From Trashy A to the Heiress’s Little Son-in-Law After the Idol Competition (GL, ABO) - Chapter 100

Upon entering the Gu residence, Ji Yunuo went upstairs to chat with Lin Chuyin about something, while Gu Yourong clung tightly to Xiao Yanjin, happily declaring that she was about to catch up with Mu Rouxue. Mu Rouxue had apparently been initiating conversations with her daily, and unless something unexpected happened, things were about to work out. Xiao Yanjin could only wish her happiness.

During dinner, Gu Zhen poured wine for everyone. Ji Zhiye smiled and said, “President Gu, you’re too kind.”

“It’s only proper. We’ll need your support in the future, President Ji.”

But when it came to Xiao Yanjin, Gu Zhen paused, as if sizing her up. Xiao Yanjin smiled awkwardly. “Is something wrong, President Gu?”

“Nothing.” Gu Zhen poured the red wine and chuckled. “Good thing we don’t drink grape wine.”

“Oh?” Xiao Yanjin was taken aback. “President Gu is allergic to grapes too?”

“Yes.” Gu Zhen sat down, her glasses glinting with a sharp light, her gaze as piercing as a snow mountain wolf.

“It runs in the Gu family—allergies to grapes.”

No wonder Gu Yourong hadn’t drunk any that time.

Xiao Yanjin felt as if she had stumbled upon a breakthrough, a sudden realization dawning on her.

“I see.”

Gu Zhen peeled shrimp for her wife as the two families chatted amiably.

“Madam Ji, did you just finish filming?” Lin Chuyin asked.

Ji Yunuo replied, “We wrapped up today and rushed back immediately.”

“Must be eager to see someone special,” Lin Chuyin teased.

Gu Yourong quickly interjected, “More than that! When I was hanging out with Madam Ji, she kept complaining about this and that. But the moment Miss Ji called, her face lit up with a grin, and not a single word of complaint came out.”

Xiao Yanjin glared at her. “I did no such thing.”

Truthfully, Xiao Yanjin loved playing up minor discomforts in front of Ji Yunuo—pretending to be in pain just to earn her sympathy—though it was never anything serious. But after being separated for filming, her longing was genuine. She didn’t want to burden Ji Yunuo with her struggles, especially since pregnancy made emotional stability crucial, so she only shared good news.

Ji Yunuo’s cheeks flushed slightly. She knew exactly what Xiao Yanjin said during their calls. Whenever they had time, they would call each other, even if they were too tired to speak—just having the line open was enough.

Gu Zhen took a sip of wine, her eyes lingering on Xiao Yanjin’s face.

Normally, the resemblance wasn’t obvious, but when she smiled—she looked just like that woman.

That woman rarely smiled, so as a child, Gu Zhen had often tried to please her. Whenever she saw that smile, it etched itself into her memory.

After dinner, Gu Zhen stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in night, their presence heavy and profound.

Xiao Yanjin approached from behind. “Did you need something, President Gu?”

Gu Zhen turned. The light illuminated the alpha’s delicate features.

“Did tonight’s meal suit Madam Ji’s tastes?”

Xiao Yanjin stepped beside her and grinned. “It was delicious. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Gu Zhen chuckled but said nothing more.

Finally, she remarked, “Don’t you think you and Yourong share a certain resemblance?”

Xiao Yanjin nodded. “Yes, not just in personality—we even get mistaken for sisters when we’re out together.”

Gu Zhen smiled faintly but didn’t respond.

Xiao Yanjin didn’t mention it either—while Gu Zhen was observing her, she had also been observing Gu Zhen many times. But seeing through things without speaking them aloud was always the best approach.

…

Xiao Ruohua, invited by Jiang Quyou, came to the hotel without a second thought.

But the moment he pushed open the door and saw Xiao Yanjin, he froze, immediately shouting, “Xiao Yanjin, what are you doing here?”

Xiao Yanjin smiled. “Long time no see, cousin.”

