Chapter 17: Phoenix Man × Rich Beauty (Part 7)

On the way back, Bai Yue thought of Bai Jie’s ugly expression and couldn’t help but laugh. Still, she was puzzled—why had Yuan Zhi’s mother been so polite to Gu Yin?

The power behind the Yuan family was evident. Gu Yin was just a low-level section chief—surely not someone who could make Yuan’s mother bow and scrape like that.

She blinked a few times. As soon as Gu Yin saw her expression, he immediately knew what his little wife was thinking. He reached out and tapped her forehead. “You’re wondering why Yuan Zhi’s mom is being so polite to me?”

Bai Yue quickly nodded.

“Your dad was set on introducing Yuan Zhi to you before, but suddenly dropped the idea and never arranged a meeting between the two of you. Do you know why?”

“Wasn’t it because I told him I already had someone?” Bai Yue widened her eyes.

Gu Yin chuckled at her innocence. Bai Yue was purely an academic type—it was normal for her to be clueless about the scheming behind the scenes.

“It’s because Yuan Zhi’s father—the bureau chief—has been in a precarious position. He was reported for embezzlement and bribery. Though there hasn’t been any official news about it, I’m sure your father caught wind of it early on.”

Bai Yue frowned. “I did overhear something in my dad’s study before, but I didn’t realize it was about Yuan Zhi’s father! But then, why would my dad still agree to let Bai Jie marry Yuan Zhi?”

“The Yuan family has complex backing—too powerful for your father to offend. Even if they fall, Yuan Zhi’s mother still holds considerable resources.”

Gu Yin analyzed the situation based on the plot and recent intel. “Besides, Bai Jie is just his stepdaughter. I doubt your father really cares that much.”

Bai Yue still couldn’t believe her father could be so shameless. But she had already warned Bai Jie. Since she still chose this path, she’d have to face the consequences.

“So Yuan Zhi’s mom was polite to you not just because she wants you to look after her son, but also hoping you’d go easy on her husband’s investigation?”

“Exactly. Yuan Zhi’s father used some very shady methods to promote him, and even offended the hospital director in the process. They’ve heard I’ve been getting close to the director lately, so naturally they want me to put in a good word. But what’s that got to do with me? I’m just a small-time section chief—how could I possibly influence anything like that?”

They had originally treated the whole situation like a bit of gossip, but not long after, an unexpected visitor showed up at the Gu family porridge shop.

“Welcome! What would you like to eat? Here’s the menu.”

Gu’s mother greeted the woman warmly, pointing to the menu on the wall. But the woman—Wen Jing—looked around the restaurant with disdain and stared down at Gu’s mother. “You’re Gu Yin’s family, right?”

“And you are?” Gu’s mother’s face darkened instantly. She was no longer the naïve old lady she used to be.

As a businesswoman who dealt with all kinds of people daily, she could tell at a glance this woman was here to stir up trouble.

“I’m Bai Yue’s mother,” Wen Jing said impatiently. “This place is pretty big. Did Gu Yin pay for it? Or was it my Bai Yue’s money?”

Gu’s mother had already heard from Gu Yin about Bai Yue’s family—her real mother had passed away long ago, and her father had quickly remarried his childhood sweetheart. Just looking at this flashy woman, she could tell she was trouble.

Unwilling to back down, she snapped, “My son Gu Yin is a section chief. What’s wrong with him giving some money to his mother to start a business? And who says this is your Bai Yue’s money? Is Bai Yue even part of your family? Honestly, you’ve got a face so thick it’s like leather—do you plaster dog-skin ointment on it or something?”

Gu’s mother had never lost a shouting match in her village. Wen Jing was no match for her. If it weren’t for Gu Yin constantly reminding her to be civilized, she’d already be cursing up a storm.

Wen Jing’s face turned red with rage. “I’ll find out if that money came from us! That girl’s always siding with outsiders. I’m still her elder—why shouldn’t I have a say?”

“An elder? True elders are polite and dignified. Look at you, waving your arms around like a madwoman—anyone watching would think you escaped from an asylum!”

Wen Jing was livid, but she hadn’t come here to argue with some country bumpkin. She tossed her bag over her shoulder and said disdainfully, “Call Gu Yin and tell him to come back. I have something important to discuss with him.”

Gu’s mother rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you call him yourself? Besides, my son is at work. Who are you to summon him like that? A big old lady like you and no common sense. Pfft!”

Wen Jing thought to herself that she had tried to call, but Bai Yue had blocked her, and she didn’t have Gu Yin’s number—he wasn’t even officially family yet. When she’d gone to his office, they told her everyone was in a meeting and wouldn’t let her in. Only after someone at the office mentioned that Gu’s mother ran a restaurant nearby did she come here.

