Thirty-Four. Flashing Blades and Swords

A sharp clatter rang out.

When Tong Zhenzhen saw who had entered, she was so startled that her hand went slack, and the cup she was holding crashed to the floor.

Wasn’t that woman the very same person—the one who had helped fund her revenge?

How could she appear so openly at the Jun family dinner?

“You must be Miss Tong, Little Che’s new wife, I presume?” The woman standing in the doorway spoke coldly, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

“And you are?” Tong Zhenzhen asked bluntly, too full of suspicion to bother with etiquette.

The middle-aged woman frowned and turned toward Jun Lengche, saying unhappily, “Little Che, where did you find this wife of yours? She’s making such a fuss. She has no manners.”

“Aunt…” Jun Lengche called out displeasedly.

“Oh, so this is our new sister-in-law, Tong Zhenzhen? I think she’s rather adorable. Mom, it’s because your face is so stern that you frightened her.” A girl suddenly darted out from behind the middle-aged woman. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, with curled hair, a red baseball jacket, black denim shorts, and a pair of high-top Converse sneakers.

When Jun Lengche called the middle-aged woman “Aunt,” Tong Zhenzhen became even more puzzled. Why did this woman hate the Jun family? From her behavior now, it was obvious that she did not want anyone to know she recognized Tong Zhenzhen.

No wonder she had called Tong Zhenzhen earlier and said she would help her. If someone from the Jun family stepped in, wouldn’t everything become twice as easy?

Tong Zhenzhen’s thoughts raced. When she heard the girl coming to her defense, she smiled gratefully.

“My name is Jasmine Zuo. From now on, I’m your cousin.” Jasmine Zuo was completely unreserved, chattering away in a voice as lovely as a warbler’s.

After introducing herself, Jasmine Zuo tugged her mother toward the two adjoining empty seats. “Mom, hurry and sit down. Everyone’s waiting for us.”

She then politely greeted everyone at the table. “I’m sorry. The school’s awards ceremony ran a little late today, so we’re late and kept everyone waiting.”

Jasmine Zuo’s arrival instantly lightened the atmosphere.

She successfully drew everyone’s attention.

“Jasmine, you won another award?”

“I’ve always known Jasmine was a bright and capable girl.”

“She was raised by the Jun family, after all. Naturally, she’s different from those women of unknown background.”

…

Tong Zhenzhen had no time to concern herself with those veiled remarks. She lowered her head and stared at the plate before her, her thoughts fixed on Jun Lengche’s aunt. The more she thought about it, the stranger everything seemed.

From time to time, she secretly studied the woman.

The aunt was probably in her fifties, but thanks to careful maintenance, fair skin, and tasteful clothing, she looked more like a woman in her forties. As the head of a regiment, she also possessed an imposing air that commanded respect without anger. Although she did not look much like Madam Jun, that intimidating presence was strikingly similar.

Tong Zhenzhen could not help comparing the aunt with Madam Jun.

“All right, everyone is here. Let’s begin.” Madam Jun picked up the silver bell at her right hand and gave it a gentle shake.

Before long, the servants filed out one after another, carrying the dishes.

Not wanting to arouse suspicion—and unwilling to undermine the aunt’s deliberate coldness—Tong Zhenzhen withdrew her gaze and looked only at what was in front of her.

Strangely, everyone else had Western food, while she alone had Chinese dishes: soup, small ribs, broccoli, and several other foods she enjoyed. Tong Zhenzhen remembered what Aunt Qin had said earlier—that Jun Lengche had specifically ordered them for her. She could not help looking up at him.

Unexpectedly, halfway there, she caught the aunt’s icy gaze. It seemed to be warning her of something.

Tong Zhenzhen’s heart sank.

What was wrong with her? Jun Lengche had merely given her a little sweetness, and she had already forgotten how horribly her mother had died?

At that thought, Tong Zhenzhen withdrew her gaze.

“I’m sorry, Grandma. I’m back.”

Another familiar voice sounded.

Tong Zhenzhen looked up and saw Qin Xiangyang.

“Why are you back? Didn’t you say you had to work overtime today?” Madam Jun asked in surprise.

At the same time, Tong Zhenzhen caught Wenxin’s cold gaze.

Wenxin’s expression of hatred puzzled her. Qin Xiangyang had only just returned—why was Wenxin glaring at her?

“Isn’t today the day we’re welcoming our new cousin-in-law? I hurried to finish the work I had on hand and rushed back.” Qin Xiangyang sounded enthusiastic.

“You really haven’t let your elder brother spoil you for nothing. Come, sit beside Wenxin.” Madam Jun was equally warm toward Qin Xiangyang.

Qin Xiangyang waved his hands. “No, no. I’ll just sit at the end of the table. That way, no one has to move.”

As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Tong Zhenzhen.

She suddenly remembered the inappropriate things Qin Xiangyang had done to her. An idea flashed through her mind, and she began to understand the source of Wenxin’s hostility.

Damn it. Could Little Yang have fallen for her?

The thought frightened Tong Zhenzhen.

No, he could not sit beside her. Otherwise, he would be dragged into the battle between her and Jun Lengche. Tong Zhenzhen anxiously wanted to stand up and refuse, but would doing so make everyone else suspect something?

