Chapter 226 Deliberately Making Things Difficult

"Comrade Qiu, would you like a cup of tea?"

She picked up the tray and walked out of the kitchen, a sweet smile immediately spreading across her face, her lips curving upwards just right. "This is my newly mixed fruit tea. It doesn't contain any tea leaves; it's all made from pure natural fruit powder, so it's especially good for the stomach."

Qiao Wanyin was sitting on the sofa flipping through an old magazine when she heard the sound. She looked up and frowned slightly.

Although that look was fleeting, it revealed a deep sense of vigilance and scrutiny.

Is it this kind of trick again?

Is this another instance of feigned concern masking ulterior motives?

But she didn't show it; instead, she smiled slightly, as if she believed it completely.

It's alright, she expected it.

She knew these people's thoughts better than anyone else.

But today...

She wanted to see what kind of show they were trying to put on.

"Wow, Little Ju is amazing! She can even make fruit tea?"

Qiao Wanyin stood up with a smile, took the cup with natural and smooth movements, and then handed the tea to Qiu Zishu next to her, "Zishu, you try it first and see if it tastes good."

Qiu Zishu smiled slightly, her eyes filled with curiosity and goodwill. "Okay, I'll give it a try."

She didn't even think twice when she took the cup, completely unaware of Qiao Wanyin's subtle change in movement at that moment.

She sipped the tea slowly, her tongue gently swirling in the hot tea. Then, a satisfied expression appeared on her face, and she nodded repeatedly. "Mmm, it's quite delicious. This fruit tea has an apple flavor, it's sweet, and it's a bit refreshing. It's really good!"

Song Yazhi and Fang Xiaoju stood not far away watching this scene. They exchanged a knowing look and couldn't help but chuckle to themselves.

The laughter was suppressed in his throat, like an undercurrent, hiding an unspeakable sense of pride and anticipation.

Fang Xiaoju quickly walked back to the coffee table, poured herself another cup of the same fruit tea, and carried it to Qiao Wanyin.

Her steps were slightly hurried, and her breathing became slightly disordered.

"Sister Wanyin, have a drink too!"

She handed over the cup, her smile almost insincerely sweet, "It's best to drink it while it's hot."

Qiao Wanyin reached out and took the cup with a calm and unhurried motion. The moment her fingertips touched the edge of the porcelain cup, she did not bring it to her lips.

She slowly swirled the liquid in her glass, her eyes fixed on the gentle ripples, but her peripheral vision swept across Fang Xiaoju's face like a razor's edge—a face that could barely contain its laughter and was on the verge of losing control of its excitement.

A cold laugh welled up inside me.

It was you again, just like always.

"Ouch, this tea is too hot."

She said softly, her tone unusually calm, and then gently placed the cup on the coffee table. "I'll wait for it to cool down before I drink it, so I don't burn my mouth."

Fang Xiaoju panicked, her face turned pale, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on her forehead, glistening under the light.

She instinctively stepped forward: "Sister Wanyin, it has to be drunk while it's hot to be effective, the medicine will lose its effect if it cools down..."

Song Yazhi quickly stepped in to persuade her, her tone gentle but firm: "That's right, Qingqing, listen to your little sister Xiaoju. This tea tastes best when it's hot; it loses its flavor when it's cold. You can ask her if you don't believe me."

As she spoke, she winked at Fang Xiaoju, her eyes full of urging and hints.

As they were talking, Qiu Zishu suddenly let out a long yawn, the sound dragging out, and leaned back lazily.

She rubbed her eyes, her eyelids already drooping, and said in a soft voice, "That's strange, why am I so sleepy all of a sudden... I was fine just now..."

Before she could finish speaking, her head lolled to the side, her eyes glazed over, her breathing became heavy, and she fell asleep against the back of the chair.

The teacup in her hand almost slipped, but luckily Song Yazhi caught it with quick reflexes.

"Zi Shu? Zi Shu!"

Qiao Wanyin hurriedly reached out and shook her shoulder, her voice full of anxiety and worry, her brows furrowed.

She whirled around, her gaze sharp as a knife as she stared at Fang Xiaoju, demanding, "What exactly did you do to the tea? How could she suddenly faint?"

Fang Xiaoju lowered her eyes, her fingers gently stroking the hem of her skirt, but a slight smile subtly appeared on the corners of her mouth.

She and Song Yazhi exchanged a knowing glance, both reading the triumph and victory in each other's eyes.

"Qingqing," Song Yazhi immediately adopted a concerned tone, her voice so gentle it was almost dripping with tenderness, "Your friend is probably just too tired today and not in good spirits. Don't worry. Let her go to her room and lie down for a while to rest."

Qiao Wanyin's eyebrows twitched slightly, her eyes turned cold for a moment, but she quickly concealed it and replaced it with a perfectly measured expression of worry.

“Okay,” she replied softly, “I’ll help her inside first, so she won’t feel even more uncomfortable if she catches a cold.”

As she spoke, she steadily lifted Qiu Zishu, who was still in a "sleepy" state, her movements gentle yet not flustered, and walked step by step toward the guest room.

The door was gently closed, making a soft "click" sound, as if temporarily isolating it from all the turmoil outside.

As soon as she entered the room, before she could even stand still, Qiu Zishu suddenly opened one eye, winked mischievously at Qiao Wanyin, and a sly smile flashed across her face.

The two exchanged a glance, their unspoken understanding evident.

Qiao Wanyin breathed a sigh of relief, then adjusted her expression, suppressed her smile, pushed open the door, and walked out back to the living room.

As soon as she entered the room, she keenly sensed that the atmosphere had changed.

That false warmth from just now has completely vanished.

The loving expression on Song Yazhi's face was torn off like a mask, replaced by a face full of meanness, gloom, and an undeniable pressure.

"Qiao Wanyin!"

Song Yazhi slammed her hand on the table, making the teacup jump. "How can you be so inconsiderate? Huh? Xiaoju worked so hard all afternoon, buying groceries, cooking, and making tea, and you just won't even drink a sip! Are you trying to embarrass me?"

Fang Xiaoju sat to the side, sniffing at the opportune moment, her eyes reddening, her voice low and aggrieved: "Auntie... please don't blame Sister Wanyin, maybe... it's because the tea I brewed didn't taste good, that's why she didn't want to drink it..."

"Look!"

Song Yazhi immediately seized the opportunity, pointed at Fang Xiaoju, and shouted at Qiao Wanyin in an agitated tone, "How sensible and considerate she is! She knows how to appreciate the feelings of her elders! And look at you? I personally served you tea, and you just sat there without moving. What kind of behavior is that? If you don't drink this cup of tea today, it means you don't recognize this family! It means you're not giving me any face! And it means you're not showing Xiaoju any affection whatsoever!"

Qiao Wanyin slowly lowered her head, her hands clasped together, her fingertips slightly white, her voice trembling just the right amount: "Mom... I really didn't mean to. It's just... my stomach hasn't been feeling well lately, so I haven't dared to drink any tea..."

"Not intentional?"

Song Yazhi sneered, her eyes filled with mockery, "I think you're deliberately trying to provoke me! You've been like this for so many years, with no manners whatsoever, no filial piety whatsoever! Now you can't even be bothered to pretend to have the most basic respect?"

Fang Xiaoju immediately looked up and gently handed over the cup of tea that had been prepared beforehand. Her movements were gentle, and her tone was as soft as water: "Sister Wanyin, please have a sip, just one sip. Otherwise... Auntie will really feel very sad."