218: Chapter 182 Even for a second, she doesnât want to pretend anymore_1 218: Chapter 182 Even for a second, she doesnât want to pretend anymore_1 Nanxi was convinced that Ye Yuchen had feelings for Li Weihuan.
How else could someone remember another personâs past so clearly?
Could it be anything other than love?
As Nanxi watched Ye Yuchen laugh, she sensed that the smile was forced.
As a woman, she knew her intuition was always right.
She could tell that Ye Yuchen was hostile towards her.
On the other hand, Nanxi believed that while Li Weihuan didnât detest Ye Yuchen, neither did he favor her.
They were childhood friends, who had shared many years together.
Could there be some affection?
Nanxi wondered, had Li Weihuan not met her, would he have spent his life with a girl like Ye Yuchen instead?
Upon contemplation, that wouldnât have been too bad either!
In the end, it seemed, she was the one who had inflicted pain on him.
Li Xiangchen arrived looking healthy, which relieved Nanxi.
Out of everyone in the Li family, he was the only one who had been kind to her, and for that, she was grateful at heart.
After some more small talk, Qi Qun directed Li Mufang to check on the dinner preparations.
They had guests tonight and she didnât want dinner to be served too late.
Li Mufang nodded and went to check.
A flicker crossed Nanxiâs gaze, she was unsure who Qi Qun referred to as the âguestâ â was it Ye Yuchen, or was it her?
At the dinner table, Qi Qun forced a smile and tried to suppress her resentment.
In fear of upsetting Li Weihuan, she urged Nanxi to have more food.
Nanxi smiled and thanked her.
Ignoring Nanxiâs response, Qi Qun turned her head towards Ye Yuchen and engaged her in conversation about her experience studying abroad in England.
Ye Yuchen was quite the conversationalist and appeared to get along very well with Qi Qun.
This change in Qi Qunâs attitude was her final forfeiture.
She tried to make it clear to Nanxi through her distinct attitudes towards both girls â what qualities she desired and acknowledged in her daughter-in-law.
At least, Nanxi couldnât compete.
Throughout the meal, Nanxi was silent.
Li Weihuan, seated beside her, served her the dishes she liked.
However, unbeknownst to him, she had absolutely no appetite.
In the middle of the meal, Li Weihuanâs phone rang.
The servant brought over his phone.
Nanxi glanced at the name displayed on the screen: Second Uncle.
Li Weihuan frowned and stood up.
He said to Nanxi, âYou sit here for a while.
Iâll be back soon after answering the call.â
It seemed as though the moment he left, everyone at the table would start bullying her.
Nanxi smiled at him, âGo answer the call.
Iâm fine.
â
Before departing, Li Weihuan held her hand and whispered, ââ¦
Wait for me.â
The moment Li Weihuan left, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Qi Qunâs facial expression changed immediately.
Clearing her throat, she asked Nanxi, âWhatâs your intention?
I want to know!â
Nanxi was taken aback.
What intention?
She laughed weakly.
So it seemed that Qi Qun could no longer keep up her act.
When Li Weihuan was present, sheâd been playing a role to avoid upsetting her son.
But now, even if he was absent for just a second, she no longer wanted to put on a facade.
Nanxi replied, âAunt, what do you want me to think?â
âNeedless to say, break up with him!â
Qi Qun took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, âGu Nanxi, I donât care who you want to harm, but you canât harm my son!â
Nanxiâs gaze flickered.
Li Xiangchen frowned, âWhat are you talking about?
When did Nanxi harm Weihuan?â
Qi Qun sneered, âShe didnât?
Did our son turn out this way because of nothing?â
âEnough!
What state has your son been harmed into?
Has he killed someone or committed arson?
Qi Qun, are you not satisfied until you torment this home into ruin?â
âLi Xiangchen, what did you just say?
Say it again!â
âMom, Dad, what are you doing?
Weihuan is still outside.
Can you both stop arguing?â
Li Mufang furrowed her brows, glancing at Qi Qun.
She thought her mother had gone too far.
While it was normal for tempers to flare, they had an outside guest, Ye Yuchen.
What would happen if word of their family squabbles got out?
It wouldnât be good!
Li Muyun stood up, preparing to leave.
Seeing this, Qi Qun asked her, âWhat are you going to do?â
Li Muyun paused, âWhat else can I do?
You guys are arguing like itâs the end of the world.
What if Weihuan walks in and sees this?
Who will be responsible if he decides to leave this home?
Iâm just going to take a look.
At least, I could stop this a little.
You may not want your son, but I still need my little brother!â
Qi Qun bit her lip, wanting to say something but was stopped by Ye Yuchen who was beside her.
Li Muyun left.
Ye Yuchen comforted âAunt, donât be angry.
Itâs not easy for everyone to get together today.
We should be happy and enjoy the meal instead of creating an unpleasant atmosphere!â
She immediately served a piece of cola chicken wing to Qi Qun, âAunt, this chicken wing is delicious.
Try it if you donât believe me!â
Qi Qun took a deep breath and held onto Ye Yuchenâs hand tenderly, relievingly saying, âYouâre sensible, Yuchen.
Iâm sorry for embarrassing you.â
Ye Yuchen smiled, âAunt, donât say that!
In fact, I want to say that everyone has their own reasons for getting upset, especially parents, who always want the best for their children.
When I was going to study abroad, my grandfather objected.
But my parents supported me because they thought it was a good opportunity for me to see a different part of the world, to gain knowledge and broaden my horizonsâ¦
No parent wants to harm their children or act against their interestsâ¦â
She turned her head and looked at Nanxi, ââ¦So, Nanxi, if you hold a grudge against Aunt for this, it shows your lack of maturity.
After allâ¦
she didnât mean any harm!â
Nanxi managed a smile, biting her awkwardness.
Hold a grudge?
She never thought that way, but Ye Yuchenâs words seemed to paint her as the unreasonable oneâas if she became someone petty and disrespectful.
Smiling subtly, she shook her head, âDonât worry, I wonât.â
âThatâs good!â
Ye Yuchen said while applying a piece of spicy chicken to Nanxiâs bowl, âLetâs stop talking and eat.
Iâm hungry!â
Qi Qun pressed her lips together, wanting to say something only to be stopped by Ye Yuchenâs hand gently tugging at her from underneath the table.
Caught by surprise, Qi Qun looked at Ye Yuchen and immediately put on a smile, saying, âYuchen is right, itâs myâ¦
itâs my impulsiveness.
Now, everyone, letâs eat up.
We seldom have a chance to eat togetherâ¦â
Upon finishing, she looked at Nanxi and with a serious expression said, âNanxi, Iâm rather blunt and straightforward at times, so donât take it to heart.
Auntie apologizes for her mistake!â
Nanxi was taken aback at this sudden shift in Qi Qunâs attitude.
Still, she apologized, âAuntie, you are overthinking.
Iâm the one at fault.
I shouldnât have spoken to you like that.
I apologize!â
Seeing Nanxiâs response, Qi Qunâs smile brightened.
She put a piece of braised sparerib in Nanxiâs bowl, âLetâs eat first.
If Weihuan comes back and sees your food untouched, heâll blame me!â
Nanxi laughed and nodded.
Then she stared at the spicy chicken and braised sparerib in her bowl, pressed her lips together, but she did not eat.
Upon noticing this, Qi Qun was mildly discontent, âThe braised sparerib cooked by Sister Lian tastes very good.
Try it!â
Without questioning, Nanxi picked up a piece of the sparerib and took a bite.
It was immensely spicy, so much so that Nanxiâs scalp went numb.
By the time she finished the sparerib, a layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.