Volume 1, Chapter 34: Telling Your Son to Come Back and Help Catch... the Adulterer?

Zhou Manhua stared at her fixedly, attempting to detect even a flicker of guilt in her expression.

"If you aren't hiding anyone, why is your nanny acting so evasive and suspicious?" she demanded with self-righteous indignation. "Does it really take that long to put on a couple of pieces of clothing after a nap?"

"Do I not need time to use the restroom and freshen up?" Jiang Yunmiao replied, her expression calm and her tone indifferent. She gently stroked her rounded abdomen. "Mother, do you truly think I am capable of any mischief in my current condition?"

Zhou Manhua’s scrutinizing gaze fell upon Jiang Yunmiao’s stomach. She let out a scoff. "Who knows? It’s not even certain whose child that is in your belly."

Jiang Yunmiao felt a mix of irritation and amusement. Zhou Manhua really dared to cast such filthy aspersions on her!

"Mother, are you so desperate for your son to wear a green hat? Do you have to find one for him to wear before you're satisfied?"

Jiang Yunmiao curled her lips slightly. From beginning to end, she remained entirely composed, not even knitting her brows, her manner completely open and unashamed.

"You—I’m telling you, if you dare to cheat on A-Yi, I will make you regret it!" Zhou Manhua warned, her brow furrowed and her demeanor aggressive. She darted her shifty eyes around the room once more, clearly unwilling to give up.

Could she have been wrong?

"Have you seen enough? Would you like to call your son back to help you catch... the adulterer?" Standing in the doorway with a hand on her belly, Jiang Yunmiao was bathed in flickering light, her clear, deep eyes tinged with mockery. She spoke with composure, a cold, derisive curve touching her lips, as if she were watching a monkey show.

Only then did Zhou Manhua reluctantly withdraw her gaze. She pursed her lips, feeling a sense of disappointment.

"If there’s no one, then that’s for the best! Hurry downstairs. Leaving guests waiting while you sleep the day away—what kind of behavior is that!" Finding a pretext to retreat, Zhou Manhua stomped out of the room and headed downstairs.

Jiang Yunmiao cast a questioning look at Sister Xu: Were there other guests?

Sister Xu shook her head, indicating she didn't recognize the visitor. "But I heard your mother-in-law call her... something like Ke?"

Chen Nianke?

Zhou Manhua had actually brought Chen Nianke here? Was she here to stir up trouble?

"Let’s go down and meet them," Jiang Yunmiao thought, curious to see what kind of wolfish ambitions these two women harbored.

When Jiang Yunmiao descended the stairs, she saw Chen Nianke sitting in the living room. She had to admit, Chen Nianke had some talent; in just a few days, she had managed to wrap Zhou Manhua around her finger.

"Jiang Yunmiao, long time no see," Chen Nianke greeted her with a smile. Yet, out of habit, her sense of superiority surfaced whenever she faced Jiang Yunmiao.

"It hasn't been that long. Didn't we see each other when you were dragging my husband around the maternity center, begging for favors?" Jiang Yunmiao didn't mind helping her recall that day’s rejection. Although Chen Nianke had eventually found a storefront, the fact that she had been turned away by Emerald Plaza still rankled her.

Naturally, Jiang Yunmiao had to touch a sore spot.

Chen Nianke glanced at her arrogantly, her lips pressed into a tight line. Her voice carried a hint of anger and provocation. "I had almost forgotten, if not for you mentioning it. I still have to thank A-Yi for helping me finalize the shop."

"What business?" Zhou Manhua asked, looking confused. As a mother, hearing that her son had humbled himself to beg for favors for another woman made her feel uneasy, and her expression darkened.

"It’s about my shop. I told you before that I founded an original design brand, right? It’s ready to launch. A-Yi helped me quite a bit, so to show my gratitude, I’ve decided to give him some equity. Once it turns a profit by the end of next year, I’ll give him a share of the dividends. I just don't know if he’ll look down on my meager earnings," Chen Nianke said artfully, appearing calm and generous.

It must be said, her words struck a chord with Zhou Manhua. Upon hearing about dividends, Zhou Manhua’s eyes lit up. She patted Chen Nianke’s hand affectionately. "Why would he look down on it? Having such a heart is already wonderful. I believe you will surely make your brand a success."

"I hope so. By the way, I’ll be sure to send you an invitation for the grand opening. You must come to show your support."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it!" Zhou Manhua looked at Chen Nianke with newfound warmth. After all, a daughter raised in a wealthy family simply had a different perspective and starting point. When Jiang Yunmiao had started her business, she had worked herself to the bone and nearly dragged A-Yi down with her. Meanwhile, Chen Nianke lived a life of luxury and had built her career with such ease.

It was no wonder people online said: Some are born in Rome, while others are born as beasts of burden.

Watching the two of them act out this "affectionate mother-in-law and daughter-in-law" scene, Jiang Yunmiao found it quite nauseating.

"What brings you both here?"

"Oh, right. We had some excellent home-style cooking today, so I packed some for you." Zhou Manhua pushed the food container she had brought toward Jiang Yunmiao.

Jiang Yunmiao narrowed her eyes. This gesture from Zhou Manhua felt like a hallucination. She had known Zhou Manhua for twelve years, from when they were neighbors to becoming in-laws, and Zhou Manhua had never shown her such care. Even when she was first pregnant, Zhou Manhua’s concern had been purely performative. To see her now, bringing food and checking in on her, was truly bizarre.

Jiang Yunmiao couldn't help but recall that the last time Zhou Manhua visited, she had been conspiring with Duan Yixiao about a divorce. Now... she highly suspected her motives were impure.

Her eyes widened slightly as she scrutinized them. "In that case, why don't you stay for dinner? I’ll have Sister Xu prepare some more."

What?

Chen Nianke and Zhou Manhua exchanged a subconscious glance; they had never expected Jiang Yunmiao to deviate from the script.

Chen Nianke refused without hesitation—she had no interest in eating leftovers!

"No need. My aunt and I have already eaten lunch. This was packed specifically for you, so don't let her kindness go to waste." She killed two birds with one stone, emphasizing that the food was from Zhou Manhua, so if anything were wrong with it, she would have no connection to it.

Zhou Manhua, of course, was unwilling as well. She was Mrs. Duan now; if word got out that she was eating leftovers, she would be a laughingstock!

Their double refusal only confirmed Jiang Yunmiao’s suspicion that there was something fishy about the food.

She signaled to Sister Xu, "Sister Xu, see what dishes are here and what else we need to add for dinner."

Sister Xu followed her instructions. She immediately discovered the problem: the portions were tiny.

Clearly, Jiang Yunmiao noticed it too. She pointed to a dish, feigning ignorance. "What dish is this? It looks quite nice."

Zhou Manhua peered at it. "Isn't that taro and ribs in a stone pot?"

Jiang Yunmiao realized the truth and frowned slightly. "Mother, did you go to some disreputable place? The portions are tiny, and for a meat dish, there are only two pieces of ribs—it looks like leftovers."