23

Song Tan can tell that Shen Yin is in a good mood today.

After pulling out the weeds, he made breakfast for Song Tan.

Song Tan observed Shen Yin for a long time and couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something happy going on?”

“Does pulling out the weeds count?”

Song Tan : ?

What kind of happy thing is that?

Song Tan doesn’t understand.

But Shen Yin explained to her seriously, “Pulling out the weeds is actually a very happy thing.”

Song Tan felt like there was more to his words.

But she knew her boundaries and didn’t press further. Instead, she said, “Well, congratulations on successfully removing the weeds?”

Meanwhile, in the Huo family.

After Huo Yanlin married Song Jiaojiao, Song Zhiwen offered his team and patents to the Huo family.

Although Song Zhiwen’s business acumen wasn’t great, he wasn’t a fool either.

Since Huo Yanlin was already his son-in-law, they were now family.

He wouldn’t let those in the Huo family who were watching his son-in-law off the hook.

In these past few days, the Huo family had indeed laid off quite a few people.

Among them were those with the last name Huo.

Huo Yanlin at this moment had not yet realized that something was amiss.

He had been trying to contact Su Ran lately, but Su Ran had blocked all his contact information. He couldn’t reach her no matter what.

He knew he had wronged her, but he had been forced into this situation.

If it weren’t for the Song family insisting on the marriage and pressuring him, he would never have married Song Jiaojiao.

Huo Yanlin resented the Song family, and he resented Song Zhiwen.

However, now he had to rely on Song Zhiwen.

So, Huo Yanlin didn’t confront Song Zhiwen head-on at this moment.

But, he had wanted to find Song Tan for a long time.

This Song Tan had instigated Song Jiaojiao to obtain a marriage certificate with him and brought Su Ran to the Huo family…

All these matters were related to Song Tan.

Huo Yanlin’s eyes flashed with danger.

Regardless of any previous grudges between them, he would not spare Song Tan.

Song Tan didn’t know what had happened to the Huo family.

After she had dinner with Shen Yin, Song Jiaojiao came over.

Song Jiaojiao couldn’t hold back and came to discuss matters related to the old mansion with Song Tan.

Song Jiaojiao had thought about it last night and felt that they could both compromise by using four prescriptions. Song Tan should agree.

If Song Tan still didn’t agree, then she… she… she would really have to sell her half of the mansion!

She had inquired about it yesterday. This old mansion could still fetch a good amount of money.

Song Jiaojiao was confident, so today, she came to confront Song Tan and make Song Tan nervous.

But Song Jiaojiao didn’t expect Shen Yin to be here at this old mansion as well.

Her gaze shifted between Song Tan and Shen Yin a few times.

Honestly, she hadn’t expected Song Tan and Shen Yin to look like such a loving couple after getting married.

This cousin of hers, although physically weak, had always had big ambitions and a proud heart.

Could Song Tan really be interested in Shen Yin, a poor scholar who appeared honest and had little money?

Well, Song Jiaojiao didn’t believe it.

But seeing Shen Yin chasing after Song Tan to this old mansion made Song Jiaojiao have doubts.

Song Jiaojiao just felt like there was something fishy about these two.

Song Jiaojiao was the kind of person who wore her heart on her sleeve.

Seeing Song Jiaojiao changing expressions, Song Tan couldn’t help but say, “Call him Jie Fu¹.”

Song Jiaojiao : “…”

Shen Yin, upon hearing this, cast a surprised glance at Song Tan.

The two of them took how they’re addressed very seriously.

After locking eyes with Song Tan for a moment, he then turned his gaze to Song Jiaojiao.

Although Song Jiaojiao was speechless, she still reluctantly called out, “Jie Fu.”

Shen Yin smiled slightly and replied, “Hmm.”

Song Jiaojiao : “…” She felt like she was calling a teacher back in school.

But she heaved a sigh of relief after considering that Shen Yin was originally a teacher.

Calling him ‘Jie Fu’ was a small price to pay, and the matter to be discussed was more important.

“I came early today because I wanted to ask you something,” Song Jiaojiao said. “Do you still want the ownership of this old mansion?”

Her Mom would be coming later, and if her Mom found out that she was using the ownership of this old house to negotiate with Song Tan, her Mom would be furious. So she didn’t care that Shen Yin was present and went straight to Song Tan.

“I don’t accept bargaining,” Song Tan replied calmly.

“Can’t we both compromise a bit?” Song Jiao Jiao asked.

Song Tan’s attitude remained unchanged. “No.”

Frustrated by Song Tan’s attitude, Song Jiaojiao said, “You just think I can’t sell it, that’s why you’re so confident. Let me tell you, I’ve asked around, and there are quite a few people interested in this old house.”

“So?” Song Tan asked.

Song Jiaojiao : “???”

What ‘so’?

Of course, it’s to complete the transaction with her!

She needed the prescription!

She was about to marry Huo Yanlin, and if she had a few more prescriptions in her hands, she could definitely capture Huo Yanlin’s heart.

“Sister, just give me one more. It’s no big deal for you,” she pleaded. The previous prescription she had obtained from Song Tan had brought her many benefits. So in Song Jiaojiao’s mind, the prescription had significant value, and getting one more from Song Tan would be a big win!

But Song Tan wasn’t a fool.

“No,” Song Tan firmly replied. Not even one more.

Those three prescriptions already have quite a few mature research results in the market. So it’s okay to give them to Song Jiaojiao, and Song Jiaojiao can then pass them on to Huo Yanlin.

