Chapter 16: Not Fatal, Yet Deadly.

“Godmother, you don’t need to intervene with that scoundrel father’s matters—I’ll handle it myself. Mother is currently missing, and it’s time I take responsibility. Believe me, Grandfather taught me a great deal while he was alive. I used to be foolish, but after facing life and death once, I’ve come to see things clearly. Not a single cent of the Chu family’s wealth will be wasted on outsiders.”

“As for Siyan, I married him willingly, and he treats me very well!”

Upon saying this, a sweet smile appeared on Chu Wan’ning’s face—so natural that even she didn’t realize it.

Madam Ye noticed it all and felt a twinge of regret. The family’s troublemakers were many, but none were truly fortunate! She had hoped Wan’ning would become her daughter-in-law, but it seemed she would have to accept her as a daughter instead—and that was for the best.

“Wan’ning, from now on, the Ye family is your home. Though the Lu family wields great power, you must never let yourself suffer injustice. If it weren’t for what you went through before...” Madam Ye’s voice faltered. Stubborn as she was, no mere Qiu Dian could possibly bully you.

She sighed deeply but kept the rest of her thoughts unspoken.

She quite liked this new Wan’ning—there was a trace of the Chu Xi who hadn’t married Qiu Dian yet.

Thinking of Qiu Dian, Madam Ye wished she could tie him up and give him a good beating.

Chu Wan’ning, of course, guessed what Madam Ye was thinking and resolved to behave better going forward. Having openly declared her change before her, she need no longer fear Madam Ye’s surprise.

This was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

“Godmother, I’m craving your cooking!” Chu Wan’ning rested her head on Madam Ye’s shoulder, speaking softly.

It was clear that Wan’ning had been quite spoiled by Madam Ye in the past.

“Ah, godmother knows you love my food. Come on, let’s go downstairs!” She rose and headed out. “I’ll tell you, today’s ingredients are especially fresh—I picked the vegetables and fruits myself from the manor’s garden. You’re too thin; you must eat more.”

As they descended the stairs, the two chatted happily.

In the living room downstairs, Ye MuGui stared intently at Lu Siyuan.

“Got something to say?” Lu Siyuan asked calmly.

“How did you manage to bring Chu Wan’ning home? She’s stubborn as a mule. I’m telling you, she’s had a miserable few years under her stepmother’s hand. Don’t you want to avenge her? I wanted to go before, but she wouldn’t let me. Today, I feel she’s changed, but I can’t quite say how.” Ye MuGui, initially full of righteous indignation, ended scratching his stylish hair helplessly.

Lu Siyuan had plans, but when it came to making his wife happy, he wouldn’t share the task with anyone else.

“From now on, call me brother-in-law!” Lu Siyuan’s light remark carried immense authority, stunning Ye MuGui into silence.

“Right, from now on, call me brother, brother-in-law!” Lu Siqing hurried in from outside, eager to join in.

No matter how he bickered with Lu Siyuan at home, he was undeniably a doting older brother in public!

Ye MuGui curled his lip, unwilling but admitting internally that he was indeed a younger brother. He muttered, “Brother-in-law!”

“Then, brother-in-law, can I join you to deal with the Qiu family?”

Now that he was calling him brother-in-law, he might as well seize the opportunity to achieve his own aims. If that stubborn girl Chu Wan’ning tried to stop or blame him again, he could just pass the buck to Lu Siyuan—very convenient!

Ye MuGui schemed with glee.

Lu Siyuan nodded. Bringing him along wouldn’t amount to much anyway.

From the moment they got married, Lu Siyuan had begun quietly acquiring Chu Corporation, intending to gift it entirely to his wife. Some people would not only be left penniless but burdened with crushing debts—a punishment that wasn’t fatal but close enough.

“Brother-in-law, you’re the best!” Ye MuGui felt the anger inside him finally release.

This time, if Chu Wan’ning tried to stop him, he wouldn’t listen!

“Oh, Ye MuGui, say ‘sister’ once!” Chu Wan’ning, holding Madam Ye’s arm, came down the stairs.

“Hmph! Calling you brother-in-law is bad enough; calling you sister, no way!” Ye MuGui rolled his eyes at her.

Chu Wan’ning sighed inwardly at his immaturity, though this was exactly the Ye MuGui she remembered.

Outside, he was a notorious second-generation troublemaker, but before her, he was a childish fool—except for those years when she refused all contact, poisoned by her stepmother and stepsister. If not for Ye MuGui’s persistence, she wouldn’t have endured so much ridicule and the stepsister’s repeated sabotage.

Her beautiful, fox-like eyes darkened with a chill—just as Lu Siyuan noticed.

He rose and stood beside Chu Wan’ning. Madam Ye, seeing him approach, naturally released Chu Wan’ning’s arm.

“MuGui, take them to the dining room. I’ll check the kitchen. Wan’ning must be hungry; we’re about to eat,” Madam Ye said, heading to the kitchen.

The kitchen, overhearing this, had already begun preparations!

The cooks and helpers, all elderly, knew how highly Madam Ye regarded Miss Wan’ning—as if she were the Ye family’s eldest young lady. They felt she was more important than the eldest and second sons who lived abroad, so of course, they dared not slack off.

Madam Ye checked the soup she had simmered—its aroma was excellent.

“Time to serve!” she declared.

Several of Chu Wan’ning’s favorite dishes were made by Madam Ye herself; the rest came from the kitchen staff.

After giving her instructions, she walked toward the dining room.

Ye MuGui immediately seated Chu Wan’ning beside Madam Ye, the spot she always took when visiting. Lu Siyuan naturally sat close to her.

Lu Siqing, sitting next to Lu Siyuan, pouted—his sister-in-law had been snatched away, so he had to settle for sitting beside his brother.

“Make sure to eat plenty later!” Madam Ye said as she sat down.

“Thank you, godmother!”

“Thank you, godmother!”

“Thank you, beautiful auntie!”

Madam Ye was surprised that Lu Siyuan had followed Chu Wan’ning’s lead in calling her godmother and was even more taken aback by Lu Siqing’s sweet, childlike voice.

“Ah, ah! Eat more!” Madam Ye responded excitedly. “After the meal, godmother will give you a red envelope! Little Siqing will get one too!”

“After dinner, we also have gifts for beautiful auntie!” Lu Siqing said in his babyish voice, wishing someone would pinch his chubby cheeks.

This meal was likely one the original owner loved, as Chu Wan’ning ate with great satisfaction. Lu Siyuan attentively waited until she was full before eating himself, quietly noting her favorite dishes to instruct the kitchen to prepare often—no, he would even learn to cook them himself.

Madam Ye and Ye MuGui watched the couple’s sweet interactions, sometimes knowingly, sometimes unintentionally.

Madam Ye’s eyes reddened repeatedly, and Chu Wan’ning noticed it all.

If Mother were still alive, she would surely feel the same way godmother did, Wan’ning thought.

Dinner concluded, and as everyone returned to the living room and settled down, the door suddenly flew open.