Chapter 54: The Bossy Sister-in-Law

My head felt like it was about to explode. I stared at Madam Liu, both angry and amused. This old lady had so many ways to scheme. No wonder... How could the Liu Group possibly cooperate with Ning Yuanzhou? Liu Zhuyin had been wavering all along, knowing that I was securing foreign investment projects for the Liu Group while also partnering with Ning Yuanzhou. She was waiting here for me! Madam Liu was clearly trying to force me to return. Liu Zhuyin tacitly accepted this. If I continued as the general manager of the Liu Group, the shareholders would surely support me. After all, they knew very well how the Liu Group had reached its current status. But if I fell out with Liu Zhuyin, they would also be able to distinguish who was close and who was distant. Even if they looked down on Ning Yuanzhou and believed Liu Zhuyin lacked my abilities, the ties that bound their interests were unbreakable.

“Xiao Chen, you really need to take your mother’s words to heart!” Madam Liu said with a sly smile, playing a transparent game with me. “Ah Yin has changed recently; she truly knows how to manage marriage now. As for Ning Yuanzhou? Hmph! As long as you return home and don’t mention divorce... Mother has plenty of ways to deal with him! It all depends on you!”

I had to admire her—she had schemed to this extent, yet I couldn’t bring myself to be angry. She treated me well, and I saw that clearly. Her hope for me and Liu Zhuyin to reconcile was not to use me as a mere tool. It was just that I couldn’t get over that hurdle in my heart.

“Sigh...” I was deeply frustrated. “Mom, Liu Zhuyin and I really can’t get back together. But you know me—I won’t fall out with her. When it comes to cooperation, I’m very professional. You should know that.”

After I finished, Madam Liu shook her head hastily. “No! I believe you, but only the you of today. To be honest, you might not like hearing this, but if you divorce Ah Yin and marry Ning Yuanzhou, I can’t guarantee what she might do to you! And then, if you marry that young lady from the Luo family, I don’t even know if you’d try to poach from the Liu Group! Look at us now—mother and son in harmony, all is well. But when that day comes and you become enemies, can mother still hold a knife to your throat?”

Her words were blunt but truthful. Such talk was actually a sort of unspoken, tacit rule. Yet she said it outright. I could tell she didn’t want to play dirty tricks with me—she was using open strategies, wielding a soft weapon against me.

“Alright, I get it...” I said. “I’ll think of another plan.”

Madam Liu chuckled, clearly delighted. “Oh, by the way, that girl is back.”

“You’d better be careful!” she warned.

I was momentarily stunned, then shrank my neck. “You mean... Liu Hanyue?”

“Yes! Your mother is reasonable and respects you. But that girl? Even I can’t handle her. You’re on your own.”

I knew well! That little witch! She’d strangle me by the nape so much I had bruises. If she came back... I could only smile bitterly, overwhelmed with despair.

Since leaving the Liu Group, I had lost all spirit. Partly because of the Liu Group’s decision, but I understood it—they were protecting themselves. The way I had lifted the Liu Group to its present stature was exactly why they feared me. Friends and family were easy to deal with, but enemies? How could they not be afraid?

I had no reason to be angry; that was just human nature.

The other matter was Liu Hanyue. She was back, and I feared the good days were over. I even had an urge to run away.

Just then, my phone rang. The name that appeared on the screen was like a nightmare—sending a chill down my spine. I didn’t want to answer, but lacked the courage, so I pressed the button.

“Sis... husband...” came a drawn-out, cute voice. But I knew how terrifying that tone really was.

“Yo, Yuanyue? Why... why did you think of calling me? How’s it going abroad? Short on money or in trouble? I’ll help you solve it!”

I immediately tried to please her, but a cold laugh came from the other end.

“Oh, then I must thank you, sis... husband...” she said, dragging the last syllables, making the back of my neck chill.

“Don’t be so polite... it’s only natural...” I stammered.

“Gu Yichen!” she snapped, dropping the act. “Cut the jokes! I’m giving you fifteen minutes to get back to the villa. If you don’t come, you’ll regret it!”

Then the call was abruptly ended.

I didn’t dare waste time and hurried to the villa.

Liu Hanyue was my sister-in-law but also my father-in-law’s younger brother’s daughter—my cousin. The father-in-law and his brother had died early, and both she and Liu Zhuyin had been raised by Madam Liu.

That girl had always been restless. Frail and sickly, with a bad temper, the whole family indulged her.

When I was about to marry Liu Zhuyin, she almost scared me off. I was nearly too afraid to marry her sister.

But she was sharp-tongued with a tender heart. Once she understood me, her attitude changed. She became very nice to me.

Whenever Liu Zhuyin had problems, she stood by me, fiercely scolding her. I didn’t dare say much—that was between me and Liu Zhuyin.

Later, she went abroad for university, was admitted to a prestigious biology program, and came back less often.

Who would have thought she’d actually return!

Now that she knew Liu Zhuyin and I were divorcing, she was sure to take sides fiercely.

I nervously arrived at the villa.

Liu Hanyue was waiting outside, still wearing tight shorts and a tank top, her figure breathtaking, impossible to look away from. Living abroad had made her more uninhibited.

When I parked, she immediately bounced over.

“Yo, the mighty brother-in-law is back? Come on, get inside!”

She pulled me out of the car and clung to my arm affectionately, smiling. But I was terrified—she had truly scared me before; it was a primal fear.

“Uh... okay,” I said dejectedly, not daring to say more.

Inside, Liu Zhuyin sat on the sofa, pouting, looking unhappy. She had obviously just been scolded.

Seeing me, she shot me a fierce glare, leaving me baffled.

“Come, sit next to my sister,” Liu Hanyue pushed me toward Liu Zhuyin.

“No... no need, I can stand...” I started.

“I said sit!” Liu Hanyue’s big round eyes glared fiercely, her delicate face instantly fierce.

I dared not argue and quickly sat beside Liu Zhuyin.

Out of the corner of my eye, Liu Zhuyin seemed to smile briefly, but soon turned cold and even twisted away.

“That’s better,” Liu Hanyue said. “Such a good brother-in-law.”

Her face transformed like magic, instantly beaming.

“Alright, you two sit tight, I’ll say just one thing. If you’re going through divorce proceedings, stop them immediately! If you’re already divorced, get back together right now! I don’t want to hear any nonsense! Understand? Nod your head!”