He seemed exceptionally concerned about her, though.
Ji Zhixiu noticed her distraction and pinched her soft cheek with dissatisfaction. Only then did Jiang Mian realize that Ji Zhixiu had put his computer aside some time ago.
The salmon jerky was also nowhere to be seen.
She sat in front of him with a hint of appeasement, "What's for dinner tonight?"
But the man cupped her chin and lifted it, his hot breath engulfing her.
...
The Jiang family residence.
Ji Zhilan's belly was growing, and her morning sickness was worsening. Sometimes she couldn't eat anything all day due to nausea, and other times she craved takeout.
Whenever this happened, she would order Jiang Cheng to go buy it for her. After the previous incident, Jiang Cheng had resigned his job at her behest. Ji Zhilan was pleased and made him focus on staying home with her.
At this moment, Ji Zhilan suddenly craved duck neck and asked Jiang Cheng to go buy it. Jiang Cheng, unwilling to move, sprawled on the sofa. "Ask Auntie to go buy it. Why would you make me go?"
Ji Zhilan said righteously, "Only if you buy it for me can you prove you love me."
"Wife, eat less of that unhealthy stuff. What's so good about duck neck? If you want to eat it, I'll have my mom make it for you."
Mother Jiang, overhearing from the side, chimed in, "What a sin! Duck necks are full of lymph nodes. Eating too many can cause cancer."
Ji Zhilan became instantly furious upon hearing this. She sat up straight from the sofa. "Jiang Cheng, is your mom cursing me?"
"What do you mean 'your mom, my mom'? Isn't my mom your mom too?"
"Don't play word games with me. I'm asking if your mom is cursing me?"
Jiang Cheng straightened up unhappily. "Ji Zhilan, don't stir up trouble. My mom is just concerned about you."
"Jiang Cheng, why are you shouting at me? Am I stirring up trouble? Look at what your mom said, would a decent person say that?"
When Mother Jiang heard them arguing, she couldn't help but sigh. "Alas, I'm getting old and forgetful. I try to show concern for my daughter-in-law, and I get backtalk. This old body might as well be dead, so I don't bother anyone."
Ji Zhilan detested Mother Jiang's innocent demeanor after instigating trouble and distancing herself. She immediately retorted, "Then go die!"
The next second, Jiang Cheng raised his hand and slapped Ji Zhilan.
Five finger marks immediately appeared on her face. The immense force sent Ji Zhilan to the sofa. Her eyes were filled with disbelief. "Jiang Cheng, you hit me for your mom? You hit me again?"
The maid quickly rushed over to help her. "Are you alright, Madam?"
Jiang Cheng said coldly, "Who told you to be disrespectful to my mother."
He had grown up with his mother, and no one could speak about her like that.
She admitted that her words had been fueled by anger, but she hadn't expected Jiang Cheng to actually lay a hand on her.
Her pride made it difficult for her to apologize. She held the maid's hand, gritted her teeth, and stood up. "Fine, Jiang Cheng, you have guts! Just because I said one wrong thing, you hit me for your mom! Neither of you mother and son are good people!"
She turned and went back to her room. In less than a few minutes, she had packed her things and left with the maid for the Ji family residence.
Seeing her leave, Mother Jiang worriedly asked, "Son, is everything alright? Why don't you try to coax her back? Mom won't be so nosy next time."
Jiang Cheng was unconcerned. "We've argued so many times, and each time she cried like a dog begging me to come back? Don't worry, Mom, it'll be the same this time. This woman can't live without me, especially since she's carrying my child."
Seeing his confidence, Mother Jiang was relieved. "Son, you really are something. It doesn't hurt her mom to say something to Mom, why did you have to argue with her?"
Although she said this, Mother Jiang's face was filled with a sweet smile.
Jiang Cheng hugged her and sat down. "Mom, you are my only mother. Dad died when I was young, and you raised me alone through hardship. For my studies, you washed dishes at restaurants in freezing weather, your hands covered in chilblains. From then on, I secretly vowed that for you, I would study hard and give you a good life, and no one would ever bully you."
Mother Jiang was deeply moved by his words. "Mom really gave birth to a good son."
Ji Zhilan didn't actually take the maid home. The Ji family had so many servants that one more wouldn't make a difference. She brought the maid along to prevent Mother Jiang from taking advantage of her.
As soon as they were out of the residential complex, Ji Zhilan gave the maid the rest of the day off. She took a taxi alone back to the Ji residence.
When she arrived home, Mother Ji was in the living room playing mahjong with Madam Lu and a few other ladies.
Ji Zhilan narrowed her eyes and went upstairs through the back door to her room.
It wasn't until evening that Mother Ji learned from a maid that her daughter had returned. Upon her return, Ji Zhilan first asked the maid to get her some eggs to apply to her face. Looking in the mirror, she felt increasingly indignant. How dare Jiang Cheng yell at her?
Wasn't his current status all thanks to her? Looking at her untouched room and the absence of any missed calls on her phone, Ji Zhilan hated the mother and son to death.
The burning pain on her cheek seemed to remind her of the day's events. Ji Zhilan resolved that this time, she would not forgive him easily.
It was comfortable being at home. Ji Zhilan slept until evening before going downstairs.
Mother Ji gestured with her chin, calling her over. "Come eat."
"Where are Grandpa and Dad? Did they win money this afternoon?"