“I really do have something important to discuss with him. If you don’t want trouble for your son, contact him now,” Wen Jing said irritably.

“My son walks the right path and does honest work—he’s not in trouble. You’re the one with issues, you ugly and shameless hag! Coming here to throw your weight around and threaten my son?” Gu’s mother grabbed a feather duster and chased Wen Jing out.

Wen Jing felt like she couldn’t even speak the same language as this uneducated old woman and had no choice but to sit in her car and wait for Gu Yin to get off work.

Meanwhile, Gu’s mother, after calming her customers, quickly called her son. “Xiao Yin, Yueyue’s stepmother came by and made a scene. She demanded you come back, and said you’d be in trouble if you didn’t!”

“It’s fine, Mom. She doesn’t have that kind of power.” Gu Yin had just finished a meeting and wasn’t surprised that Wen Jing had already started causing trouble.

“That’s what I thought! Don’t worry, I kicked her out. Cursed my son—what a nerve!” Gu’s mother boasted.

“My mom is awesome. I’ve got another meeting, gotta go.”

“Go on, go on!” Gu’s mother hung up sensibly and kept a sharp eye on Wen Jing’s car, watching what that awful woman might do next.

After waiting for three hours, Wen Jing finally caught Gu Yin and Bai Yue arriving. She quickly got up and followed them inside.

Gu’s mother was about to grab a broom and chase her out again, but Gu Yin stopped her. “Alright, speak. What do you want?”

Lately, Yuan Zhi had been catching all sorts of flak at work and was being increasingly sidelined. Wen Jing was probably here to question or beg for help.

“I heard you’ve been making trouble for your brother-in-law. What are you doing? Do you even know how you got your position? Hurry up and fix things for your brother-in-law!” Wen Jing barked orders at Gu Yin from her high horse.

Gu Yin sneered, “You want to investigate how I got this position? Go ahead. But as for your dear son-in-law, I do know how he got his.”

“Gu Yin, are you trying to get out of marrying Bai Yue? Do you think offending me will do you any good?” Wen Jing threatened.

Bai Yue jumped up, fuming, ready to curse her out—when Gu’s mother beat her to it, pointing her feather duster at Wen Jing.

“You’re just a mistress—how dare you meddle in the real daughter’s affairs? Aren’t you ashamed? Should I go public with your past? My son has offended you, so what? What now?”

Gu’s mother slammed the table. Wen Jing, shocked and spattered by her spit, was scared speechless. Tearfully, she pointed at them.

“Fine, all of you teaming up to bully me? Just wait—I’ll go tell your father and let him see how his daughter and her in-laws are ganging up on his wife!”

“Spare me that wrinkled face—so disgusting!” Gu Yin held back his mother. “Sure, bring Uncle Bai over. I’d love to hear what he has to say.”

It was a complete victory that day. Gu’s mother felt a little shy under her daughter-in-law’s admiring gaze, patting her head affectionately.

“You silly girl, it’s normal that you can’t handle an old fox like her. But your auntie here has never lost an argument. Women like your stepmother? I could slap away a dozen of her kind. If it weren’t for Xiao Yin always telling me to be civilized and not offend people, I’d scold her until she couldn’t find her way home!”

“Mom, take it easy! Don’t scare your daughter-in-law,” Big Sister Gu was amazed by her mother’s power. Having a verbal warrior in the family wasn’t so bad after all.

They enjoyed dinner together, completely ignoring Wen Jing’s tantrums.

Sure enough, a few days passed and Bai Yue’s father never came. For the sake of someone like Yuan Zhi, it simply wasn’t worth offending Gu Yin, who was currently advancing steadily in his career. He wasn’t stupid.

He even warned the irrational Wen Jing: “Don’t go looking for Yueyue anymore, and don’t stir up trouble. Keep quiet for a while. If anything happens, don’t blame me for throwing you out.”

Wen Jing shrank back in fear. When she complained to Bai Jie, she tried to justify herself.

“Your father couldn’t come out and say it directly. After all, Gu Yin isn’t officially his son-in-law yet. Besides, your father-in-law is powerful, and your mother-in-law’s background isn’t ordinary either. How did things end up like this?”

Bai Jie was filled with regret. She hadn’t expected Yuan’s father to fall so quickly. Yuan’s mother did have some connections, but they only helped when dividing assets after the fall—at most, they preserved a little wealth.

As for Yuan Zhi’s job, Yuan’s mother’s people weren’t willing to intervene. He was in a precarious position and not only being sidelined but might soon be dismissed.

Though Yuan’s mother said she could support him if he lost his job, they couldn’t just live off savings forever. Besides, the asset division hadn’t gone as smoothly as they hoped.

“Can’t Dad help us? He was the one who supported our marriage in the first place!”