The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 35: Chapter 035: Another Scammer (Part 14)

Seo Xiulan was actually one who favored sons over daughters.

In the past, she had been so harsh on Zhou Zixuan not only because she knew Zhou didn’t come from her own womb, but mainly because she looked down on her for being a girl.

After He Tiantian’s return, she seemed to be very loving and valued her biological daughter.

But Tiantian knew very well that Seo Xiulan just felt that they were strangers since Tiantian had just come back; they needed to be polite for now and build some maternal bonds.

Moreover, Tiantian, as a sixteen or seventeen-year-old pretty girl, had her uses, whether it be for the Zhou Family or Tiantian herself.

Seo Xiulan was delighted to play the role of a loving mother in front of Tiantian, all to gain more benefits from her in the future.

And now, with sister-in-law Ma Cuifen coming to see the commotion, not only had Tiantian not allowed Ma to succeed in her scheming, but she had also significantly boosted Seo Xiulan’s reputation.

All of a sudden, Seo Xiulan found herself genuinely fond of Tiantian, her biological daughter.

”Sister-in-law, you’re really blessed. Because of a child-switching mistake, your own child enjoyed over a decade of luxury in the city. Now that she’s back, she doesn’t look down on our He Family for being poor and has even handed over her savings to you!”

Ma Cuifen’s eyes were red with jealousy as she spoke in a mocking tone.

”It’s only right, I’m the real daughter of my parents. Even though I haven’t been by their side for over a decade, the blood relations and familial love can’t be severed!”

Tiantian said sweetly, yet her words struck right at Ma Cuifen’s heart.

”Oh my, Tiantian really is a good child,” said Ma Cuifen, who could indeed make Seo Xiulan wary; she was no simple woman.

It didn’t take long for her to regain her composure, and suddenly she unveiled a smile, pretending to show affection as she reached out to pinch Tiantian’s cheek.

Seo Xiulan’s eyebrows shot up immediately, and just as she was about to stop Ma, she saw Tiantian quickly dodge away.

Seo Xiulan was internally thrilled—think you could take advantage of the situation to pinch my daughter? Not a chance.

Don’t you see who Tiantian was born to?

She’s not like Zhou Zixuan, that foolish girl who just stands there and lets herself be bullied.

”Child, she’s your aunt; don’t be offended. Our Tiantian is still young, bashful and shy!” Seo Xiulan offered a faux explanation with a smile.

Ma Cuifen didn’t manage to pinch Tiantian’s tender cheeks that seemed like they would ooze water, which left her feeling irritable.

Hearing Seo Xiulan’s words only added to her frustration.

”Look at you, sister-in-law, speaking like that. I’m an elder; how could I be petty with a child?”

”But, Tiantian, don’t take it the wrong way about your aunt’s words, but you do seem a bit delicate.”

”I know you grew up in the city, pampered by your dad and mom, oh no, I mean by your adoptive aunt and uncle, so you’ve become delicate and reserved.”

”That’s all well and good in the city, but that won’t do here in the countryside!”

”You should be like your real mother—ready to curse when it’s time to curse, to fight when it’s time to fight. When you run into those who cross you, you should stand at their doorstep, throw yourself about, and curse their ancestors for generations! Even grown men turn red in the face from your mom’s scolding.”

Ma Cuifen’s praise of Seo Xiulan’s straightforwardness was actually a sly way of calling her a shrew.

The moment she said this, not only Seo Xiulan but also He Dazhuang and his sons felt quite sheepish.

What with having a notorious shrew for a wife (real mother) who was known for making scenes and throwing tantrums, it wasn’t exactly something they could disdain, but they did have some concerns.

Especially now, with He Tiantian, the delicate young lady who had lived in the city for over a decade, returning to the He Family, everyone was trying their best to put on a good show.

But then Ma Cuifen came over and ripped away Seo Xiulan’s kind, loving mask.

He Dazhuang, He Jiabao, and He Jiayu felt uncomfortable, but they couldn’t help but worry.

They simultaneously looked at Tiantian, fearful to see even the slightest sign of disdain or unhappiness on the face of this daughter (sister) who had just returned.

