After Transmigrating into a Book, I Had a Flash Marriage with the Beautiful Crazy Villain - Chapter 26.1

When the two entered the dining room, it was eerily quiet. Apart from the occasional clinking of cutlery, there wasn’t a single sound.

Chu Ling had expected to be questioned a little, but to her surprise, nothing happened.

However, she did notice that the young girl, Ning Hongmian, seemed like she wanted to say something, only to be stopped by the person beside her.

At a glance, it was clear this household strictly adhered to the rule of “no talking during meals or before sleep.”

This thought suddenly popped into Chu Ling’s mind, followed by a wave of discomfort and awkwardness.

Honestly, she really wasn’t used to this kind of rigid mealtime silence. Even when eating alone, she’d instinctively turn on some TV drama as background noise her version of “electronic pickles” to go with her meal.

But now, in this situation where she couldn’t speak and could only eat quietly.

Chu Ling could already predict how indigestible this breakfast was going to be for her.

Just as she was starting to feel a little lost, her hand was suddenly taken by Song Qingyi. Chu Ling froze for a moment before looking up at her.

Song Qingyi’s expression was calm, just like usual, and somehow, Chu Ling immediately felt steadied.

Even though Song Qingyi hadn’t said a word.

So she obediently let Song Qingyi lead her to where Ning Hongmian and the other person were seated. Before she could even react, Song Qingyi had already efficiently arranged everything, all Chu Ling had to do was sit down.

Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, Chu Ling didn’t hesitate and took her seat naturally. Then, her head was patted reassuringly by Song Qingyi.

She wasn’t some small animal, what was with the head patting?

Though she mentally grumbled about it, there was no denying that Chu Ling had completely calmed down by now.

Even though the atmosphere was still strange, it didn’t stop her from starting to enjoy her breakfast.

She had assumed this silent meal would continue all the way until the end, but unexpectedly, a voice suddenly spoke up.

“Lingling, did you sleep well last night?”

Chu Ling looked up, it was Auntie Song speaking to her.

She hurriedly replied, “I slept very well, thank you for your concern.”

With an elder initiating conversation, Chu Ling, afraid of being impolite, instinctively stopped eating. After all, it wouldn’t do to talk with her mouth full.

But while she wanted to pause, Song Qingyi clearly had other plans. Without hesitation, she picked out some obviously delicious-looking food and placed it on Chu Ling’s plate.

Then, with those calm eyes fixed on her, she said, “Try this, it’s good.”

Chu Ling’s scalp tingled. She nodded hastily, signaling she’d eat it later, because she noticed Auntie Song seemed to want to keep talking to her.

But for some reason, Song Qingyi just kept staring at her until she ate. Chu Ling’s face grew warm, nearly overheating from embarrassment.

Fortunately, Song Yulin quickly interjected, “Ah, I’ve interrupted your meal. Sorry about that, Lingling.”

Chu Ling quickly gestured that it was fine, then, under Song Qingyi’s stubborn gaze, mechanically chewed the food in her mouth.

Huh, it actually was pretty good.

With that, Chu Ling’s interest was piqued. Whatever Song Qingyi served her, she ate, since everything suited her taste perfectly.

But after polishing off a fair portion, her long-dormant rationality finally kicked in, and she keenly sensed something off.

Why did it feel like Song Qingyi was deliberately opposing her mother?

Was it just her imagination?

Chu Ling’s gaze discreetly flickered toward Song Yulin’s seat. She was still smiling, appearing perfectly normal.

Yet the atmosphere between the two of them was undeniably strange. From the moment Song Qingyi had sat down, it seemed she hadn’t once made eye contact with Auntie Song.

What truly confirmed something was off, however, was Ning Hongmian’s behavior. The girl had already glanced at her several times, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t completely incapable of hiding her thoughts.

It seemed something had happened that Chu Ling wasn’t aware of.

But Song Qingyi clearly didn’t want her to know, and Auntie Song seemed somewhat upset about it.

Chu Ling absentmindedly ate while her mind raced, so much so that she didn’t even notice Song Qingyi openly feeding her bites of food.

Then, all eyes turned toward them.

Chu Ling finally snapped out of her thoughts and slowly registered the gazes fixed on her.

She froze, flustered, and glanced at Song Qingyi before whispering, “What’s going on?”

Before Song Qingyi could respond, Song Yulin chuckled. “Lingling, you and Qingyi seem really close.”

Chu Ling almost shook her head but caught herself. She suddenly remembered their contract, they were supposed to be a proper couple now, so acting distant wouldn’t do.

So she smiled shyly and said, “Please don’t laugh, Auntie, but Qingyi really is very good to me.”

Song Yulin’s smile instantly took on a knowing edge.

Expressions around the table varied.

Ning Hongmian looked mournful yet strangely bright-eyed, an odd combination. The woman beside her seemed intrigued.

Across the table, the woman they’d met last night appeared particularly interested, even setting down her utensils as if ready to listen intently.

The only one who remained completely unfazed was Song Qingyi’s other mother, her aloofness unwavering.

A question mark popped up in Chu Ling’s mind. Had she said something wrong? But no, her words were perfectly fine. So why were their reactions so strange?

Song Qingyi, however, seemed in good spirits. “Ignore them. Keep eating. Want this?”

Chu Ling shot her a look, Now is not the time for this!

Song Qingyi returned the gaze, Yes, it is literally mealtime.

Chu Ling: “…”

Fine. Sometimes communicating with Song Qingyi is exhausting.

Their silent exchange didn’t escape the others. Some looked surprised, some amused, but thankfully, no one pressed further.

So Chu Ling let it go and resumed eating, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of bewilderment.

It wasn’t until breakfast was nearly over, with everyone mostly finished, that the woman who hadn’t spoken the entire time elegantly set down her utensils and lifted her eyes to Song Qingyi.

“You went too far yesterday, Qingyi.”

The words plunged the already quiet room into deeper silence. Chu Ling could swear her heartbeat skipped.

She hadn’t expected Song Qingyi’s mother to be so intimidating.

The woman hadn’t even used harsh language, yet Chu Ling felt like she couldn’t breathe and clearly, she wasn’t the only one.

Beside her, Ning Hongmian was practically burying her face in her bowl, and even the woman next to her trembled slightly.

Ah, Chu Ling realized. So this is the mother who’s even harder to deal with.

If Aunt Song concealed her sharp edges and aggressiveness behind a facade of approachability, this woman made no attempt to hide them at all.

And looking at it this way, Song Qingyi was actually the one who resembled her mother the most.

Chu Ling was momentarily stunned, her breath hitching slightly.

A terrifying silence spread, yet Song Qingyi seemed entirely unaffected as she continued eating, finishing the last bite on her plate before leisurely wiping her mouth.

She even took a sip of tea before speaking slowly, “Going too far? Did Mother come today to demand an explanation on their behalf?”

Perfect. One sentence to escalate the conflict, classic Song Qingyi.

Chu Ling nearly choked on her breath, suffocated by those words.

Daring to stand her ground, Song Qingyi truly wasn’t afraid in the slightest. But Chu Ling was on the verge of breaking out in a cold sweat, sensing faint, lingering glances directed her way.

She had thought this breakfast wasn’t strictly necessary, and now here she was, about to suffer from indigestion.

The standoff between the two only thickened the tension, with neither side yielding.

In the end, it was Song Yulin who remarked lightly, “A’Lian, since when do you concern yourself with such trivial matters? Don’t you know Qingyi’s temperament? This is already her holding back.”

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