“Daddy, don’t. Pick me up and let me sit with you.” Fortunately, Qin Yiwen spoke up in his childish voice and stretched out both chubby arms toward Qin Xiangyang.

What a little angel. He had solved her predicament for her.

Tong Zhenzhen was delighted.

“Uh…” Qin Xiangyang hesitated.

Tong Zhenzhen looked toward Jun Lengche, silently signaling for him to help prevent Qin Xiangyang from sitting beside her.

Fortunately, Jun Lengche seemed to understand her without words. He said, “Xiangyang, just hold Yiwen and sit down. The little fellow is so attached to you. Don’t disappoint him.”

“All right, all right.” Seeing the longing in Qin Yiwen’s eyes, Qin Xiangyang finally gave in. He walked over and picked him up.

Only then did Tong Zhenzhen secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

No sooner had one problem subsided than another arose.

“By the way, sister-in-law, Mo Chuchu showed me that video from your online page last time. The animation effects were amazing, and so many people liked it. When will you teach me?” Jasmine Zuo asked Tong Zhenzhen suddenly, her face full of admiration.

Oh no.

Tong Zhenzhen glanced at Madam Jun and saw the other woman’s sharp gaze shooting toward her as well.

“Jasmine, don’t talk so much during the meal.” Madam Jun stopped her coldly.

This aroused the curiosity of several people at the table.

Tong Zhenzhen watched Jasmine Zuo stick out her tongue and smile at her before saying nothing more.

Had Jasmine brought it up intentionally, or had it truly been accidental? Tong Zhenzhen could not help wondering. The girl looked innocent enough, but she was the daughter of the aunt—the woman who was so skilled at hiding her true intentions.

When the banquet was halfway over, someone asked when the wedding would be held.

Immediately afterward, the elegant woman sitting to cousin-in-law Zhou Yuru’s right also spoke. She appeared to be around thirty and was dressed like a socialite.

“Miss Tong, congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Tong Zhenzhen smiled faintly, but she did not let down her guard.

“May I ask who your parents are? Will they be attending the wedding?” the socialite continued in a soft, affected voice, a glimmer flashing through her eyes.

Here we go again.

Tong Zhenzhen was not foolish enough to believe that the woman genuinely did not know. She was obviously trying to expose the fact that Tong Zhenzhen’s detested father was Jun Lengche’s stepfather.

“I have no father. My mother passed away not long ago.” Tong Zhenzhen’s voice was cold as she spoke the first sentence, but it trembled faintly when she mentioned her mother.

“Oh?” The socialite pretended to be startled. Then she said, “How tragic. Judging by Miss Tong’s age, your mother must have been rather…”

Tong Zhenzhen’s brows rose.

Did this woman have no upbringing at all? Why did she insist on pressing the matter? What right did she have to pass judgment on her mother?

“Cousin!” Qin Xiangyang suddenly shouted, cutting her off.

Everyone at the table jumped.

“Is it morally acceptable to rub salt into someone else’s wound?” Qin Xiangyang’s words were sharp, and he accused her without hesitation.

The socialite’s face flushed crimson after being rebuked in front of everyone.

Qin Xiangyang’s reaction was utterly unexpected. Even Madam Jun was startled.

“Well said.” Jun Lengche spoke at last, his gaze sweeping over everyone like frost. “Tonight’s dinner is for discussing happy matters only.”

“All right, Little Che. Your cousin was only expressing concern for Miss Tong.” Madam Jun hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“Pfft.” Jasmine Zuo burst out laughing. “Oh my, my sister-in-law is truly irresistible. Not only has she won over Cousin Che, even Brother Yang is fiercely defending her.”

The words seemed innocent enough, but they sounded painfully grating to Tong Zhenzhen.

“Jasmine, that’s only because your Brother Yang and Little Che have always been close. Naturally, he would defend her.” The aunt, who had remained expressionless all this time, lightly patted Jasmine Zuo and spoke in a dark, insinuating tone.

Was this the help she had promised?

Tong Zhenzhen looked at the aunt in confusion. She was clearly fanning the flames.

“Let’s stop talking and eat. The main course has arrived.” Although Madam Jun’s purpose had been to humiliate Tong Zhenzhen, she did not want to involve her two grandsons, so she quickly changed the subject.

What a treacherous banquet, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.

Tong Zhenzhen sighed inwardly, yet maintained a calm expression, as though she were thoroughly enjoying the food before her.

For the rest of the meal, everyone’s attention gradually shifted away from Tong Zhenzhen, and they began discussing the upcoming wedding. The atmosphere became harmonious again.

After dinner, Madam Jun invited everyone to the side hall for tea and fruit.

Before leaving, she called Jun Lengche away.

Having endured all those overt and covert attacks, Tong Zhenzhen had no interest in trading more barbs with these people. She simply concentrated on eating the food on her plate, taking her time.

Once the others had left, the dining room fell quiet. Apart from Tong Zhenzhen, only a few servants remained to clear away the dishes.

Tong Zhenzhen was perfectly content to have the room to herself. After finishing everything on her plate, she set down the special chopsticks, wiped her mouth, leaned back against the chair, and closed her eyes to relax.

That battle had left her thoroughly disgusted.

“Zhenzhen, are you all right?”

After a while, she heard someone ask softly.

Tong Zhenzhen sighed inwardly.

Why had he come?