I Only Choked on Noodles, Why Am I Here?! [BL]-Chapter 35 – Spoiled and Cunning
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"How dare you cook all the meat at home and you still dare argue!"
Madam Wei spat out, the words bursting from her mouth like venom. Anger twisted her face violently into something almost unrecognizable, as though a vengeful ghost had clawed its way back from the Yellow Springs to haunt the living. The years of resentment etched into her features deepened, contorting her expression into something fierce and ugly.
Her voice was sharp and shrill, each word dripping with fury and disdain, cutting through the air like a blade. Veins stood out on her neck as her chest heaved violently, breath coming in harsh, uneven bursts, unable to contain the rage boiling inside her. It was as if every disatisfaction she had ever endured had surfaced all at once, pouring out through that single accusation.
Her eyes blazed with a chilling, almost feral light, locked unflinchingly onto Madam Zhang. She stared as though she wished to pin her to the spot, crushing her under the sheer weight of her hatred while tearing her apart piece by piece with nothing but her gaze. The room seemed to grow colder under her stare, the tension thick enough to be suffocating as Madam Wei stood trembling with fury, barely restraining herself from lunging forward.
"Mother-in-law, I didn’t use all the meat. After all It was already little to begin with" Madam Zhang said gently, her tone almost conciliatory, as though she were sincerely trying to ease the misunderstanding.
"And Han Bo here needs more meat to become stronger in the future."
She sighed softly, shaking her head as if helpless rather than accused. "I truly don’t understand why you’re so angry" she continued, her voice calm and measured, every word carefully chosen.
"I was only taking care of Han Bo, after all."
Then she smiled faintly it was polite, restrained and impossible to fault. "He’s your only beloved male grandchild."
Her words were spoken lightly almost casually, yet they landed with crushing weight. Madam Zhang’s eyes flickered briefly to Madam Wei before lowering in apparent respect, though the reminder lingered in the air.
She had neither raised her voice nor defended herself aggressively, yet with a single sentence she had shifted the balance, turning concern into obligation and fury into something far more dangerous to ignore it was like a warning cloaked in civility.
Madam Liu sat at the side, her lips curling into a faint, self-satisfied smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. When she heard Madam Zhang emphasize that Han Bo was the only male grandchild, a flash of displeasure crossed her face. Quickly, she forced her expression to soften, concealing the irritation beneath a mask of polite composure.
Her eyes flicked to the small piece of pork on the table, she reached carefully with her chopsticks, trying to take it before Madam Wei noticed. Her movements were courteous on the surface, yet every gesture carried a hidden urgency, as if she were quietly seizing an advantage for her own daughter amid the tension.
Old Man Han, seated at the head of the table, continued eating at his own leisurely pace, barely acknowledging the quarrel. To him, the shouting and sharp words of the women were nothing more than background noise, unworthy of his contribution.
While the twins Han Ling and Han Qing sat quietly, heads lowered in their bow, pretending to be invisible as the storm of anger swirled around them. The two men Han Qiang and Han Sheng mirrored the same indifference, quietly picking at their food as if the argument had nothing to do with them or they just don’t want to be involved.
Han Bo, however, was far from distracted or uncomfortable. He clutched his chopsticks with both hands, his round cheeks puffed slightly as he leaned over his plate, mumbling softly at first, almost as if talking to himself: "Mother... Han Yan... brought lots of things from his trip..." His voice was quiet, designed to seem innocent but loud enough to get their attention drawn.
Then, with a sudden burst, he raised his voice, loud and clear: "He helped bully me and even supported Dong Hai in front of everyone that outsider!" His words cut through the room like a small lightning strike. The sudden change in volume startled everyone at the table causing a few of them to drop their chopsticks.
The tone was sharp, almost triumphant, as if he had been waiting for the perfect moment to drop the bomb. His chubby cheeks shook slightly as he spoke, jiggling in a way that only made him seem more like an innocent child yet behind that seeming naivety was the unmistakable gleam of mischief.
