Chapter 18: I’ll Protect You

Jiang Xiangxiang, as everyone knew, was hardworking, diligent, and filial. Her only flaw was her Mom, but that was fine; Jiang Xiangxiang would look after her.

Tian Xiu’e felt that Ye Meiping was incredibly ungrateful. If she had such a considerate daughter, she wouldn’t have to lift a finger; she’d spoil her rotten.

Instead, Ye Meiping was clearly blind, mistaking a worthless pebble for a pearl, spoiling the lazy and gluttonous Jiang Rourou while constantly bullying Xiangxiang.

That ends today.

Hearing their back-and-forth, Ye Meiping’s face turned green. She shoved Jiang Xiangxiang forcefully: “Bullshit! Get up, Jiang Xiangxiang! Who gave you the right to agree to the marriage? You’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? I’ll beat you to death today!”

Jiang Xiangxiang silently rolled her eyes. Ye Meiping really couldn’t read the situation. Had she been spoiled rotten by the original owner? Even after suffering so many losses at Xiangxiang’s hands, she still hadn’t learned her lesson. Did she really think she ruled the world? She was nothing.

Of course, that was just her inner thought. Outwardly, she acted terrified and wronged.

Seeing this, Ye Meiping’s anger flared: “Little bitch, I’ll—”

Slap!

Before she could finish her curse, Tian Xiu’e slapped her across the face.

Since Tian Xiu’e was sitting on her, beating her was incredibly convenient. One slap, and Ye Meiping’s face immediately swelled.

Jiang Xiangxiang almost laughed out loud. So this was the benefit of being connected to Lu Jianshen? This was too satisfying!

Tian Xiu’e said, “Ye Meiping, show some respect! Be polite to my daughter-in-law, understand? Otherwise, I’ll beat you every time I see you!”

Ye Meiping: “Tian, I’ll fight you!”

Tian Xiu’e: “Come on then! All talk and no action? Let’s see what you’ve got!”

Unlike the delicate Ye Meiping, Tian Xiu’e had done all the housework for years. Ye Meiping had essentially lived a life of leisure, doing nothing, and had no strength left. To put it bluntly, Tian could kill her with one finger.

Several times, Ye Meiping tried to flip Tian over, but lacked the strength. She just lay there silently, like a penguin, unable to move up or down, looking incredibly awkward.

Jiang Rourou’s face darkened. She quickly stepped forward, interjecting, “Auntie Tian, let’s talk this through. This is all a misunderstanding. We just need to clear the air with my sister. Why don’t you get up first, and we can talk?”

Tian Xiu’e glanced at her: “Jiang Rou, everyone knows what kind of person you are. Xiangxiang has suffered so much at your hands, and now you want to clear things up? Is it too late?”

Jiang Rourou’s expression stiffened: “Auntie, regardless, we’re family now. Making things worse will only upset Jianshen. Don’t you think?”

Hearing this, Tian Xiu’e did get up, not out of fear, but simply because she didn’t want to leave a bad impression on Jiang Xiangxiang. She was such a kind girl. If she thought her future mother-in-law was too forceful and prone to violence, and regretted marrying Lu Jianshen, what would happen then?

Her son had finally woken up, and she had to seize this opportunity and not ruin it.

After standing up, Tian Xiu’e adjusted her clothes before approaching cautiously: “Xiangxiang, your Mom didn’t mean to do that. I just lost my temper. Don’t worry, I don’t usually act like this.”

Jiang Xiangxiang smiled: “Mom, I know.”

Tian Xiu’e: “My Xiangxiang is such a well-behaved girl, unlike some people, hehe.”

Jiang Xiangxiang: “…”

A silent thumbs-up to Tian Xiu’e for her subtle digs. Jiang Xiangxiang glanced at Jiang Rourou, whose face had darkened.

Xiangxiang felt incredibly happy and relieved.

Once free, Ye Meiping wanted to confront Tian Xiu’e. She couldn’t just take this lying down.

Jiang Rourou quickly stopped her, whispering, “Mom, calm down. The situation isn’t in our favor. Xiangxiang’s marriage is important. We can deal with her later.”

She held Ye Meiping tightly, preventing her from approaching.

Ye Meiping’s anger had nowhere to go, so she calmed down, but her eyes showed her displeasure: “Tian Xiu’e, you just wait!”

Tian Xiu’e glared: “Wait? I’m not afraid of you!”

How dare she be so arrogant even in front of the village chief? She was clearly spoiled.

The village chief, Wang Fugui, seized the opportunity, stepping forward and coughing: “Alright, alright, stop it! Can’t you talk things out without making a scene? Chengshan’s wife, you’re being unreasonable. No matter how bad Xiangxiang is, she’s your child. How can you treat them so differently? Apologize!”

Ye Meiping: “Village chief, I apologize to her? I’m her Mom! I raised her—”

Tian Xiu’e: “You raised her? Bullshit! Xiangxiang practically raised you! Everyone saw how you bullied her all these years.”

Ye Meiping: “But I—”

Wang Fugui: “If you don’t apologize, I’ll call the police. Go tell the police whatever you want. Chengshan’s wife, I’m giving you a chance to apologize. If you don’t take it, you’ll lose it. Remember that woman who was involved in superstition? She’s still in jail.”

Ye Meiping still refused to apologize, pursing her lips. Old Mrs. Huang cleverly ran away, leaving her to handle the mess. How shameless.

And, with so many people around, that dead girl, Jiang Xiangxiang, didn’t even warn her. It must have been intentional.

Once they left, she would settle the score with Xiangxiang. No more nonsense.

Ye Meiping had already planned her revenge, and her eyes towards Jiang Xiangxiang were increasingly hostile.

Jiang Xiangxiang hid behind Tian Xiu’e, saying pitifully, “Mom, her eyes are scary. Is she planning to get me once you’re gone?”

Tian Xiu’e’s protective instincts surged: “She dares! Xiangxiang, don’t worry, Mom will protect you. If she dares to hit you, I’ll hit her back. If she hits you twice, I’ll hit her three times! I won’t let her take advantage of you. Or, maybe you should go stay at your maternal home?”