The Villainous Sister-in-law Mistakenly Marked as the Heroine (Transmigration) - Chapter 48

Upon arriving at the Rong residence, even before stepping inside, they could hear Rong Wanning’s tearful tantrum: “How could you do this to me, Ji Zhao?!”

The two exchanged a glance.

Lin Qile’s eyes sparkled with excitement, she even considered pulling out her phone to record the scene.

Rong Jing seemed to see right through her little scheme and coolly warned, “Tuck away those thoughts of yours. No matter how flawed Rong Wanning is, she still carries the Rong name. Don’t go too far.”

“Uh…”

She was just thinking about it, how did Rong Jing read her so easily?

“System, does Rong Jing have mind-reading powers or something?!”

[Please, Host, your thoughts are written all over your face. Could you at least try to control your gleeful expression?]

“Fine.”

She really was just too happy.

Whether it was Rong Wanning or Ji Zhao making a fool of themselves, she’d secretly relish it. Now that these two were at each other’s throats, she considered it restraint that she hadn’t popped open champagne to celebrate.

“Let’s go.”

Rong Jing stepped inside first.

In the living room, Rong Wanning, heavily pregnant, lay sobbing on the sofa while

Seeing that no one was coming to her aid, Rong Wanning stopped her tearful display and fixed Ji Zhao with a resentful glare. “Make that woman abort the child! Cut all ties with her.”

Ji Zhao immediately refused, “No.”

“No?!”

Rong Wanning clutched her belly as she stood up, her eyes red with anger and her body trembling. “So you want to keep seeing her? Ji Zhao, let me tell you, I will never share my lover with anyone else! If you want me, you have to sever all ties with that woman! I want to see the abortion paperwork, don’t think you can brush me off with just words!”

“I told you, I took her to the hospital. If she aborts now, she’ll never be able to have children again.”

“What does that have to do with me?! She’s the one who chose to be a homewrecker, she—”

Bai Jiao suddenly spoke up, her words shocking everyone. “Wanning, you’re about to be a mother yourself. Doing something so cruel will bring misfortune upon your child.”

“Grandmother, how can you say that?”

Rong Wanning stared at Bai Jiao in disbelief.

Lin Qile had been enjoying the drama, but something about the situation felt increasingly off. Bai Jiao’s reaction was just too strange.

Not only did she find it odd, but Rong Jing, standing beside her, also furrowed her brows, her expression complicated as she watched Bai Jiao.

Rong Jing stepped into the living room.

Lin Qile quickly followed.

The quarreling trio fell silent at their arrival. Ji Zhao, seeing Lin Qile’s smug expression, turned pale with rage this was all her fault.

Noticing Ji Zhao puffing up like an angry blowfish, Lin Qile decided to pour fuel on the fire. “Ji Zhao, congratulations! Your first child isn’t even born yet, and the second one’s already on the way. At least they’ll have each other to go to school with.”

“Lin! Qi! Le!”

Ji

“Yihua, what are you doing? This is between the two kids. Why are you interfering?”

Bai Jiao reproached her unhappily.

Rong Yihua finally turned to look at her. “You know it’s between the two kids too.”

Bai Jiao was left speechless by the retort, silently wondering what was wrong with Rong Yihua today. Why did she seem so different from usual?

“Xiao Jing, call security.”

“Got it!”

A flicker of excitement flashed in Rong Jing’s eyes as she quickly pulled out her phone to call the neighborhood security.

Ji Zhao panicked instantly. “Grandma, I know I was wrong. I’m sorry to Wanning, but I really didn’t mean it. I was set up that’s why I ended up in bed with that woman. I’ve already cut ties with her.”

Rong Yihua swept a cold glance over her, and Ji Zhao felt as though countless needles were piercing her body.

Soon, the security arrived.

Two guards dragged Ji Zhao out as she struggled violently. “Let me go!”

Bai Jiao rushed forward anxiously. “You!”

“Bai Jiao!”

Hearing her name, Bai Jiao turned to look at Rong Yihua, whose expression was eerily calm. A flicker of unease passed through her heart.

But remembering how indulgent Rong Yihua had been toward her all these years, the unease vanished instantly. She asked irritably, “Why go this far? Ji Zhao and Wanning aren’t even divorced yet. Are you really going to burn bridges like this?”

“Wanning grew up under your care. Instead of standing by your own family, you’re siding with an outsider. Bai Jiao, I should be the one asking, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Rong Yihua rarely spoke to Bai Jiao in such a stern tone, and the latter couldn’t help but avert her gaze guiltily.

Without another word to Bai Jiao, Rong Yihua turned to Rong Jing. “Xiao Jing, come upstairs with me.”

“Okay.”

Mother and daughter went upstairs.

