The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 101

Wang Shuhuai glanced at Xie Yuyou, then fixed his deep gaze on Xie Yunchu before uttering a faint, “Very well.”

Xie Yunchu’s polite tone made him feel like an outsider.

He didn’t want to overthink his wife’s behavior, nor was he a petty man. Yet her actions made it hard for him to stay optimistic.

Xie Yunchu, perhaps sensing his low spirits, let him be. In her previous life, she had devoted her heart entirely to him. And what did it get her? Did he ever truly cared about her?

Unperturbed, Xie Yunchu sat down and focused solely on watching her brother play with Ke’er.

In the afternoon, someone from Lady Qian’s household came to invite her over. Apparently, Qian’s family had sent over several baskets of fresh seafood as a token of gratitude for the events of the other day and wanted Xie Yunchu to select some to take back.

While Xie Yunchu was away, Wang Shuqin, feeling bored, came for a visit.

With light steps and only a personal maid in tow, the pair approached the courtyard gate, only to see a tall, upright youth standing beneath a tree in the northeast corner. Holding a child in his arms, he was stretching on tiptoe, trying to catch a bug on the tree.

Wang Shuqin, who usually avoided unrelated men, quickly deduced that the youth must be Xie Yunchu’s brother, as no one else would be allowed in her courtyard. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed the youth holding Ke’er single-handedly, swinging her up and down like a rag doll. Her heart leaped to her throat, fearing the child might get hurt. Forgetting all about etiquette, she lifted her skirt and rushed into the courtyard, yelling at Xie Yuyou, “Who are you? Put Ke’er down immediately!”

Wang Shuqin had a rebellious streak, but so did Xie Yuyou. The handsome young man, sensing her hostile tone, shot her a sharp glance. When he saw a flushed-faced girl glaring at him with puffed cheeks, he found it both amusing and annoying.

“And who are you? I’m holding my niece. Who are you to boss me around?”

No one had ever spoken to Wang Shuqin like that. She was fuming, but out of respect for Xie Yunchu, she decided not to argue. Instead, she pointed at Ke’er, saying, “This is your final warning—give her back to me.”

Usually feisty, Ke’er was unusually quiet in Xie Yuyou’s arms, her legs dangling and her head drooping like a docile doll. Wang Shuqin grew even more worried, fearing he might harm the child.

After all, Xie Yuyou was a man, rough and untrained in caring for children.

Looking down at the little one in his arms, her big, watery eyes darting between the two arguing adults, Xie Yuyou couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Do you know her?” He asked, pointing at Wang Shuqin.

Ke’er enthusiastically raised her small arms and let out a cheerful laugh.

Wang Shuqin, deeply flattered, seized the opportunity to grab the child. Not wanting to risk hurting her, Xie Yuyou reluctantly handed Ke’er over.

Wang Shuqin immediately carried Ke’er to the veranda, sat on the luohan bed, and ordered her maid to bring a damp cloth. She meticulously wiped every spot Xie Yuyou had touched.

Xie Yuyou: “…” He had never been so blatantly disliked.

Adhering to the principle of not arguing with women, Xie Yuyou leaned casually against the tree, arms crossed, and watched Wang Shuqin with amusement.

As she wiped Ke’er’s arms, Wang Shuqin grumbled, “Who knows how many bugs are in that tree? If one falls on her, she might break out in a rash.”

Unperturbed, Xie Yuyou retorted, “Kids raised too delicately end up riddled with illnesses. Let her toughen up; I guarantee she’ll be impervious to anything in the future.”

Wang Shuqin was aghast at his audacity. “You think she’s you? She’s the eldest daughter of the Wang family, meant to be raised in luxury! And she’s just a little girl—how can you compare her to yourself?”

Unfazed, Xie Yuyou dragged over a small stool, sat under the tree, and crossed his long legs. “So what if she’s a girl? Girls should learn to defend themselves too. Mark my words, I’m going to teach her martial arts.”

“Over my dead body! Don’t you dare corrupt my Ke’er!” Wang Shuqin exclaimed, turning to the nearby nanny. “Nanny Lin, get him out of here! My sister-in-law wouldn’t have a brother like him!”

When Xie Yunchu returned with her arms full of packages, she found the two locked in a heated argument.

Flushed with anger, Wang Shuqin immediately approached Xie Yunchu upon seeing her. “Sister-in-law, your brother is utterly unreasonable! His words are complete nonsense!” Then, bypassing Xie Yunchu, she stormed off.

Baffled, Xie Yunchu turned to her brother, who pointed at Wang Shuqin’s retreating figure and complained, “Sister, who was that girl? She is so rude!”

After instructing Xia An to take the packages to the kitchen, Xie Yunchu asked Nanny Lin about the commotion. The nanny, stifling laughter, recounted the quarrel in full.

Xie Yunchu scolded her brother, “A girl? She’s older than you!”

Xie Yunyou looked disdainful, even gesturing with his hand, thinking that the girl probably only reached his chest. Xie Yunchu, annoyed by her brother’s cheeky attitude, retorted, “She’s not that short; she at least comes up to your shoulder.”

Xie Yunyou glanced at the westward-tilting sun, realizing he couldn’t linger much longer. “Sister, I’m heading back.”

Xie Yunchu’s smile faded slightly. “If you don’t feel like going back, stay here for a few days. Your brother-in-law still wants to guide you with your imperial examination preparations.”

Xie Yunyou shook his head, saying, “There is no rush, maybe later. That’s my home—I have to go back eventually. Am I really afraid of the old man?”

Her younger brother had grown up and had his own ideas. Xie Yunchu told herself to be at ease.

“Take it slow on the way back,” she said, then instructed the nanny to pack a few bundles, filled with clothes she had made herself, for him. Carrying the bundles, Xie Yunyou followed Xia An toward the outer courtyard. On the way past the study, Wang Shuhua heard about his departure and came out to see him off. They met in the Qianxiang Hall at the front.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Shuhua’s gaze lingered briefly on the bundles on Xie Yunyou’s shoulder. Noticing this, Xie Yunyou explained, “Oh, my sister made me some clothes.”

Wang Shuhua’s smile didn’t waver as he feigned indifference. “That’s nice. I’ll be heading south in early July. Before then, if I have some free time, I’ll come by to share some tips with you.”

Xie Yunyou thanked him, then glanced back at Xie Yunchu, who was standing at the moon-shaped gate, watching him leave. He leaned slightly closer to Wang Shuhua and whispered, “Brother-in-law, my sister seems a bit off lately.”

Wang Shuhua’s heart skipped a beat, though he remained calm and asked, “What seems off?”

Xie Yunyou hesitated to say it outright. His sister used to have her mind and eyes entirely on Wang Shuhua no matter what she did. Yet during lunch today, she didn’t even glance at Wang Shuhua. When he finished his bowl of rice and set down his chopsticks, her expression didn’t change at all. It was out of character.