Song Ziwen got out of the car, just opening the trunk to take out the things Yang Jing had brought. When he turned around, he found Wang Qiqi had already linked arms with his girlfriend and walked off, not showing the slightest inclination to help him with the luggage. "I say, you two are too much! You're just going to leave me here." Honestly, his own sweet girlfriend had been led astray by Wang Qiqi; his girlfriend wasn't like this before.

Hearing Song Ziwen's exasperated voice, Yang Jing offered, "How about I go help your brother with the things?" The items weren't heavy individually, but there were so many of them that carrying them alone would be quite taxing.

Wang Qiqi sensed Yang Jing’s impulse to turn back, and she immediately grabbed her arm, stopping her from retreating. Are you kidding me? Letting her go back now would only let Song Ziwen gloat. "It's fine. A little work won't kill the man. My brother is just being dramatic." Wang Qiqi deliberately stressed the last word for emphasis.

When Song Ziwen heard Wang Qiqi’s comment, he nearly stumbled. What did that brat mean by that? "I’m dramatic? I’m dramatic? I’m not some delicate woman!" He was a man; how could a man be dramatic? Wang Qiqi was clearly insulting him. Song Ziwen suddenly worried that under Wang Qiqi’s influence, Song Yao might also start favoring Yang Jing. Then, then... Song Ziwen instantly felt a profound chill, despite the fact that his sister, Qiqi, and Yang Jing getting along was good news. Why did he feel like his future days were going to be miserable, and he’d end up being kicked out by these women, left alone once again?

Wang Qiqi simply smiled, ignoring the figure hopping around behind them, and steered her companion into the house. Upon entering, Wang Qiqi spotted Gong Peixing in the courtyard, holding Taotao and looking up at a tree. She walked over and scooped up Taotao. "Brother-in-law, my brother is outside wrestling with the luggage."

Gong Peixing merely grunted, said hello to Yang Jing, and then headed out to help his brother-in-law. He wondered if his brother-in-law had managed to offend this formidable lady on the road earlier, otherwise, Wang Qiqi wouldn’t be acting this way.

Song Ziwen, struggling with a massive pile of belongings that gave him a headache just looking at it, almost despaired until he spotted Gong Peixing’s figure. "Brother-in-law, quick, come help!" Thank heavens for his brother-in-law; at least he treated him well, unlike everyone else.

Gong Peixing surveyed the contents of the trunk and was speechless. "My goodness, you are utterly useless. Needing help for just this much stuff."

Song Ziwen felt like the day was a complete disaster. Being dismissed by Wang Qiqi was one thing, but now even his usually agreeable brother-in-law was acting this way. Song Ziwen felt a sudden urge to jump into the river. "Brother-in-law, please have mercy on me. Wang Qiqi has scorned me to death today, and even my own girlfriend has abandoned me."

Gong Peixing felt no sympathy for Song Ziwen’s plight. When he and Song Yao first got together, Song Ziwen hadn't spared him any teasing. Gong Peixing had always thought that when Song Ziwen finally got a girlfriend, he’d have his chance for payback. He was disappointed he never found the right moment, but he certainly hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to be so sharp-tongued. "That just means you said or did something wrong. Qiqi is such a wonderful child."

Seeing the smirk playing on his brother-in-law's lips, Song Ziwen sighed. "Brother-in-law, are you getting revenge for what I did to you back then?" Song Ziwen knew he had tripped his brother-in-law up plenty of times, but wasn't Gong Peixing taking it a bit far now?

"What makes you say that?" Gong Peixing countered with a smile, picking up two lighter bags and heading back.

Song Ziwen watched his brother-in-law carry only a meager load and felt profound disdain. However, he dared not speak up; angering his brother-in-law might result in Gong Peixing dumping the luggage right there.

Wang Rui had learned from Wang Dagui’s questioning that Yang Jing was Song Ziwen's girlfriend—no surprise that she would be the future cousin-in-law, with the wedding set for May Day. Wang Rui knew her cousins, Song Yao and Wang Qiqi, were close, but the realization that Wang Qiqi already knew her future sister-in-law while she, Wang Rui, knew nothing made her furious.

Wang Rui thought that if Jiaozi had been faster, she definitely could have established a better relationship with the future sister-in-law before Wang Qiqi did. Song Ziwen was the heir to the Song family, after all. If she could secure a good relationship with Song Ziwen's wife, Yang Jing, wouldn't benefits be guaranteed? Wang Rui was confident she’d get into university, but how comfortable would her life be there? Would her eventual marriage be respectable? She couldn't count on Wang Qiqi. The only help she could expect was from Wang Damei’s family, but now such a golden opportunity...

When Wang Rui saw Wang Qiqi walk in, holding the arm of a bookish-looking girl, she knew it must be the future cousin-in-law. She scanned Yang Jing up and down and let out a small, dismissive curl of her lip. She had expected that since Song Ziwen's family was now wealthy, his taste in women would have elevated significantly. He should have chosen someone genuinely beautiful. But alas, to put it politely, she had presence; to put it bluntly, she wasn't pretty.

