The Seductive Pretender: Sister-in-Law is Turning Gay - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Catching a Future Sister-in-Law to Play With

It was bone-chillingly cold perfect to eat.

“Where are you going?” Meng Luo came up the stairs and saw Zhong Manjing swinging a knife with a beaming smile, “clunking” a watermelon into a messy heap. She couldn’t help but shiver. “My dear girl, even if you’re in a good mood, you don’t have to go this far.”

“Heh, have some.” Zhong Manjing picked out two relatively intact pieces and handed one to Meng Luo. She freed up a hand to check the messages on her phone. “Let’s go downstairs. Sister Su said our fees are waived today.”

Living alone, she couldn’t finish such a large melon. She put half in the fridge, juiced the rest of the leftovers to carry in her hand, and headed downstairs with Meng Luo. She remarked casually, “I rode my bike past the swimming pool today and heard the kids praising the new sister they hired. They said she’s amazing, can climb trees, and has a great temper.”

Meng Luo said in surprise, “Oh, Lin Yuqing! Yeah, she’s really good-looking, and kids always love pretty sisters. But she’s just part-time; she said she came here to take over a shop.”

Zhong Manjing asked knowingly, “Oh? Where? I saw Xiao Ying’s Noodle Shop was being renovated.”

“That’s the one! It opens tonight. She’s pretty casual about it didn’t even hand out flyers.” Meng Luo paused and whispered in Zhong Manjing’s ear, “Her ID says she’s from Yibei City. Why would someone from a first-tier city come to our 38th-tier county to open a shop? Mysterious.”

“We should be neighbors then. Let’s bring an opening gift tonight. Coincidentally, I’m craving noodles,” Zhong Manjing said with a smile, taking a bite of the melon, her mouth filled with sweetness. “Didn’t everyone wonder about me when I first arrived? It doesn’t matter; if she can make the kids like her, she’s a good person.”

This street was lined with shops for daily necessities, mostly run by locals who lived in the residential buildings just behind the shops. Zhong Manjing had arrived a month and a half ago and was already well-acquainted with the locals.

Meng Luo blinked. “True. Let’s go show our support tonight.”

Just as the two reached the bottom of the stairs with their melon, they heard the sharp screams of children.

“Don’t hit me! Ah!!”

Su Yun was whipping Su Xiaodong’s buttocks with a bamboo switch, making loud “pa-pa” sounds. Beside her, Chenchen’s mother, Liu Ru, had pulled out a ruler and was firmly striking her son’s palm.

“I told you not to go swimming in the wild! If your Sister Manjing hadn’t kept an eye out, I wouldn’t even know where to look for you two troublemakers today!”

Thinking of the worst possible outcome, both mothers were terrified. They were hitting the children hard this time to ensure the naughty boys learned their lesson.

The children didn’t understand their mothers’ worry; they only knew their butts and palms hurt, failing to grasp why their mothers were so angry.

After the discipline and making sure Chenchen watched Su Xiaodong’s punishment Liu Ru wiped her tears and thanked Zhong Manjing several times. She offered to move several crates of water from her small supermarket to give to her as a token of gratitude.

Zhong Manjing smiled and poured her a glass of watermelon juice. “Cool down a bit, Sister. That’s enough; don’t break the boy. How could I drink several crates? Do you know that noodle shop opens tonight? I’ll be there to support her. Why not send the water there? Bring Chenchen along for noodles too.”

Liu Ru naturally agreed; Chenchen had mentioned wanting soup noodles just yesterday.

Zhong Manjing and Meng Luo watched as Su Xiaodong was beaten to a pulp by Su Yun, munching on their watermelon bite by bite.

Meng Luo: “Ouch, his butt is blooming. That’s a harsh beating.”

Zhong Manjing: “There’s plenty of meat on the butt, it’s no big deal. As long as his brain stays sharp. Sister Su, are you done?”

Su Yun: “Almost!”

Su Xiaodong: “Waaaaah.”

She remembered that in the past, Su Xiaodong hadn’t received timely treatment, resulting in permanent brain damage. He was Su Yun’s only son. After the accident, Su Yun closed her shop and traveled everywhere to treat the child’s sequelae; the family had collapsed.

Su Yun finally stopped. Zhong Manjing walked up with a curling smile, pouring Su Yun a glass of juice as usual, and giving the rest to the teary-eyed Su Xiaodong.

“This rebellious son… Let’s go, I’ll do your eyelash extensions.” Su Yun pinched Su Xiaodong’s cheek and called his uncle to watch the kids at home. Only after drinking the cold juice did her anger and worry begin to dissipate.

“Looking at Manjing always makes me feel better.” Su Yun’s gaze fell on Zhong Manjing, and she said with a smile, “Why do you even need extensions with lashes like yours? But I’ve learned some new styles ‘Manga Lashes.’ They wouldn’t look good on anyone without eyes as big as yours.”

Zhong Manjing entered the shop with her and picked out a style.

