Su Chenglan's face instantly flushed scarlet. How could her sister-in-law slander Yuanwu like that without any evidence!
But she soon discovered something even more shocking: her sister-in-law had not opened her mouth the entire time. How had she heard her voice, then?
Chapter 18
Lin Xiwen, who had been relatively composed, was startled now too. She had thought Hou Yuanwu was merely an ordinary phoenix man trying to trick her daughter into marriage, and that she could slowly find a way to bring her daughter to her senses.
But now it seemed Hou Yuanwu was far more vicious and difficult to deal with than she had expected. He had actually brought such ruin upon their Su Family and her daughter in the novel.
After a brief daze, Su Chenglan came to her senses and turned to look at Hou Yuanwu beside her. Only when she saw nothing unusual in his expression did she let out a great sigh of relief.
It seemed he had not heard anything, so she would not have to trouble herself with soothing him.
Then she turned toward Lin Xiwen and saw a complicated mixture of anger, contemplation, and other expressions on her face.
Mom heard it too?
Su Chenglan's first reaction was that she absolutely could not let Lin Xiwen believe Ye Jin's words. She immediately said, "Mom, trust my judgment. Yuanwu really is sincere. Once, I nearly got into a car accident, and Yuanwu suddenly appeared and risked his life to save me!"
After saying that, she reached out and took hold of Lin Xiwen, who stood a short distance away, just like a child wheedling and acting cute to get something.
Just then, however, Ye Jin let out a scoff.
[How could there be such a coincidence in this world? Why did Hou Yuanwu happen to appear just when you were in danger? Because he planned it himself, of course! My sister-in-law really is too naive. No wonder that scumbag later devoured her, leaving nothing behind, and she ended up killing herself!]
Su Chenglan could no longer keep her composure. Although she still could not get the words out, she stared at Ye Jin with eyes full of anger, trying to warn her with her gaze.
She had thought this sister-in-law was honest and knew her place. Who would have thought she was actually someone who refused to behave herself and loved sowing discord!
Ye Jin was fairly perceptive and soon noticed Su Chenglan's piercing gaze.
[Huh? What's wrong? I haven't said a single word. Could I have accidentally let some contempt show on my face just now? That shouldn't be possible. I'm pretty good at controlling my expressions.]
Ye Jin had always known her boundaries. Even if she wanted to wreck Su Chenglan and Hou Yuanwu's marriage plans, she would never speak up now. After all, Su Chenglan's mother, Lin Xiwen, was still here. How could it be her turn, as a sister-in-law with a different surname, to say anything?
With that thought, she did her best to muster a gentle smile. "Chenglan, are you staring at me because there's something on my face?"
[This should do, right? I'm smiling like this. Surely she can't find any fault with me now.]
Looking at Ye Jin, Su Chenglan felt utterly powerless.
Right, Ye Jin had not opened her mouth at all. Could she forbid Ye Jin from thinking things to herself?
But where had she learned all this information slandering Yuanwu? Yuanwu could not possibly be the way she described him.
Lin Xiwen felt mentally exhausted. They had yet to find her son, and now this had happened with her daughter. That original novel bore far too much malice toward her family.
Fortunately, Ye Jin was here now, someone who could reveal the future in advance, allowing her to prepare beforehand.
Her daughter was having a love-brain flare-up and would not shed tears until she saw the coffin. Only by laying the evidence before her would Lin Xiwen have a chance of bringing her to her senses.
Previously, Lin Xiwen had only found it disgusting that Hou Yuanwu was even keeping a child bride, but now she felt fortunate. Other evidence might be difficult to find, but this was ironclad proof!
She pinched the bridge of her nose and said wearily, "Chenglan, let's leave it here for now. You've only just come back. We can discuss the rest slowly."
In the past, given Su Chenglan's personality, she would certainly have pestered Lin Xiwen until she agreed, refusing to stop until she got her way. But after Ye Jin's interruption, she no longer had the courage to keep pestering her for the moment.
Forget it. There's no need to rush marrying Yuanwu anyway. Mom has always doted on me. As long as I wheedle a few more times, she'll definitely agree.
As for what Ye Jin had said, she did not believe a single word.
It was one thing for Ye Jin to spread rumors that Yuanwu had a white moonlight, but how could he possibly have a child bride and a child too? What era were they living in!
She would have someone investigate the truth and clear Yuanwu's name. She refused to believe Ye Jin would still be able to fabricate anything then.
Although Lin Xiwen and Su Chenglan had different goals, mother and daughter were sharing the same brain at that moment.
Hou Yuanwu, however, was displeased. Watching Su Chenglan soften her attitude toward her mother, he felt deeply disdainful.
A rich girl like Su Chenglan did not dare stand up to her family at all. Her love for him was nowhere near as steadfast as she claimed.
Besides, the Su Family clearly looked down on him, which was why they refused to let Su Chenglan marry him! If they did not settle the marriage today, there was no telling whether Lin Xiwen would brainwash Su Chenglan or Su Chenglan would persuade Lin Xiwen.
No, I have to add fuel to the fire!
Then Hou Yuanwu put on an expression of humiliation and anger. "Mrs. Su, I-I know my humble background means people are bound to misunderstand my being with Chenglan, but I truly love her. I didn't even know who she was when we met. Since this is how things are, I don't want to keep suffering humiliation and being misunderstood."
He turned to look at Su Chenglan. "Chenglan, I don't want to put you in a difficult position either. I'm afraid we can't get married for now. I'll go out and make my own way, and become someone worthy of you. If you're still unmarried that day, I'll come back to marry you."
With that, he turned around, looking utterly resolved to leave.
Seeing her beloved suffer such injustice and still be willing to give way for her sake, Su Chenglan was spurred into feeling an overwhelming ache for him.
No. Yuanwu had risked his life for me back then. How can I just watch him leave?