Chapter 227: Chapter 219: Xu Qianwen
At this moment, the other people in the house heard the noise outside and came out, just in time to overhear He Xuewen’s words, not understanding why the ever-smiling He Xuewen was so angry? Meanwhile, Tian Sisi quietly shed tears, her eyes red and swollen, evoking pity in anyone who saw her.
Seeing the shattered plate on the ground and the scattered spring rolls, the Old Man’s pupils shrank, and upon seeing his wronged granddaughter and the arrogant look on his eldest daughter-in-law’s face, he immediately understood what had happened. It must have been the eldest daughter-in-law causing trouble for Ah Nan again.
Xu Qianwen and her daughter Tian Lili had a history of picking on Ah Nan in private, and he knew about it. However, seeing that his granddaughter could handle it herself, he had not intervened, thinking it was rare for his eldest son to come home for the New Year and he did not want to stir up trouble and disturb the peace at home.
Yet in his heart, he looked down even more on his eldest daughter-in-law and Tian Lili; whether as elders or as sisters, they still did not show the sense of propriety that Ah Nan did, and it was no wonder he and Granny doted on Ah Nan a bit more.
Now it seemed that the situation had escalated. What idiocy had his eldest daughter-in-law done to infuriate He Xuewen? He knew He Xuewen well, that he would absolutely not lose his cool during the New Year if it wasn’t something serious.
"Daddy, come judge for yourself, does he, an outsider, have any right to meddle in our family matters? He doesn’t even have a clear sense of his own weight!"
Xu Qianwen was unaware of He Xuewen’s real status and only knew that he was Tian Sisi’s godfather. She ridiculed in her mind the Old Man and Granny for causing unnecessary issues by having a godfather. Seeing that He Xuewen lived in the countryside without a formal job, she looked down on him, thinking he was just another poor relative trying to ingratiate themselves with her husband; her self-perception was indeed too favorable.
"Aiguo, keep your wife in line, and don’t let me hear any more nonsense."
The Old Man didn’t even give Xu Qianwen a glance, simply addressing his eldest son. Tian Aiguo, who was always exceedingly respectful in front of his father, promptly glared fiercely at the troublemaker Xu Qianwen to keep her in check.
Xu Qianwen trembled at the glare, immediately calming down with a hint of regret in her heart. Aiguo hated it most when she caused trouble back in their hometown, so what was she to do now?
"Xue Wen, what happened? Who has bullied Ah Nan?" The Old Man then asked He Xuewen.
He Xuewen’s face was still not looking good. He repeated the words he had heard earlier and concluded with:
"Old Man, as you know, I have always treated Ah Nan as if she were my own daughter, unwilling to let her suffer the slightest grievance. To think that Sister-in-law Aiguo would insult Ah Nan in such a way; even if Ah Nan were in the wrong, for Sister-in-law Aiguo to speak to a younger one like this, it truly makes me question her upbringing!"
Upon hearing this, the Old Man became furious. No wonder Xue Wen was so angry. As a father himself, how could he not be angry upon hearing this? Xu Qianwen was truly a troublemaker, and it was all his fault for initially agreeing to this marriage. What good is a city girl who lacks the common sense of a village girl?
Seeing his granddaughter’s distressed look, the Old Man felt even guiltier and more dissatisfied with Xu Qianwen. Before he could explode, Granny Zhao, who had come out just in time to hear He Xuewen’s words, lost her temper.
"When did it become your turn to scold my Ah Nan? Just look at yourself, where do you resemble an elder? Shame on you for being a teacher - I think you shouldn’t teach anymore. With your character, teaching is simply ruining other kids!"
"I know you’re holding a grudge because I made you work, if you’re angry take it out on me, this old granny. What kind of skill is it to bully a little child like Ah Nan as an adult? Pah, the books you’ve read might as well have gone up your ass, you have no family upbringing at all. We never should have allowed Ai Guo to marry you, a troublemaker!"
Granny Zhao didn’t even pause to breathe, and completely dressed down Xu Jingwen, covering her in verbal blood. It was Xu Qianwen’s first time being scolded by her mother-in-law, and in front of so many people at that – she couldn’t take it, her face alternating between red and white, her mind a confused mess.
"Xuewen, don’t be upset with this ill-mannered thing. You’re Ah Nan’s officially recognized godfather, a genuine relative of our Tian Family, not an outsider. We’ll be interacting for life!"
Granny Zhao then turned and sweet-talked He Xuewen. She wasn’t a fool. Even setting aside He Xuewen’s affection for Ah Nan, the gifts he had sent over the years nearly piled into a mountain. She’d be an idiot to push such a relative away!
He Xuewen’s expression eased a bit upon seeing the actions of the Old Man and Granny Zhao. He had already decided that if the Tian Family did not give him a satisfactory explanation this time, he would reveal his status and take his daughter back to Shanghai. His treasured daughter was not someone to be bullied, but now it seemed like the Tian Family did truly cherish and dote on Ah Nan. He Xuewen felt slightly better.
"Ai Guo, how can you show no progress at all? If a man can’t even manage his own household, how is he supposed to lead his soldiers? Think about it."
Now that the old granny had disciplined his elder daughter-in-law, the Old Man no longer bothered with Xu Qianwen, leaving it to his son to deal with. If one couldn’t even manage their own wife, what kind of man were they? This was something the Old Man particularly despised in his eldest son, hence his tone was quite unforgiving.
Tian Aiguo blushed and acknowledged the statement. He hadn’t expected his wife to cause such a ruckus. He knew that Qianwen was competitive, but he thought it was just a minor female trait and no big deal. He hadn’t anticipated that Qianwen would say such outrageous things to a child like Ah Nan. It was the height of un-cultivation.
Tian Aiguo glared fiercely at Xu Qianwen, then turned to Tian Sisi with a smile, "Ah Nan, your Third Aunt was wrong. Third Uncle will discipline her, so don’t be sad anymore, or swollen eyes won’t look pretty."
Tian Sisi obediently nodded. Having been scolded by both the Old Man and Granny Zhao, Xu Qianwen probably wouldn’t target her again. Besides, Tian Aiguo was very kind to her. She should, if not for the nun, then for the Buddha’s sake, give Tian Aiguo this face.
Granny Zhao pulled Tian Sisi over, gently wiping her eyes with her hand, muttering, "Ah Nan, don’t cry, if someone bullies you again, just come to Granny, Granny will stand up for you!"
Granny Zhao finished and glared fiercely at Xu Qianwen. The message was clear: if you dare bully my granddaughter again, see how I deal with you!
On the side, Tian Lili had already regained her composure. She saw how the entire family was fussing over Tian Sisi, the foundling girl, while ignoring her, the legitimate granddaughter. Especially her Daddy, he was so kind to Tian Zhaodi, but he had never been that good to her at home.
Tian Lili felt particularly wronged and wanted to step forward and ask them, who is actually the kin? But she didn’t have the guts, and she could only fume and glare at Tian Sisi, her resentment towards Tian Sisi growing deeper and deeper.