Chapter 576: Chapter 560: Call Her Sister-in-law_2

Just her standing at the doorway made Pei Yuan shiver; she guiltily lowered her head on instinct, not daring to meet her eyes.

Qingqing, on the other hand, opened her mouth as if to speak, then only shook her head and stayed silent.

"What’s wrong, am I no longer worthy of talking to you now?"

Mrs. Pei looked at Qingqing. Qingqing’s whole body stiffened and she immediately shook her head. "No, Aunt Pei, it’s just that I don’t know how to tell you."

"If there’s something, just say it. Don’t act like you’ve suffered some huge grievance in my house." Mrs. Pei frowned at Qingqing, a cold smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "If something really did happen, just say it. Whoever dares to run wild in my Pei Family, I absolutely won’t let them off easy."

Qingqing was stunned.

Mrs. Pei was knocking her down a peg—she could see that. Mrs. Pei was protecting Qin Yun!

On what grounds?

How long has Qin Yun even been married into the Pei Family and they already shield her like this?

Their families had been neighbors for so many years, had such a long-standing relationship, and it still couldn’t compare to the few months since Qin Yun married in.

Qingqing instantly reined in the dejection on her face and said, "No, I’m not aggrieved. Aunt Pei, you know me, I’m just a bit quiet by nature. Other than coming to the Pei house to hang out, I don’t really like going anywhere else."

Mrs. Pei calmly shifted her gaze away. "In the past you could play however you wanted, but now you can’t. My daughter‑in‑law is pregnant—her mood directly affects my grandson’s health. In the future, if there’s nothing important, don’t come wandering over, in case my daughter‑in‑law feels upset when she sees you. If she’s upset, the whole family won’t be happy. Got it, Qingqing?"

Mrs. Pei’s voice was elegant and composed, but what she said made Qingqing’s face grow several shades paler.

She looked at Pei Yan, whose expression was ice‑cold, then at Pei Yuan, whose face was all guilt and fear; in front of her aunt, she didn’t dare act up.

In that moment, Qingqing clearly realized that no one would speak up for her.

She had made a complete fool of herself in front of Qin Yun, lost all her face.

Qingqing bit her lip and called out, "Aunt..."

Mrs. Pei gave her a light, casual glance. "If there’s nothing else, you should head home early, so your family doesn’t worry. Remember what I said: girls should behave themselves. Understand?"

"...Got it."

Qingqing clenched her teeth, face ugly, and walked toward the front gate.

Pei Yuan watched Qingqing leave and wanted to chase after her, but one look from Mrs. Pei pinned her in place. She stammered, "I—I just wanted to walk Qingqing out."

"No need. She’s a grown woman, she knows the way." Mrs. Pei’s voice was cold, even her gaze glinting with an icy chill.

Qingqing’s back visibly stiffened, then she continued walking out.

Pei Yuan still hadn’t figured out why the two people who’d always treated Qingqing pretty well now suddenly changed. She stood there, wanting to speak but holding back, and in the end still didn’t dare run after her.

Mrs. Pei gave Pei Yuan a faint glance, quietly sighed, then turned and walked toward Qin Yun and the others. "Yunyun, how are you?"

Watching Mrs. Pei deal with Qingqing—with that aura that crushed everything and that famously double‑standard attitude—put Qin Yun in a very good mood.

Qin Yun shook her head and slanted a look at Pei Yan. "I’m fine, he’s the one with a problem."

Pei Yan rubbed the top of her head, helpless.

Mrs. Pei nodded in agreement. "True enough. It’s that face of his that attracts all this rotten peach blossom. He ought to reflect on himself. Next time something like this happens, just send him home to kneel on a washboard."

Even though Pei Yuan was the brainless one, getting used by others and still helping them count their money, the rotten peach blossom was ultimately drawn by Pei Yan.

After that, Mrs. Pei called out, "Pei Yuan."

Pei Yuan had just quietly turned to leave. Hearing the voice, she instantly turned back with a fawning smile for Mrs. Pei. "Aunt, do you need something?"

"From now on, see less of Qingqing. You’re not her match. Did you hear me?"

Pei Yuan pouted. "Got it."

As soon as she agreed, she hurried off, as if some ferocious beast were chasing her.

