Chapter 143
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 143: That Sweet Little Mouth!
Not seeing the scene she had anticipated, Feng Yin felt a bit disappointed. If she had caught Li Mengyue sneaking around with some little boyfriend, it would’ve been the perfect chance to show off in front of Li Yansheng.
At least on the surface, Li Yansheng didn’t want his daughter to be involved with any improper men.
Of course, if a young man could pass his tests, gain his approval, and also win his daughter’s love, then he wouldn’t necessarily object.
After all, the Li family held significant influence in Binhai. A small amount of support could grant a company endless advantages.
As long as this “young man” wasn’t a complete loser or reckless, with Li Yansheng’s backing, he could absolutely build a decent career.
Li Yansheng wasn’t a rigid man. Given that he had a young wife himself, it would seem quite unreasonable if he didn’t allow his daughter the freedom to love.
However, Li Yansheng had never completely shared his true thoughts with Feng Yin.
When she was with him, Feng Yin usually played the role of the understanding, virtuous, and elegant wife.
Of course, Feng Yin wasn’t stupid. Even without being told, she could more or less guess her husband’s thoughts.
It was just a pity that she and Li Mengyue didn’t get along particularly well. So, if there was something that could trouble Li Mengyue, Feng Yin was always happy to see it happen.
After all, when trying to win favor with a man, who doesn’t pretend to be a pure and flawless little white flower?
But instead of a young man, the person with Li Mengyue turned out to be a fair-skinned, rosy-lipped, doll-like little loli.
Although Feng Yin had always wanted a son, if she had a daughter as cute as Ye Xiao, that wouldn’t be so bad either.
Just judging by Li Yansheng’s attitude, one could tell: the reason he wanted a son was simply because Li Mengyue had no intention of inheriting the business.
From a succession standpoint, raising a boy was more convenient.
He didn’t actually hold any backward beliefs that a daughter couldn’t be an heir.
In fact, if Li Mengyue ever expressed an interest in taking over after graduation, he would support her without hesitation.
Feng Yin didn’t think Wu Ma would lie to her about this kind of thing. Since Wu Ma said Li Mengyue was in a relationship, it was probably true.
She guessed that Li Mengyue had likely noticed something unusual and had her “boyfriend” leave early.
“Mengyue, whose daughter is this? Aren’t you going to introduce us? I happened to be here for lunch today and heard you were around, so I asked the front desk to bring me over. Hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
Feng Yin’s look of surprise lasted just a moment. Almost instantly, she put on a perfect smile and looked warmly at Li Mengyue and Ye Xiao.
Although Li Mengyue didn’t like this stepmother, she had to admit—Feng Yin didn’t treat her badly, at least on the surface.
Of course, it was only skin-deep. While Li Mengyue lacked keen insight or outstanding intelligence, her instincts were sharp.
Every time she saw Feng Yin, she’d feel a strange discomfort.
“This is Ye Xiao, my best friend.”
Li Mengyue gave a simple introduction, then turned toward Ye Xiao to introduce the woman. She didn’t want too much interaction with her stepmother.
“This is my stepmother, Feng Yin…”
It was Ye Xiao’s first time seeing such a beautiful socialite up close. Without that noble, wealthy-lady aura, Feng Yin looked like she was about the same age as her—so stunning she barely seemed real, with skin that looked like it could be pinched to release juice.
If Li Mengyue hadn’t whispered in her ear that this woman was her stepmother, Ye Xiao would never have believed she was a wealthy matron.
The whole “old husband, young wife” drama—Ye Xiao had only seen it online in her past life. She hadn’t expected to encounter it firsthand in this new one.
“Big sister, if you don’t mind, can I call you sister?” Ye Xiao batted her eyes at Feng Yin and unleashed her strongest cuteness technique.
Her charm attack—aside from the possibly queer Mr. Gu—had yet to fail. No one had ever resisted one of her “adorable strikes” without being affected.
“Oh my, this little sweetheart! That mouth is just dripping honey!” Feng Yin immediately covered her mouth in delighted laughter.
After all, she was pushing thirty now. And a woman’s shelf life—how long could it really last?
Age was always the biggest source of anxiety for women.
If ordinary women felt this way, how much more so for one who had married into a wealthy family?
With time, she had to worry: would she lose her looks and appeal? Even when she was in her prime, she hadn’t managed to rouse Li Yansheng’s interest when he was worn out from work.
So when she grew older and still had no children to secure her place, her personal value would diminish.
By then, not only would Li Yansheng be even older and less likely to have children, but her own physical condition would decline as well.
Though money could delay the effects of aging more than for average people, it was still only a matter of time.
As long as she couldn’t give the Li family an heir, age would always be an issue hanging over her.
Feng Yin laughed as she sat down opposite the two girls.
But in her mind, she was already planning: once she got back, even if she had to use extreme methods, she had to make that old Li man hers completely.
Life in a wealthy family might look glamorous, but it was like walking on a tightrope.
“Big sister, is there anything else you want to eat? I can order it for you.” Ye Xiao took the initiative to chat with Feng Yin and handle the ordering.
Feng Yin had just finished a spa session and hadn’t had lunch yet, so she was indeed hungry and didn’t object.
After Ye Xiao placed the order and returned to her seat, she overheard Feng Yin asking Li Mengyue:
“Mengyue, I heard you got a boyfriend. Why haven’t you brought him around for me to take a look?”
Li Mengyue frowned. Her cozy mood with Ye Xiao had been completely ruined by Feng Yin, and she responded indifferently:
“Boyfriend? Who told you that? I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Oh, come on, Mengyue-jie, Sister Yin’s just showing concern for your love life, that’s all.”
Hearing Ye Xiao say this only made Li Mengyue more irritated.
For some reason, she felt like Ye Xiao had been speaking up for Feng Yin ever since she walked in.
Feng Yin smiled as she looked at Ye Xiao—this girl was becoming more and more likable. That sweet mouth of hers was like it had been dipped in honey.
If only Li Mengyue were half as delightful as Ye Xiao, Feng Yin wouldn’t even have to bother targeting her.
Of course, outwardly, Feng Yin always maintained a gentle and considerate image toward Li Mengyue.
But really, being a stepmother wasn’t so different from mastering the art of the manipulative “green tea” girl.
Whether the affection was real or fake, the most important thing was first identifying whose favor to win.
As Li Mengyue’s stepmother, Feng Yin’s target was naturally Li Yansheng.
Her kindness toward Li Mengyue was merely a method of currying favor with him.
Ye Xiao, as a seasoned player of the “sisterhood tea ceremony” and someone with the gender advantage to go with it, could judge better than anyone: whether a woman was a genuine good sis, or just another green tea schemer.