However, He Dazhuang and his sons were surprised to find their mouths agape.

Far from feeling embarrassed by having a shrew as a mother, Tiantian looked up at her in admiration. ”Mom, you’re so fierce!”

”Oh my gosh, that’s wonderful. I’ve always been timid and worried about being bullied, but now that I have such a strong mom, I can rest easy!”

”Haha, you child, what’s this about being fierce or not! But rest assured, I can’t speak for elsewhere, but in our He Family Village, no one will dare to bully you!”

Seo Xiulan finally couldn’t hold it back anymore and burst into laughter.

Looking at her daughter He Tiantian, her eyes were filled with tenderness and joy!

Indeed, she was her own flesh and blood, so close to her heart!

Listen to these words, they were so comforting.

Didn’t you see how Ma Cuifen’s donkey face turned green with anger?

Seo Xiulan felt as refreshed as if she had drunk cold water in the scorching summer heat.

After sending Ma Cuifen away, the family finished their meal, and Seo Xiulan didn’t boss He Tiantian around as she did with Zhou Zixuan.

Instead, when He Tiantian sweetly came over offering to help, Seo Xiulan immediately chased her away, ”Go, go, go back to your room and rest, you’ve been through a lot today, you must be tired. Also, check if your room is to your liking, if there’s anything wrong, tell me!”

Although the He Family’s house was old, it was spacious.

There were three main rooms, two western rooms, and one kitchen and utility room.

He Dazhuang and Seo Xiulan, as husband and wife, lived in the eastern room of the main house, their two sons occupied the two western rooms, and He Tiantian moved into the western room of the main house where Zhou Zixuan had once lived.

”Mom, I think that room is just fine! A golden house and a silver house are not as good as one’s own dog kennel, living in my own home is what makes me feel at ease!”

He Tiantian said this sincerely.

She was originally a daughter of the He Family - she was supposed to live this life.

It used to be Seo Xiulan who helped her steal everything that belonged to Zhou Zixuan, now it was just a return to her rightful place.

”You little girl, your tongue is even smoother than mine!”

Seo Xiulan playfully scolded with a smile, but her heart was as sweet as honey.

She pushed He Tiantian, who was feigning to enter the kitchen to help with the dishes, out, ”Alright, alright, off you go, don’t get in the way of my work!”

He Tiantian didn’t insist any further and smiled as she walked back to the low and dimly lit thatched mud house.

”Do you really not mind?”

Just as she entered, she heard a male voice that sounded like a drake’s.

He Tiantian had a good memory and recognized that it was the voice of her younger brother, He Jiayu.

”Mind what?” He Tiantian pretended not to understand and asked.

”The incident back then wasn’t an accident. Mom intentionally switched you and Zhou Zixuan on purpose!” He Jiayu suddenly blurted out.

He Tiantian looked at He Jiayu.

He Jiayu met her gaze, not flinching, stubborn and insistent, ”I overheard mom and dad talking about it that day.”

”Oh!” He Tiantian murmured, but said nothing more.

”Don’t you think what our mom did was wrong? Kind of, kind of shameful?”

He Tiantian nodded, ”Indeed, it was wrong!”

”And you still—” continue to defend your mom?

He Jiayu didn’t finish his sentence, but the worried flicker in his eyes said it all.

He Tiantian shook her head with a smile, ”Whatever she has done, she is still my real mother. And to be fair, in the end, I am the one who benefited the most from this situation.”

Seo Xiulan originally wanted to follow up and ask He Tiantian if she needed any bedding. As she reached the doorway, she just happened to hear He Tiantian say with utter seriousness, ”So even if the whole world condemns mom, I have no right to blame her!”

Seo Xiulan thought she didn’t care about these things.

But hearing He Tiantian’s words, for some reason, she felt a pang of sadness, and the tears she seldom shed involuntarily brimmed in her eyes!

It just goes to show, even the most malicious, top-grade woman has a soft spot in her heart.

And He Tiantian had precisely hit the softest spot deep in Seo Xiulan’s heart!