Chapter 30: A Rooster Wearing Glasses – Not Much Power, but Full of Airs!

In Ye Sanqiu’s mind, men were supposed to “shed no tears lightly.”

Before today, if any man acted pitiful in front of her, she wouldn’t hesitate to push him away and maybe even kick him for good measure—just to remind him that men should act like men.

But now, facing Lu Sinian, who had reddened eyes and was looking at her pitifully, she hesitated.

The young man’s pale face was full of grievance, and his crescent-moon-shaped eyes, now red like a little rabbit’s, made him look utterly pitiable!

Even though she suspected he might be pretending, Ye Sanqiu’s protective instincts kicked in.

From the moment Lu Sinian acknowledged her as his wife, she’d decided that he was her person.

And no one messes with her people—except her!

Moreover, the “old white lotus” in front of her clearly wasn’t a good person.

It was Ye Sanqiu’s first visit, yet this woman refused to acknowledge her and even tried to sow doubt among the others.

She was cutting off Ye Sanqiu’s path to happiness.

Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!

If she didn’t put this woman in her place now, she’d have no standing in this household in the future.

Ye Sanqiu gently patted Lu Sinian’s arm in reassurance. “Don’t worry. Your mom is my mom. I won’t let anyone badmouth her!”

Even though she hadn’t quite caught what the “old white lotus” had said about her mother-in-law, if her man said it happened, then it happened.

Lu Sinian looked momentarily dazed at her serious expression.

“Stand behind me,” Ye Sanqiu ordered.

Lu Sinian obediently stepped back, positioning himself behind her.

Immediately, Ye Sanqiu dropped her soft demeanor, putting on a stern face as she glared at Wang Xiaoyun.

“Why are you badmouthing my mother-in-law—my real mother-in-law?”

Afraid that Wang Xiaoyun might get defensive, she deliberately emphasized the last part.

Wang Xiaoyun was stunned. When had she badmouthed her “real” mother-in-law?

Reflexively, she began to defend herself, “I… when did I—?” But halfway through her sentence, she froze.

Wait, why was a little country bumpkin like Ye Sanqiu questioning her? On what grounds was she even asking? Did this girl seriously think she was already part of the Lu family?

Who said so?

Wang Xiaoyun hadn’t taken Ye Sanqiu seriously from the start.

She was just a rural wildling with some questionable beauty, carrying an equally questionable marriage certificate. And now, because Lu Sinian—a spineless weakling—acknowledged her, she thought she could marry into the Lu family?

Even if Wang Xiaoyun, the stepmother, couldn’t intervene, Lu Sinian’s biological father certainly could!

Old Lu would never recognize this marriage!

With this thought, Wang Xiaoyun suddenly regained her confidence.

“This is a family matter,” she said coldly. “I suggest you, an outsider, stay out of it.”

By saying this, she outright denied Ye Sanqiu’s identity.

But Ye Sanqiu hadn’t expected her recognition anyway.

A stepmother, not even a biological one—what right did she have to approve or disapprove of Ye Sanqiu?

Calling her “stepmother” was already giving her too much credit!

A rooster wearing glasses—little authority, big airs!

Ye Sanqiu decided not to hold back. If she didn’t show her capabilities, this woman wouldn’t know who she was dealing with.

Hands on her hips, she adopted the stance of a rural woman ready for a brawl.

“Bullsh*t! How does this not concern me? My mother-in-law is the legitimate mistress of this house. My man is the rightful eldest grandson of this family. Our marriage was arranged by my mother-in-law herself.

“My status as the Lu family’s daughter-in-law was decided when I was just two years old.

“Back then, who knows where you were!

“A marriage arranged by the legitimate wife of the Lu family—what does it have to do with you, a latecomer?

“You talk big, but don’t you worry about biting your tongue? You say this family’s business has nothing to do with me?

“If anyone’s an outsider here, you’re the outsider!

“Dropping a couple of crocodile tears and acting all innocent won’t make you a kind and virtuous stepmother.

“I’ve seen plenty of fake sweethearts like you in the countryside.

“Acting all generous and virtuous in public, but who knows how many nasty things you’ve said about my man behind closed doors.

“Maybe I could overlook how you treated him before.

“But now…” Ye Sanqiu raised her fist and waved it in front of Wang Xiaoyun’s face. “If you dare bully my man again, I’ll knock your teeth out!”

Behind her, Lu Sinian’s pupils dilated as soon as he heard the words “my man.” His gaze locked onto the back of Ye Sanqiu’s head.

They hadn’t even registered their marriage yet, and she was already calling him that.

Wasn’t this… a bit too fast?

