Volume One, Chapter 9: The Mistress Wants to Live in the Wife's House

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Duan Yixiao reached out to steady her as they descended the stairs. Jiang Yunmiao instinctively stepped back.

“You’re carrying a heavy load now; you must be extra careful,” he said firmly, taking her hand and guiding her down step by step.

Perhaps Duan Yixiao had given specific instructions, for Seventh Aunt’s breakfast was surprisingly to her taste—light yet nutritious.

As Jiang Yunmiao ate, Duan Yixiao sat opposite her, bored out of his mind, which rather spoiled her appetite.

Since he insisted on lingering there and making things uncomfortable, she decided they might as well hurt each other.

“What about you and Chen Nianke…” she began.

Before she could finish, Duan Yixiao’s face darkened, and he cut her off sharply. “There’s nothing between me and Nianke. Don’t overthink it.”

Jiang Yunmiao didn’t expect such a response. Her lips twitched slightly as she casually picked a few strands of bird’s nest from her porridge to taste.

Then she lifted her eyes, gazing at him with a deep, calm intensity. Suddenly, the man before her felt unfamiliar. Though she had known Duan Yixiao for so long and prided herself on understanding him thoroughly, she realized now that was merely her wishful thinking, filtered through layers of illusions. Those filters had shattered, revealing a completely different reality.

On their wedding anniversary, while he was accompanying Chen Nianke to celebrate her birthday, she had barely survived a premature birth and was lying in the hospital. Yet he returned home with Chen Nianke, acting intimately and entangled beyond clarity. When Chen Nianke was wronged by a misunderstanding, he immediately stepped up to defend her…

And he called that “nothing”?

“But last night, Chen Nianke said you were in the bathroom,” Jiang Yunmiao said, her expression tightening as a trace of bitter mockery flashed in her eyes.

Duan Yixiao caught her disdain and disgust and felt uneasy. He hastily explained, “You must have misunderstood. I was just using the restroom. We played mahjong at Lin Yi’s place yesterday. If you don’t believe me, I can call Lin Zi right now.”

Jiang Yunmiao waved her hand dismissively. “No need. I believe you…” Yeah, right!

Lin Yi had been a die-hard fan of their “Yixiao and Nianke” pairing since their school days. Of course, he would cover for them. Honest truth from him? Not a chance.

“Your most important task now is to take good care of yourself and start thinking about the baby’s name,” Duan Yixiao soothed softly, as if he eagerly anticipated the child’s arrival.

But if he truly loved this child, how could he fail to find time for even one prenatal checkup? If he truly looked forward to the baby, how could he remain oblivious to her premature delivery?

“By the way, when is your next checkup? I’ll go with you,” Duan Yixiao suddenly said on a whim.

Jiang Yunmiao was so startled her hand trembled, almost dropping her spoon.

She rolled her eyes silently—thanks, but no thanks!

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Yet refusing outright now would seem odd, so she responded without emotion, “Sure.”

Seeing that Jiang Yunmiao had nearly finished eating, Duan Yixiao thoughtfully added, “The sun’s out today. Let me take you for a walk. I heard moderate exercise helps with delivery.”

Jiang Yunmiao smiled politely on the surface but cursed inwardly. In this bitter cold, was he trying to give her postpartum ailments?

“I’m afraid of the cold. I don’t want to go out.”

Fortunately, Duan Yixiao’s phone rang just then. He glanced at Jiang Yunmiao instinctively, then stepped outside to answer.

After the call, he hurried back in, grabbed his coat, and said quickly, “I have to go out for a bit. Don’t forget you have to entertain clients tonight. I’ll have the driver come pick you up.”

Jiang Yunmiao: “...”

Duan Yixiao had a calm, low-key personality. The only thing that could make him so flustered was probably Chen Nianke.

His occasional tenderness toward her was likely because she still had some use to him.

Sending a driver to pick her up? How considerate!

Though she couldn’t go out for fresh air, lounging in the lazy chair and soaking up the sun was a pleasant alternative.

Perhaps because they hadn’t seen Jiang Yunmiao for many days, Yeye had been particularly clingy since yesterday.

This pure white creature lay at her feet, occasionally nudging her with its head. Whenever Jiang Yunmiao looked at it, it gave a sunny, healing smile. Its playful, adorable manner instantly touched the softest part of her heart.

Before long, Zhong Yidan and Li Ye arrived with fruit to thank her.

“Sis, thank you so much for yesterday. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have gotten out by now,” Zhong Yidan said sheepishly.

“You really shouldn’t be so impulsive in the future.”

Jiang Yunmiao invited them to sit in the living room.

“Yeah, learned my lesson,” Zhong Yidan nodded earnestly. “We came without letting you know. Hope we didn’t disturb you.”

“No disturbance at all. I was bored alone! Since you’re here, stay for lunch,” Jiang Yunmiao said warmly. “Seventh Aunt, please cut some fruit and brew two more cups of coffee. Also, add a few more dishes for lunch.”

“Sis, you must be about seven months pregnant now. Carrying such a big belly must be uncomfortable,” Zhong Yidan said, staring at her swollen abdomen with her supple face creased in concern, unable to imagine the hardship.

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Jiang Yunmiao simply smiled faintly. “It’s okay.”

“Being a woman is really tough! You have to earn money, raise kids, do the laundry and cooking, manage social relations, maintain good ties with your mother-in-law, guard against mistresses, and stabilize the family… as if one person has to fight a thousand battles. But my sister is lucky, blessed. Not only successful in her career but also sharp-eyed, having chosen her husband wisely, living the blissful life of a fairy-tale couple,” Zhong Yidan cooed, clutching Jiang Yunmiao’s arm, her eyes full of envy.

Jiang Yunmiao paused, lowering her gaze to glance at her.

She suspected the girl was hinting at her, but had no proof.

After all, her once blissful marriage was now an empty shell, utterly broken inside.

“Yunmiao, your villa’s layout is really nice, even better than Miss Chen’s in West Manor Garden,” Li Ye, an interior designer, remarked professionally, impressed by how well Jiang Yunmiao had maintained her home.

What was said unintentionally was heard with intention.

West Manor Garden? Jiang Yunmiao knew the place. Was it really a coincidence that Chen Nianke owned a house there too?

“Really? Which number is her villa in West Manor Garden?” she asked casually.

“Number 20,” Li Ye answered.

Surprise flickered in Jiang Yunmiao’s clear eyes—it was exactly as she suspected!

Chen Nianke had hired someone to design and decorate the very house she and Duan Yixiao owned!

She bit her back teeth, a shadow of anger darkening her eyes.

Stealing her husband, coveting her house, and now trying to discipline her sister—looking at it this way, Zhong Yidan’s slap to Chen Nianke was far too lenient!

Jiang Yunmiao’s gaze was shrouded in a cold mist. “Did you apologize to Chen Nianke?”

Zhong Yidan groaned at the thought. “Not yet! We arranged to meet tonight.”

Jiang Yunmiao said, “No need to go tonight.” That apology wasn’t necessary—she deserved what she got.

Zhong Yidan: “Huh?”