Ji Xuewei arrived just in time. At least Fang Youlan's face improved a lot after seeing her daughter, and the unpleasantness from earlier seemed to have dissipated. Especially when she saw Qin Zong standing beside her, she was beaming with smiles. "Come in quickly... come in quickly, your dad has been waiting for you both for quite some time."

  Ji Xuewei glanced at Qin Zong, seeing his indifferent expression. Although she was unhappy in her heart, she only hoped that he could cherish their past relationship and not make things too difficult for her at her parents' home, at least giving her some face.

  After the two entered, they unexpectedly saw Ji Xiaoli and her husband sitting on the sofa. Ji Xuewei's expression didn't change, even though she had already clenched her fists. On the other hand, Qin Zong's face lost some of its indifference and became softer.

  "Third Uncle, you're here too?"

  Qin Zhenyang nodded slightly and didn't make a big fuss. It's not surprising, after all Qin Zheng called his father-in-law "Dad" and also called him "Third Uncle".

  This made Qin Zhenyang think of the nickname his wife had given him yesterday, old fellow! He was only thirty-five and not even that yet, where did he get to be considered old? But being called this by Qin Zong, it seemed like there really was something to it, and his face also became somewhat subtle.

  Ji Xiaoli also seemed to have noticed his change in expression and quietly went over to ask: "What's wrong?"

  "It's not that I think of them as younger, but when I compare myself to Qin Zong, the age gap is obvious." Thirty-five is indeed not old, and Qin San had just turned thirty-four after the new year, so he can't be considered old. This is still a man's starting period, they say men are in their prime at forty-one, but Ji Xiao Li doesn't think so, however she didn't know that.

  Qin Zong can be considered Qin San Ye's number one love rival, although he doesn't rank high on the list. However, for cautious Qin San Ye, age is also a major drawback.

  Ji Xiao Li let out a snort of laughter and secretly pinched his waist: "What's the big deal? Nowadays, young girls all like to marry men who are slightly older, saying it gives them a sense of security. Compared to those of the same age, women's minds mature faster than men's, so they think men of the same age are immature and not suitable... Besides, I remember Xiaoguang often browsing online, where there are many cases of older husbands and younger wives, what does age matter?"

  This is not to comfort him, but the truth. Women all like strong men and even more like psychologically mature men who know how to take care of people, such as those with a lot of experience and knowledge who understand how to be gentle, are only slightly older.

  Qin Zhenyang seemed to have heard this view for the first time, and his eyes lit up. The depression from earlier had disappeared without a trace, "So you think so too?"

  The man's dark eyes emitted a mysterious glow, and Ji Xiao Li suddenly looked over, her expression paused, as if she would be unforgivable if she said anything at this moment, so she nodded with a smile.

  Qin Zhenyang inexplicably heard his wife's inner voice today, and he was delighted in his heart. "Actually, if we talk about age, I'm only nine years older than you, but if we talk about being spoiled, you're really lucky to have found a treasure like me. I only have this one precious thing, so I must hold it in my hands carefully, and it's best to keep it in my pocket at all times."

  Ji Xiaoli's face turned red, and seeing her father and the other two people's eyes scanning over, she angrily used her foot to secretly kick him once. Qin Zhenyang seemed to have shut his mouth, but the meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth betrayed his thoughts.

  Ji Chunlin looked at his eldest daughter and son-in-law, who were harmonious and loving. However, when he looked at his younger daughter, it was a different story. To say that they treated each other with respect would be an exaggeration - even standing together, they barely exchanged words, like two strangers. This was just shortly after their engagement, before the wedding had even taken place. Ji Chunlin couldn't help but worry: if things were already this way, what would happen in the future? Would his younger daughter truly be happy marrying into the Qin family?

  The night before the engagement, he had asked his youngest daughter after all, the Qin family was a high-ranking family, and even if they tried their best to get in, they might not be able to live up to expectations in the future. It's better to choose an ordinary man to live a simple life. However, his youngest daughter was firm in her conviction. Ji Chunlin knew what kind of life his daughter wanted, so he only advised her slightly and didn't waste many words.

  But now... He shook his head and remained silent.

  Qin Zong's gaze didn't specifically fall on anyone, but he was always paying attention to Ji Xiaoli. Especially when he saw the intimate behavior of those two people, he felt very uncomfortable in his heart... He firmly believed that his heart hadn't changed, but seeing Xiaoli's smile like that, he secretly wondered if she really had fallen in love with San Shu? Had she forgotten their four years together in just a few short months?

  Believe it or not, what's in front of him is not what he wants to see.

  Ji Xuewei saw the expressions of several people, her heart burning with jealousy, but she didn't dare to erupt, especially because of what happened before, she still hoped that Qin Zong would change his opinion of herself, so today she could only continue to play the role of a weak and gentle person.

  "Sister, it was my fault last time, I'm sorry...I let the Qin family misunderstand you, I..." Ji Xuewei trailed off, her expression seeming more sincere.

  If Ji Xiao Li was foolish, she might still believe that she is sincerely apologizing at this moment. If someone repeatedly plays tricks and doesn't change after being taught a lesson multiple times, would you believe that they suddenly reformed? Maybe it's just covering up something.

  The large hand beside her tightly wrapped around her small one, Ji Xiao Li knew he was trying to give her encouragement, but she was no longer the Ji Xiao Li who still relied on this household. Apart from her father, there was no need for her to be considerate of anyone else here, because it had long since become unnecessary.

  Even if it's fake, she wouldn't bother with it.

