Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Mind Made Up (2/2)
Yang Juxiang and her daughter, lured by the aroma, came over, thinking someone was having a private feast. Seeing Mrs. Liu Jin and Jin Qiao eating with relish but without a portion for themselves, they felt very uncomfortable.
“Fourth Daughter-in-law, I didn’t eat my fill at noon, and I’m a bit peckish now. Are there any noodles left? Serve me a bowl, too—it smells so good,” Yang Juxiang assumed the posture of an elder in front of Su Wenyue, with Jiang Chunlan swaggeringly sitting at the table, waiting for Su Wenyue to serve them noodles.
Su Wenyue was somewhat speechless upon seeing Yang Juxiang and her daughter; naturally, she didn’t accede to Yang’s request, her lips curling in a cold smile, “I’m sorry, but I only made just enough noodles for us; there aren’t any extra. If you want to eat, you’ll have to cook them yourself.”
“Su Wenyue, we are also guests of the Han Family, and this is how you treat your guests? My mother is hungry. Go make her a bowl of noodles quickly, or do you want me to get my Aunt here right now, to ask you to do it herself?” Jiang Chunlan said commandingly at Su Wenyue’s side. Perhaps Su Wenyue’s avoidance over the past few days had given her the impression that Su Wenyue was intimidated by them, making her rather brazen.
“It’s not mealtime right now. I thought we made so much food at noon, and considering how much you and your mother had, you should be full. How can you be hungry again so soon? You certainly can eat!” Liu couldn’t hold back and wasn’t shy in her sarcasm.
“You!” Jiang Chunlan didn’t want to argue with Liu but turned her attention back to Su Wenyue “Su Wenyue, just say whether you will do it or not. Do you believe I will go find my Aunt this instant?”
Su Wenyue had no interest in stooping to Jiang Chunlan’s level and, ignoring her, gave Mrs. Liu Jin a few instructions before directly returning to her room, leaving Jiang Chunlan fuming. She couldn’t really go to Mrs. Yang, and she also sensed that her aunt clearly favored Su Wenyue, the daughter-in-law, so whose side her aunt would take wasn’t certain.
Mrs. Liu Jin and Jin Qiao quickly finished eating their noodles and came over.
“So, Jin Qiao, have you thought about what you want to choose?” Su Wenyue earnestly wanted to know Jin Qiao’s decision. Since she had said Jin Qiao could work for the Su Family without selling herself, Jin Qiao wasn’t foolish; surely she would choose not to sign the Death Contract.
“Qiao Qiao, what did your Aunt tell you? Tell Miss Su your decision,” Mrs. Liu Jin said with a smile. When she had earlier reminded Jin Qiao, she had said nothing in response, presumably taking in what was said. Besides, Jin Qiao wasn’t foolish; wouldn’t she know what choice was best for her?
“Miss Su, I’ve thought it over, and I want to sell myself into the Su Family, please grant my wish!” Jin Qiao knelt to the ground with a thud and stated resolutely.
“Have you truly thought this through? This is a matter that affects your whole life. If you sign the Death Contract, there’s no turning back, and you have better options,” Su Wenyue said in response to Jin Qiao’s answer, wanting to be sure one more time. To tell the truth, she was quite surprised by Jin Qiao’s choice. She couldn’t fathom what the child was thinking.
Mrs. Liu Jin, who hadn’t fully grasped what was happening, now suddenly understood and her smiling face turned to anxiety, “What nonsense are you spouting, child? Didn’t you promise your Aunt you wouldn’t sell yourself? Why are you changing your mind now? You have to realize that once sold, your life will no longer be your own.”
Turning to Mrs. Liu Jin, Jin Qiao also bowed deeply to her, “Aunt’s kindness is deeply engraved in my heart, but I am resolute in my decision. If I don’t sell myself, given the nature of my stepmother, she won’t leave me alone even if I’m at the Su Family. Furthermore, after everything I’ve been through, I’ve come to understand that I want to sever ties with that household once and for all.”