Chapter 120: Mother-in-law 00

Returning to the villa, Song Wan was taken aback to find that Feng, the butler who was usually extremely warm to her, now treated her with cold indifference, as if she were a stranger.

“...Butler Feng?” Song Wan asked hesitantly.

Since Song Wan had not informed anyone else about her marriage to Jin Youqian, she had always addressed Feng Yu in a familiar manner, and he had never objected. Yet now, he only gave her a brief, respectful glance and said politely, “Miss Song, Madam has come to visit the young master. Please prepare yourself.”

Prepare? For what?

Momentarily stunned, Song Wan watched as Jin Youqian entered the hall and immediately followed him.

“...And you are?” Song Wan widened her eyes in surprise, straightening her posture and greeting the elegantly maintained noblewoman seated on the living room sofa with a clear, respectful voice, “Hello, Madam Jin!”

Why on earth was Jin Youqian’s mother here at this villa? He hadn’t mentioned she was coming to see him today!

Her heart pounded wildly as panic surged through her, quickly turning to fury. She glared at Jin Youqian sharply: Are you out of your mind?

Jin Youqian’s face remained expressionless, but inside he was deeply troubled.

Ignoring Song Wan’s angry glare, he walked directly over to the noblewoman. “Mother, what are you doing here?”

And what about Uncle Feng? Didn’t he say not to let his mother enter this villa?

Song Wan’s anxiety grew as she cautiously followed Jin Youqian.

Unexpectedly, Madam Jin merely cast a cool glance at Jin Youqian, her expression cold and tinged with resentment, then turned to Song Wan with a warm smile, taking her hand gently. “So this must be my daughter-in-law, right? How is it? Has that little scoundrel Jin Youqian been treating you badly? If he’s done anything wrong, just tell me—I’ll teach him a lesson for you!”

Jin Youqian blinked. “...What have I done?”

At this moment, his only thought was that this woman could not possibly be his real mother; she must have been switched out. There was no other explanation.

Madam Jin shot him a sharp look. “Did I ask you? Why are you interrupting?”

Turning back to Song Wan, her face instantly softened into that of a caring elder advising a junior. “Song Wan, I know marrying that little rascal must have been hard on you. He has a terrible temper, is older, and doesn’t know how to cherish his wife. And for the sake of his career, he can’t even announce your marriage publicly...”

Jin Youqian was speechless. He had no idea the image his mother held of him was so terrible.

Song Wan felt as if she were meeting a completely different Jin Youqian.

“But,” Madam Jin continued, ignoring the twitch at the corner of Jin Youqian’s eye, “the fact that he agreed to marry you definitely means he likes you!” She went on and on, trying to comfort this beautiful, young daughter-in-law.

Thinking back to her earlier suspicion that her son might be homosexual, Madam Jin’s face was sincere, but deep in her eyes was a flicker of panic —

What if this lovely, gentle, and most importantly, young wife runs away?

Most importantly, she was a woman!

After all these years, this was the only woman Madam Jin had seen close to her son besides herself, and he had even swiftly brought her home!

In her heart, Madam Jin silently gave her son a thumbs-up but was even more worried that if she missed this chance, there might be no other.

Who knew if the next daughter-in-law her son brought home would still be female?

With this worry weighing on her heart, Madam Jin looked at Song Wan with eyes shining as if illuminated by countless layers of a soft filter, filled with admiration —

How could her daughter-in-law be so wonderful?

At the same time, she had a deeper concern —

Why was her son so foolish, so weak, and so unpopular with women?

If her son was unreliable, then it was up to her, the mother-in-law, to win over the daughter-in-law’s heart!

“You shouldn’t think Jin Youqian is dumb, or that he doesn’t talk much, or that he can’t please people. That just means he hasn’t messed around with women before, right?” Madam Jin rambled on, trying to clear her son’s name. “Look at my husband; he was wild in his youth. Even now, I suspect he might have cheated on me! Sometimes when I feel unwell, I can’t help but wonder if he caught some disease and passed it to me.”

As soon as she said this, Madam Jin hastily begged forgiveness from her husband in her heart — all of this was for her son, so he had better bear with it for a little while.

Then she went on to paint her own husband in a negative light to make her son look better.

...

Meanwhile, Mr. Jin, who was searching everywhere for his missing wife, sneezed.

Who was cursing me?

Sneezing again, who was thinking of me?

Sneezing once more, he tried to hold back the tears in his eyes, rubbing his nose anxiously, worried he might be catching a cold.

Mr. Jin, eager to spoil his wife, muttered softly, “Better take some medicine first, then go find her, so I don’t infect her.”

He then turned and retrieved the household medical kit from a cabinet.

...

Song Wan was bewildered, her expression awkward.

Jin Youqian remained mysteriously silent.

