Chapter 263: Poor Judgment (6th Update)

Ye Wenxin took out a medical book, not hiding her presence, and continued to approach the two who were talking.

Naturally, she was doing this to make Liu Churan believe that she was just an ordinary cultivator.

After just a few steps, Liu Churan became aware of Ye Wenxin. She cast a sidelong glance, then said coldly, “Heh, really doesn’t know her place.”

Madam Yu, sitting across from her, poured tea for Liu Churan. “I agree.”

“No way, Sister Wenxin is very cute, alright?” At this moment, only Qiao Ni still thought Ye Wenxin’s behavior was very loveable, and she immediately jumped to Ye Wenxin’s defense.

The sisters stared at Qiao Ni. Their eyes were quite similar, but from appearance to personality, they were entirely unalike. Now, however, the two were completely in sync, agreeing with each other for the first time due to their dislike of someone.

“No.”

“I can’t see that at all.”

Qiao Ni, seeing Madam Yu and Liu Churan belittle the person she liked, pouted. “Well, I like her!”

Liu Churan smiled softly, and soothed, “You’re just like your mother—you have poor judgment.”

Madam Yu paused mid-sip. She looked at her younger sister, her expression obviously somewhat unhappy. She downed her tea in one gulp and said, “What makes you think that, Sister?”

“You’ve chosen an eccentric-looking person.” Liu Churan thought of her brother-in-law, Old Man Lü Dao. Whenever she saw him, he would make her uncomfortable.

Even more strangely, a man as gloomy as Old Man Lü Dao managed to sire a daughter like Qiao Ni with Madam Yu, leaving Liu Churan incredulous.

But Madam Yu’s expression didn’t change much at hearing her husband talked about as such. Instead, she said, “If it weren’t for you, would I have encountered such misfortune?”

Liu Churan stopped talking. She lifted her veil to sip her tea, as if she wanted to cover up that past.

Qiao Ni was already used to watching these weird interactions between her mother and her aunt. Seeing that they weren’t quarreling, she went to play in a corner, ready to break up a fight at any time.

One minute…five minutes…

But this time, the two merely drank their tea in silence. When they emptied the pot, Madam Yu called for someone to boil water, and Liu Churan spoke up.

“Did (s)he actually rescue you?”

“Yes.”

“But you know that (s)he couldn’t possibly recognize you, let alone come to your rescue.” Liu Churan’s expression subtly changed, those charming eyes shooting out a chilled look. Despite being sisters, these two didn’t seem to have much affection for each other.

“Yes.” Madam Yu gave the same one-word answer, finished her tea again, and let the bitter taste surge down her taste buds.

Silence descended again. Qiao Ni, feeling this was going on for too long, had no choice but to ask, “Who is this ‘he’ you’re both talking about?”

“(S)he is just (s)he,” explained Liu Churan smilingly. As she thought of that person, she couldn’t help smiling, as if reminiscing about the good old days.

“It’s the person your aunt has been pursuing for decades without success.” Madam Yu calmly struck back.

Liu Churan was still smiling, yet the chill grew more intense. The sisters looked like they were about to throw down at any moment.

Qiao Ni, aware these two were competing again, felt her head ache. But Liu Churan suddenly changed the subject and asked, “Speaking of which, Ni Ni has grown taller again.”

It was unclear if she was doing it out of worry for Qiao Ni’s mood, or if this was another fuse waiting to be ignited. Qiao Ni, already having a premonition, looked pleadingly at Ye Wenxin who was openly eavesdropping and peeking from a distance.

But Ye Wenxin was completely oblivious to Qiao Ni’s plight, so she could only say, “Yes, I’m older now, and once I turn fourteen, I can get married.”

“Time sure flies, but what a coincidence. Right after we left, your mother got pregnant with you. And look at your face—not a single resemblance to brother-in-law,” Liu Churan continued with frigid irony and cold satire, seemingly implying that Qiao Ni was not conceived between Madam Yu and Old Man Lü Dao.

Madam Yu’s expression stiffened. “You still think I did something behind your back, Sister?”

“Who knows?” Liu Churan smiled and downed her tea. She glanced at Ye Wenxin in the distance. “This person, you should kill her.”

“I think so too.”

“You can’t! Sister Wenxin, stop listening in; run!” Qiao Ni immediately shouted to Ye Wenxin. However, Ye Wenxin still looked puzzled, as if she didn’t understand why Qiao Ni kept making faces and waving her hands at her.

Just as Qiao Ni was thinking about how she should tell this matter to Ye Wenxin, she felt a breeze blowing from behind. Looking back, Liu Churan was no longer there.

Qiao Ni realized Liu Churan was just giving her a scare. Seeing Ye Wenxin was still standing there, alive and kicking, she plopped down onto the nearest chair.

Seeing Liu Churan was gone, Ye Wenxin finally approached. Confused, she asked what Qiao Ni’s charade was all about.

“Ni Ni, were you calling for me?”

But in fact, she did hear Liu Churan and Madam Yu’s conversation. She didn’t know whether it was to test her identity or if they were heartfelt words. What she could be certain of was that Liu Churan had brought her to Green Isle Manor to help treat her Qi Deviation.

Ye Wenxin was relieved. Recalling Liu Churan’s mysterious words at the end, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still more to the story. She looked at Qiao Ni, and the longer she stared, the less Qiao Ni resembled Old Man Lü Dao.

But if she were to pinpoint who Qiao Ni resembled, she couldn’t say, which left her very curious who Madam Yu’s lover had been.

Qiao Ni noticed Ye Wenxin’s ambiguous gaze and felt even more uncomfortable. “Why are you looking at me like that too?”

“I just suddenly think you’re really pretty, Ni Ni.” Ye Wenxin chuckled.

Qiao Ni, originally a little unhappy being tricked by her mother and Liu Churan, was over the moon with Ye Wenxin’s compliment. She grabbed Ye Wenxin’s arm and shook it a few times, saying, “Praise me more.”

“Ah, but Madam Yu and Miss Liu are still devastatingly beautiful,” Ye Wenxin couldn’t help adding upon seeing Qiao Ni’s smile. Qiao Ni’s elated little face fell.

Ye Wenxin was satisfied to see this. She thought that if she disappointed Qiao Ni back and forth like this a few times, Qiao Ni would never have any ideas about her again.

Madam Yu, watching from the side, was dissatisfied with Ye Wenxin’s blabbing. Qiao Ni, however, seemed unaffected. She continued to smile and say, “Sister, you’ve promised me. As long as I help you pursue my mother and my aunt, you will accept me too.”