Chapter 115: A Rice Bowl Beyond Imagination! The Protagonist’s Stepmother Reacts to Morning Sickness:
[Ding! Su Wanqiu feels utterly embarrassed, emotional points +888...]
[Ding! Yao Xinrui is both ashamed and furious, emotional points +999...]
Time ticked by, minute after minute.
Li Xiao stood bored at the entrance of the beauty salon, anxiously waiting. He knew Xu Hao had come to see his sister-in-law, which made him uneasy. However, upon learning that Xu Hao’s wife was also inside with her, he felt slightly relieved. After all, with his wife present, how could Xu Hao possibly have improper thoughts about his sister-in-law?
But then again... could it be that the two of them...?
Li Xiao shook his head, dismissing the absurd idea.
Both the sister-in-law and the proprietress were rare beauties, each proud and elegant in their own right. How could they possibly join forces for something so outrageous?
Still, his unease lingered. His sister-in-law hadn’t come out yet, and it was already nearing dusk.
He began pacing restlessly.
Could a beauty treatment really take this long?
The longer he waited, the more unsettled he became. Several security guards at the entrance eyed him suspiciously, so he refrained from going inside. Instead, he continued pacing, his irritation mounting.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
His sister-in-law emerged from the beauty salon. Her face had a faint pinkish glow, her skin looked dewy and radiant, and her eyes were moist, charming, and alluring. She was simply breathtaking.
What the hell?
Could a beauty treatment really have such miraculous effects?
Li Xiao scrutinized her closely.
The more he observed, the more familiar her appearance seemed. Finally, it hit him—this was exactly how his sister-in-law looked the last two times he had seen her leaving a hotel with Xu Hao.
Li Xiao froze as a realization dawned on him.
Her outfit had changed. What she was wearing now was different from what she had worn when she entered the salon.
Why would a massage require a change of clothes? And why not change beforehand? All the signs pointed to one answer—Xu Hao.
Li Xiao felt his mind go numb. He had thought his sister-in-law would be safe in the company of Xu Hao’s wife. Yet somehow, Xu Hao had still managed to entangle her.
But how? How could Xu Hao leave his wife and manage a tryst with his sister-in-law at the same time? The absurdity of it all was overwhelming.
The only small relief for Li Xiao was that his sister-in-law didn’t appear as distraught as she had in the past. This time, she wasn’t wincing in pain as she left but seemed... normal, as though she had simply enjoyed a restful sleep.
Li Xiao cursed under his breath.
Why was he even feeling relieved for her?
As he prepared to greet her, another figure emerged from the salon—a stunning woman. It was Xu Hao’s wife, the proprietress. To Li Xiao’s shock, she looked exactly the same as his sister-in-law—her face slightly flushed, her skin pink and glowing, and an air of post-sleep tranquility about her.
Li Xiao froze in place, his mind racing.
Could it be... both of them? Together?
The thought hit him like a thunderbolt. He had thought his sister-in-law would be safe with the proprietress, yet it seemed both had fallen into peril.
No wonder his sister-in-law looked more at ease—perhaps sharing the experience made it more bearable?
But how had Xu Hao’s wife agreed to this? Did she know her best friend was being coerced by Xu Hao? And why had she gone along with it?
Li Xiao’s mind spiraled with unanswered questions. His head felt like it was going to explode.
The only explanation he could come up with was that Xu Hao had threatened his wife. But how despicable could a man be to go so far?
Furious, Li Xiao imagined Xu Hao enjoying the company of these two stunning women. The thought filled him with rage and jealousy.
[Ding! Li Xiao is envious and jealous, emotional points +654...]
[Ding! Li Xiao’s mental state is unstable, emotional points +852...]
Meanwhile, Yao Xinrui hurriedly left the salon. To her, the place felt like a devil’s lair, and she wanted nothing more than to escape. Her face burned as she recalled what had just happened, her heartbeat quickening in embarrassment.
“Xinrui, slow down! Why are you rushing? Do you want to trip?” Su Wanqiu called after her, holding a bag. Though she, too, was overwhelmed with shame, she felt slightly better, having mentally prepared herself for the situation.
Yao Xinrui, however, couldn’t face her friend. Her eyes darted nervously, avoiding Su Wanqiu’s gaze as she accepted the bag and continued walking briskly.
Her thoughts were a chaotic mess. She couldn’t stop replaying the humiliating scene in her mind.
Shaking her head, she tried to push the memories away.
“Xinrui, we’re comrades-in-arms now. Let’s stay in touch,” Su Wanqiu said lightly.
Yao Xinrui stumbled at the words, nearly falling.
Stay in touch? What was there to keep in contact about? Never again.
Reaching the parking lot, Yao Xinrui quickly climbed into her car.
Li Xiao stood frozen, watching the two women converse and laugh.
Ordinarily, seeing two mature beauties together would have been a delightful sight. But knowing what they had just done... he couldn’t feel any joy.
