CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 203 VISITOR (1)_1

"If you don’t understand, don’t add to the chaos! If you don’t understand, don’t speak recklessly! A man’s affairs are not for a woman like you to meddle in. Just eat your food and drink your drink, and don’t interfere with matters that aren’t your concern!" Shangguan Zhi scolded, glaring fiercely at Old Madam Shangguan. He had originally intended to give her some face, but listen to her—what was she saying? The more he listened, the angrier he became. Were these words a mother, a grandmother, should speak?

"I was only thinking of what’s best for our Shangguan Family," Old Madam Shangguan said softly. What did I say wrong? I was only stating facts. Why won’t any of them agree with me?

"The affairs of the Shangguan Family are naturally for the men to decide. If you don’t wish to stay here, you can return to that other place. Don’t say things that shouldn’t be said again, or don’t blame me for being impolite!" Shangguan Zhi’s voice was thick with anger.

"Go back over there? There’s no one there! How can you ask me to go back?" Old Madam Shangguan’s voice involuntarily rose.

"What? Do you have an objection? I’m telling you, this time, it doesn’t matter who comes to plead! Even if that old scoundrel from the Li Family kneels before you and begs, if you dare to bring that mother and daughter back, then you can just follow them back to the Li Family! Our Shangguan Family doesn’t raise traitors who bite the hand that feeds them!"

"You! I’ve followed you for decades, and you still think of me this way?" Old Madam Shangguan flared up as well.

"Have you forgotten why you came here in the first place?"

What had begun as an issue concerning Li Wanying swiftly turned into a quarrel between the old couple.

"After all this time, you still don’t trust me? We’ve been together for decades; can you still doubt me?"

"Why would I doubt you? You have a perfectly good life, so why must you insist on speaking up for that mother and daughter? If you would just properly be Old Madam Shangguan, eat when it’s time to eat, sleep when it’s time to sleep, and say less about things you shouldn’t, would I doubt you then?" Shangguan Zhi sneered, his face contorted with anger.

"You’ve spoken up for them time and again! What benefits have they given you? What have they promised you that makes you so concerned? If you truly care about the good of the Shangguan Family and for your two sons, then say less! We will handle the matter of that mother and daughter. You just do what you’re supposed to do. Women should stay out of men’s affairs!"

Shangguan Zhi roared, slamming his palm on the table again. It shook violently several times.

The more Shangguan You listened, the more puzzled she became. Could her grandmother also be from the Li Family? A pleasant New Year’s Eve dinner had grown tense because of their argument.

DING-DONG, DING-DONG. The doorbell rang at just the right moment. Shangguan You and Shangguan Qing both stood up at the same time to answer it. Whoever it is, it’s a good thing right now, Shangguan You thought. It might stop Grandpa and Grandma Shangguan from arguing. As one of the parties involved in the original dispute, she couldn’t say she wouldn’t welcome them back, nor could she say they should be thrown out.

Shangguan You cursed Li Wanying and her daughter in her heart again. That mother-daughter pair were truly jinxes; arguments erupted wherever they were mentioned.

"Girl, I’ve come to bring you something," Third Young Master Ye’s wickedly charming figure appeared at the door. Ye An followed behind him, holding several exquisite boxes.

"You’re here now? Do you even know what day it is?" Shangguan You arched an eyebrow, looking at Third Young Master Ye’s enigmatic, almost mocking smile. I really want to punch him.

"Of course I do. But I promised I’d deliver what you wanted before the New Year, and I’ve kept my word." Third Young Master Ye gave a roguish laugh, his gaze flicking to the items in Ye An’s hands—they were the very things she had asked for.

"Third Young Master Ye, since you’re here, please come in," Shangguan Qing said, inviting both men into the house.

"Have you two eaten? If not, please join us," Liu Ruoling said, glancing at Third Young Master Ye and nodding with satisfaction. This is the man who saved You’er. We should thank him. If they haven’t eaten, it’s a good chance for everyone to eat together.

"Not yet," Third Young Master Ye replied quickly.

"Then please, sit down and eat with us."

"Alright," Third Young Master Ye replied swiftly. Shangguan You gave him a surprised look, while Ye An stared at his young master in shock. It’s truly rare for the Young Master to be willing to eat with other people!

With the arrival of Third Young Master Ye and Ye An, the tense atmosphere at the dining table eased. Third Young Master Ye’s movements were graceful and natural; every gesture was even a degree more elegant than Shangguan Qing’s.

When Third Young Master Ye heard that Shangguan You had personally cooked some dishes, the corners of his lips curled up faintly. He didn’t touch any of the other food, eating only the tomato and scrambled eggs that Shangguan You had stir-fried.

The argument between Shangguan Zhi and Old Madam Shangguan over Li Wanying also subsided with Third Young Master Ye’s arrival, easing the tension between the two.

「After the meal」

Shangguan You helped Liu Ruoling clear the table and wash the dishes. Shangguan Qing naturally helped too. The brother and sister worked energetically, one washing and the other rinsing. Liu Ruoling simply smiled as she watched them bustle about. As a guest, and Shangguan You’s savior at that, Third Young Master Ye naturally couldn’t impose by joining them in the kitchen.

"Big Brother Qing, what do you think Third Young Master Ye’s purpose is in coming here?" Shangguan You asked, playing with the soap bubbles on her hands. He’s spending New Year’s at our home instead of with his family. Does our home really hold such an attraction? Or perhaps he’s not favored in his own family, so he eagerly rushed over to spend New Year’s with us?

"Silly girl, no matter what, Third Young Master Ye is your savior. Whatever his purpose, one thing is certain: he won’t harm you. So just relax and enjoy the New Year." Shangguan Qing finished washing the last dish and put it away. He then took Shangguan You’s bubbly hand and began to wash it carefully under the faucet.

"Hey, Big Brother Qing, I can do it myself!" Shangguan You tried to pull her hand away. The water is cold, but my heart feels so warm.

"You’re so old now, yet still playing with bubbles! If anyone saw, they’d laugh at you again. Let me wash them for you." Shangguan Qing held her hand tightly, not letting her pull it free, and began to carefully wash each finger.

"Big Brother Qing, I’m the youngest in our family! Who would dare laugh at me? Hmph! If anyone dares, I’ll beat them up!" Shangguan You let Shangguan Qing wash her hands, deliberately putting on a stern face and pouting as she spoke.