I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 193 - 190: Fortunately, It’s Not a Hongmen Banquet

Chapter 193: Chapter 190: Fortunately, It’s Not a Hongmen Banquet

"Yueyue, does it feel strange why I’m revealing such personal matters to a girl I’ve just met? Or even exposing old wounds? That’s because that self-important person is Xu Ya."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." The mystery is revealed, no wonder she felt weird.

So, is today’s meal a banquet with hidden motives?

Jiang Mingyue’s mood suddenly sour.

"Yueyue, don’t worry, things aren’t what you think. My father-in-law and mother-in-law invited you today purely to thank you, because thanks to you, my father-in-law got his life back, nothing to do with my situation. The reason I’m telling you all this isn’t to imply anything else but just to let you know what kind of person Xu Ya is, don’t be duped by her sweet talk. Since you have left Xu Ya, don’t look back. Whether or not she once raised you, I advise you to stay away from her; that woman is truly no good."

Jiang Mingyue’s sinking heart floated back up, and she sighed in relief, it turns out she’s just being sensitive.

Nevertheless, Cheng Jun also disclosed that they know about her situation.

But was this information known beforehand, or did the eldest brother tell them?

However, she doesn’t care. That matter has long ceased to be a secret, such gossip about mistaken daughter swaps flies around on its own.

Just a moment ago she regretted feeding a whole-hearted sincerity to the dogs, if not for Manager Zhuang, she wouldn’t have attended this banquet. Reality proved her eye was on point, and the sister-in-law in front of her is worth befriending, implying from her words that the Zhuang family should know about her ordeal except for Zhuang Xuechi, who’s unreliable.

Rare indeed!

"Thanks for the advice, sister-in-law, I’ve noted it down. I’ll keep my distance from Xu Ya moving forward. You don’t know, before I left she left a note saying, ’Take care of yourself, our mother-daughter relationship ends here, let’s not meet again in this life.’ She mentioned it first, how could I, as an adopted daughter, not comply, right?"

The two shared a knowing smile, both understanding the implicit meaning.

At this moment, Fu Xia returned with oil.

Just as the conversation ended, the third person returned, and Jiang Mingyue reasonably suspected that this mother-in-law deliberately left this time as empty, getting oil was just a pretense! 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Oh dear! It’s so hot outside, Yueyue, I brought you some papaya water, come and eat quickly. Xiao Ran, come over..."

Jiang Mingyue responded with a smile, what Cheng Jun spoke of seemed to her like stories in a picture book, unconnected with real people.

In fact, she could feel that Cheng Jun had already moved on. What could make a woman emerge from such destructive trauma? The only answer is love. Presumably, this big brother from the Zhuang family must have exchanged sincerity with another person’s release, and perhaps there was family acceptance and support in the mix.

Since the person involved has let go, there’s no need for her, an outsider, to worry.

As for her being the adopted daughter of the perpetrator, judging by Cheng Jun and Fu Xia’s attitude, it was evident they saw her separately from Xu Ya, so naturally, there’s nothing to entangle.

After drinking papaya water, she must admit, papaya water from this era is much tastier than the later days. Jiang Mingyue ate two bowls in one go, and Xiao Ran, the child, matched her pace, finishing at once and yet ran off to play among the group of grown men, unclear what exactly caught his interest.

The kitchen became the domain of the three, eventually they drifted into discussing fertility.

Jiang Mingyue: "..." The second time today she felt something amiss.

But Jiang Mingyue could sense Fu Xia and Cheng Jun’s genuine hospitality, not with any ulterior motives, yet the hope in their hearts was real, too.

The couple longs for a child, and Fu Xia and her husband hope for grandchildren, a most natural desire.

The pair spoke about their three-year journey seeking medical help, truly heart-wrenching to hear, and the Zhuang brother moved Jiang Mingyue deeply, exhibiting his affection for Cheng Jun, otherwise, he wouldn’t have suggested checking himself first. If there was a reason, he wanted to find it within himself—a rarity indeed.

The infertility was due to the abortion she noted early on. The procedure was intentional by Cheng Jun; she didn’t want the child at all, conceived on the most humiliating night of her life where she wasn’t aware who the father was. Ignorant in prevention, she realized months later after missed periods it was likely she conceived. Zhuang brother cared not, as long as she bore the child, he could accept it, but she cared deeply, stealthily consulted a rural wife, drank her medication, and didn’t expect it would nearly take her life. Upon later medical assessment, permanent bodily damage was found, unfixable by modern medical methods.

Since Cheng Jun wished for a child, and the family longed for a child, Jiang Mingyue’s initial desire to help resurfaced, offering to help investigate further, but didn’t commit firmly.

Meanwhile, Fu Xia and Cheng Jun, the mother and daughter-in-law, exhibited their high emotional intelligence, not overly emotional, putting undue pressure on her—they maintained a calm demeanor, assuring her not to feel pressured, that children weren’t absolute, and adoption could be a solution, adopted children typically are well-behaved!

If it weren’t for spending the afternoon with them, she might have believed them.

But regardless, offering warmth to a woman severely harmed is still a way of carrying the significance of her pharmacy visit, isn’t it?

Just not so easily dispensed, for it isn’t life-threatening agony.

Unbeknownst to Jiang Mingyue, at this moment, the eldest brother was dragged away by Zhuang Yunshan like an old friend for questioning.

"Sigh! I say, Zhuang, if you have something to ask, just ask, don’t need to buddy up by draping your arm over my shoulder."

Zhuang Yunshan obediently released, seeing they had already reached the backyard.

"What do you mean by what you said earlier?"

Jiang Mingan shot him a blank stare, "I said a lot back then, how am I supposed to know which sentence you’re referring to?"

"Stop playing dumb, stop with the Tai Chi, you know what I’m most concerned about."

"Wow! Brother, you really are a loving father, it’s just a pity your son doesn’t see your tenderness."

"Shut up if you’re incapable of insights."

"Damn! Did you mistake my words? I, Jiang Ming’an, have roamed North to South so many years, never once been questioned on my verbal skills. You should try harder understanding my unspoken meanings before accusing me of imprecision."

"Brother, alright, old brother begs you, just tell me the key points."

But Jiang Ming’an couldn’t be manipulated by anyone, for two lifetimes now, except Jiang Mingyue, all others are exceptions.

"Wow! You father and son have twisted relations, you call me brother, your sons also call me brother, Zhuang, this isn’t my issue."

Zhuang Yunshan paused: Seems true!

"Alright, later..."

"Never mind, call as you like. Just consider them separate calls, after all, I’m so young, I don’t want to be called old."

Zhuang Yunshan: "..." This really isn’t a proper thing.

After dangling the bait, Jiang Mingan began to unravel the mystery.

"Indeed, as you guessed, Jiang Zhenzhu is specifically scheming against your second son. The rescue was intentional, the post-event chase by a group of actors; bumping into your second son was certainly purposeful. Clearly, there’s also the act of feigning disinterest, refusing to disclose her name, which someone else reveals—one coincidence after another, too many coincidences should raise suspicion, shouldn’t they? Tut! Old Zhuang, not to say, but don’t raise kids too naive."

Zhuang Yunshan’s mouth twitched, glaring: Kids? Who are you insulting here? Zhuang Xuechi is two years older than Ming Yue.