“Let’s do a ‘Huan Huan’ face-touching manicure and a deep-cleaning mask too, Sister Su. Let’s all go support the noodle shop owner tonight. Kids need nutrition after a beating. And my hair…”

She was already lying on the beauty table, her shiny black hair falling naturally, with many new baby hairs growing along her hairline.

Meng Luo interjected sourly, “Your hair is like satin, and you still want maintenance. You’re going to eat noodles, not to see a lover.”

Zhong Manjing chuckled. “I just want basic care.” She closed her eyes. Her beautiful features were striking under the lights. Su Yun stared for a few seconds; this young girl truly had an exquisite bone structure.

Even though her every gesture exuded an arrogant nobility, she could still blend in perfectly with this crowd.

Several regular customers came in during the session. Zhong Manjing knew them all, and at the end of every chat, she told them to go have a bowl at the new noodle shop, calling them “Brother” and “Sister” with great familiarity.

She was sweet-talked and always met people with a smile, so everyone agreed.

Meng Luo sensed something different. “Why do you care so much about Lin Yuqing? Is she your friend?”

“We don’t know each other.” Zhong Manjing admired her beautiful, natural nude nails. “But she was sleeping in a tree today, and I accidentally hit her with a stone… This is my sincere way of making amends.”

Meng Luo: “Then what were you doing?”

Zhong Manjing: “Playing in the water.”

Su Yun, who had just beaten her child over swimming issues: “…” You really set a great example.

After finishing a full set of beauty treatments, the sun’s intensity had faded. Zhong Manjing felt refreshed, like a new person.

She and Meng Luo went to a flower shop on another street and ordered an opening flower basket. She promptly paid 388 yuan and told the owner to deliver it directly to Lin Yuqing’s shop at seven o’clock.

When they passed the old Xiao Ying’s Noodle Shop, the name “Xiao Ying” had been crossed out, replaced by two words written in a flamboyant, dancing script: “Whatever.”

There was a floor above the noodle shop with a small attic. The windows were tightly shut, and from the outside, one could see the most ordinary black blackout curtains drawn tight.

On the windowsill sat a pot of gardenias; they had already withered to death.

Zhong Manjing held a pink Lychee Rose a kind gift from the flower shop owner—and its sweet scent filled her nose. She looked up thoughtfully.

How could she find a reasonable way to take care of those gardenias?

“This is way too casual…” Meng Luo assumed she was looking at the sign and tsk-ed. “Looks like it was just written; the paint is still dripping. Lin Yuqing didn’t go bankrupt buying this place, did she? What are you staring at so intently?”

Zhong Manjing smiled and pointed to the empty windowsill. “I think that place is perfect for climbing plants. That way, it wouldn’t be so scorched by the sun.”

Meng Luo: “No one’s lived up there for ages. When Sister Xiao Ying lived there, it was just for storage. No air conditioning who could endure that? The flowers just fried.”

Zhong Manjing said softly, “That’s why she needs to be properly cared for.”

She and Meng Luo went back to prepare, drenching themselves in perfume. Lin Yuqing didn’t know her yet, but she had to make her scent unforgettable.

She styled her hair into a side braid, using a matching yellow polka-dot silk scarf with diamond-shaped ends that hung down lively and energetic.

Just missing lipstick. Meng Luo handed her one while playing on her phone. Zhong Manjing pouted slightly. “Not this one. The second one on the left the one that doesn’t come off even if you’re making out.”

Meng Luo looked back at her: “…The what now?”

At the noodle shop, Lin Yuqing finalized the menu with Wang Xiao Ying, opened the doors, and headed to the kitchen to continue frying crab oil.

Beside the stove was a bucket of lake crabs with an oxygen pump, still lively and kicking, completely unaware that their future was looking dark.

Since she had just opened, the menu featured a signature Crab Roe Tossed Noodles, plus light Three-Delicacy Hot Soup Noodles and spicy Stir-fried Noodles—three categories in total. There were also six types of toppings: minced meat with mashed potatoes, bean puffs with wood ear mushrooms, braised beef brisket, spicy chicken gizzards with cowpeas, shredded pork with green peppers, and rich tomato soup.

Beside the door, next to the payment code, was a handwritten note: No toppings today. The owner is very casual; please be casual too.

Lin Yuqing hadn’t prepared much. She was just winging it based on the old shop’s foundation. Her move here was rushed, the purchase was rushed, and the opening even more so, so she hadn’t even thought about an opening ceremony.

Even the opening time was odd the shop opened late in the evening. Lin Yuqing had even considered that she might have zero revenue tonight.

“People are coming! They’re here! Boss Lin, there are so many people! Boil the noodles!” Xiao Ying ran in immediately after opening the door, looking pleasantly surprised. She washed her hands and started working briskly.

Lin Yuqing glanced out from the serving window—it was true! Some people seemed to have arrived even before the doors opened. Currently, all six tables in the shop were occupied, filled with lively chatter.

“Xiao Ying, I want the signature!”

“What does this Crab Roe Tossed Noodle taste like? Can I get some extra chili oil?”

“Boss, two bowls of soup noodles, and a small bowl and spoon for the kid.”

“Coming right up.”