Jiang Quyou, standing nearby, felt his heart race. He kept throwing meaningful glances at Xiao Ruohua, who snorted, closed the door, and took a seat.

Jiang Quyou rubbed his forehead in frustration and downed his drink in one gulp.

“Go on, why are you here?” Xiao Ruohua demanded.

Xiao Yanjin tilted her head slightly. “Can’t I just want to see my cousin?”

Xiao Ruohua sneered. “I think you’re up to no good. Clearly, you’re here to flaunt your marriage into the Ji family. A fallen noble alpha like you, reduced to being some young mistress’s wife—Xiao Yanjin, how shameless can you be to brag about it?”

Xiao Yanjin shrugged. “Cousin, what are you talking about? Am I bragging? Young Miss Ji is utterly devoted to me. She’d lock me up in a golden cage if she could. I wanted to visit you sooner, but she was afraid I might be mistreated.”

Xiao Ruohua gritted his teeth, itching to call her shameless.

Ji Yunuo’s status was indeed among the wealthiest of the wealthy. Being favored by her was nothing short of a stroke of fortune.

Mentioning Ji Yunuo naturally filled Xiao Yanjin with pride and satisfaction. She couldn’t wait to rub it in the faces of everyone who despised her—she was worthy of Ji Yunuo’s love!

Xiao Ruohua couldn’t stand her smug display of affection. An inexplicable irritation prickled at him. “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

“Cousin.” Xiao Yanjin’s icy voice cut through the air behind him. “Just like that?”

Hearing her tone sent a chill down Xiao Ruohua’s spine. “Xiao Yanjin, what the hell do you want from me?!”

“Don’t you already know why I sought you out?” A wicked smile curled at Xiao Yanjin’s lips. Her features had always been gentle, but that hint of malice now amplified her presence, making her seem formidable.

Xiao Ruohua’s breath hitched. For some reason, he found her terrifying.

“What did your father tell you?” Xiao Yanjin suddenly stepped closer, her question sharp.

Xiao Ruohua stared at the cousin who had once adored him like an older brother, now seemingly a completely different person. He had sensed the change long ago but never understood why it had come to this.

“Tell me what?”

“As kids, we were closest. But after you went abroad, you turned against me. So, Uncle must have poisoned your mind, didn’t he?” Her red lips parted slightly, her eyes glinting coldly.

Xiao Ruohua took a deep breath. “Given how your family behaves, why should I stay friendly with you? Just look at your father—see what he’s done to the Xiao family’s fortune.”

Xiao Yanjin said nothing, her gaze fixed on him.

Xiao Ruohua grew uneasy under her stare. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

Xiao Yanjin merely murmured, “Won’t you tell me, cousin?”

“Why should I—ah!”

In an instant, the bodyguards stationed by the door seized Xiao Ruohua’s arms, rendering him completely immobile. Their grip was so strong that cold sweat broke out across his skin.

Even Jiang Quyou was badly shaken.

The two bodyguards held Xiao Ruohua firmly, filling him with fear. Staring at Xiao Yanjin’s icy expression, he couldn’t find words to say and could only muster some courage: “What exactly do you want?”

“For someone like you who bullies the weak and fears the strong, perhaps if I apply a little pressure, cousin, you’ll tell me what I want to know?” Xiao Yanjin suddenly pulled out a fruit knife, its cold gleam flashing across Xiao Ruohua’s face. His face turned pale with fright: “Xiao Yanjin! What are you doing?”

“Don’t you know what I want, cousin?” Xiao Yanjin smiled faintly: “Last time you sent people to ambush me. This time, you’ll pay the price!”

Xiao Ruohua glared at her: “You’re a public figure! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell everyone what you’ve done to me?”

Xiao Yanjin laughed dismissively: “Cousin, don’t you understand? I’m Mrs. Ji now. Do you really think Mr. Ji wouldn’t protect me?”

