"That's a novel way to put it," Qiao Wanwan chuckled. "Tell me, why can't I just ignore you?"
"The Ruan family wants to use me for a marriage alliance, to marry a playboy who has countless women outside. How can I marry someone like that!" Ruan Tang said aggrievedly. "When my aunt was alive, she had a lot of influence in the Ruan family, so she protected me, and no one dared to make a move on me."
“Now that she’s gone, the Ruan family has nothing to worry about anymore! Especially since I moved out of Wutong Bay after moving in, they’ll think that Brother Jingting doesn’t want me anymore. So, sister-in-law, I’m begging you to let me come back. As long as I can return to Wutong Bay and let the Ruan family know that Brother Jingting is protecting me, they won’t dare to mess with me.”
Qiao Wanwan looked at her and said, "As a woman myself, I also think that the probability of a happy marriage in a business arrangement is very low. For my mother's sake, Jingting and I will not sit idly by. I will have Jingting talk to the Ruan family and tell them not to let you get married."
Ruan Tang said anxiously, "But sister-in-law, this will damage the relationship between Brother Jingting and the Ruan family, so there is no need to go through so much trouble. As long as I go back to Wutong Bay, the Ruan family will understand without Brother Jingting's intervention, and this matter can be easily resolved."
"If a single sentence can ruin a relationship, then it means the relationship isn't very good. It's just superficial kinship, and we're better off without it. I believe Jingting won't care."
Ruan Tang: "......"
"Sister-in-law, I know you don't like me, but this matter concerns my lifelong happiness. Can't you be magnanimous and forget what happened before?"
"I moved into Wutong Bay for two reasons: to protect myself and to get medical treatment for Brother Jingting. Isn't that a win-win situation? I don't understand why you're being so petty. Besides, I'm Brother Jingting's cousin, disliked by the Ruan family, and a pitiful little orphan. Can't you have a little compassion...?"
Qiao Wanwan laughed instead of getting angry, "I have no morals, so you don't need to hold me hostage."
Ruan Tang: "......"
Ruan Tang was both angry and aggrieved. "Sister-in-law, have you been hoping for my aunt to die? If she dies, you'll be in charge of this family."
Qiao Wanwan frowned slightly. "Ruan Tang, you're an adult. You have to be responsible for your words. If you're not thinking straight, you'd better shut your mouth."
"Am I wrong?" Ruan Tang retorted righteously, "My aunt's body is barely cold, and you've already started bullying me. Don't you have a conscience?"
"You're really starting to spout nonsense when I say you're brainless. You have the nerve to spout nonsense here, why don't you go find those in the Ruan family who actually bullied you?" Qiao Wanwan looked at her like she was an idiot. "Ruan Tang, you said you have no home, I'm giving you a house, what more do you want?"
"If you're not desperately trying to squeeze into Wutong Bay, I wouldn't believe you don't have some other purpose."
Ruan Tang's face flushed red and then turned pale. "Sister-in-law, you are judging me by my own petty standards. What purpose could I possibly have? My aunt raised me, and Brother Jingting has always doted on me since I was a child. My greatest wish in this life is to repay them."
"Now that my aunt is gone, I can't take care of her anymore. I just want to cure Jingting's illness, but you're targeting me everywhere. Are you afraid that if I cure Jingting's illness and become a hero, it will affect your position in this family?"
Qiao Wanwan raised an eyebrow. "I am Zhan Jingting's wife. Only women who want to marry Jingting can threaten my position. Cousin, what do you mean by saying such a thing?"
Ruan Tang paused for a moment, then quickly said, "What I mean is, if I cure Jing Ting, he will naturally treat me very well..."
Qiao Wanwan's expression darkened slightly, and she said seriously, "If you can cure Jing Ting, I don't know if he will treat you well or not, but I, Qiao Wanwan, will definitely treat you like an ancestor."
"Ruan Tang, think before you speak or act. I don't know what you're secretly plotting, but don't try to use it on me, because I don't fall for that."
Ruan Tang: "......"
She wanted to say something more, but Qiao Wanwan had already lost her patience. "If you want to move into Wutong Bay, go talk to Jingting. If he agrees, I have no objection. Someone, see the guest out."
Zheng Ma quickly entered the living room and said, "Miss Tangtang, please."
Ruan Tang gritted her teeth and had no choice but to get up and leave.
“Young Madam,” Zheng Ma said quickly after seeing Ruan Tang off, “Don’t be angry with her, it’s not worth it.”
"I know," Qiao Wanwan said calmly. "Before my mother passed away, she asked me to help Ruan Tang more, and I agreed. But taking care of her doesn't mean I can just do whatever she says. There are some requests that I will absolutely not compromise on."
“What the young lady says is true.”
......
In the evening, Zhan Jingting returned home on time.
"So early." Qiao Wanwan led Shiyi downstairs by the hand. "I thought you were going to work overtime tonight."
"I promised to come back and have dinner with you."
Qiao Wanwan patted Eleven's head, "Go call Brother Yin and Auntie for dinner."
"Okay." Eleven obediently ran off.
Zhan Jingting took Qiao Wanwan's hand and sat down. "Did Ruan Tang come to your house today?"
Qiao Wanwan smiled. "It seems she went to find you too."
“I have already spoken to the Ruan family. She is free to choose her own marriage partner and does not need an arranged marriage.”
Will the Ruan family agree?
"Although the Ruan family is wealthy, 80% of their business depends on me, so we dare not refuse."
"Then the problem is solved, isn't it? Ruan Tang is pestering me and insisting on moving into Wutong Bay?"
“She told me that too.”
Qiao Wanwan asked curiously, "So what did you say?"
“I said, your sister-in-law is in charge of things at home, whatever she says goes.”
Qiao Wanwan couldn't help but chuckle. "Mr. Zhan, I'm very satisfied with this answer."
Zhan Jingting smiled and touched her face, "I'm telling the truth."
“Hmm,” Qiao Wanwan said, “But I haven’t forgotten my mother’s dying wish. Since she has no home, please give her a house to settle down in.”
"Jiang Dong is sorting out the assets under my mother's name. I will transfer two houses to her and give her some money to fulfill my mother's wishes."
Qiao Wanwan did not object, "Okay."
“Oh, right,” she suddenly remembered something, “Wen Xue has been sentenced to three years in prison.”
“You didn’t let me get involved, otherwise I would have kept her in jail for life.”
"Wen Xue has received the punishment she deserves, that's enough. Besides, Li Jing and Li Xuan are our friends, so it's not appropriate to go too far. Let's leave it at that."
"As you wish, madam."
......
The Spring Festival is just around the corner.
Wutong Bay was calm and Zhan Jingting's health was stabilizing, but the other child was still missing.
Before the Lunar New Year, Qiao Wanwan took a day off and went to the temple with Cheng Zaozao to offer incense and pray for blessings.
She wasn't superstitious; she simply believed that sincerity would bring results.
Perhaps heaven heard her prayers, for good news came shortly after the Spring Festival!
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