"Your grandpa went to another province to visit a comrade. Your dad went out to play chess with some people. They neither win nor lose."
Ji Zhilan nodded. It was good that there weren't many people at home.
Mother Ji personally served her a bowl of Codonopsis radix and pork rib soup. "Drink more. I made it myself tonight."
Ji Zhilan recognized by the smell that her mother had made it herself. She cupped the bowl with both hands and smiled. "Thanks, Mom."
Mother Ji responded, picked up a piece of carrot, and then asked, "Did you have a fight with Jiang Cheng?"
Ji Zhilan recounted the afternoon's events.
Mother Ji frowned. "It was wrong of him to hit you, of course. No matter what, he shouldn't have resorted to violence. Can't you avoid living with his mother?"
Although Ji's father wasn't a good husband, they had been married for many years, and Ji's father had never laid a hand on her.
"How can that be? Jiang Cheng only has one mother, and he wouldn't want to leave her even if you didn't say anything."
Mother Ji was speechless. "Who has two mothers?"
Ji Zhilan lowered her head and took a sip of soup. "Anyway, I don't want to go back."
"You're so old and still being willful. You can stay at home, but live here forever? Don't forget you're married now."
Ji Zhilan suddenly regretted it. "Mom, I've discovered that marriage isn't all that great. They're a united front, the mother and son, ganging up on me."
Since things had come to this, Mother Ji didn't want to say much more to her. She just put some food into Ji Zhilan's bowl. "Stay here for now. You're pregnant, so don't get upset. It'll affect my grandson."
Ji Zhilan was touched that her mother, who had initially opposed the pregnancy so strongly, was now so eager. She looked up. "Mom, you're so good."
Mother Ji blushed. "You silly girl, drink your soup."
Ji Zhilan genuinely stayed at home without causing trouble. Ji's father didn't say anything when he saw her return.
On the first day, Jiang Cheng sent her a text message, questioning if she really wasn't coming back. Ji Zhilan scoffed and replied, "Have your mother apologize to me first, and then I'll consider returning."
Jiang Cheng: "You're really spoiled."
Ji Zhilan rolled her eyes, put down her phone, and accepted the nourishing soup Mother Ji had made for her, not replying further.
However, Jiang Cheng showed up that afternoon, which greatly surprised Ji Zhilan.
Jiang Cheng introduced himself as the young son-in-law calling. Although the servants hadn't heard of this title, after a moment of exchanging glances, one of them was sent to ask Ji Zhilan.
Ji Zhilan was having afternoon tea. Ever since she returned, Mother Ji had been preparing delicious meals for her every day. In a few days, she had gained two pounds.
When the servant reported, Ji Zhilan was so shocked that she almost dropped her bowl. She glanced at Mother Ji, who said, "Please invite him in."
Jiang Cheng entered and, without a word, knelt before Mother Ji. "Mom, it was my fault. I argued with Zhilan and laid hands on her while she's pregnant. I'm truly inhumane. I regretted it the moment she left, and I've come today to beg for forgiveness."
Mother Ji had lived longer and experienced more than Jiang Cheng had eaten rice. She watched Jiang Cheng with cold eyes.
After speaking, Jiang Cheng slapped himself twice. "I've come today to take Zhilan home. After all, Zhilan is married to me and is now a part of our Jiang family. It's a burden for Mom to have her here."
Ji Zhilan finished her afternoon tea in two bites, letting the maid take the cup away, and wiped her mouth. "I'm not going back."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng became anxious and looked at Mother Ji. "Mom, please help me persuade Zhilan. I'm sure she's told you why I argued with her. You see, this was a trivial matter, and my mother, at her age, hasn't been able to eat properly for the past two days because her daughter-in-law is sulking and has gone back to her parents' home."
The urgency on his face didn't seem fake. Mother Ji frowned and pondered carefully.
Ji Zhilan mumbled softly, "Her not eating has nothing to do with me."
Mother Ji glared at her. "Zhilan."
Then she turned back to Jiang Cheng. "You can get up now."
Jiang Cheng seized the opportunity and stood up. "Mom, please put in a good word for me too."
He had come today in earnest to bring Ji Zhilan home, and his posture was sufficiently humble.
Mother Ji gestured for the servant to pour him tea before speaking slowly. "Jiang Cheng, I'm not one to speak ill of you. As a man, do you think it's appropriate to resort to violence with your wife?"
"Not appropriate, not appropriate."
"Let alone the fact that Zhilan is carrying your Jiang family's child. Even a small request is reasonable. If you can't even do this one small thing for her, she's suffering from morning sickness, and it's already good that she can eat something. Your mother was standing by and making sarcastic remarks. This life is for you two to live, so what role does your mother play in interfering?"
Jiang Cheng lowered his head, his fingers tracing the rim of the cup. "I know my mother was wrong. She regrets it. That's why she's urged me to bring Zhilan home. I promise it won't happen again."
Mother Ji saw that his attitude was decent and felt a little relieved. After all, these two were going to spend their lives together, and as her daughter's family, she could only give them a stern warning, not say too much that would make her daughter unhappy in the future.
Seeing that someone was backing her, Ji Zhilan discontentedly said, "Then how do you account for the slap you gave me that day?"
Before Jiang Cheng could speak, Mother Ji said displeasedly, "Zhilan! You also had your faults. Was it right to speak to your mother-in-law like that? She was concerned about her grandson."