Xiao Ruohua swallowed hard, his legs trembling at the sight of the knife.

“But you, on the other hand, might end up with some scars…” Every word from Xiao Yanjin carried a threat, layer upon layer of fear creeping into Xiao Ruohua until the knife neared his chest. He couldn’t hold out any longer.

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk!!” Xiao Ruohua instantly surrendered, lowering his head and shouting.

Xiao Yanjin finally put the knife away and asked: “Speak quickly. What exactly did your father tell you?”

“My… my father told me that your father is a hypocrite, a shameless alpha. Because of him, he… he caused my mother’s death.” Xiao Ruohua’s face flushed red as he nearly sobbed out the words.

Xiao Yanjin was stunned. She remembered Xiao Ruohua’s mother had died in childbirth—what did that have to do with Xiao Liangmu?

“What do you mean?!” Xiao Yanjin stared at him and shouted: “Explain yourself clearly!”

Xiao Ruohua’s eyes reddened as he muttered: “That’s all he said. As for why, I really don’t know, I really don’t. But my father was right—your father caused my mother’s death. And you still expect me to be friendly with you? How could I possibly be friends with the child of my enemy? How?!”

His furious roar echoed through the entire hotel, but Xiao Yanjin barely heard it. This was far more complicated than she’d thought—far, far more complicated!

Staggering, she returned to the Xiao residence.

Xiao Liangmu and Liang Zhi were chatting and laughing in the living room. Seeing their daughter return, they hurried over to support her.

“Dad, did you harm Auntie?” Xiao Yanjin asked softly.

“What auntie?” Xiao Liangmu’s heart skipped a beat.

“Xiao Ruohua said you caused his mother’s death!” Xiao Yanjin pressed. But Xiao Liangmu feigned ignorance: “I don’t understand what you mean.”

Xiao Yanjin took out a voice recorder and played back Xiao Ruohua’s words. Staring at Xiao Liangmu’s ashen face, her own eyes reddened as she demanded: “Tell me the truth! What exactly did you do to Xiao Ruohua’s mother?”

Xiao Liangmu glanced at Liang Zhi, the regret on his face unmistakable.

Liang Zhi looked back at him, as if saying: “Tell me the truth.”

Xiao Liangmu sighed: “I didn’t expect you to go looking for Xiao Ruohua. It seems this can’t be hidden any longer.”

Xiao Yanjin frowned: “So, you really did harm his mother?”

“Our families were indeed very close back then. Before Zhizhi married me, I often stayed at Xiao Xiren’s place and had a good relationship with his wife. She came from a difficult family background but was gentle by nature. She and Xiao Liangmu fell in love at first sight and often cooked for me. I was grateful and respected her deeply, but…” Xiao Liangmu paused here.

“Go on!”

Xiao Yanjin clenched her fists tightly.

“One day, we went on a picnic with their family. At that time, my sister-in-law was pregnant with Xiao Ruohua. Then Xiao Xiren had to leave temporarily for work…”

By this point, Xiao Liangmu was already in tears, choking too much to continue.

Just then, several figures appeared at the doorway.

Xiao Yanjin turned to look.

It was Xiao Xiren and Xiao Ruohua, whose face was filled with hatred.

Xiao Xiren clapped his hands: “What a splendid performance we just witnessed.”

Xiao Liangmu trembled as he stepped forward, locking eyes with Xiao Xiren. These brothers had once been inseparable, even promising that their families would always live together.

Yet their once-solid relationship had plummeted to rock bottom.

