Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 81 - 50: Eating Wontons (Part 2)

"You know who I am, right, Brother-in-law? That’s right! I’m from the Qian family—I’m my older sister’s little cousin."

Yuzhu giggled, turning back to Chen Wanqing to flash her a series of winks and waggling eyebrows.

The expressions on her cute, impish face made it clear what she was thinking: ’I like this brother-in-law! He’s handsome and a perfect match for Sister,’ and ’That settles it—he’s my brother-in-law now!’

Chen Wanqing shot Yuzhu a soft glare, a silent command for her to behave.

’Such a young girl, always meddling in adult affairs,’ she thought. ’I ought to tell her Second Aunt on her and let her get a good scolding later.’

A frightened little Yuzhu shrank back. Chen Wanqing then stood up. She first greeted Mr. Wang, who was standing behind Zhao Jing and grinning from ear to ear, before turning to Zhao Jing herself. "What brings you here for wontons?" she asked. "Isn’t Moxiang Pavilion quite far from here?"

"Mr. Wang and I just visited an elder to get a book authenticated. It took longer than expected, and we were getting hungry, so we chose this place since it was nearby. I didn’t expect to see you here as well. Why are you here so late? How was business today?"

"It was decent. We’ve been closed for a while, so we took quite a few orders."

Just then, a stooped-over old man brought over the wontons the two of them had ordered. As it happened, the customers at another table were just finishing up and leaving. Zhao Jing and Mr. Wang said no more; they walked over to the now-empty table, sat down, and resumed their conversation in low voices.

The wontons were savory and juicy, and the rich, milky-white broth had been simmered overnight with bones.

Eating a bowl of wontons like this on a cold, early winter day warmed a person from the inside out.

Yuzhu, however, was barely paying attention to her food.

As she ate, she kept wanting to turn and look behind her. But the motion would be too obvious and was sure to attract attention, which left Yuzhu feeling both conflicted and disappointed.

"My brother-in-law is so handsome," she said. "You and him, Sister... a brilliant scholar and a beautiful woman. It’s a match made in heaven."

’Chen Wanyue must be blind, giving up such a wonderful fiancé. I’d love to see what kind of "immortal" she ends up marrying instead.’

’Then again, I should thank her for breaking the engagement. Otherwise, Sister, you wouldn’t have had this chance.’

Yuzhu spoke again. "Sister, I hear Brother-in-law is an excellent scholar. Will he be taking the examinations next year?"

Chen Wanqing meticulously chewed and swallowed her wonton before asking, "You’re just a little girl. Why do you care so much about this?"

"Hehe," Yuzhu giggled. "My mom told me that the man Chen Wanyue is engaged to now is also taking the exams next year. I just want to see the look of utter regret on her face if our brother-in-law becomes a Scholar and that guy from the Li family fails."

Qian Yuzhu’s family lived in the county seat and ran a shop, so they were always quick to hear the latest news.

Furthermore, out of concern for the matter, Chen Bai had even made special inquiries, going so far as to visit the private school Li Cun attended.

Chen Bai was an honest man and didn’t mince words. When he returned, he reported, "That young man is gentle and refined. His teacher and fellow students all hold him in high regard. His studies are excellent, and I heard he’s not only expected to pass the Scholar examination next year but might even place first."

’Placing first meant being the top scorer out of all the new Scholars.’ Yuzhu privately thought her father must be exaggerating.

’A student from a small private school in this county, and at such a young age... just passing would be a blessing from his ancestors. But becoming the top scorer? My brother-in-law is the one who deserves to be the top scorer!’

Yuzhu was about to say something else, but Chen Wanqing cut her off. "It’s a cold day, and the wontons will get cold quickly. Whatever you have to say can wait until after we’ve finished. I can’t be held responsible if you eat cold food and get a stomachache."

And so, the two of them focused on their meal.

Out of Yuzhu’s sight, Chen Wanqing’s fingers stiffened around her chopsticks, and even her chewing became a little unnatural.

Mr. Wang took the bowl of wontons from the old man and turned to Zhao Jing. "What were you sneaking around doing just now? You went and paid the bill, didn’t you? We agreed that since you came along with me on this trip, I’d be treating you to lunch. Why aren’t you giving me the chance to make good on my promise?"

Mr. Wang’s eyes crinkled with laughter; he was clearly just teasing Zhao Jing.

’Who could have predicted it?’ he thought. ’It’s only been a few days, and not only has Zhao Jing broken one engagement and entered another, but his new fiancée is none other than Miss Chen, with whom he has business dealings.’

’He recalled the last time Chen Wanqing had delivered incense to Moxiang Pavilion. Zhao Jing had been there as well. At the time, seeing them stand together, he had marveled at how perfectly matched they seemed—one cool and handsome, the other enchanting and graceful.’

’Unfortunately, Zhao Jing already had a betrothal arranged in his childhood, so it seemed they were fated to meet but never be together.’

’But he never could have imagined that in just a few short days, events would take such a sharp turn. The next time he saw them, they were already engaged to be married.’