Wang Rui thought her pouting expression had gone unnoticed because Yang Jing was currently greeting the elders. However, she failed to realize that while she stood in the corner, her scrutinizing gaze directed at Yang Jing since the moment she entered had already made Yang Jing uneasy. Thus, even while offering greetings, Yang Jing diverted some attention to observe Wang Rui. Consequently, Yang Jing inwardly disapproved of Wang Rui’s action, thinking, why would this girl react this way?

Once Yang Jing finished greeting the elders, Wang Rui’s smile became almost aggressively sincere. She hurried to Yang Jing’s side, hooking her arm. "Sister-in-law, hello, I am Ziwen Gege's cousin, Wang Rui." Wang Rui blinked at Yang Jing, assuming Song Ziwen must have mentioned her.

Wang Rui possessed a good deal of self-confidence, but she didn't know how utterly disgusted Song Ziwen was by her. Whenever Wang Rui's name came up, he wore an expression of sheer aversion. Though he didn't mention her often, those few times had clearly left a sour note in Yang Jing’s mind. Coupled with Wang Rui's previous display, Yang Jing already felt this girl was trouble. Despite resisting Wang Rui’s forced familiarity, Yang Jing couldn't openly embarrass her future sister-in-law’s niece in front of her future mother-in-law. "Hello." However, the cool tone in Yang Jing’s voice betrayed her true displeasure.

Wang Rui heard the distinct coolness in the reply, a stark contrast to how jovially she had chatted with Wang Qiqi earlier. She internally grumbled that if she had gone out to greet Yang Jing earlier, Yang Jing would surely be much warmer towards her now. "Ziwen Ge often mentions you; he says how wonderful you are. I'm glad to finally meet the real person." Wang Rui maintained a tone suggesting a close relationship with Song Ziwen.

Song Yao overheard Wang Rui’s overly familiar greeting and pretended to take her son back from Wang Qiqi. "My, aren't you thick-skinned? I, his actual sister, have only known for a few days, yet you’ve 'often' heard how great Sister-in-law is." The contempt in her voice was impossible to hide. "Hey, Qiqi, you only found out a couple of days ago too, right? So, this kid has been keeping secrets from us, but he’s been busy chatting up others? Unacceptable! I need to have a serious talk with Song Ziwen about this later."

Wang Qiqi thought to herself that Song Yao’s fighting spirit hadn't diminished after having a baby. She was speaking softly to Wang Qiqi, but someone managed to catch just enough to make sure everyone present—and the absent Song Ziwen—heard, dragging Song Ziwen into it. Wang Qiqi knew that if Song Ziwen found out Wang Rui was claiming intimacy, he would leap up. He could be close to anyone, but definitely not Wang Rui.

Wang Rui hadn't expected to be publicly mocked by Song Yao immediately after trying to show off to her future cousin-in-law. She felt deeply wronged, staring with an expression of complete innocence. In reality, she was thinking that it was surprising Song Ziwen’s own sister had only just learned about his girlfriend, meaning Song Ziwen hadn't been deceiving people for very long. But the thought that Song Yao might mention her false familiarity to Song Ziwen later gave her immense pressure. Song Ziwen certainly wouldn't be polite to her with Yang Jing present, and Yang Jing, being his girlfriend, would naturally side with him. Considering this, Wang Rui’s look of grievance deepened.

Song Yao observed the expression on Wang Rui's face. "Exactly that look, that completely innocent expression." It was irritating to look at. She was usually so cheerful, but she often adopted this look. People who didn't know her well might think the rest of them were bullying her. Did she think Yang Jing, meeting her for the first time, wouldn't see through it? Just looking at the disgust in Yang Jing's eyes showed how little she cared for Wang Rui. Keep making a fuss. The more you fuss, the less Yang Jing beside you will care for you. Alas, this girl still lacks true sophistication.

Wang Damei noticed the flicker of displeasure in her daughter-in-law’s eyes and then glanced at her niece’s performance; she was equally displeased. Today, her daughter-in-law was officially being welcomed into the family circle, yet Wang Rui had to pull a stunt like this. Did she think things weren't complicated enough?

Wang Damei glared at Song Yao. She clearly didn't understand the situation. Family conflicts were internal matters; why bring them out in front of Yang Jing? While Yang Jing would eventually learn about these things after marrying in, for the proud Wang Damei, the later the better. She desperately wanted to maintain the image of a harmonious household. "Yao Yao, it’s a bit chilly here. Take Yang Jing upstairs to your sitting room."

Song Yao pouted. She was an expert at using that tactic, but it solved nothing. "I know. Qiqi, Yang Jing, let’s go upstairs. We can chat properly there."

Song Yao was about to tell Wang Rui, who was trying to follow them, not to come up, but she caught the fierce look Wang Damei shot her. Song Yao had to swallow the refusal. "Wang Rui, once we're upstairs, you will be quiet and well-behaved." While she couldn't forbid her from coming, Song Yao still issued a clear warning, giving Wang Rui absolutely no face and disregarding how uncomfortable Wang Dagui looked.