The middle-aged man beside her feigned anger. "Wanqing, don't say that. So much has happened lately. It's perfectly normal for her to be worn out and take a little rest."
These two were, naturally, Su Yang and his wife, Zhou Wanqing, who planned to seize power today.
However, Zhou Wanqing was not the female lead's mother, but Su Yang's first wife.
Back then, to compete with Su Wei for power, Su Yang had married Zhou Wanqing, the eldest daughter of the Zhou Family, who was notorious for being spoiled and willful. After their marriage, he had bowed and scraped before the Zhou Family to secure their support.
Unfortunately, he was truly mud that could not be plastered onto a wall, and he had ultimately failed to win.
Of course, in Su Yang's view, he had lost only because Old Master Su favored his eldest son.
As for Zhou Wanqing, her family had spoiled her rotten. Simple-minded, she had been thoroughly taken in by Su Yang's lies, firmly believing that his elder brother was suppressing him, and had single-mindedly dragged her family into helping her husband seize power.
She had also always resented Lin Xiwen. Back then, Lin Xiwen had excelled in both character and academics, gentle and poised-the very model of someone else's perfect child-while she had been the hopelessly unruly foil in parents' mouths.
Now that she had a chance to get the upper hand over Lin Xiwen, Zhou Wanqing naturally had to come flaunt her power.
Lin Xiwen, however, took it well and merely smiled faintly.
"Negotiating the partnership with Company W has indeed been a little tiring lately. Fortunately, everything has gone smoothly, and we're about to sign the contract. That's why I could spare a moment to rest here. Don't worry, we'll be right over. Thank you both for the reminder."
Her words were understated, but anyone listening closely would realize that Lin Xiwen was using the partnership with Company W to intimidate them.
As Ye Jin marveled at this, she launched into a frenzy of snark.
Petty villains getting their moment in the sun. I know you're about to expose Su Chengjing's kidnapping to throw the Su Group into chaos and seize power! Second Aunt is such a love brain, too, throwing herself at that stupid scumbag Second Uncle!
After her tirade, she even rolled her eyes, emboldened by the fact that she stood behind Lin Xiwen where the others could not see her expression.
What she failed to notice, however, was that both Lin Xiwen and Zhou Wanqing jolted.
Lin Xiwen was shocked. What? Su Yang and his wife know Chengjing is missing, and they're planning to announce it at the signing ceremony to cause chaos and seize power?
And that sounds like Ye Jin's voice? But Ye Jin has always been gentle. How could she say something so rude and sarcastic? And how did she learn about this?
Zhou Wanqing was only briefly surprised that the news had leaked before Ye Jin's next words sent anger surging through her.
How dare this woman from such a humble family insult her like that? Did she think Su Chengjing was still around?!
She turned to Su Yang, wanting her husband to stand up for her, only to discover that he still wore the same smile as before, as though he had heard nothing.
His wife was being insulted, and he wasn't angry at all? Did he care nothing for me?!
Unable to swallow such an affront, Zhou Wanqing immediately tried to lash out at Su Yang, only to find that her throat seemed blocked. She could not utter a word.
She was utterly horrified, and just then, Ye Jin's voice rang out again.
Hah, it's one thing for Su Yang to be smug, but what's Second Aunt so happy about? Once Su Yang takes power, he'll burn the bridge after crossing the river, divorce you, and marry his white moonlight, Chen Ruxue.
Does Second Aunt really think Su Yang is utterly devoted to her? His illegitimate daughter is already twenty-five. He's been cheating for decades! That three-hundred-million villa was the place Su Yang bought at auction to house his mistress and their daughter. Does that count as bigamy?
Still, Su Yang and Chen Ruxue really have some nerve. Chen Ruxue even became Second Aunt's fake bestie, often visiting their house under the pretext of playing mahjong and sneaking into the master bedroom with Su Yang to cheat. They really have some hardcore tastes!
Ye Jin did feel some sympathy for Zhou Wanqing. After all, most of what she had done was because Su Yang had deceived her.
But she was no saint. Nobody would have a pleasant attitude after being targeted like this all the time.
Su Yang's lies are so painfully fake. If Second Aunt had any brains at all, she would've noticed something was wrong ages ago. Of course, maybe she's just lying to herself and doesn't want to notice.
This time, Zhou Wanqing froze completely. After identifying the voice as Ye Jin's, she had deliberately looked her way, only to discover that Ye Jin's lips had not moved throughout that entire string of words.
Was I seeing ghosts?!
But Zhou Wanqing soon had no time to dwell on the reason. The sheer amount of information in those words stunned her completely, and her mind exploded with a boom.
Su Yang has been keeping a mistress and an illegitimate daughter behind my back, and that woman is Chen Ruxue, whom I've treated as my best friend?!
Chapter 2
Lin Xiwen had also been watching Ye Jin out of the corner of her eye. After all, Ye Jin's words were decidedly out of character, and she was very curious about where Ye Jin had learned all this.
Although she agreed wholeheartedly with Ye Jin, basic decorum still had to be maintained.
Yet just as she was about to "reprimand" Ye Jin for being rude to placate Su Yang and his wife, she witnessed the bizarre sight of Ye Jin never opening her mouth while her voice sounded in her ears.
Had Ye Jin learned ventriloquism? Or had I suffered too much of a shock lately and started hallucinating?
Or... could I hear Ye Jin's thoughts?
Wait, what did Ye Jin just say? Su Yang has a mistress, and his illegitimate daughter is already twenty-five?!
Lin Xiwen was surprised for only a moment before quickly regaining her composure. After all, she had long known that Su Yang was unfaithful.
She had discreetly warned Zhou Wanqing several times, but Zhou Wanqing had thought she was jealous and trying to drive a wedge between the couple, so she had stopped bothering.
With her wealth of experience, Lin Xiwen soon collected herself and began examining the people around her.
Almost everyone's expression remained unchanged. Even Su Yang, the very man whose secrets were being exposed, still wore his hypocritical smile.
Given his impulsive nature, he could not possibly have held himself back if he had heard Ye Jin's words.
Could I really be hallucinating from overwork?
Just as Lin Xiwen began to doubt herself, she caught sight of Zhou Wanqing, who seemed somewhat out of sorts.
Did Zhou Wanqing hear it? But with her temperament, shouldn't she be flying into a rage after hearing Ye Jin's words?