If the Huo research team can make further progress, it would also benefit the public.

But one more prescription…

No.

Song Tan won’t give even one more.

Song Jiaojiao really didn’t expect Song Tan to be so stingy, not giving even one more, not making any concessions.

She puffed her cheeks and threatened, “Since that’s the case, if I sell it, you’ll regret it.”

Song Tan stared at Song Jiaojiao.

Just as the two sides were about to stalemate, Song Jiaojiao’s mother, An Yue, suddenly appeared at the door.

“I see, Song Tan, I wondered why Jiaojiao insisted on using half of the old mansion’s property rights as her dowry, so it seems like you’re the one who instigated this.”

After listening at the door for a while, An Yue probably guessed the whole story.

Her foolish daughter had been completely fooled by Song Tan.

“Impossible, I’m telling you, don’t even think about it.”

Seeing An Yue appear and hearing what she said, Song Tan’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

An Yue and Song Zhiwen, this couple, knew how to manipulate Song Tan.

So, even if they weren’t interested in this old mansion, they still wanted to get a hold of it.

And then, threaten Song Tan.

This kind of behavior was truly despicable.

As Song Tan frowned slightly, Shen Yin, who had been invisible on the side, stepped behind Song Tan and moved her wheelchair back a bit.

When Song Tan just faced An Yue, she looked like a naive girl encountering a malicious aunt in a  TV drama.

Although Song Tan might not necessarily suffer, she is now his person, and he cannot let her face malicious elders directly.

After Shen Yin pushed Song Tan away, he faced An Yue.

Originally, Shen Yin had a friendly temperament due to his academic and teaching background.

However, when facing An Yue, his presence was very strong.

It made An Yue, who had always been domineering in front of Song Tan, take a step back.

She had clearly seen this man just now, but she subconsciously ignored him…

Now he suddenly appeared and really startled her.

However, she straightened her back.

Now she was Huo Yanlin’s mother-in-law, and this Shen Yin, although half a member of the Huo family, did not seem to have much presence in the Huo family.

Wasn’t her status much higher than his?

“Shen Yin, although you are considered part of the Huo family, since you married our Song Tan, shouldn’t you also address me as Aunt-in-law?”

The same scene happened to Shen Yin.

“Call you Aunt-in-law, will you give money?” Song Tan said with a faint smile.

An Yue : “?”

“You consider yourself an elder, so when Shen Yin calls you for the first time, shouldn’t you give him a red envelope? It’s only fair.”

An Yue, as a person, was known for taking in but not giving out. Others joked that she was probably a mythical creature called ‘Pixiu’ that brought in wealth but never gave it away.

If she asked him to call her Aunt-in-law and she has to give money…

Forget it, not a chance.

“You have quite an imagination.”

An Yue gave Song Tan a stern look and then didn’t insist on having Shen Yin address her. Instead, she said, “This is our family matter between me and Song Tan. It’s better if you don’t get involved.”

“I have already married Song Tan, so now I am her husband. Her family matters are my family matters, and it’s not a matter of getting involved or not.”

After speaking, Shen Yin continued, “Our Song Tan has a weak constitution and can’t handle scares. Let me talk with you.”

Shen Yin had a natural aura that made people submit, and An Yue unconsciously followed Shen Yin to the side.

When she came to her senses, she couldn’t help but angrily say, “Who do you think you are? Why should I listen to you?”

The voice of a middle-aged woman when she was angry was quite loud, and even though there was some distance between them, Song Tan could still hear her.

Song Tan looked in the direction of the two, her eyes showing concern, but in her heart, she thought, This is going to be interesting.

She didn’t know how Shen Yin, a cultured person, would handle her aunt who was known for being unreasonable. She expected some drama.

Song Jiaojiao didn’t follow her Mom and Shen Yin.

Her Mom had never lost in an argument before, and if her Mom faced Shen Yin, it should be Shen Yin who would come out on the losing end.

However, Song Jiaojiao turned to Song Tan and said, “I didn’t expect that your husband, though not very capable, would be quite protective of you.”

Shen Yin seemed to be the type who avoided conflicts, but today he had stepped forward without hesitation to defend Song Tan.

Song Jiaojiao couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

Although she was marrying Huo Yanlin, the day she saw him relentlessly pursuing another woman made her feel ashamed.

If she didn’t love him so much, she would never have married him.

But she loved him.

She was just one step away from getting him, and she was not about to give up.

There was envy and determination in Song Jiaojiao’s eyes.

Meanwhile, Song Tan was close to rolling her eyes.

In the original plot, Song Tan married Huo Yanlin, and Song Jiaojiao went out of her way to make things difficult for Song Yan, blindly protecting Huo Yanlin.

And when Song Tan was deceived by the Huo family and returned to the old mansion with nothing, Song Jiaojiao still tried to harm Song Tan, thinking it would make Huo Yanlin notice her more.

Indeed, this thing called ‘love brain’ is terrifying.

However, Song Tan has no intention of dragging the ‘love brained’ out of the quagmire.

Since Song Jiaojiao is determined to dive into the depths of trouble without any regrets, Song Tan naturally has the ‘obligation’ to lend Song Jiaojiao a hand.

“Emotions develop through interaction, especially after marriage. Even if his heart may not be with you temporarily, as long as you have him, his heart will eventually return to you.”

Song Tan imparted this non-existent experience, watching Song Jiaojiao nodding confidently, slightly curling her lips, and smiling.

Song Jiaojiao is listening well.

姐夫 (jiě fū)¹ meaning husband of elder sister ↩︎