Chapter 12: Standing Me Up [2]

“Grandma, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t insult Jing Nuo,” Wen Xiaorou sighed deeply in her heart as she turned around to explain to Grandma Jing.

“Then what do you mean? That I’m old and senile and heard wrong? Or that I wrongly accused you? And why is Jing Nuo lying on the sofa sleeping? Didn’t you let him sleep on the bed?” Sharp-eared Grandma Jing not only overheard Wen Xiaorou’s harsh words about Jing Nuo but also saw him resting on the sofa.

“Grandma, what are you carrying? Let me take it,” Wen Xiaorou quickly tried to change the subject when she saw Grandma Jing holding a bowl of soup, not wanting to delve further into their quarrel.

“Don’t think you can dodge the topic just because I’m old and easy to fool,” Grandma Jing retorted, refusing to let Wen Xiaorou off the hook. Listening to her words, Wen Xiaorou finally understood why Jing Nuo was so adept at making baseless trouble—it was hereditary.

“Grandma, I didn’t mean that,” Wen Xiaorou said, feeling helpless and near tears.

“Don’t call me Grandma then. You called Jing Nuo a mad dog, so am I not a mad dog too? Is there anyone left in the Jing family at all?” Grandma Jing’s questions escalated from focusing solely on Jing Nuo to encompassing the entire Jing family.

Wen Xiaorou found herself utterly speechless, unsure where to begin explaining or if she could even clarify anything.

Meanwhile, Jing Nuo, watching the scene unfold, was secretly delighted. This time, Wen Xiaorou was getting scolded thoroughly without his intervention. He finally got some relief. Despite Wen Xiaorou’s meek appearance, she did lose her temper and argue back when provoked by Jing Nuo, and each time it was fiercer than before. Whenever she left him speechless, he felt as if he was about to vomit blood from anger. That’s why he always thought Wen Xiaorou hadn’t fully revealed her true nature.

“Is the reason you and Jing Nuo can’t have a child because he sleeps on the sofa?” The astute grandma, noticing Jing Nuo lying on the sofa, immediately connected the dots. Everyone in the Jing family was well aware of their troubled relationship, and Grandma Jing certainly knew.

Again, Wen Xiaorou was at a loss for words, thinking this old lady was not at all senile. When she tried to lie, she couldn’t even find an excuse.

“Grandma, how could I possibly always sleep on the sofa? It’s just that I haven’t been home for a long time, so Xiaorou punished me by making me sleep there,” Jing Nuo quickly stepped forward to defend Wen Xiaorou, though strictly speaking, he was defending himself. If this truth were exposed, he would be the one to suffer. If forced to have a child, his life would truly be entangled with Wen Xiaorou forever.

“You’re busy because you have to earn money and manage the company. It’s normal not to come back sometimes,” Grandma Jing’s tone softened when Jing Nuo spoke, no longer as forceful or loud as before.

Seeing the situation settled, Wen Xiaorou finally relaxed, though she still muttered inwardly that Jing Nuo didn’t just occasionally skip returning home—he only occasionally came back at all.

“Grandma, you don’t need to worry about us. How could Wen Xiaorou ever bully me? Look whose land this is,” Jing Nuo coaxed the old lady while taking the bowl of soup she brought and gently guiding her toward the door to prevent things from escalating further.

“Good grandson, don’t forget to drink that soup. Grandma is waiting to hold a grandchild,” Grandma Jing said, being ushered outside by Jing Nuo but her thoughts entirely on the soup and the prospect of grandchildren.

“Mm-hmm, don’t worry, Grandma,” Jing Nuo replied confidently. Standing behind him, Wen Xiaorou felt a warmth in her chest. Why did Jing Nuo’s words sound so sincere?