Lin Qile watched as Ji Zhao was dragged out of the villa by security and couldn’t resist following to the door. She flashed Ji Zhao a smug grin and even gave her a victory sign.

With her arms pinned and her hair and clothes disheveled, Ji Zhao was furious at Lin Qile’s gloating. “Lin Qile, don’t get too cocky! Just you wait!”

“I’ll be waiting! Have a safe trip!”

Then, right in front of Ji Zhao, she slammed the door shut.

Returning to the living room, she saw Bai Jiao staring at the floor, lost in thought.

She approached.

Bai Jiao suddenly looked up, and the two locked eyes in an awkward standoff.

The atmosphere was unbearably tense.

After a second of stunned silence, Bai Jiao snapped, “Get out!”

Lin Qile had originally planned to avoid her, but now that she was being ordered to leave, she suddenly didn’t feel like going.

Casually plopping down on a single-seater sofa, she crossed her legs. “A-Jing invited me here. Why should I leave?”

“Lin Qile, you and my daughter are already divorced. Get out of here!”

“Easy there, Ms. Bai. Instead of glaring at me, maybe you should think about what those two are discussing in the study. Who knows? They might be wondering why you’re so biased toward an outsider like Ji Zhao.”

Bai Jiao’s face paled.

Lin Qile lazily propped her chin on her hand. “Walk the night path too often, and you’ll eventually meet a ghost.”

“You!”

Bai Jiao stood up, glancing nervously at the second floor.

Rong Yihua was acting too strangely today.

Could it be…?

Upstairs, in the study.

Rong Jing quietly watched her mother standing by the window.

She had already made up her mind today, she would confront her about the affair with Qi Song. Her mother’s earlier favoritism toward Ji Zhao had chilled her to the bone. She didn’t know if it was Qi Song’s influence or if her mother had become so infatuated with her lover that she no longer cared about her own family.

If she didn’t speak up now, she feared Qi Song would exploit her mother step by step to devour the Rong family.

It wasn’t paranoia hadn’t the Lin family been hollowed out the same way?

“Mother.”

She clenched her fists, as if steeling herself, then slowly relaxed. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Rong Yihua turned to look at her.

“I…”

She had prepared herself, but when it came time to actually say the words, she realized how difficult they were. Once spoken, this family would fall apart.

“Xiao Jing, what’s wrong?”

She took a deep breath and abruptly stood up. “Qi Song and Mom are having an affair. You have to know this!”

Rong Yihua stared at her in shock.

She met her mother’s gaze, the pain in her eyes no longer hidden. “I heard it with my own ears. They’ve been involved for years. The reason Mom defended Ji Zhao so fiercely earlier is probably because Ji Zhao is Qi Song’s daughter. I wanted to tell you on her birthday, but you weren’t feeling well those days. I was afraid of upsetting you, so I didn’t.”

Silence stretched in the study, making Rong Jing increasingly uneasy. Worried her mother couldn’t handle the shock, she moved to steady her only to hear her mother speak softly, “So that’s why you’ve been so troubled lately, so impatient with your mother.”

Rong Jing stared in disbelief at her mother’s calm expression.

It was as if… as if…

Her mind buzzed,

“You… you already knew?!”

Her body trembled with shock.

Rong Yihua nodded calmly. “Yes.”

“Why?!”

Rong Yihua countered, “Why what?”

“If you knew she was cheating, why didn’t you do anything?”

“And what should I have done? Confronted her? She’s still your mother, Xiao Jing. I may not care about her, but I care about your reputation. I don’t want any stain on you.”

“I don’t care about my reputation! Mother, you shouldn’t endure such humiliation for my sake!”

Seeing Rong Yihua’s unwavering composure, Rong Jing blurted out in desperation, “She switched your medication. She’s conspiring with Qi Song to kill you!”

Rong Yihua’s hand holding the cup trembled, water sloshing inside.

“Mother! I don’t care about my reputation. From the moment I discovered her affair, I stopped seeing her as my mother!”

She stepped forward to support her mother. “I’m worried about your health now. You can’t stay with her anymore, it’s too dangerous.”

“Xiao Jing.”

Rong Yihua looked at her daughter with emotion, gently stroking her hair. “You’ve grown up.”

“Mother!”

“Don’t get agitated. You’re pregnant, big emotional swings aren’t good for the baby.”

She hadn’t told her mother about the pregnancy, yet she already knew. She had been quietly watching over her all along.

Moved, Rong Jing grasped her mother’s hand. “But we’re talking about you now.”

“Me?”

Rong Yihua smiled at her. “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Rong Jing stared at her mother with red-rimmed eyes.

“Xiao Jing, I can handle this. Right now, all I care about is you and the child you’re carrying. Stay out of this and focus on your pregnancy.”

“But I—”

Before she could say more, Rong Yihua shook her head.

