Chapter 1537: Doubts

"Gu Minglan!" Jian Yulan ground out the three words through clenched teeth: "Don't go looking for trouble. It's New Year's — don't make Man Man Laoyezi unhappy."

"Big Sister!" Jian Yufang, who had been standing to one side and was just about to head back to the kitchen, said with a smile: "Big Sister, that's a bit much. Second Sister-in-law was concerned about your health — how did that turn into 'looking for trouble' in your mouth?

This is Zhou Andong's first time spending New Year at home, and he's Second Sister-in-law's ideal son-in-law. Even using your toes to think, no one would go looking for trouble at a time like this — and Second Sister-in-law certainly wouldn't.

Besides, every Spring Festival our family can never gather everyone together. This year Man Man Laoyezi issued a strict order that everyone must come back — he just wants our whole family to have a happy New Year together.

Second Sister-in-law is the most sensible and the most filial in our family. It's New Year's — how could she possibly make Man Man Laoyezi unhappy and ruin things for everyone?"

Having said that, Jian Yufang gave a flick of her sleeve and departed for the kitchen without a cloud in tow, leaving behind a roomful of stunned people.

One had to know that Jian Yufang and Jian Yulan — the two sisters — had always been the closest, advancing and retreating together in everything.

Take the matter of Zhou Andong and Seeing Jian Qiu — back then Jian Yulan was fiercely opposed, and Jian Yufang beat the drums and cheered her on from the side.

But what had just happened? They even suspected they were hallucinating.

Jian Mingfan, who had been copying homework nearby, shook his head violently.

Then he raised his hand and slapped himself across the face, to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Jian Yue stood with her mouth slightly open, staring blankly at the kitchen door.

Jian Zhengxue and Jian Zhengrong exchanged a glance, thoughtful expressions crossing both their faces.

Jian Yulan, on the other hand, was livid — her own younger sister had betrayed her.

And without the slightest warning, had stabbed her in the back.

A flicker of doubt also passed through Gu Minglan's eyes, but she didn't show it on her face.

"Yulan, it's not that your sister-in-law is lecturing you, but you really ought to rein in that temper of yours. I'm your own sister-in-law — no matter what you say, I won't blame you.

But out there in the world, some things you absolutely cannot let your temper run away with, and words you cannot let your temper speak — because people out there won't indulge you the way I do."

Jian Yulan's face grew even uglier. She rose and walked off, still unable to figure out why her sister had suddenly defected.

"Auntie, where are you going? Dinner's soon." Seeing Jian Qiu followed her out the door, calling out in a very affectionate tone.

Jian Yulan ignored Seeing Jian Qiu, shot a cold glance at Zhou Andong standing in the doorway smoking, and turned to walk toward the back courtyard.

Seeing Jian Qiu watched Jian Yulan's retreating back and let out a soft laugh.

Zhou Andong asked in puzzlement: "Did I miss some good show?"

"Indeed!" Seeing Jian Qiu nodded, briefly recounted what had happened, then glanced back at the living room: "Little Aunt suddenly changed sides, stood up for our mom, and roasted Big Aunt — even now I still feel like it's not real."

"I feel like it's not real either." Jian Yue came out too, her face full of astonishment: "If I hadn't woken up early today and seen the sun still rising in the east, I'd definitely suspect something earth-shattering had happened to the world."

Zhou Andong said thoughtfully: "Could it be that Little Aunt has something she needs from our dad?"

"No way!" Seeing Jian Qiu shook her head: "Little Uncle's name is Zhu Lisheng. Although the Zhu family patriarch retired early, his influence hasn't diminished at all — people wouldn't need to come begging to our family."

Jian Yue suddenly said: "Could it be she needs something from Brother-in-law?"

No one spoke. Just then Jian Mingfan came over and greeted them warmly.

"Sis! Brother-in-law!"

Jian Yue punched him: "You didn't see me, did you."

"Didn't I just call you Sis?" Jian Mingfan was very displeased.