Mrs. Pei sighed. Seeing her like that, she knew the girl still hadn’t taken it to heart.

She was bound to suffer sooner or later.

Qin Yun shook her head as well, not sure whether to call Pei Yuan naive or just dumb.

Pei Yan said, "That temperament of hers needs a good grinding down."

Watching Pei Yuan’s departing back, Mrs. Pei nodded. "I’ll have someone keep an eye on her. If no one watches her, sooner or later she’ll cause trouble."

Then Mrs. Pei put her smile back on. "Leave this matter to me. It’s still early. Yunyun, if you’ve got the energy, let Pei Yan take you around the area."

Pei Yan had originally planned that anyway, so he took Qin Yun’s hand and walked toward the village entrance.

They called it a village, but it wasn’t quite like the traditional idea of one—nothing but mansions and luxury cars.

The greenery and environment were even better than their residential compound.

Qin Yun asked curiously, "Do you still remember this place?"

Pei Yan thought about it. "A little. Not much."

Holding her hand, he led her forward. "I’ll take you to see what’s up ahead."

The two of them made a loop around, and Pei Yan even took Qin Yun to pick some wild fruit.

Sour and sweet, very tasty.

On the way back, they actually ran into Qingqing again.

Qingqing was on the phone. When she saw them, she immediately hung up, looking a little nervous as she glanced at Qin Yun.

Qin Yun raised an eyebrow. This really looked like the prelude to some scheming.

"Brother Pei Yan."

Qingqing greeted Pei Yan softly.

Pei Yan didn’t respond, so Qingqing turned to Qin Yun, as if only just noticing she was there.

"Sister Qin Yun."

Pei Yan’s voice was indifferent but carried full authority. "Call her sister‑in‑law."

Qingqing seemed to flinch, then finally lowered her head and called softly, "Sister‑in‑law."

Qin Yun smiled. "Mm."

Qingqing’s hand at her side clenched into a fist, and Qin Yun caught it.

Couldn’t hold it in at all.

Qin Yun tugged on Pei Yan’s sleeve. "I’m a little hungry. Let’s go back."

Pei Yan nodded, put his arm around her, and walked right past Qingqing.

Only after they disappeared did Qingqing slowly lift her head, those long, narrow eyes filled with gloom.

"Qin Yun? Heh."

She spoke in an icy tone, full of disdain. "What do you think you are, that you dare compete with me?"

She pulled out her phone, found the call she’d just ended, and dialed again.

"Get everything arranged. Right after the Qingming holiday, I want to appear in public immediately."

...

In the afternoon, everyone who’d gone to the ancestral tombs came back, and only then did Qin Yun learn that Pei Yan had come back early because he was worried about her.

Seeing Pei Yan return, Qin Yun was a bit surprised. "How did you get back so quickly?"

Pei Yan: "I was worried about you."

Qin Yun hooked her arm through his and rubbed her head against his shoulder. Pei Yan naturally gathered her into his arms. The two of them clinging to each other like that made the siblings standing nearby all shake their heads. They’d never expected Pei Yan to be this kind of person.

Pei Yan leaned to her ear and rasped, "Stop rubbing around."

Qin Yun: heh.

She wasn’t even doing anything—how was she "rubbing around"?

She was about to straighten up when Pei Yan pressed her back down. "Be good. After you give birth, you can do whatever you want."

His low voice sounded right by her ear, his warm breath making her shiver instinctively.

Then Pei Yan added another line. "It doesn’t feel good."

Oh.

Qin Yun grinned.

So someone was feeling uncomfortable.

"Fine."

So spineless.

"Qin Yun, did you forget you have a spine? Why do you have to lean on Brother Pei Yan?"

Sitting next to her, Pei Yuan saw her leaning against Pei Yan and immediately grew displeased. "So many people are watching. Can’t you be a bit more reserved?"

Qin Yun’s good mood was instantly ruined.

She’d thought Pei Yuan was just young and ignorant and got used by others. Now it seemed her IQ and EQ were both pretty lousy.

She was single‑minded to a somewhat scary degree.

Qin Yun answered flatly, "I’m pregnant. I’m not feeling very well."

"You—" Pei Yuan wanted to say more, but the brother beside her flicked a hand against her head. "Pei Yuan, you talk too much."