Chapter 53 - 52: Do not let this matter affect your marriage

Chapter 53: Chapter 52: Do not let this matter affect your marriage

Gu Qiaoqiao looked toward Qin Xuan and said softly, “It’s not your fault about today’s incident. Bai Yun had a deep relationship with you and even though I’ve been married into the Qin family for less than a year, I simply can’t compare. Besides, it’s easy to know people’s faces but not their hearts. I was utterly deceived by her, not to mention you two who treated her like a daughter.”

Her voice was not loud, but it was very clear, carrying a hint of grievance. However, to Qin Xuan and Shen Manru’s ears, it sounded awkward no matter how they listened.

The entire Qin family had been deceived by a young girl, and now Gu Qiaoqiao mentioned it in such a manner.

They felt ashamed to the core.

Shen Manru’s face fell. She did truly care for Bai Yun, loved her deeply, and even wanted her to become her daughter-in-law.

Her treatment of Bai Yun wasn’t quite the same as treating her own daughter, but it was dozens of times more affectionate than how she treated Gu Qiaoqiao.

...

Yet today, Bai Yun had publicly slapped her in the face in such a manner.

Her face felt burning hot.

Shen Manru had always felt superior in front of Gu Qiaoqiao, but now she found herself in the same deceived position.

This made Shen Manru want to flee in desperation.

But, she couldn’t leave.

It was a matter of attitude, not only for her mother-in-law to see but also to be used as a reason for the future.

So, she must sincerely apologize to Gu Qiaoqiao.

“Qiaoqiao, today I failed to discern right from wrong, and I was utterly confused, causing you to suffer this grievance. I’m truly sorry. This is also a fault in my thinking. I admit I’ve been biased against you, but today’s incident taught me a lesson I will never forget. I will never do it again. I will care for you as dearly as I care for Xiao Yu. Please believe me.”

Gu Qiaoqiao examined Shen Manru’s expression, just as she was about to weigh the sincerity of these words.

But suddenly, she felt she thought too much.

For someone like Shen Manru, sincerity didn’t really matter.

What mattered was that she had lowered her head and apologized, something unimaginable in her previous life before she was reborn.

But why wasn’t she as pleased as when she saw Bai Yun kneeling before her earlier?

Yes, besides having a satisfying moment verbally, what else could she do to Shen Manru?

Suddenly, she felt incredibly hollow inside.

She kept her head down and remained silent.

“Qiaoqiao, it’s all mine and your mother-in-law’s fault. I only hope that what you said about divorce earlier was said in anger and that this incident won’t affect your marriage.”

Gu Qiaoqiao was just about to say it wasn’t said in anger when a second thought stopped her.

It was better they didn’t know, as they would definitely try to stop it.

Moreover, because of the incident with the Silent Night Cicada, Mr. Qin and Mother Qin would spare no effort to prevent it.

Bringing in Grandma Qin, they would be the first to call her parents.

Then Old Grand Master Qin would inevitably get involved.

With the divorce over the Silent Night Cicada incident, the Qin family would be at fault.

One could imagine how much resistance there would be.

However, her goal was achieved. The once insignificant Gu Qiaoqiao could finally walk out of the Qin family with her head held high.

Gu Qiaoqiao looked at the two in front of her and took a deep breath, said without forgiveness but softly, “I believe.”

Qin Xuan and Shen Manru felt an immense relief.

However, at that moment, Qin Xuan’s mind suddenly lit up. He realized that recently, Gu Qiaoqiao hadn’t called them ‘dad’ and ‘mom’ at all.

His heart sank.

He then gave Shen Manru a meaningful glance, spoke a few caring words, and then pulled Shen Manru out of the room.

Qin Xuan stood in the living room, watching his son busy in the kitchen, and felt a pang of guilt arise.

At this moment, Qin Xuan clearly knew that if it wasn’t for his and Shen Manru’s attitude towards Gu Qiaoqiao, Bai Yun wouldn’t have dared to scheme against Qin Family’s daughter-in-law.

It was all because Gu Qiaoqiao had no status in this family.

And at the beginning of the year, the public ridicule from his younger brother’s wife, if it hadn’t been for their own prejudices against Gu Qiaoqiao.

Would that woman have dared to laugh at Gu Qiaoqiao like that?

And he, he had even secretly resented it.

An ice layer three feet thick does not form overnight.

They were also one of the sources.

He just hoped that Gu Qiaoqiao would give them a chance to make amends.

He saw his mother coming out of the room and she had actually discarded her crutches.

Qin Xuan was shocked and hurried forward to lend a hand but was deterred by a cold glare from Grandma Qin.

“Mom, you shouldn’t recklessly throw away your crutches, in case…”

“Although I’m old and a bit muddled, I still know my own body.”

After saying this with underlying meaning, Grandma Qin pushed open Gu Qiaoqiao’s room door.

Gu Qiaoqiao heard the door sound, looked up, and saw an extremely remorseful Grandma Qin.

And indeed, she had discarded her crutches.

Gu Qiaoqiao hurried forward, “Grandma, are you all right without the crutches?”

“I’m fine. I know my own legs.” Saying this, Grandma Qin actually started walking back and forth in the room.

Gu Qiaoqiao immediately understood that Grandma Qin was too guilty and almost too ashamed to face her.

So, she used discarding her crutches as a pretext to talk to her.

Gu Qiaoqiao’s heart softened, and supporting Grandma Qin, she reproached, “Grandma, didn’t I tell you that you should at least wait a week before you can throw away the crutches? Please sit down. Let me check for you.”

As Grandma Qin looked at Gu Qiaoqiao’s expression, the guilt on her face deepened. She held Gu Qiaoqiao’s hand and with a choked voice, she said, “Qiaoqiao, Grandma is so sorry.”

“Grandma, this isn’t your fault at all. Please don’t blame yourself. I haven’t even thanked you for your unconditional trust in me.”

“Good child, Qiaoqiao is a good child. Rest assured, such an incident will never happen again.”

“Yes, Grandma, I’ve also grown wiser and won’t be deceived again.”

Grandma Qin sighed deeply, “How did Bai Yun turn out to be so ugly? It’s completely unforeseen.”

“Hehe, Grandma, let’s not talk about her anymore. It’s disheartening. Please sit down, and let me check your leg.”

Saying this, Gu Qiaoqiao pulled Grandma Qin to sit down, her fingers pressing on Grandma Qin’s leg, carefully sensing its condition.

Then, pretending to give a massage for a while, she finally said to Grandma Qin, “It looks a lot better, but it’s still best not to put all your weight on your legs so soon. It’s better to use the crutches for a few more days; there’s only benefit in it.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll listen to Qiaoqiao.” Grandma Qin nodded happily, then seemingly proudly whispered, “I think Ah Ze should learn from you.”

Gu Qiaoqiao was taken aback but didn’t respond, and Grandma Qin didn’t mind but looked on with eyes full of affection.

This child, her heart is too soft.

So soft that it pains her.

Thus, Gu Qiaoqiao helped Grandma Qin out of the room and fetched her crutches, and by that time, it was already four o’clock in the afternoon.

Shen Manru and Qin Yize were cooking in the kitchen.

Gu Qiaoqiao did not go inside again.

Instead, she began to set the table.

Qin Xuan thought for a moment and finally made up his mind. He called Gu Qiaoqiao over, as improving his relationship with Gu Qiaoqiao wasn’t just talk; he truly wanted to make it happen.