Chapter 51: A Direct Confrontation and a Harsh Scolding

Xu Jiaojiao woke up groggily, feeling that something was off. It was like being watched by a snake in the dark. She suddenly opened her eyes, tears still in her gaze.

Her tearful eyes met Xie Zhi’s unwavering stare, and she immediately became nervous. “Why have you been staring at me?”

The man leaned in and kissed her forehead, something he did every morning. His voice was low and seductive. “Because Jiaojiao is so beautiful, I really like you.”

Xu Jiaojiao’s cheeks flushed, her whole body turning pink, like a flower about to bloom, so delicate that it seemed ready to drop dew any moment.

She quickly threw off the blanket, got up, and staggered toward the bathroom, leaving Xie Zhi sitting on the bed, laughing as he watched her retreating figure.

It was already past eleven, and she had woken up earlier than usual.

When Xu Jiaojiao came out of the bathroom, her hair was already styled, and she had applied only a simple lip balm, leaving her lips soft and pink, which made Xie Zhi’s teeth itch with desire.

He thought she looked like a peach, and he could almost taste the sweet juice bursting from it with the slightest bite, leaving a lingering fragrance.

Xu Jiaojiao was picking through her wardrobe, finally choosing a green dress. Her hair was still in her usual braids, tied with a white ribbon at the ends. She slipped on a pair of nude-colored heels and spun around in front of the full-length mirror, beaming with happiness.

Their eyes met, and she leaped into his arms, her fragrance filling the air. He hugged her tightly, and his pale cheek turned a faint red.

“You look so beautiful, like a fairy from the heavens.”

Xu Jiaojiao giggled, noticing that his ears were already red. Sitting on his lap, she pinched his ear playfully, her voice teasing. “Husband, how are you still so innocent?”

But the next moment, her tone lifted, “But I like it.”

Xie Zhi was still wearing a white shirt and light-colored jeans, looking like a modern-day high school student.

They walked downstairs together. Xie Zhi hadn’t told Jiaojiao about the relatives coming over to cause trouble. After all, he could handle it himself. He didn’t want these people polluting her ears.

When they reached the stairs, the living room was unusually quiet, not even the faintest smoke from the kitchen.

Xu Jiaojiao was being led by Xie Zhi, and as they turned the corner, they saw the sofa filled with people, all sitting with the intent of interrogating them.

One would think they had committed a terrible crime and were about to be hauled off for questioning.

“Wow, you finally came down.”

“You two busy people have finally arrived.”

“You’ve really made us wait.”

“No manners at all.”

The room was filled with comments, everyone speaking at once, as if the roof was about to be lifted.

Xu Jiaojiao had a confused look on her face. “Huh?”

Xie Zhi coldly scanned the group and then turned to lead Jiaojiao away. He had no intention of eating at home today—it was Saturday, a day for rest.

“Stop.” Ming Zhen’s voice was calm.

“Shouldn’t you at least greet the elders?”

“Xu Jiaojiao, right? You little flirt. Go cook in the kitchen. Let’s see if your cooking skills are good enough to marry into this family.”

“Exactly, I’m starving.”

Ming Zhen had wanted to cook herself countless times, but the others had stopped her every time. Even when Xie Huaiyuan wanted to order takeout, he was told that they had to try the new daughter-in-law’s cooking—this was just a power play.

Now, everyone’s eyes were on Xu Jiaojiao. Honestly, they had seen many beautiful women, but this was the first time they had seen someone like her. Several of the aunts were eager to deal with her.

They despised women who acted coquettishly.

Xu Jiaojiao: “……..”

The girl coldly smiled at them, sensing from Xie Zhi’s attitude that these people were definitely trouble. She scanned them with a look of disdain and said in a casual tone, “Are you talking to me?”

The group’s faces turned red, nearly turning purple with rage.

“You little slut, how dare you speak to your elders like that? Since you have no manners, I’ll take it upon myself to teach you some.”

Xie Zhi casually grabbed an ashtray from the table and threw it toward the woman, his tone cold. “Aunt, I suggest you keep your mouth clean.”

The woman called “Aunt” acted like a madwoman, and the ashtray hit her stomach with a thud. Luckily, she was a bit plump, so it wasn’t too bad, but it still made her sweat from the pain.

“You ungrateful son, how dare you lay a hand on me? Ming Zhen, is this how you teach your child?”

Xie Zhi, disappointed by the trouble caused by his mother, felt a surge of frustration. Why, why did it always have to be like this? Wasn’t her tearful crying yesterday all fake?

He looked at his mother with a bitter gaze, and for just a moment, Ming Zhen didn’t dare to meet his eyes. She lowered her head, ashamed.

Everyone was stunned by Xie Zhi’s ruthless attitude, unable to speak. They could only watch in fear as the couple left.

Before Xu Jiaojiao could reach the door, she turned back, unable to hold back her anger.

She stared at the group of relatives sitting on the sofa.

With her fair fingers, she arrogantly pointed at her uncle, who was as fat as a pig. “You, looking like a pig, how dare you come here to cause trouble for me?”

“Don’t you even look at yourself before speaking.”

“You… what the hell did you say?”

“Did Jiaojiao say anything wrong?” Xie Zhi’s calm voice rang out, his long lashes giving him a chilling, unpredictable aura, as if standing firmly behind the girl.

“Aunt, the pimples on your face are big enough to fry food. Don’t you think it’s disgusting?”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t even have the face to go out. You’d be ashamed to be seen in public.”

“And you, wearing red and green together, looking like a flattened squash. It’s so ugly I might call the police. Do you think it’s because of Liang Jingru that you have the courage to dress like that?”

Several of them were furious, their eyes bloodshot, wanting to rip her apart. If not for Xie Zhi standing behind her, they would have already attacked her.

Xie Zhi watched with a grin as the girl vented her frustration, happy that she was finally speaking her mind. But he still did his duty, standing guard like a protector.

Xu Jiaojiao turned her gaze to Ming Zhen, who seemed to have an issue with her. She couldn’t understand why this woman kept looking for trouble.

“Aunt Ming Zhen, I don’t know how much you hate me, but bringing these people over here… What was that tearful scene the other day all about? You think that by bringing them here, I’ll just give in?”

“You’re really foolish.”

After saying that, Xu Jiaojiao didn’t look at their faces anymore. The pent-up anger she had been holding inside was finally released, and she almost felt like laughing toward the sky.