Ruling the Historical Romance Novel as the Female Supporting Character-Chapter 295: If You Can’t Get Along, Don’t Force It
Su Yijia watched their actions with a cold expression, thinking that Auntie Ju had some perceptiveness, though it was limited. Auntie Wang, on the other hand, seemed particularly overbearing.
The other aunties were mostly followers, adding to the atmosphere but without much independent thought. They likely shared the same views as Auntie Ju and Auntie Wang.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Auntie Lin stepped out in a stylish dress. The military green color was a bit unusual, but the other aunties kept showering her with compliments.
"It looks great! It really does!"
"Look, it cinches your waist perfectly!"
At moments like this, Su Yijia couldn’t bring herself to spoil the mood and could only force a laugh from the side.
Auntie Lin twirled around and looked at Su Yijia with bright eyes. "Miss Su, your skills are really impressive! Since you don’t seem to have much else to do while making clothes, why don’t you teach Auntie how to make clothes?"
Su Yijia’s smile faded instantly. "Aunt, didnt you notice? When I’m doing something, I never split my attention to anything else."
Of course, that was completely impossible.
The reason she hadn’t been paying attention to the gossiping aunts while making clothes was simply because she didn’t want to get involved in their petty chatter. What’s the point of engaging with gossip that doesn’t even concern her? But hearing what this aunt had said, she couldn’t hold back.
While making clothes, no other thoughts? Was making clothes not a task in itself?!
"Alas, you’re still young, just newly married and don’t understand. Once a woman is married, who doesn’t have to split her focus and juggle several tasks at once? Once you have kids, you won’t even be able to focus on one thing anymore," Auntie Lin said, not seeming to catch the subtle rebuff in Su Yijia’s tone, continuing to lecture with the tone of someone who had been through it all.
"So, Auntie, are you saying that you’re training me in advance and that I should be grateful for it? Should I bring gifts and personally visit you with my husband to thank you for your advice?" Su Yijia’s voice was calm, but her gaze was as cold as ice, piercing right through Auntie Lin.
Auntie Lin didn’t expect her casual remark to backfire so badly, and she was instantly embarrassed, her face flushing bright red.
Seeing the awkward tension in the air, Auntie Ju quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation. "Miss Su, don’t be angry with Auntie Lin. She’s just someone who speaks without thinking sometimes. She really meant well, just worried that you’re making too many skirts and working too hard. She only wanted to help."
"Good intentions? How do you define good intentions? You all think that just because you’re older, you can criticize others’ lives. If I don’t do things the way you think I should, you curse my marriage, say my husband will eventually get tired of me? My actual elders at home haven’t said a word about it, so why do you all think you can dictate how I live my life?"
Su Yijia’s voice was steady but sharp, her words cutting through the air like a blade. "Since you think I’m tired from making these skirts, I won’t make any more. You can all go to her for help instead. I’ll be generous and not mind that you’re stealing my ideas."
Having said that, Su Yijia stood up. She had already put in the effort--why shouldn’t she get something out of it?
"No, no, we really didn’t mean to boss you around. It’s just... we’ve seen so many women go through this. It’s just how things happen."
Auntie Ju quickly tried to smooth things over, "Miss Su, we really didn’t mean any harm, just chatting, casually chatting."
But the aunts couldn’t help but watch Su Yijia, standing there with a demeanor so sharp it seemed to pierce the air. They couldn’t understand it--what kind of family could raise a child with such a strong and unyielding character?
She was like a porcupine, bristling and ready to attack at the slightest offense. What kind of family could tolerate such a personality?
Could the elders of the Qin family, or even Xia Weiguo, stand her temper? Was she like this with Qin Kaize too, never allowing the slightest bit of dissatisfaction?
Auntie Wang pondered, thinking Su Yijia must be acting this way because she looked down on their husbands for their lower positions in the family, and that’s why she was so commanding, not giving them any respect.
But what she didn’t know was that Su Yijia had been putting up with their nonsense for a long time. She had already tolerated much. As far as she was concerned, the only reason she hadn’t sent them all packing was out of respect for their husbands.
If it were up to her, anyone who made her unhappy, whether from the Su or Qin family, would have been out the door by now. As for Qin Kaize and Xia Weiguo...
They spoiled Su Yijia like she was the most precious thing in the world. If they had a fraction of the bitterness and scheming thoughts these aunts had, she would’ve walked out on them long ago.
This whole book transmigrating was nothing more than a formality--if she didn’t want to play by their rules, she wouldn’t. It was only out of curiosity about the formulas and a desire to try her hand at it that she even bothered with some of the tasks.
Otherwise, the system could have easily been ignored.
"That’s someone else’s business. What does it have to do with me?" Su Yijia’s voice was sharp, her gaze cold as she swept over the aunts. "Are you really concerned about me, or is it just that you can’t stand seeing me so happy? You can’t stand the fact that I’m living better than you did? Don’t lie to yourselves--there’s no jealousy at all, right?"
Her words stung, and she continued with a mockingly casual tone, "I haven’t pointed it out, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know everything. And as for her wanting to learn my skills, do you think she wants to help me for free, or is she planning to make clothes and sell them to others? Are you really that clueless?"
Su Yijia’s eyes locked onto Auntie Ju, who was fidgeting uncomfortably. The woman tightened her grip, clearly at a loss for words.
They knew exactly what was going on--there was jealousy, and they knew that Auntie Lin harbored those thoughts. But Auntie Lin had a large family, and her little scheme wasn’t exactly a crime. Still, there was an undeniable sourness in their hearts.
They had never had a good start, not like Su Yijia. But when they spoke out, it was out of concern that Su Yijia might get carried away and forget how hard life could be. They wanted her to wake up and not have unrealistic expectations, because when she eventually did fall, it would be on her own.
Su Yijia sighed with resignation, her voice growing colder, "I’ve come to the conclusion that our personalities are completely incompatible. To avoid future conflicts, don’t come to me again. From now on, when you see me, just treat me like a stranger."
With that, Su Yijia picked up the rabbit and turned to leave.
"Miss Su! Don’t be angry! We know we were wrong, and we’ll change, really!" Auntie Lin called out in a panic, not expecting Su Yijia to be so fiery. She hadn’t anticipated that Su Yijia’s temper would flare so fiercely, and the words that followed were far sharper than anything she’d heard in years.
Even though the aunts had bickered before, they’d never been so blunt and harsh, saying outright that they didn’t want any more association. This was completely unexpected.
But Su Yijia didn’t slow her pace. She barely acknowledged them as she pushed open the door, just as Qin Kaize was raising his hand to knock.
His expression, which had been warm and gentle, faltered as soon as he saw the tight, cold look on Su Yijia’s face.
"Did they bully you?" Qin Kaize’s voice was low and soothing as he gently grabbed her arm, pulling her to his side. His eyes flashed with a fierce warning as they scanned the aunts who had followed her.
The aunts froze, startled by his sudden shift in energy. They glanced at Su Yijia for help, but even though their eyes practically pierced her, she didn’t say a word.
She wasn’t about to defend them now, not after everything.
Auntie Lin pushed at Auntie Wang, signaling her to speak up, but Auntie Wang only gave her a helpless look. Then, in an attempt to salvage the situation, she nudged Auntie Ju, who stood stiff as a board, too afraid to speak.
None of them dared to challenge Su Yijia now, and certainly not Qin Kaize, who stood next to her, the quiet danger in his gaze clearly sending them a warning.