  "Oh? You'd better speak clearly, how did you wrong me? How did the Qin family misunderstand me, why didn't I understand? Zhenyang, do you get it?" She turned her head to glance at the man beside her with a hint of a smile, and the man, being in tune with her mind, naturally understood what she meant. His eyes swept past hers, but he also remained silent.

  Ji Xuewei's eyes flashed with a hint of resentment. She had come today to show weakness, just to make Qin Zong believe that she was truly remorseful and willing to give her another chance! But Ji Xiaoli actually mocked her in front of everyone, even wanting to tear down her stage, what a lack of tact!

  Fang Youlan looked at her daughter with a difficult expression, and deliberately coughed: "Dinner is almost ready, whatever it is can be said after dinner."

  Ji Xiaoli interrupted her lightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his smiling eyes: "Since Xuewei wants to apologize to me, then just say what's on your mind. Fang Auntie, you can wait for a bit, eating dinner ten minutes later is the same as eating now, but if some things aren't clarified, I'm afraid they'll never be settled in this lifetime!"

  "YOU!" Ji Xuewei's face turned iron-green with rage, knowing she was being sarcastic towards Qin Zong. But at this moment, Qin Zong had already become indifferent to her, so she must quickly regain his affection and didn't dare to shout loudly, only biting her lower lip and saying: "Since sister knows everything, I just came here to apologize...I know you're angry, angry because of the attitude of the Qin family towards you, but even if this hadn't happened, their attitude would still be the same..."

  Is this an apology? It's actually a mockery in disguise?

  Qin Zhenyang was about to speak, but Ji Xiaoli pinched his palm and hinted at him to stop talking. Since Ji Xiaoli had chosen to come over, she must have already steeled herself for it; the worst that could happen was a loss of face, and what she cared about most was her father, not this entire household.

  "You'd better say less, if you don't speak nobody will take you as a mute!" Qin Zong's face had just eased up a lot earlier, but now it turned gloomy again.

  Ji Xuewei glared at the woman sitting on the sofa, her eyes almost spewing fire. Seeing Ji Xuewei like this, Ji Xiaoli's heart was filled with joy, and she raised the corners of her lips, smiling ambiguously: "Actually, what you said is also right, even if I didn't take action, I wouldn't be able to win their favor anyway. But so what? Because of this matter, everyone knows that my good sister Ji Xuewei has such a deep mind, willing to sacrifice even her own child to frame her own sister? It turns out that she wasn't pregnant at all, and used a fake fetus as leverage! Doesn't she ever think about how her future mother-in-law thinks of her?"

  "Xue Wei, actually, even if you don't apologize, I shouldn't hate you. Maybe I should sympathize with you! Because you've done so many things and gotten nothing in return, instead losing everything and suffering a double loss. If I were you, from now on I would be obedient and not do anything, just quietly being the wife of the Qin family. This way, maybe people will slowly forget about this matter... But if you still refuse to repent and want to harm others, heaven will also watch you commit evil deeds, and when the time comes, everything will come back to haunt you, even doubled!"

  Ji Xiao Li's words might be a bit venomous, but heaven knows how unbearable it is to be repeatedly framed and bullied. If she could still endure it, that would make her a saint. Fortunately, she has already left this family and doesn't have to suffer from those disgusting constraints anymore.

  Ji Xuewei was so angry that her lips were about to bleed, she remembered all these words in her heart, even if she didn't say anything now, but sooner or later she would severely teach this cheap woman a lesson and make her regret saying such things.

  Ji Chunlin watched as his two daughters fought, and he didn't feel good about it either. He reached out and patted his eldest daughter's shoulder, sighing: "Give Xuewei another chance this time, she's gone too far... I hope she'll change in the future, if there is a next time..."

  "Dad, you can't say that. As the father of both of them, you can't make a decision. But as Xiaoli's husband, if anyone dares to bully or humiliate her again, I will absolutely not let it go! This time, just like you said, Dad, we'll give them another chance. If there's a next time, even if Xiaoli doesn't want to, I will take revenge for her and get justice back!"

  Qin Zhenyang's eyes narrowed coldly, and his icy gaze had already swept past her when Ji Xuewei looked over with a resentful expression.

  Ji Chunlin remained silent for a long time and then nodded his head.

  The time on the wall had already reached half past eleven, and Ji Chunlin's eyes were also a bit tired: "Let's eat first, whatever it is can be discussed after dinner."

  Ji Xiaoli's eyes had a hint of guilt, she also hoped that her father could spend his birthday happily today, but Ji Xuewei's words made it really hard for her to tolerate, if she continued to endure, maybe Ji Xuewei would think she was a soft persimmon and become even more overbearing, in that case, why bother?

  Just father... daughters on both sides, yet he finds it hard to make a choice...

  "Ji Xiaoli whispered in his ear: 'Dad, I'm sorry about what happened today. It made you unhappy, and I...'"

  Ji Chunlin patted her hand, his expression paused for a moment: "Alright, don't think too much about it. Your dad isn't oblivious to everything, I know who's right and wrong in this matter. I'm glad you're not pursuing it this time, seeing my face. Xiao Li, I thought you wouldn't come today, but in the end, you did, which already makes me happy... So don't say sorry, if you really feel that way, just sit next to Dad and finish this meal with me before saying anything."

  "Good."

  Dad will always be her dad, and that has never changed, thought Ji Xiaoli. Of course, if Ji Xuewei is willing to live a peaceful life and stop bothering her, she won't continue to entangle with her either, after all, she doesn't want Dad to be caught in the middle and have a hard time.

  But if Ji Xuewei refuses to surrender, then she can only fight to the death!