Chapter 135: with translation of chapter title

Shang Zhixue sat back beside Shang's mother, muttering softly, "They aren't even engaged yet, and she has the nerve to accept someone else's gift."

Shang's mother patted Shang Zhixue, reminding her not to talk nonsense, then looked up and smiled, saying, "Zhixue's studies are basically finished; this time we aren't planning to return to F Country."

Ning Qing gave Shang Zhixue a casual glance, hummed, and didn't respond.

Shang Zhixue couldn't hold back and asked her, "Auntie, Fifth Brother's fiancée isn't even engaged yet—how come she's already living at the Zhou residence? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with that?" Ning Qing chuckled, speaking amiably as if chatting with sisters, and told Shang's mother, "You don't know—our Fifth Brother, as soon as he got a girlfriend, can't wait to move into her family's home; the girl hasn't even given him a definite answer yet, and he's already chased her to M Country to meet her parents, then begged her to come to the Zhou residence to see us."

Shang's mother could barely keep a smile, "Really? It seems Fifth Brother truly likes his girlfriend."

Shang's father caught the mention of M Country in Ning Qing's words, "Is Fifth Brother's girlfriend from M Country?"

"Yes, didn't Shuanglin tell you? She's from the Wen family of M Country; you've been abroad for years, you must have dealt with the Wen family—she's the precious granddaughter of Wen Lao, the granddaughter of Qin Lao of the Qin family in Sijiucheng, cherished as dearly as one's own eyeball; Fifth Brother is fortunate to have finally won her over."

Shang's parents remained silent; Ning Qing let out a low laugh and exchanged a glance with Zhou Shuanglin.

"Auntie, Fifth Brother is so good, you dote on him so much—how can you allow him to chase after someone else like this?" Shang Zhixue said, unwilling to let it go, pressing further.

"What's there to be unwilling about? Her status isn't inferior to our Zhou family's, and she's been raised pampered; if Fifth Brother didn't pursue her earnestly, he wouldn't win her over. Besides, she's beautiful and sensible—I like her myself, I almost wish I could chase her for Fifth Brother." Ning Qing raised her eyebrows, adding, "Fortunately Fifth Brother came through and won her; otherwise I and your uncle would have deemed him useless."

As soon as she finished speaking, the two who had just been discussed went downstairs.

The three members of the Shang family looked up to see Zhou Yinghe holding Wen Ling's hand as they descended the stairs slowly, appearing quite intimate.

When the two approached them, Ning Qing introduced, "These are your elder sister-in-law's parents and her sister Zhixue, Ah Ling—just call Fifth Brother's uncle and aunt as you would."

Wen Ling smiled warmly and generously, "Hello, uncle and aunt; hello, Sister Zhixue."

Shang Zhixue bit her lip, not responding; Shang's father and mother had already understood that Zhou Shuanglin and Ning Qing were protecting their future daughter-in-law, and said simply, "Hello."

Zhou Yinghe pulled Wen Ling to sit on the single sofa nearby, he perched on the armrest, his gaze toward Shang Zhixue sharp as a blade.

"Don't you even know this basic courtesy?"

Shang Zhixue glared resentfully at Wen Ling; Shang's mother heard the threat in Zhou Yinghe's words and forced a laugh to smooth things over: "Fifth Brother, don't quarrel with your sister Zhixue—she's still young and doesn't understand."

Zhou Yinghe snorted, lifted his hand to rest on Wen Ling's shoulder, his fingers twisting a strand of her hair as he played with it.

Wen Ling kept her smile, half-leaning against Zhou Yinghe, her gaze fixed on Shang Zhixue's face as she studied her seriously.

She's pretty enough, but seems to lack brains.

Next, Shang Zhixue proceeded to display her lack of wit to the fullest.

"Fifth Brother, there's space here—why are you sitting on the armrest?" Shang Zhixue shifted over, patted the spot beside her, and smiled brightly.

Zhou Yinghe seemed not to hear, lowered his eyes and spoke to Wen Ling.

Shang Zhixue clenched her hands, about to speak again, when Shang's father rebuked her: "This is the Zhou household; Fifth Brother can sit wherever he wants—no need for you to overstep."

He realized then that the entire Zhou family, inside and out, in word and deed, did not welcome them.

He looked at Zhou Shuanglin and Ning Qing, saying, "This Zhiyu really is my failure to discipline; her parents just came back from abroad and didn't even come down to see us—when she comes down later I'll certainly give her a proper scolding."

Wen Ling had been only half-heartedly chatting with Zhou Yinghe; hearing Shang's father's words, she couldn't help but let out a faint, mocking laugh.

Shang's father turned to face her, sternly asking, "Miss Wen, what did I say that's wrong? I'm educating my own daughter—Miss Wen, you'd better not meddle."

"Uncle, if you're angry, go vent at home; don't act like an elder in my house."

Everyone present knew Zhou Yinghe's temper; just now he had restrained himself for Zhiyu's sake, but now Shang's father, to his face, scolding Wen Ling, had completely crossed his bottom line.

He slowly rose, walked to the long sofa where the three Shang family members sat, and as he walked he said, "When you criticize my fiancée for meddling, first look in the mirror to see if you're even qualified—my elder sister-in-law married into the Zhou family, making her one of us; she is the Zhou family's eldest young lady, and it's not your place, an outsider who's never managed her, to dictate to her."

Zhou Yanqiu had just taken a call and rushed back to the company; he wasn't home at the moment, so Zhou Yinghe naturally had to stand in for his older brother and properly protect his elder sister-in-law.

After hearing that, Shang Zhixue said, aggrieved, "Fifth Brother, how could you speak to my father like that?"

Zhou Yinghe ignored her, walked up to Shang's father, and said lightly, "Uncle, take your leave."

Shang's father's face flushed red with anger; he stood, glaring fiercely at Zhou Shuanglin and Ning Qing, not caring whether the person before him was someone he couldn't afford to offend, and demanded loudly, "In-laws, are you just letting him humiliate me? Is this the Zhou family's upbringing?"

"Yes." Zhou Shuanglin remained silent, while Ning Qing answered with a smile, "If we Zhou family members allowed our own kin to be bullied, that would truly be a lack of upbringing."

"You—you…"

Zhou Yinghe stepped forward to block Shang's father, his narrow, dark eyes cold and deep, fixed firmly on Shang's father's eyes.

"Shall I have someone escort you out, or will you leave on your own?"

Shang's father, stared down by him, felt a chill run through his body despite the summer heat; he gritted his teeth, turned, and strode out—only halfway to discover his wife and daughter hadn't followed, so he shouted back, "Come on! The Zhou family is mighty and powerful, they basically look down on our Shang family—why are you still lingering here?"

Shang's mother bit her lip, reluctant to leave, fearing that if they severed ties with the Zhou family afterward, the Shang family would lose a source of support.

Shang Zhixue had been crying, her eyes red; she stood and walked toward Zhou Yinghe, sobbing, "Fifth Brother, why are you being so harsh to our family?"

Zhou Yinghe couldn't be bothered to look at her, turned and walked back to Wen Ling's side; seeing her eyes shining like stars, he chuckled, "Admire me, huh? Do you think your man was just especially domineering?"

"Like kids squabbling, it feels like borrowing a tiger's might." Wen Ling reached out to pinch his cheek, "But your protectiveness looks really handsome—I love it."

Shang Zhixue could no longer hold back; she burst into a wail, grabbing Shang's mother and pulling her toward the door.

Ning Qing gave the housekeeper a glance; the housekeeper nodded and hurried after them.

The Shang family had just gotten ready to get in the car when the housekeeper walked up to them.