"Hmph!" Jian Yue snorted: "Were you calling me?"

Jian Mingfan impatiently pushed her aside, sidled up to Zhou Andong, and said in a mysterious tone.

"Brother-in-law, you got Man Man Laoyezi to go to Jiangzhou — what's the real purpose?"

"Didn't I already say?" Zhou Andong tossed his cigarette butt on the ground and stubbed it out: "Just letting Man Man Laoyezi get out, look around — treat it as a vacation."

"Not buying it!" Jian Mingfan shook his head: "I don't believe it — there must be some shady purpose."

"Believe it or not, up to you." Zhou Andong pulled his padded coat tighter: "It's freezing — let's go inside."

Zhou Andong helped Seeing Jian Qiu back inside. Jian Yue tugged Jian Mingfan aside and asked in a low voice.

"Brother-in-law getting Man Man Laoyezi to go to Jiangzhou — is there really some purpose?"

"Based on my understanding of Brother-in-law." Jian Mingfan's eyes rolled: "He got Man Man Laoyezi to go to Jiangzhou — there must be something going on. I just can't figure it out yet."

"Now that you put it that way, I also find it very suspicious." Jian Yue stroked her own chin: "He also kept stressing that Man Man Laoyezi should bring along his old friends, and the old men who've already retired."

"Exactly!" Jian Mingfan slapped his thigh: "That's exactly what made me think this isn't as simple as it looks."

Jian Yue was burning with curiosity: "What on earth is he up to?"

Jian Mingfan glanced at the door and said in a lowered voice: "Zhou Andong is sly as hell — you'll never get an answer out of him. I think you should go find Big Sister — maybe she'll give you an answer."

"Sigh!"

Jian Yue sighed: "Big Sister defected long ago. Her whole mind is on Brother-in-law now — she's not on our side anymore. Probably won't get anything out of her."

"How would you know if you don't ask?" Jian Mingfan egged her on: "Give it a try — you won't lose a piece of flesh."

"Fair point!" Jian Yue was tempted: "Alright, I'll find a chance to ask later."

The two whispered and muttered in the courtyard. In the living room, Jian Zhengxue and Jian Zhengrong had set up the chessboard and started another battle.

Seeing Jian Qiu sat beside the stove where Man Man Laoyezi was drinking tea, and said to Zhou Andong with a smile.

"You didn't tell them — believe it or not, Jian Yue will definitely find a chance to ask me."

"Didn't expect them to be this curious."

Zhou Andong smiled and shook his head — there really wasn't anything worth hiding about this.

Seeing Jian Qiu and Jian Yue were close as sisters; if she wanted to tell, she'd tell — it didn't matter.

"I'll go check on the kitchen." Seeing Jian Qiu rose and headed for the kitchen.

Zhou Andong walked over to the tea table. Jian Zhengrong looked up at him.

"Play a round?"

"Can't!"

Zhou Andong shook his head and refused. He could tell that Jian Zhengrong played chess very well, and his father-in-law didn't even seem to be a match for him.

Besides, he himself was a terrible chess player, and playing against Jian Zhengrong would just be asking to be crushed, so he refused very decisively.

Jian Zhengrong laughed once: "Really don't know how?"

"Really don't know how!" Zhou Andong nodded: "I have no interest in this sort of thing."

Jian Zhengrong didn't say anything more, lowering his head to look at the chessboard.

"Hm? Where's my horse?"

Jian Zhengxue picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip: "I took it."

"You took it?" Jian Zhengrong's face was full of confusion: "How did you take it?"

Jian Zhengxue pointed at the chessboard: "My rook is here, what do you think I did?"

Jian Zhengrong was even more bewildered: "How come I remember your rook being right here?"

"You remembered wrong." Jian Zhengxue said with some impatience: "Hurry up, stop dawdling."

"Who's dawdling?" Jian Zhengrong raised his head to look at Zhou Andong: "Did you see or not, where is the rook?"