Volume 1 Chapter 9 Snake (Part 1)

  "What's this, Third Aunt is back! Why don't you sit down?" A bright and beautiful woman walked down from upstairs, elegant and refined, with sparkling eyes and a warm smile. As soon as she saw Zhang Yun, she enthusiastically went up to her and grasped her hand.

  Zhang Yun stiffened for a moment, her face looking very unsightly. The Fang family's rules were strict; since the elder hadn't offered her a seat, naturally she couldn't just sit down casually. Old Lady Fang was openly making things difficult for her, embarrassing her - how could Chen Ge not know this?

  Chen Ge pretended not to see her ugly expression, pulled her down to sit, and leaned against Mrs. Fang's side as if they were mother and daughter, "Mom, you got up without calling me, today Zi Xuan and Zi Peng came over, I, the fourth aunt, was still sleeping in, wouldn't that make the younger generation laugh?"

  If someone else had said this, Mrs. Fang would have been angry, but Chen Ge was her most beloved daughter-in-law, who had always treated her like a biological daughter. Moreover, Chen Ge's voice had a soft and sweet tone that made her words sound endearing. This kind of intimate and playful teasing not only didn't make Mrs. Fang angry, but also added a few more genuine smiles to her face.

  "You lazybones, what's gotten into you now? You're so old yet still clinging to me and acting spoiled, your nephews and nieces are all laughing at you." Old Lady Fang tapped her forehead, "Go go go, eat your breakfast first before talking."

  "I know Mother is heartbroken for me, so let Zi Xuan and Zi Peng laugh it off. Anyway, I'm just a shameless person," Chen Ge said with a smile, standing up effortlessly, looking at Zhang Yun with a hint of a smile, "Third Aunt has finally come this time, I'll ask the kitchen to add a dish of Three Aunt's favorite squirrel mandarin fish?"

  "No need, Third Aunt is a busy person, I'm afraid the mahjong friends are all urging her, being able to return to the old mansion is already squeezing out time from her busy schedule, this small temple can't even keep a meal for such an important Buddha like her." Old Lady Fang still didn't give Zhang Yun a straight look, and her words were also coldly hummed out.

  Zhang Yun felt both ashamed and annoyed, hating Old Lady Fang to the core. She made up her mind to oppose Old Lady Fang, but pretended to be respectful, forcing a smile as she replied, "Mother, don't tease me anymore. Recently, my elder brother's son returned from abroad, so I went to join in the excitement for a few days. It was wrong of me not to come back to the old house sooner, but it really wasn't because I was out playing cards. Your daughter-in-law knows her mistake, so please don't stop me from fulfilling my filial duties."

  Zhang Yun's elder brother is now the director of the S Province Public Security Department, holding great power. Zhang Yun usually likes to play cards, where would he really go to the Zhang family every day as she said? At this moment, bringing up her elder brother is nothing but showing off to Mrs. Fang, she has a powerful backer.

  As soon as she spoke, Mrs. Fang and Chen Ge's faces changed slightly. Chen Ge's family background was far inferior to Zhang Yun's. She was able to get Mrs. Fang's favor not only because she was the confidant of Miss Fang Jianlan, but also because she was eloquent and capable. A daughter-in-law with a humble family background who always followed Mrs. Fang's lead was naturally easier to control than someone like Zhang Yun.

  Fang Zikun couldn't stand the adults' sarcastic conversations, so he took advantage of everyone's distraction and ran off to play somewhere. If it were the old Fang Zixuan, she would have gone upstairs by herself, but now she had been raised with traditional family teachings since childhood, how could she leave without permission from her elders?

  A fourteen-year-old girl stood motionless beside the three women, oblivious to the unseen battle unfolding before her, her eyes cast downward like a statue.

  The past flashed by, and the impression of Mrs. Fang Lao and Fourth Aunt Chen Ge in her memory was not too deep, only alienation and indifference, just like them now.

  "What's going on again so early?" Mr. Fang slowly walked down from upstairs with his most beloved grandson, only to see his wife glaring at the third daughter-in-law with a furious expression. The faces of both daughters-in-law looked unpleasant, and their granddaughter stood stupidly by, immediately frowning in displeasure.

  Mrs. Fang immediately stood up when she saw him coming down, gave Zhang Yun a stern glance, and then went forward to gently adjust her husband's suit tie, softly asking, "Where are you going?"

  "Old Zhao invited me to play golf, and it's a good opportunity for Zichen to gain some experience. I won't be back for lunch today." Mr. Fang's expression relaxed, he glanced at Zhang Yun and Fang Zixuan, nodded slightly, "Zixuan and Zipeng came over today, Grandpa still has something to do, we'll talk again tonight."

  Zhang Yun's face immediately lit up with joy, and Fang Zixuan responded with a respectful tone. Her gentle demeanor was beyond Old Master Fang's expectations, and he looked at her with a puzzled expression, recalling her previous antics. He suspected that she had restrained herself because she was afraid of being punished by him, and his eyes regained their usual sternness.

  Lao San's family is a complete mess, with the father being crooked and the son following suit. Lao San has been spoiled since he was young and has never learned to behave himself. After getting married and having children, he still hasn't changed his ways. His two kids are also running wild at a young age. These years have not been easy for Lao San's wife either. He doesn't hold any prejudices against Zhang Yun, and even feels a bit guilty towards her. After all, Zhang Yun was brought into the family because of his own son's requests, and he had promised Zhang's father that he would treat her well. It's not an easy life for Zhang Yun, who is from a good family and has married into this unreliable household, only to have to endure Lao San's wife's constant nagging.

  Mr. Fang sighed quietly and turned to his wife, saying in a warm voice, "You've been complaining about feeling bored these past few days, and today Eldest Brother's wife has also returned, so let the wives keep you company and chat with you."

  Mrs. Fang responded lightly, her face didn't show any reluctance, but Mr. Fang knew his wife's temperament, so he comfortingly patted the back of her hand before leading Fang Zichen out the door.

  Fang Zi Xuan has a weird personality, in her past life she couldn't make any friends, let alone now that she's living as an adult soul in a little girl's body. Naturally, she wouldn't be interested in the things those little girls like, and there's no common language between them either. At school, she doesn't have a single friend, every day she comes and goes alone, busy with studying. When the holidays arrive and she suddenly has free time, unlike her past life where she had to rush around for a living, this time she feels empty and doesn't know what to do.

  "Hey, what are you doing?" Fang Zikai had been fooling around outside for a while, and not knowing whether it was because he was bored or not, he swaggered into Fang Zixuan's room, took a peek, and couldn't help but curl his lips in a smile. "Hehehe, you're really doing your summer homework. Since you're so diligent, why don't you do mine too?"

  Fang Zikong had an air of superiority, and without giving her a chance to refuse, he tossed his homework in front of her, as if the person in front of him was not his sister, but rather a servant in his household.

  On ordinary days, there were only the two children at home. Although they didn't usually bother each other, Fang Zikai would occasionally get into a playful mood and like to tease his only sister, just like now when he probably wasn't really thinking of getting Fang Zixuan to help him with his homework, but was just looking for an excuse.