But for some reason, he didn’t feel repulsed.

This was the first time since “she” left that a woman had stood in front of him, standing up for him.

That long-forgotten feeling… Damn, it felt good.

Lu Sinian’s lips curled slightly as he stared at the back of Ye Sanqiu’s head. The more he looked at his fiancée, the more satisfied he felt.

He thought to himself, once she finishes eating and bathing, he’d take her to get their marriage certificate. That would solidify the meaning of “my man” and firmly establish her position in the Lu family.

Wang Xiaoyun’s face turned white, then green, then purple.

It was the first time she had ever been pointed at and scolded in public.

Even that useless brat Lu Sinian, no matter how unruly, had never dared to berate her in front of others.

Wang Xiaoyun was so furious she lost all sense of propriety. “You—a wild girl of unknown origin—dare to threaten me? Do you even know where you are?” She turned to Niu Ailing, who was watching the drama unfold with keen interest, and said, “Sister-in-law, I suspect this girl’s identity is questionable. We should detain her and investigate thoroughly. Sister-in-law, you…”

Before she could finish, Ye Sanqiu’s palm landed hard on her face.

“Detain your mother! My family has been poor farmers for eight generations. My background is spotless and righteous. My grandfather even fought the Japanese during his youth. I have a clear conscience and nothing to fear. Go ahead, investigate me! If you don’t find anything, that just proves you’re a saboteur sent by the enemy to sow discord between civilians and the military.”

Then, she turned to the wide-eyed Niu Ailing and her companions. “Aunts, I suspect this woman harbors impure thoughts and may have a questionable identity. I’d like to report her—where should I go to file this report?

“By the way, you all must testify for me. She’s the one who first accused me of having a questionable identity.”

Niu Ailing and the others stared at Ye Sanqiu as if she were a freak of nature.

What just happened?

How had this escalated to accusations of identity fraud?

Wait a minute—wasn’t this girl supposed to be a shy, soft-spoken little country bumpkin? The kind who wouldn’t even dare to make eye contact, let alone speak up?

How had she suddenly turned into someone who slapped people—her supposed stepmother, no less?!

What they thought was a pitiful orphan girl turned out to be a fiery pepper!

Things had gone so far that Niu Ailing and the others no longer dared to enjoy the spectacle.

This girl was as ruthless as the notorious troublemaker of the Lu family!

But even the “little madman” of the Lu family had never thought of reporting his stepmother.

Yet this girl had only been here a day and was already gearing up to do so.

They didn’t want to get involved!

“Girl, your step—uh, Xiaoyun—was just spouting nonsense. We’ve seen your letter of introduction. Your identity is fine, and so is Xiaoyun’s. You’re all family. Don’t let a small misunderstanding ruin the peace,” Niu Ailing said with a forced smile, trying to mediate.

Ye Sanqiu ignored her entirely and insisted on reporting Wang Xiaoyun.

Niu Ailing and the others: “…”

“I know where to report her. I’ll take you there,” Lu Sinian said, tugging at Ye Sanqiu’s sleeve, his grin almost reaching his ears.

Why hadn’t he thought of reporting the old hag before?

Sure, he knew she didn’t have any actual issues with her identity, but it would be so satisfying to make her squirm.

His… fiancée was brilliant. On her very first day, she’d not only seen through the old hag’s facade but was now about to turn the tables and report her.

He absolutely loved how fiercely she defended him.

Ah, it made his heart feel so sweet!

Ye Sanqiu actually followed Lu Sinian out.

Niu Ailing and the others were dumbfounded.

They’re serious about this?!

She turned to the still-stunned Wang Xiaoyun, who was reeling from the slap. “Xiaoyun, aren’t you going to stop them?!”

What an idiot. They’d already left, and she was still standing there in a daze!

Was she savoring the taste of that slap or what?!

Niu Ailing wasn’t trying to help Wang Xiaoyun—she would have loved to see the two of them tear each other apart.

But if Ye Sanqiu actually went to report Wang Xiaoyun, they as bystanders would inevitably be dragged into it for questioning.

She hadn’t forgotten Ye Sanqiu’s request for them to testify.

Watching drama was one thing, but she had no desire to get caught up in the Lu family’s mess.

By the time Wang Xiaoyun came back to her senses, Ye Sanqiu and Lu Sinian were long gone.

Being scolded so harshly, slapped in front of everyone, and now on the brink of being reported—all by a wild girl of unknown origin—Wang Xiaoyun felt like she had lost every shred of dignity she had.

Unable to bear it any longer, she covered her face and ran into the courtyard.

She couldn’t face anyone anymore.