How could he explain that he had no idea his mother’s inner world was so complex? Although he too held some prejudice against his father, who had been a reckless playboy in his youth and irresponsible to boot...

Yet, his own mother had suspected his father of infidelity and illness?

Jin Youqian felt he needed to offer his father some comfort.

Song Wan grew anxious, noticing that Jin Youqian seemed oblivious to the real point of Madam Jin’s words. She was unsure how to respond to her.

Especially now, Madam Jin’s gentle face bore a pitiful yet hopeful expression that instantly softened the heart, making it feel sinful not to answer her questions.

But inside, Song Wan was coldly thinking: What exactly am I supposed to say?

Uncomfortably shifting, she said, “Madam Jin, my relationship with your son is... for now, just—”

She was troubled. In this setting, what kind of news could she share that would fit her role?

Did Madam Jin know that their marriage was largely a matter of convenience, lacking much genuine affection?

Had Jin Youqian ever told his mother about their true relationship?

Jin Youqian’s eyes flickered. Suddenly understanding, he cut in smoothly, “Mother, where exactly did you hear that I married Song Wan?”

His tone was casual, as if he were unsurprised by the news, yet it suggested he did not consider it important.

He left room for the conversation to continue.

Madam Jin, unaware of the subtleties, immediately gave away the name of an “ally”: “Oh, it was that brat Guo Kai who called me today, asking when you got married and why he wasn’t told.”

After saying this, she looked at Jin Youqian accusingly. “I was stunned. When did you get married without me knowing?”

Jin Youqian narrowed his eyes. Guo Kai?

“Luckily, I was smart and told him you haven’t held the wedding yet, and that for the sake of your careers, you didn’t want your relationship publicized.”

Madam Jin lifted her chin proudly as she spoke.

Song Wan could only sigh.

She tugged on Jin Youqian’s sleeve and whispered in his ear, “The actors on our show, knowing about you, mentioned it to make things easier between us later.”

Who knew Guo Kai would immediately betray her, and worse, sell her out to her mother-in-law!

But karma turned swiftly, and he was just as quickly sold out again.

Jin Youqian felt a little annoyed but knew it wasn’t the time to ask too many questions. He turned to Madam Jin.

“Mother, whether I marry or not is my business...”

“Your business?” Madam Jin’s eyes widened. “Can’t I ask?”

Jin Youqian sighed. “Of course you can...”

“Then why didn’t you tell me when you got married? Do you even consider me your mother?” Madam Jin’s eyes welled with tears. “I raised you with so much hardship, and this is how you repay me? Getting married without telling me?”

Jin Youqian sighed again, about to respond, but Madam Jin cut him off. “Yes, yes, I know you’re grown now, have your own wings, find me annoying, and worry I’ll treat your wife badly...”

Raising her head, tears streaming down her face, she looked at Jin Youqian. “But would I ever treat your wife badly? I went through the same myself, you know... sniffle, sniffle...”

Her sorrowful crying, so genuine and heart-wrenching, made one want to comfort her.

Song Wan, being a woman, felt her heart ache.

Yet Jin Youqian simply watched his mother’s heartbreak without a flicker of emotion.

Song Wan almost couldn’t bear it. Her lips moved as if to speak but she lowered her head and remained silent.

After all, this was a matter between mother and son. If there was something she didn’t know, speaking out might only make things worse.

However, Madam Jin’s next behavior made Song Wan wish she could gouge out her own eyes.

At first, Madam Jin’s tears were truly sorrowful, and even Song Wan felt pity for this woman, this elder.

But that was only the first phase.

Next, Song Wan witnessed the second phase of Madam Jin’s performance.

As she cried, realizing no one was responding, she grew awkward and glanced at Song Wan.

Because Jin Youqian remained unmoved, Song Wan awkwardly averted her eyes, unwilling to meet Madam Jin’s gaze.

Madam Jin then looked behind them.

Song Wan was startled—when had Butler Feng appeared?

Noticing her gaze, Butler Feng nodded expressionlessly. However, his attitude toward Madam Jin’s display was clear —

Complete disregard.

Madam Jin, seemingly dissatisfied, looked again at her son.

Jin Youqian glanced at her briefly, then lowered his eyes.

Song Wan’s expression was awkward; she felt embarrassed on behalf of this nominal mother-in-law.

Yet Madam Jin turned her gaze back to Song Wan.

Feeling it was improper to ignore her “mother-in-law,” and recognizing she was indeed an elder, Song Wan thought to comfort her, at least to ease the awkwardness.

“Are you not an actress? Can’t you see my mother’s just acting?” Jin Youqian interrupted strangely, as if surprised, stopping Song Wan from speaking further.

Song Wan was stunned, her eyes falling on Madam Jin...