Finally, leaning forward with a slight grin, he added sweetly "Grandma I still want more meat!" His voice was cheerful, almost pleading as he batted his little chopsticks against the table for emphasis, eyes wide with faux innocence.
It was clear he expected to get his way he had been spoiled long enough to know how to push adults into giving in. Even as he chewed, there was a playful glint in his eyes, not fully cunning, but enough to show he knew exactly how to stir the adults while keeping a cheeky grin on his little face.
Madam Wei paused mid-sentence, her sharp eyes narrowing as she turned to Han Bo. "Tell me what you saw" she demanded, her voice low and soft, though the edge of impatience was unmistakable.
As the little boy began to speak, her gaze darkened more, shadowed with a greedy gleam that betrayed her every thought. She leaned in slightly, as if trying to pierce his words for hidden meaning, every muscle in her face taut with anticipation, as if listening to a story unfold before her.
With each detail Han Bo revealed, her expression grew more intense, hunger and covetousness flickering in her eyes. A deep, almost imperceptible growl escaped her lips, and she cursed under her breath, her tone sharp and laced with venom.
"That Han Yan... he’ll pay for this!" The words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding, as if the very mention of his name had unleashed a storm of rage and envy that no one at the table could ignore.
"That ungrateful wretch," Madam Wei spat through clenched teeth, her voice sharp as a knife. Her eyes darkened with fury, her anger directed entirely at Han Yan, even though he was not present.
"After being separated from us, he thinks only of filling his own stomach, forgetting the very parents who raised him. Does he think our sacrifices mean nothing? Even if he were to fall into misfortune."
"Even if he gave filial pity, he should still no he must remember to give us a share of the meat when he goes hunting! How dare he devour everything and completely forgot all about the Han household!"
Her hands clenched into fists at her side nails digging into her palms, yet her voice remained steady, sharp with restrained rage. Each word was heavy with accusation, echoing off the walls of the modest hall.
She could feel her blood boiling at the thought, imagining him sitting there, indulging himself while the family went without anything, left with nothing but a few copper coins. The anger was suffocating, a mixture of bitterness and longing of expectation betrayed, and of her wounded pride.
"Ungrateful wretch!" she hissed, her voice cutting through the heavy silence. "Mark my words, he will pay for this neglect sooner or later!"
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Han Yan let out a sudden sneeze as he got ready for bed, the sharp sound breaking the quiet of the room. Lin Xin’s delicate, graceful eyebrows knitted together, his fine features taut with worry. "Han Yan! Are you alright? Do you feel sick?!" His voice rang urgent, slightly sharp, betraying the depth of his concern.
Without waiting for an answer, Lin Xin reached out and placed his hand gently on Han Yan’s forehead, checking for a fever. Han Yan shifted slightly under the touch, aware of the careful attention, while Lin Xin’s expression remained tense, every line of his delicate face reflecting his worry.
"I’m okay," he said softly, trying to sound casual, though a faint flush tinged his ears fortunately, the room’s dim light masked it well, keeping it mostly hidden.
Yet even as he spoke, he couldn’t help but notice how Lin Xin’s gaze lingered on him, and how even the slightest movement, the tender pressure of his hand, made him vividly aware of how close they were.
A soft meow disturbed the tranquil warmth in the room and on their bed lounged the arrogant cat, tail flicking lazily.
"Tch! Feeding this great ancestor dog food?" the cat seemed to sneer. "This ancestor would much rather bask in the sun!"
Han Yan caught the words and coughed, turning his face slightly away, the unexpected comment from the cat made him momentarily flustered.
Lin Xin’s delicate, youthful features immediately tightened with concern. He leaned closer, worry shining in his eyes as he watched him. "Yan’ge... are you okay? You’re coughing..." His voice was soft but urgent, betraying the anxiety he felt seeing the older man seemingly unwell. His mind raced, fearing Han Yan might be sicker than he admitted.
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