He hesitated.
Should he expose Xu Hao’s misdeeds to the proprietress and sow discord between them?
Just then, Yao Xinrui’s voice came from the car...
"What are you doing standing there in a daze?"
Li Xiao snapped back to reality when he noticed his sister-in-law sitting anxiously in the car.
Concerned, he decided it was better to send her home first. He sighed, glancing at Su Wanqiu, and resolved to find another opportunity to inform Xu Hao’s wife.
As the car drove away from the beauty salon, Yao Xinrui, sitting quietly in the backseat, finally relaxed. The tense atmosphere dissipated slightly, but memories of the earlier scene in the office made her cheeks flush red.
"The..." Li Xiao’s hesitant voice broke the silence, pulling Yao Xinrui out of her thoughts.
She frowned slightly.
"What is it?" she replied coldly, her tone indifferent.
Li Xiao’s heart ached at her sharp response. He suppressed his frustration and cautiously asked, "Sister-in-law, was that Xu Hao’s wife with you earlier?"
"So what if it was?"
"Did you... were you two together just now?" Li Xiao’s curiosity got the better of him. He desperately wanted to understand what had happened between his sister-in-law and Xu Hao’s wife.
Yao Xinrui’s reaction was immediate and intense. "What do you mean by ‘together’? That’s impossible! Don’t spout nonsense!" Her voice was defensive, almost panicked.
Li Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Why was she so quick to deny it? Her reaction only fueled his suspicions.
Realizing her outburst, Yao Xinrui quickly regained her composure. She turned her gaze away and, in a calmer tone, warned, "Li Xiao, don’t ask questions you shouldn’t be asking."
Li Xiao opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it and remained silent.
Even if he knew the truth, what could he do?
Could he possibly stop Xu Hao?
His own helplessness frustrated him deeply. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, the veins on his hand bulging with tension.
[Ding! Li Xiao’s mental state is on the verge of collapse, emotional points +963...]
…
(At the Late Autumn Beauty Salon)
Su Wanqiu bid farewell to her "comrade-in-arms," Yao Xinrui, and returned to the office. She smiled at Xu Hao, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Husband, you’re so wicked. You had your sights set on my good friend, and you didn’t even tell me," she teased. "And to think I’ve been working so hard to win you over."
Xu Hao lifted her chin, his gaze steady. "You know Yao Xinrui’s personality. Do you think she’d agree to anything with just a few words? It takes effort, and sometimes a little trickery is necessary," he replied smoothly. "You wanted her to become your comrade, didn’t you? I’m just helping you achieve that. Don’t concern yourself with the details."
Su Wanqiu rolled her eyes. She knew Xu Hao too well.
"It’s my fault for bringing it up," she muttered. "You should’ve enjoyed it secretly. Xinrui was still a virgin, and you..." She paused, her voice softening. "She told me she hasn’t even been intimate with her husband."
Xu Hao chuckled, pinching her cheek gently. "That’s something worth celebrating," he said with a smirk. "But you know what’s even more surprising? You."
Su Wanqiu’s face flushed crimson.
She knew what he was referring to, and though she tried to maintain her composure, her embarrassment was evident.
After everything they had done, why was she still feeling shy? Her dignity had long been trampled under Xu Hao’s feet. She forced a charming smile.
"Husband, were you satisfied with my performance? I even recommended my closest friend to you..."
"Very satisfied," Xu Hao replied, his tone teasing. "You’ll need to keep up the hard work next time."
Next time?
Su Wanqiu’s smile froze.
Xu Hao clearly hadn’t had enough today. She realized she’d need to choose a night next time to allow for more time.
"Husband is satisfied, shouldn’t I get a reward?" Su Wanqiu asked coyly, trying to claim credit.
Xu Hao raised an eyebrow, his expression teasing. "A reward?" he repeated.
Su Wanqiu quickly clarified, "Nothing inappropriate! I meant something normal, like the gifts you’ve given to others recently. You gave poetry and painting gifts..."
Realizing what she meant, Xu Hao nodded slightly.
A ring suddenly appeared in his hand, as if conjured by magic. The exquisite piece sparkled under the light as he handed it to Su Wanqiu. Her eyes widened in surprise and delight.
"Here’s your gift," Xu Hao said.
Su Wanqiu took the ring, marveling at its intricate design. Her fingers traced the delicate engraving on the gem, and she noticed two elegant characters etched into its surface. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, and every stroke seemed to carry deep meaning, evoking the poetic beauty of late autumn.
Tears welled up in Su Wanqiu’s eyes. The personalized engraving made her feel truly special. For once, Xu Hao had acknowledged her worth.
"Do you like it?" Xu Hao asked.
"I love it," Su Wanqiu replied softly.
"Let me put it on you," Xu Hao said, taking the ring from her and sliding it onto her finger.
