Chapter 20: Escalating the Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Conflict

Early in the morning, Wen Yan was awakened by the noisy clamor of neighbors moving their belongings.

Still bleary-eyed, she hurriedly asked the system in her mind, "What's going on?"

The system, seemingly just awakened itself, replied with a sluggish, post-sleep tone: "It seems like the people across the hall are moving... no, wait, the people downstairs and upstairs are all moving too. How strange. This is such a prime location; why is everyone leaving all of a sudden?"

Wen Yan sighed, her sleepiness completely vanished. The system consoled her, "Why don't you sleep a bit more? There’s nothing to do today anyway."

But she couldn't fall back asleep. She picked up her phone, intending to tease Qiao Chenye, but instead saw two messages he had sent the night before:

"I might disappear for a while over the next couple of days." "If you need any help, contact Assistant Liu directly; I’ve already spoken with him. Don’t miss me too much."

Wen Yan furrowed her brows. "What is this guy up to, being so mysterious? System, can you track his itinerary?"

The system searched for a moment, then replied helplessly, "I can't. According to the original plot, Qiao Chenye was supposed to appear much later. Since he’s shown up this early, I have no way of tracking his movements."

Wen Yan smacked her lips, suddenly intrigued. "Then how about we open a blind box for fun? Didn't you say it’s better to wait a bit before opening them? They’ve been sitting there for two days; let’s try one."

"Sure, which one do you want to open?" Six colorful blind boxes popped up on the screen.

Wen Yan pointed randomly. "Let’s go with this one. Maybe I'll get some money out of it."

The blind box opened at her command, and the system’s notification chime sounded: "Congratulations, Host, you have obtained an Upgrade Capsule."

"What is that?" Wen Yan asked curiously.

"This is a good item!" The system’s voice carried a hint of surprise. "It allows me to upgrade quickly so I can assist you better in the future. It’s a relatively rare prop; you’re quite lucky."

Wen Yan’s eyes brightened. "Then use it immediately and help me check Qiao Chenye’s itinerary."

A soft light flashed, and something in the surroundings seemed to change. The system’s voice became clearer, the screen in front of her grew larger, and a "Prop Repository" icon appeared on the side.

Wen Yan curiously clicked on the repository and found it filled with a dazzling array of items. What surprised her most was that there were many medical supplies available for purchase with money, at prices similar to those in the real world.

"System, what is this?"

"System upgrades unlock new functions. These items are meant to help you complete your tasks more effectively. Although this is a romance story world, having these on hand might come in handy someday. Just buy them when you need them."

"Alright, then check his itinerary. What is he doing?"

"Still nothing. Even with this higher level, I still can't track him. However, I can track Li Jingyan’s. Do you want to see that?"

"Bad luck! I finally got rid of him, why would I want to see him!" She curled her lip, exited the screen, and already had a new plan in mind.

"Our task progress is at 28%. If we trigger one more mother-in-law/daughter-in-law conflict, we might be able to reach 30%."

"And then we can open another blind box."

The system agreed, "So, what is your plan for the next step?"

Wen Yan shook her head mysteriously. "No rush. Let me enjoy myself for a few days first."

***

She picked up the black card Qiao Chenye had left behind and headed straight for the shopping mall. She indulged in all the dresses she had previously been too thrifty to buy and the beauty treatments she never had time for. When she worked at the hospital, she couldn't even get a manicure, but now, she was determined to have the most expensive and beautiful one possible.

Over the next two days, Wen Yan and the system went on a shopping spree, spending lavishly. Since she was using Qiao Chenye’s black card, she figured she might as well spend it; who knew if the man would change his mind one day and leave her with nothing?

By the third day, Wen Yan looked at herself in the mirror, almost mesmerized by her own refinement.

She had to admit, the original owner’s appearance was truly breathtaking.

"By the way, System, do you have any awesome skills after the upgrade?" Wen Yan asked curiously.

"Of course! Not only can I forge evidence and photos, but I can also make calls to people in the real world and mimic anyone's voice," the system said proudly.

Wen Yan thought for a moment. "Good skill. I know how to use it."

The system asked, "What exactly are you planning to do?"

Wen Yan’s lips curved into a smile. "You'll know tomorrow."

The next morning, when Wen Yan went out, she found that the houses above and below her were almost completely empty. A group of people was measuring the apartment across the hall, but she paid them no mind and headed straight downstairs, walking toward Liu Yanyan’s residence.

The morning light shone on her newly styled hair, and her red dress highlighted her fair skin. The sound of her high heels clicking against the ground was crisp and forceful, each step taken with complete confidence.