She took a deep breath. “Fine. I trust you. I know you’ll handle it.”

“Mm.”

She had always been worried about her mother, afraid that she might be kept in the dark. But it turned out her mother had long been aware of everything. That made her trust her mother even more!

Since childhood, she had heard countless people speak of how formidable her mother was. In her heart, her mother was invincible.

“Take Qile home.”

“Alright.”

Rong Jing left the study.

The moment she stepped out, Rong Yihua took out her phone and dialed a number. “Director Lin, do we have the results from the consultation on my condition?”

“President Rong, your situation is quite serious. Refusing to stay abroad for treatment is truly not a wise decision.”

“I need to know how much time I have left.”

“With aggressive treatment, there’s still hope. But if you continue to delay, the conservative estimate is about six months… You really should inform Rong Jing about this.”

Rong Yihua raised her eyes, her gaze icy and sharp. “Don’t tell her! I must resolve matters as quickly as possible. I can’t leave the mess of the Rong family to her!”

With that, she hung up.

Leaning against the desk, she tilted her head back and took deep breaths.

She had finally managed to keep Xiao Jing out of this. She absolutely couldn’t let her come back now.

Downstairs.

Seeing Rong Jing descend, Lin Qile quickly stood up. Though watching Bai Jiao act like a startled bird had been amusing at first, the novelty had worn off.

She approached and, noticing Rong Jing’s pale complexion, asked softly, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

Rong Jing turned and walked out.

“Xiao Jing!”

Bai Jiao stood up, forcing a smile as she called out, “Xiao Jing, what did you talk about with your mother?” The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how inappropriate they sounded and hurriedly added, “Since you’re home, why not stay the night?”

Rong Jing stopped in her tracks and turned to give Bai Jiao a cold look. “Mom, this is the last time I’ll call you that.”

Bai Jiao froze.

“Take care of yourself.”

With those words, Rong Jing strode away.

Lin Qile glanced back at Bai Jiao. Despite being in her fifties, she still looked like she was in her thirties or forties, living a life of luxury with Rong Yihua’s unwavering love and a genius daughter like Rong Jing. It was baffling why she would ever get involved with Qi Song.

Had she not considered that Qi Song had used Lin Xinrou and then cast her aside? Lin Xinrou had been her lawful wife!

And Bai Jiao was just a mistress.

Lin Qile could already foresee Bai Jiao’s fate.

But in her heart, she had only two words for Bai Jiao:

Serves you right!

As the door closed behind them, Bai Jiao collapsed onto the sofa.

“Take care of yourself”?

What did Rong Jing mean by that?

Had she discovered something?

Footsteps echoed from the staircase. She looked up to see Rong Yihua coming down.

Quickly adjusting her expression, she stood and asked with a smile, “Are you going out?”

“Yes.”

“Where to?”

It was just an offhand question, but Rong Yihua turned to her with an almost mocking glint in her eyes.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“Meeting a friend. If you’re bored, find your own entertainment.”

With that, Rong Yihua left as well.

The villa suddenly felt empty.

Sitting alone on the sofa, Bai Jiao grew increasingly uneasy. She rushed upstairs to the bedroom, retrieved a hidden phone from a concealed box in the dressing room, and stepped out onto the balcony to call Qi Song.

Both Rong Yihua and Rong Jing’s reactions today had unsettled her.

It was as if as if they had discovered her affair with Qi Song.

The phone rang endlessly, but no one answered.

She paced anxiously in place, just as she was about to hang up, the call finally connected. She blurted out urgently, “Ah-Song!”

“Mrs. Rong, what do you need Ah-Song for?” A woman’s voice came from the other end, not Qi Song.

Bai Jiao’s face instantly darkened with fury. Gritting her teeth, she demanded, “Ji Qian? Why do you have her phone?”

“It’s me.”

Ji Qian lounged lazily on the sofa, raising her hand to admire the diamond ring on her ring finger. With a smirk, she replied, “Dear in-law, what an interesting question. We’re about to get married, so of course we’re together at night. What’s the problem with me answering her phone?”

Hearing that they were together, Bai Jiao’s face twisted with jealousy and hatred. “Who did you say you’re marrying?!”

“Ah-Song, of course. The news of our wedding is already public. Mrs. Rong, don’t you read the news?”

Bai Jiao clenched her fists.

“I need to speak with Qi Song. Put her on.”

“She’s in the shower. If you have something to say, tell me.”

Through gritted teeth, Bai Jiao repeated, “I need Qi Song!”

Ji Qian’s temper flared. “Bai Jiao, don’t think I don’t know what kind of trash you are. Qi Song and I are getting married. If you have any shame, stop clinging to her! If you come to our wedding as a proper in-law, you’re welcome. But if you’re scheming something, I’ll expose all your dirty secrets.”