As she stared at the luxurious ring on her hand, Su Wanqiu felt a surge of emotions. Their marriage had never involved a proper ceremony. Xu Hao had always treated her like a tool. But this gesture, however small, gave her a sense of belonging. She felt an urge to cry.
"Husband, thank you. You’re so kind..." she whispered, throwing herself into his arms.
"Now, how will you repay me?" Xu Hao’s mischievous gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
Blushing, Su Wanqiu leaned in and kissed him sweetly. "That’s all for now," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I’ll repay you properly tonight."
…
The next day, Li Xiao set out early. He first dropped his sister-in-law off at her company before taking leave from his employer, Chu Xiaotian. He then headed straight for the Late Autumn Beauty Salon, determined to wait.
After two hours, his patience was rewarded.
Su Wanqiu emerged from the salon, accompanied by a bodyguard and a driver provided by Xu Hao. Her gaze swept over the area and landed on Li Xiao, who was blocking her car.
She frowned slightly, recognizing him.
Wasn’t he the same person who had driven Yao Xinrui yesterday?
When Su Wanqiu stepped out of the car, she immediately noticed Li Xiao approaching her.
His sudden presence left her puzzled, but before she could say anything, Li Xiao spoke up, only to stop mid-sentence when Su Wanqiu suddenly retched.
Li Xiao froze, his words catching in his throat. He stood awkwardly, the corners of his mouth twitching.
Did she find him so repulsive that just the sight of him made her nauseous?
He couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious.
But as he observed her closely, he noticed that she didn’t look unwell.
Her complexion was glowing, and she seemed healthy. The sudden retching wasn’t a sign of illness but rather... Could it be?
The thought struck him like lightning, and he blurted out, “You… you’re pregnant?”
Su Wanqiu was taken aback by his words. Her initial confusion quickly gave way to a look of surprise and joy. She hadn’t considered the possibility, but now that Li Xiao mentioned it, she started connecting the dots.
Recently, she had experienced her first intimate moments with Xu Hao, and though she didn’t have much experience, she recalled scenes from television showing how morning sickness often accompanies a first pregnancy. She realized that she had felt nauseous when she woke up that morning, unable to stomach greasy foods at breakfast. Could it be that she was truly pregnant?
Her heart surged with excitement as she thought about it. She and Xu Hao had always been careful, but their passionate encounters were frequent and intense. It wasn’t entirely out of the question.
She thought about the seven daughters Xu Hao already had, plus the child who had been kidnapped. None of them were hers. If she were indeed pregnant, this would be their first biological child together. Her mind raced as she wondered how Xu Hao would react to the news. He had once stopped her from taking medication, saying that if she were to get pregnant, they would welcome the child.
That memory reassured her, but she decided against informing him right away. What if it was a false alarm?
Taking a deep breath, she composed herself, suppressing her growing excitement. She glanced at Li Xiao and asked, “What do you want?”
Li Xiao’s expression was complicated.
The thought of such a stunning, mature woman being pregnant with Xu Hao’s child left him feeling a mix of envy and frustration. A man like Xu Hao, already with seven daughters, now had this beautiful woman carrying his child? It felt like the world’s greatest injustice.
Shaking off his emotions, Li Xiao steadied himself and said in a serious tone, “It’s nothing urgent. I just wanted to talk to you about Xu Hao.”
Su Wanqiu frowned. “If you have something to say, say it here. There’s nothing to hide.”
Li Xiao glanced around, making sure no one else was nearby. Then, with gritted teeth, he began, “My older brother is Chu Xiong, and the woman I picked up yesterday was my sister-in-law. Judging by your relationship with her, I assume you’re close friends?”
Su Wanqiu’s face remained indifferent. “So what?”
Li Xiao hesitated but continued, “Yesterday, when you and my sister-in-law walked out of the beauty salon, your expressions gave everything away. You’re both involved with Xu Hao, aren’t you?”
He couldn’t stop himself from recalling the sight of the two beautiful women with Xu Hao, a scene that made his jealousy nearly unbearable.
Su Wanqiu’s tone grew colder. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Li Xiao felt a pang of guilt. His words were clumsy, but his emotions were too strong to suppress. “I don’t understand how you could share a husband with your best friend. But do you even know how Xu Hao got involved with her?”
Su Wanqiu’s eyes flickered.
Of course, she knew. Yao Xinrui had confided in her personally about how Xu Hao had ensnared her.
Still, she didn’t know what Li Xiao was trying to achieve with this conversation.
Was he seeking justice for his sister-in-law? His sad, almost righteous expression suggested as much.
When she didn’t respond, Li Xiao pressed on. “It was a threat. I don’t know what kind of leverage he used, but he forced my sister-in-law into this...”
Li Xiao’s voice trailed off, his frustration boiling over.
He couldn’t comprehend how someone like Xu Hao could so easily take control of the lives of two incredible women. And yet, here they were—both entangled with him, leaving Li Xiao feeling helpless and enraged.