Chapter 40: The Original Wife Who Spends Money Like Water (7)

“She wants to take back the household authority?” Xue Ci could hardly believe his ears. In the past, Jiang Youyou had always been a fool who trusted him implicitly, obeying everything he said; how could she suddenly want to reclaim control over the household?

If that were the case, what would become of the Xue family’s expenses?

“Ah You loves me so deeply—this must be your instigation!” Xue Ci stared intensely at the man before him, his tone resolute.

Mu Feng was silent for a moment. Miss was right; there really did seem to be something wrong with this man’s head.

In ordinary families, if a wife committed a mistake, it was common for her to be stripped of the right to manage the household for a time. How had it become his fault, as if he were sowing discord?

Mu Feng had no interest in such petty schemes. If he were to take action, he’d simply take this fool’s head directly!

“Don’t forget, son-in-law, this is the Jiang family, not your destitute Xue household,” Mu Feng pressed his words, his tone heavy. In the Jiang family, it was the Jiangs who called the shots.

Xue Ci was rendered speechless, but the thought of surrendering authority filled him with utter reluctance.

“All those sums you’ve siphoned off these days—if reported to the authorities, you’d be in for a world of trouble. And if anyone from your Xue family had hopes for an official career, that path would be cut off too,” Mu Feng added lightly. The understated threat left Xue Ci with no choice but to hand over what was demanded, no matter how unwilling he was.

If only it hadn’t been so difficult to bribe or plant people in the Jiang family’s businesses, he would never have ended up in this predicament!

He had indeed been too soft-hearted.

“In that case, son-in-law, please rest well. I won’t disturb you any further.” With the items in hand, Mu Feng turned and couldn’t help rolling his eyes. Did this man truly think himself master of the Jiang household?

Such a fine girl, and instead of cherishing her, he insisted on seeking filth outside.

With a bang, as soon as Mu Feng left, Xue Ci swept everything off his desk in a fit of rage, the clattering crash filling the room with chaos.

[Congratulations, host! You have gained ten points of hatred!]

“Host, you keep poking at his sore spots. Aren’t you afraid the male lead will slip you a bowl of poison and send you to the next world?” Nai Qi clicked her tongue at the new ten points, secretly thinking the male lead was somewhat lacking.

Perhaps most of his intelligence was squandered on love affairs; he was only managing to get by on the strength of his protagonist’s halo. After all, aside from the villains, who wasn’t eager to hand over resources to him?

He’d been spoiled for so long—when something didn’t go his way, it was sure to drive him mad.

“I’m immune to all poisons,” Jiang Youyou replied lazily.

Since inhabiting this body, her frail constitution had left her listless, and she would have liked nothing more than to spend twenty-three out of every twenty-four hours lying down.

Night fell.

Yuehua Lane.

No sooner had Luo Shubai departed than there came another knock at the door—quick and urgent.

It was Xue Ci.

Lin Wanyin’s eyes grew complicated.

“Is that brother-in-law?” a childish voice sounded. Lin Wanyin turned to see her little brother’s innocent face, his smile genuine. “Be good, little brother. Go back to your room, and no matter what you hear, don’t come out,” she said gently.

“Understood, sister.” Lin Yang nodded obediently and closed his door.

He did wonder, though, why brother-in-law always came so mysteriously, never allowing him to leave his room or see what was going on. He truly couldn’t guess what his sister and brother-in-law were up to.

Silver moonlight poured down like water, quietly illuminating the earth. Shadows from the osmanthus trees danced across the courtyard, the breeze rustling their leaves and masking the coquettish moans that drifted intermittently from within the house.

For several consecutive days, Xue Ci had been staying in the small house on Yuehua Lane, holding his beauty close day and night.

As for Jiang Youyou, it was only right she disappeared for a few days, let her stew in worry—consider it her punishment.

Xue Ci, with a beauty in his arms, felt no anxiety, but the Xue family, cut off from their supply, was growing desperate.

After finally savoring a life of comfort thanks to the Jiang family, to have the funds suddenly cut off—how could they not panic?