Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 509: Chapter 509: The Sister-in-Law’s Provocation

After washing up, the family sat at the table for dinner—a feast of five dishes and one soup: a big fat chicken, a plate of duck, braised pork belly with lotus root, a dish of greens, and spicy cabbage stir-fried with cured meat, topped off with ribs soup.

Cheng Su glanced at the fatty meat in the soup, then gave Qi Taiguo a meaningful look, as tonight’s meal was on his dime.

”Here, have a chicken drumstick. Look how skinny you’ve gotten—are you not eating meat usually?” Mother Qi placed a drumstick in Qi Taiguo’s bowl with a look of sorrow, then turned to Cheng Su with an accusatory gaze, her meaning clear: she was blaming her for being a negligent wife.

Qi Taiguo laughed, ”Mom, I’m all grown up now, what do I need a chicken leg for?” Then he passed the drumstick to Cheng Su, ”Here, you must be tired today.”

His insinuation did not go unnoticed; Cheng Su shot him a glare as they exchanged loving glances, which only served to infuriate Mother Qi, her face stretching long with displeasure.

What did this mean? The special chicken drumstick she had cut for her son—did Cheng Su even deserve to share it?

Feeling the heat of Mother Qi’s gaze, Cheng Su thought about returning it but then considered, why shouldn’t I eat what my husband is willing to give me?

Right then, Cheng Su sweetly said, ”Thanks, husband.”

Qi Fengping and Qi Jianguo, the dragon-phoenix twins, shivered in unison at her coy tone.

Cheng Su didn’t care. She picked up the drumstick and bit into it, her mouth glossy with grease, which nearly popped Mother Qi’s eyes out of their sockets. To Mother Qi, Cheng Su’s bite felt as if taken out of her own flesh, sending pangs of hurt through her.

As Mother Qi was about to react, Father Qi, who knew her thoughts best, immediately placed some chicken in her bowl, ”Let’s eat, everybody!” He then shot her a warning glare.

Mother Qi seethed internally but decided to leave it at that.

During the meal, Qi Taiguo inquired about his younger siblings’ studies. As the eldest brother, and considerably older, it was inevitable for him to give them guidance again.

”In two more years, it will be time for college entrance exams, right? These next few years are crucial; you can’t slack off. As for the tuition, don’t worry about it—I’ll have it ready. Just make sure you get into a decent university.”

Qi Jianguo, a reticent and somewhat sullen teenager, simply responded with a heavy ”Yes.”

But it was Qi Fengping, the sprite-like character, who challenged, ”Big brother, can you really support two college students? Wait, not two, three—I heard my sister-in-law is also taking the college entrance exam next year?”

All eyes at the table turned towards Cheng Su. It seemed Mother Qi had made Cheng Su’s plans clear to everyone.

Cheng Su said, ”Yes, I’m retaking the exam next year.”

”Sister-in-law, didn’t you dislike studying? You were only focused on marrying my brother and even quit school for him. After leaving your studies for so many years, can you really pick them up again?” Qi Fengping provocatively said, ”You might as well not waste your effort.”

Oh, the younger sister-in-law was looking for a confrontation!

”Exactly, and rather than wasting time on that, why not just start having grandchildren?” Mother Qi found an ally and harped on the old tune.

”I haven’t even taken the exams yet, who knows if I can pass? But I don’t think it will be a big problem. As for whether your big brother can support me, I don’t care.” Cheng Su smiled and continued, ”I want to go to college, and I never planned to rely on your brother for that. I can earn the tuition myself. So, little sister-in-law, Mom, you don’t have to worry about whether Qi Taiguo can afford it! And you, little sister-in-law and little brother-in-law, don’t have to worry about your own tuition either. Even if your brother’s allowance is not much, I can cover your part too.”

In other words, I’m going to college on my own merit, without relying on anyone in your family, so you can save your breath.