Wen Yan felt the gazes of passersby and chuckled to herself. The plain, unassuming Qin Wen Yan was gone; she was now here to shock everyone.

Before she even reached Liu Yanyan’s front door, the sound of an argument spilled out.

Wang Xiulian’s shrill voice mixed with Liu Yanyan’s defensive rebuttals, punctuated by the heart-wrenching cries of a baby.

Wen Yan adjusted the hem of her red dress and gave a light knock on the door.

Wang Xiulian opened the door, and the moment she saw who was standing there, she froze.

The Wen Yan before her was a far cry from the bare-faced girl of the past. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her exquisite makeup made her features look incredibly vivid, and her red dress accentuated her slender curves. She stood at the door like a carefully painted portrait.

"Wen... Wen Yan?" Wang Xiulian rubbed her eyes instinctively, her tone full of disbelief.

"Mom, I’ve come to visit you."

Wen Yan smiled and handed over the gift bag. Without waiting for Wang Xiulian to react, she walked straight into the living room and sat in the main seat.

Wang Xiulian was still staring at her transformation, forgetting even to take the gift bag.

Suddenly snapping out of it, she exclaimed, "You slut, you’re wasting my son’s money again!"

Wen Yan was speechless at the remark, but she kept her composure. "That’s not it, Mother. Jingyan felt that I looked too shabby when I went to see his colleagues, and it made him lose face at the company, so he specifically bought me a few outfits to help me hold my own."

Hearing this, Liu Yanyan ran out, clutching the baby. "Jingyan bought them? He took you to see his colleagues? How is that possible?"

Wang Xiulian retorted immediately, "So what? If she doesn't go to see his colleagues, are you supposed to? With your appearance, wouldn't you just embarrass my son?"

"And you, Qin Wen Yan, since Jingyan bought them, you better take good care of them. Don't wear them every day, or what will you do if you wear them out!"

***

Wen Yan didn't argue back; she silently lowered her head to maintain the image of the well-behaved daughter-in-law, like a child who knew she had done something wrong.

Liu Yanyan could only frantically pat the baby’s back, trying to soothe the child.

Seeing Wen Yan, the baby in her arms cried even harder. Liu Yanyan’s anger flared up, and she rushed over, pointing at Wen Yan.

"Who told you to come here? Get out! This is my house!"

"Are you sick in the head? Why are you yelling!"

Wang Xiulian snatched the baby away, glaring at Liu Yanyan.

"Why are you yelling? You’re scaring my grandson! So what if she came? I bought this house; I haven't said anything, so who are you putting on a show for?" The mother-in-law’s words were never kind, which only made Liu Yanyan’s condition—already clouded by gloom—worse.

Liu Yanyan stood there holding the baby, her hair disheveled, the new spots on her face exposed mercilessly in the sunlight. Her sallow complexion was a stark contrast to Wen Yan’s radiant glow. The child in her arms cried incessantly, no matter how she tried to comfort him.

The moment she saw Wen Yan, Liu Yanyan realized she had fallen into a trap. She had been cast as the foil; she was the one suffering, while her husband and the assets were with Wen Yan. If she took one wrong step, she would lose everything.

She rushed forward again. "Who told you to come here? Get out! This is my house!"

Her scream made the child cry even louder.

Wang Xiulian hurriedly snatched the baby back. "Are you sick? Why are you yelling? They aren't even divorced yet; if she comes, she comes. What are you making such a fuss about?" She turned and muttered under her breath.

"I thought you had at least some manners."

Liu Yanyan was trembling with rage.

"What does this have to do with you? Are you just bored? You old witch! Now that Jingyan isn't here, do you think I’ll still let you push me around?"

Wen Yan watched the two argue, and only when they had reached a breaking point did she rise to play the mediator.

"Mom, Yanyan is still recovering from childbirth. Please don't be like this; you'll hurt her feelings," she said softly, while gently patting the baby in Wang Xiulian’s arms.

"Giving birth to a son is such a big deal? You gave birth to a son, you didn't turn into my son! Put that temper of yours away!" Wang Xiulian persisted.

"Then give my son back to me!" Liu Yanyan shrieked in response.

Wen Yan hurriedly stepped between them.

"Mom, don't say that. Let it go, let it go. You’ll hurt Yanyan’s heart, and your shouting will scare the baby." She naturally took the child from Wang Xiulian’s arms and began to soothe him softly.

"Yanyan hasn't recovered from the birth yet; it’s best not to be too hard on her..." She appeared to be consoling, but in reality, she was fanning the flames.

"My poor grandson is so unlucky to have a mother like that..." Wang Xiulian glared at Liu Yanyan and turned to walk back to her room, carrying the baby.