“Ji Qian, do you really think Qi Song would marry you? Are you even worthy?”

“Whether I’m worthy isn’t for you to decide. But as far as I know, you and Rong Yihua aren’t divorced yet. You’re still someone else’s wife, yet you dare covet Ah-Song? Have you no shame? I’ve never met a woman as shameless as you married, yet still clinging to Ah-Song!”

“How dare you insult me, Ji Qian! You only trapped Qi Song by drugging her. Do you really think she’d marry you?”

“You’re the shameless one! Stay away from Qi Song!”

The two women hurled insults at each other through the phone.

Qi Song stepped out of the shower just as Ji Qian snarled, “I’ll make sure my daughter divorces Rong Wanning! The person you raised, my daughter was just playing with her. Don’t even think about stepping into our family!”

Striding over, Qi Song snatched the phone and hung up.

“Ah-Song!”

Ji Qian’s eyes were red as she glared at her. “You’re still protecting her?”

“No.”

Choking back tears, Ji Qian said, “Qi Song, I’ve followed you without status for so long. If you keep messing around with other women, I won’t let you off!”

Qi Song pulled her into an embrace. “Silly, we’ve already announced our wedding. How could I betray you?”

“Then why are you still entangled with Bai Jiao?”

“Qianqian.” Qi Song wiped her tears away. “It’s for the Rong family’s interests. We’ve already taken the Lin Corporation, don’t you want the Rong Corporation too?”

“I… I just want to be with you and our daughter. We already have so much money, I’m satisfied.”

Ji Qian clung to her. “Ah-Song, I don’t want you seeing Bai Jiao anymore. Let’s stop here. From now on, the three of us can be together forever. My daughter and I won’t have to hide anymore, I’m already so happy.”

“Silly, whether it was Lin Xinrou or Bai Jiao, it was all just an act. Everything I took from the Lin Corporation is under your name. Doesn’t that prove how much I love you?”

Ji Qian nodded fervently. “I believe you. Of course, I believe you love me.”

The phone lit up Bai Jiao was calling again. Qi Song calmly muted it and slipped it into her pocket. She cupped Ji Qian’s face in her hands, gazing at her with infatuation. “You’re the only one I truly love.”

“Me too, A’Song.”

They embraced, lost in a tender kiss.

Before long, Qi Song gently pulled away. “Be good, don’t overthink things. Go take a shower and wait for me.”

As she spoke, she playfully nipped Ji Qian’s earlobe.

“Ah, you’re so mean.”

Blushing furiously, Ji Qian headed to the bathroom.

Once the sound of running water filled the bathroom, Qi Song’s smile faded. She stepped onto the balcony and dialed Bai Jiao’s number.

The first three calls were rejected.

Unfazed, she leaned against the wall and kept trying.

On the fifth attempt, Bai Jiao finally answered.

“Qi Song, how dare you play me for a fool!” Bai Jiao’s voice was thick with fury.

She had confessed her love, yet here Qi Song was, with Ji Qian even planning to marry her.

For Qi Song, Bai Jiao had gone as far as tampering with Rong Yihua’s medication, all in the hopes that once Rong Yihua was gone, they could be together openly.

“I’ve done so much for you! Rong Yihua has always treated me well, yet for you, I even harmed her. If you’re lying to me, I won’t let you off the hook!”

Qi Song’s voice softened with affection and helplessness. “If I were lying, why would I have hidden what I did for you from Ji Qian all those years ago? Everything I do is for our family!”

Bai Jiao choked back a sob. “But you’re marrying her!”

“Everything I took from the Lin family is under her name to avoid suspicion. If I don’t marry her, how can I reclaim it? Bai Jiao, I’ve told you my background is nothing compared to Rong Yihua’s. If I can’t give you the same life, I won’t hold you back.”

“You’re really not lying to me?”

“Ji Qian is just a tool for us, don’t you remember? If you still don’t trust me, I’ll come clean with her right now.”

“No! Not yet!”

A smirk curled at Qi Song’s lips. This retreat-as-advance tactic never failed to reel Bai Jiao back in.

“Bai Jiao, everything I do is so our family can be together sooner. In my heart, you’ll always be my one and only wife. That will never change. I love you. From the moment I first saw you, I was yours. It’s just… you were already married to Rong Yihua then.”

“Don’t lie to me, Qi Song. If that secret ever comes out, neither Rong Yihua nor Rong Jing will spare me. You’re all I have left.”

“Just hold on a little longer. We’ll be together soon.”

After soothing Bai Jiao a while longer, Qi Song heard the shower turn off. She excused herself, claiming she had to go, and hung up.

Walking back into the room, she saw Ji Qian step out wrapped in a towel. Smiling, she moved toward her.