recognize their mistakes and change is a good person. The real problem is people like you—stubborn and unwilling to reflect. Instead of admitting your own faults, you fixate on others’ mistakes.”

Huo Yuanyuan, who had been talking so much just moments ago, found herself unable to argue back. In the end, she could only resort to emotional blackmail. “Mom, who is really your daughter here? Who did you actually give birth to?”

“Why do you always take her side?”

Lin Wei laughed in exasperation. “I stand by what’s right, not by blood relations.”

“You’re in the wrong—does being my daughter automatically make you right?”

“Besides, now that Ruanruan is married to your brother, she’s my daughter-in-law, which makes her my daughter too.”

“If you ask me, Ruanruan is actually better than you. She acknowledges her mistakes, works hard, and is trying to improve. Let me tell you something—she’s starting school the day after tomorrow. Next year, she’s planning to take the college entrance exam.”

Lin Wei spoke with such pride, as if Xiao Ruanruan were her own daughter.

Huo Yuanyuan, watching her mother’s expression and listening to her words, went from anger to laughter.

She was laughing from sheer disbelief.

She pointed toward the kitchen. “Her? Taking the college entrance exam?”

It was as if her mother had just told her the funniest joke in the world.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Wei became displeased.

Before Lin Wei could say anything harsher, Huo Yuanyuan scoffed, “If she actually gets into college, I…”

Before she could finish, Lin Wei immediately asked, “You’ll do what?”

“Stand in the courtyard and yell that you were wrong? Or will you finally change that arrogant attitude of yours?”

“I…”

“Or maybe, you’ll hurry up and find someone to marry?”

Huo Yuanyuan: “…”

Lin Wei smirked. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Huo Yuanyuan: “…”

She had no words.

Lin Wei chuckled. “Weren’t you full of confidence just now?”

“If you’re so confident, go ahead—make a bet!”

Lin Wei’s tone turned teasing. “Or maybe, deep down, you actually believe Ruanruan might pass, and you’re scared?”

It was a blatant provocation.

But Huo Yuanyuan was absolutely certain that Xiao Ruanruan would never pass.

With her chin lifted, she declared, “Hmph! No way, there’s absolutely no way she’ll pass.”

Lin Wei smiled. “Then which option are you betting on?”

Huo Yuanyuan confidently said, “If she actually gets into college, I’ll apologize to her,” then after a pause, she added stiffly, “I’ll stand in the courtyard and shout my apology.”

Lin Wei nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember that. When the time comes, I’ll be waiting for you to keep your word.”

Huo Yuanyuan, full of confidence, nodded firmly.

Lin Wei didn’t say anything more.

That evening, after the Huo father and son returned home, dinner proceeded as usual.

Everything was quiet—except for the fact that Huo Yuanyuan kept sneaking glances at Xiao Ruanruan.

Each time she did, Xiao Ruanruan made funny faces in her mind.

Annoyed by Huo Yuanyuan’s constant staring, Xiao Ruanruan finished eating quickly and ran upstairs.

She moved so fast that even Huo Beiqing was momentarily taken aback.

He had already opened the wardrobe, but after thinking for a moment, he stepped back politely. “Why don’t you shower first today?”

Xiao Ruanruan quickly shook her head. “You go ahead. You’ve been busy all day. I’ll shower later, it’s no problem.”

Huo Beiqing raised an eyebrow. Respectful address?

Was he really old enough to be addressed so formally?

No wonder his father had insisted he get married. No wonder… no wonder.

With a small nod, he entered the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of running water echoed from inside.

Xiao Ruanruan laid out her floor mattress, then glanced at the bathroom door.

Should I peek through the door crack?

She walked closer to inspect… hmm, the door was shut tightly. No gaps at all.

She sighed in admiration. Doors in this era were really well-made.

She ran her fingers along the door frame. The craftsmanship of the workers who installed this door is top-notch!

I should ask Huo Beiqing later which worker did this. If I ever get my own house, I want them to install my doors too.

Such a well-fitted door! Not even a sliver of a gap!

Not that I was actually planning to peek…

Just then—click!

The lock was released from the inside.

The perfectly sealed door suddenly swung open right in front of Xiao Ruanruan’s face.

Her hand, which had been resting on the door, had no time to retract.

Huo Beiqing stood there, drying his damp hair with a towel in one hand while holding the door with the other—completely caught off guard as Xiao Ruanruan’s hand landed right on his bare chest.

Xia Ruanruan: “……”

What excuse should she come up with?

She really was just acting on impulse; she never actually intended to peek through the door crack!

Really, it was just a misunderstanding!

But now that she was caught red-handed…

Was this the ultimate social death moment?

Feeling someone’s hand on his chest, Huo Beiqing lowered his gaze and looked at the soft, fair little hand. He frowned slightly.

Then, he asked, “Do you need to use the bathroom?”

Hearing this, Xia Ruanruan immediately placed one hand on his chest and the other on her stomach, furrowing her brows in pain. She bit her lip and nodded, “Mm, my stomach suddenly hurts a little.”

Huo Beiqing casually threw the towel over his shoulder and reached out with both hands to support her.

Only then did Xia Ruanruan realize that the hand she had been using for support wasn’t on the door, nor on the wall, but on Huo Beiqing’s chest.

—

One of her arms was being held, and Xia Ruanruan struggled slightly. “It’s fine. I… I just need to squat for a bit, and I’ll be okay.”

She tried to free her arm.

Huo Beiqing held onto her. “There’s water inside.”

“It’s fine.”

Even though she said it was fine, Huo Beiqing still escorted her inside personally.

If she hadn’t desperately signaled him with her eyes, she seriously doubted whether Lord Huo would have just stood there and watched her squat.

Of course, nothing actually happened.

But for the sake of her dignity, Xia Ruanruan put on quite the dramatic act