“I had to leave for work that day. The other servants were all busy with their tasks. On that grassy field, it was just you and my beloved wife—your dear sister-in-law—who was pregnant and sitting on a chair. Though it wasn’t her due date yet, she could still move around. But she accidentally fell, clearly disturbing the fetus. She cried out to you for help, but you were too engrossed in gambling on your phone to hear her. Even if you did hear, didn’t you think you’d finish just one more round? As time passed, her pain grew worse, and her amniotic fluid slowly leaked. By the time you finally took her to the hospital, it was too late! That’s why Ruohua was born prematurely, so tiny at birth. It took everything I had to raise him, Xiao Liangmu! Was your gambling addiction really worth it? Because of it, you even bankrupted the mighty Xiao family!” Upon hearing the truth, Xiao Ruohua’s face turned deathly pale.

Overcome with guilt, Xiao Liangmu shouted with reddened eyes: “Xiren, I wronged you! I wronged my sister-in-law too! I thought since it wasn’t her due date yet, she’d be fine after resting. I shouldn’t have gambled… but I beg you, can’t you let me go?”

Xiao Xiren glanced at Xiao Yanjin, his eyes full of disdain and envy: “I already let you go. You went bankrupt, yet I didn’t drive you to ruin. But I never expected your daughter to latch onto the eldest daughter of the Ji family—what an astonishing surprise.”

Xiao Liangmu seemed to sense what he was about to say and grabbed his arm: “Please, spare me! Don’t say it, don’t say it, I beg you, I beg you—”

Xiao Xiren coldly shook him off and smiled at Liang Zhi: “Sister-in-law, long time no see.”

Liang Zhi grew increasingly uneasy, remaining silent in apprehension.

Then Xiao Xiren continued: “Niece, you seem clever enough to have pieced some things together. Since you want answers, your uncle can enlighten you.”

Xiao Yanjin frowned. “What else don’t I know?”

Xiao Xiren turned to Liang Zhi. “Sister-in-law, did you ever wonder if I was in your hospital when you gave birth?”

Liang Zhi’s face paled instantly.

“Xiao Xiren, shut your mouth!” Xiao Liangmu shouted at him, looking at Liang Zhi with fear in his eyes.

But Xiao Xiren seemed to have stepped on her foot and refused to let go.

“Xiao Liangmu, how dare you tell me to shut up? What right do you have to make me listen to you!” “You harmed the one I love, why should I let you off!”

Xiao Liangmu lowered his head, trembling with guilt.

“You damn simp, you know exactly what you did for your so-called goddess. Probably no one in this world knows except me.” Xiao Xiren laughed loudly, slapping his shoulder with such force that Liangmu’s spine nearly broke.

Liang Zhi suddenly spoke calmly, “Did Xiao Liangmu do something to me as well?”

Xiao Xiren looked at her and smiled, “Seems my sister-in-law has guessed something. Well, it’s understandable you’ve grown so attached to your so-called daughter over the years. Look at your husband—what a pathetic simp he is, going to such lengths to spare your feelings by doing things you shouldn’t have to bear.”

Xiao Yanjin clenched her fists again and said coldly, “What things?”

“That is…” Xiao Xiren stared at his niece—though not related by blood—”You’re not their biological daughter!”

Xiao Yanjin was slightly stunned. Though she had suspected as much, the confirmation still shocked her.

At this point, the dejected Xiao Liangmu approached Liang Zhi. “Zhi Zhi, I was wrong, I was wrong…”

Liang Zhi scolded, “Wrong about what? As a mother, I knew Yanjin didn’t look like us at all. But what could I do? I could only keep my eyes open and treat her as my own daughter.”

Xiao Liangmu hugged her, “Zhi Zhi, Zhi Zhi, I’m so sorry…”

In the ensuing silence, a phone rang.

Xiao Yanjin checked her phone—sure enough, it was Ji Yunuo calling.

She’d read plenty of melodramatic rich family plots in novels, but never expected to witness one firsthand. She couldn’t wait to share the gossip with Ji Yunuo.

“Hey sis, I’m at my parents’ place now. Don’t worry, I’ll be back tonight. I just heard some earth-shattering gossip—I’ll tell you all about it later.” Yanjin hung up immediately after speaking.

Turning to Xiao Xiren, she saw his pupils dilate in shock.

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