The kitchen blower roared to life. Lin Yuqing was only responsible for boiling the noodles and blanching the ingredients in the back; adding toppings, front-desk service, and cleaning were all left to Xiao Ying.

Before long, Xiao Ying ran back in. “Boss Lin, the water dispenser seems broken. It’s not putting out cold water.”

“I’ll go check.” Lin Yuqing wiped her hands and stepped out. The others looked at this new face with curiosity.

The shop was crowded, and from their reactions, Lin Yuqing could tell the flavor of the noodles suited their palates. Just as she stepped out, a tricycle arrived outside. Li Dahai was搬 moving crates of drinking water inside, drenched in sweat.

“Boss Lin, I brought you some water!”

“Where did this come from?”

Li Dahai: “Sister Zhong told me to deliver it here for you.”

Lin Yuqing had no memory of such a person. Just as she was about to refuse, a familiar fragrance wafted in.

Zhong Manjing walked in at the front of a group of people, her steps light. She carried a colorful graffiti canvas bag over one shoulder and walked straight up to Lin Yuqing, blinking.

“Boss Lin, my name is Zhong Manjing. Remember me?”

She was dressed softly, but her beauty was intense, especially her eyes—her lashes were as curled as a manga character’s.

Lin Yuqing didn’t “know” her, but she remembered her scent.

It was the girl from the lake this afternoon. She was just as strikingly arrogant as her tone of voice had suggested.

Lin Yuqing saw many people following behind Zhong Manjing and raised an eyebrow. “Everyone, sit wherever you like. What are you eating?” She didn’t answer whether she recognized Zhong Manjing.

Undeterred, Zhong Manjing smiled and leaned toward the counter, pointing at the water Li Dahai had moved. “Boss Lin, this water is an opening gift for you. Also, we neighbors sent a flower basket outside it’s very pretty. Wishing you a prosperous business.”

Meng Luo added, “It was expensive. Manjing bought it.”

Lin Yuqing thought for a moment. “Thank you. Since it’s our grand opening, your meal is on the house today.”

They were neighbors, and they’d get to know each other through business eventually, so she didn’t refuse.

the drinking water arrived just in time, as a child was thirsty, so Lin Yuqing quickly unpacked a bottle and brought it over.

Everyone else had ordered and sat down, leaving only Zhong Manjing standing at the front. Lin Yuqing came over with a notepad and pen. “You haven’t chosen yet.”

“I want Braised Beef Brisket with Spicy Chicken Gizzard noodles.”

Lin Yuqing: “We don’t have that.”

Zhong Manjing went “Oh”: “Then I want Crab Roe Tossed Noodles with mashed potatoes, and lots of green onions and pickled ginger.”

Lin Yuqing: “No mashed potatoes with meat, no pickled ginger.”

Zhong Manjing wanted to say more, but Lin Yuqing pointed to the note on the side: “No toppings today.”

Zhong Manjing asked: “Then can Boss Lin cook something else for me to eat?”

“No.” Lin Yuqing pulled back the order book. She needed to go back and fry the crab oil; many people were ordering the Crab Roe Tossed Noodles.

She remembered this was only her first time meeting Zhong Manjing this afternoon. Had they really reached such a familiar level?

Zhong Manjing nodded: “Then I’ll just watch everyone else eat.”

Lin Yuqing returned to the kitchen and expressionlessly began preparing the crab roe sauce. The roe was fried over a low heat in scallion oil previously made with lard, then mixed with minced crab leg meat and a splash of savory light soy sauce.

The small space was incredibly fragrant. The scent was overpowering enough, yet for some reason, Lin Yuqing still caught that intruding hint of medicinal fragrance.

The scent of wild growth, with a spicy middle note.

Zhong Manjing.

Which characters were they?

She peeked out through the small window, her ears unintentionally picking up that voice.

Zhong Manjing was sitting next to Su Xiaodong, looking at the boy’s bowl of three-delicacy noodles.

“Dong-zai, yours looks so fragrant, but I have nothing to eat.”

She looked at the Crab Roe Tossed Noodles Meng Luo was eating. “Luo-luo, watching you eat makes my mouth water, but I can’t eat it.”

“Your lipstick doesn’t come off even if you’re making out, so why are you afraid it’ll come off if you eat noodles?” Meng Luo asked in a low voice. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Zhong Manjing then said to Su Yun: “Sister Su, your stir-fried noodles smell so good, but I have nothing to eat.”

Lin Yuqing, who heard everything inside: “…”

Su Xiaodong asked hesitantly, “Sister Manjing, do you think other people’s food tastes better?”

“Yes.” Zhong Manjing nodded. “I just like eating what others have. I like stealing from others. When I’m hungry, I like to catch a bratty kid to eat…” Or even catch a future sister-in-law to play with.

With a swish, Lin Yuqing threw back the curtain, just before Zhong Manjing could stretch her claws toward Su Xiaodong’s noodle bowl.

She stood beside Zhong Manjing, her face expressionless. “You, come here. Follow me into the kitchen.”

Lin Yuqing had a premonition: if she didn’t satisfy this ancestor’s demands, Zhong Manjing might just tear the shop down.

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