Volume One, Chapter 13: Grandmother Secretly Curses Wu Weiwei

Though Madam You was warm and kind, she held the highest position in the household. Even when Mr. You was alive, he treated her like an empress dowager, obeying her every command. When Madam You was angered, no one dared to challenge her authority.

You Jenny, a naive college student fearless in her youth, spoke up for You Hongsheng, “Grandma, Uncle isn’t wrong. Besides, Sister-in-law hasn’t gotten pregnant yet. Maybe it’s because she’s constantly exposed to chemicals and viruses at work.”

Madam You’s eyes darkened, and she retorted sharply, “I spent the first half of my life working with chemicals. Do you think your uncle and your father were picked up from the trash bin?”

You Jenny was instantly silenced, shrinking back and closing her mouth, afraid to say another word.

Song Wanxi hadn’t expected her grandmother to be so resolute, which genuinely surprised her.

Wu Weiwei feigned tenderness and concern, “Grandma, Uncle didn’t mean any harm. Please don’t be angry; your health is the most important.”

Madam You cast a cold glance at Wu Weiwei and ignored her, then sternly lectured, “You are all educated intellectuals. Why is your understanding so shallow? Luxury goods are just ordinary items; their prices are inflated by brand premiums. You pay a hefty ‘intelligence tax’ just to feel superior?”

Yin Chanjuan and Second Aunt’s faces darkened immediately, looking very displeased but dared not retort.

Madam You then turned to her two sons, “And you two, you earn so much money. Does drinking limited-edition wine make you immortal or grant longevity? With so much spare cash, why not invest in your daughter-in-law’s pharmaceutical research institute? At least if someone ever suffers from a rare disease, this medicine could save a life.”

The room fell silent, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

Yet You Jin remained calm, leaning back in his chair with a faint, satisfied smile, as if he found his grandmother’s scolding quite gratifying.

The old lady never mentioned Wu Weiwei by name but scolded her shallow nature with every word.

Wu Weiwei felt awkward and embarrassed. She had intended to showcase her own abilities and outshine Song Wanxi, but instead, her uncle and aunt were reprimanded by Madam You. She was thoroughly humiliated.

Just then, Aunt Chun approached, “Madam, the meal is ready. You may start eating.”

“Mm,” Madam You nodded, taking Song Wanxi’s hand to stand. “Wanxi, come have lunch with Grandma.”

Song Wanxi supported her as they walked to the dining room.

After they sat down, the others listlessly rose and took their seats at the table.

The mood during the meal was cold and distant.

No one felt like talking; Mr. and Mrs. Wu wore sour expressions throughout.

At the table, Madam You continuously asked Song Wanxi about the direction and progress of her new drug research, inquiring about any difficulties encountered.

Song Wanxi answered patiently. The professional terminology, drug development processes, and complex problems she described were so intricate that only Madam You seemed to grasp them fully.

Wu Weiwei couldn’t find an opening to showcase her own excellence.

When the topic shifted to the clinical trial phase, which required funding to hire testers, Song Wanxi looked somewhat troubled.

Madam You noticed and turned her gaze to You Jin. “Ajin, I remember your company manufactures medical devices. Have you considered investing in your wife’s drug research?”

Song Wanxi was stunned.

You Jin paused mid-bite, his eyes darkening briefly. After a few seconds, he set down his chopsticks, calmly grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, and turned his head toward Song Wanxi. “You want me to invest?”

Thrown this question, Song Wanxi felt unsure how to respond.

She felt inexplicably nervous, her heart trembling.

Her relationship with You Jin was already awkward enough; adding a business partnership would complicate matters further.

Yet her career had stalled for lack of funds, making every step difficult.

She urgently needed investment.

After a moment’s thought, Song Wanxi decided not to mix personal feelings with business.

After all, You Jin’s investment would be for profit. Any future earnings from the drug’s success would be his return, and she owed him nothing.

To refuse an offer of investment so openly given would seem pretentious.

“Yes,” Song Wanxi replied softly with a single word.

You Jin said, “Send me a detailed proposal, including your company’s qualifications and financial status.”

Madam You frowned. “You two are husband and wife. Why all this talk of proposals and qualifications?”

You Jin looked at his grandmother and explained coolly and steadily, “Grandma, business is business. If I invest company money, I must be accountable to shareholders. Procedures must be followed.”

“Eat first,” the old lady waved her hand dismissively. “These things, you two discuss behind closed doors at home.”

Song Wanxi nodded, lowered her gaze, and quietly resumed eating. Perhaps the prospect of securing investment lifted her spirits slightly.

A faint smile played on her lips as she looked gratefully at her grandmother.

She breathed a small sigh of relief.

Suddenly, Wu Weiwei picked up a piece of fish belly and, passing it in front of Song Wanxi’s line of sight, placed it into You Jin’s bowl. “Ajin, your favorite fish belly. Aunt Chun’s cooking is quite good. Try it.”

Song Wanxi’s smile froze slowly, her heart sank. Her eyes involuntarily flicked to the radiant Wu Weiwei, then to the impassive You Jin.

Wu Weiwei spoke with practiced familiarity, “The dish is far from you. If you want some, just tell me. I’ll pick out the bones and serve it to you.”

You Jin did not move his chopsticks or respond.

Song Wanxi lowered her head, picked up some rice, and put it in her mouth, appetite gone, the food tasteless.

Even eating a meal couldn’t bring her peace; Wu Weiwei truly knew how to disgust her.

Madam You ate elegantly, yet she noticed the subtle details others would overlook.

Her wise eyes glanced at Wu Weiwei, then at You Jin, before resting finally on Song Wanxi.

She sighed with helplessness.

Madam You pointed to the lamb near Song Wanxi, “Ajin, help your wife with some meat. She’s only eating plain rice.”

Madam You’s words flustered Song Wanxi, who hurriedly picked a slice of cucumber and put it in her bowl. “No, Grandma, I can serve myself.”

You Jin said nothing, took up his chopsticks, gently wiped the spot where he had eaten with a clean napkin, then reached out and placed a piece of chicken leg meat into Song Wanxi’s bowl.

Song Wanxi felt inexplicably nervous and whispered politely but awkwardly, “Thank you.”

Madam You continued pointing at the stewed lamb, “Serve her some of this stewed lamb in front of me. It’s flavorful. I haven’t seen her have any.”

Song Wanxi was about to explain.

You Jin spoke first, “Grandma, she doesn’t like the gamey taste of lamb.”

“Oh, I see!” Madam You smiled knowingly. “Grandma remembers that now.”

Wu Weiwei’s expression darkened further as she glared at Song Wanxi, her eyes full of displeasure.

Song Wanxi lowered her head and quietly ate the chicken You Jin had served her.

It was merely a gesture to satisfy the elder’s wishes, not genuine concern.

Remembering her food preferences was just You Jin’s excellent memory, not care.

Though all their interactions were pretense, she couldn’t help but harbor a faint hope.

Through the entire meal, You Jin didn’t touch the fish belly or the rice beneath it in his bowl again.