Mrs Fox Heinous Revenge: Can You Love A Villainess like Me?
Chapter 169: A Step Forward

Chapter 169: A Step Forward

Well finding the moles in the family wasn’t really something she was set to do or had planned to do, that’s why she wasn’t actively snooping around for informations and if anyone’s behavior had showed an odd pattern. So she was relaxed throughout the situation and waited for anyone to talk to her. After the third aunt was now this lady, who had introduced herself to be then in laws of the family. Although she’s older than her, by rank, the woman is Li ZiChen’s cousin in law. They weren’t related by blood the most and she seemed to be adorning herself with an air of peacefulness, hating the anger that others shows and was extremely calm in faces of people like the Third Aunt. She also mediate between family members, and that was what she told to Ailin.

"CaiTai usually have a fight with Zi Chen’s mother," said the woman, whom AiLin had named as Cousin Ling. Causing Ling continued, "It must be because from a young age CaiTai has always been close with the family. So she was particularly more concerned whenever someone from outside the family enters our Li Family. In fact she wasn’t only harsh to Zi Chen’s mother or you, but me and many others who are in laws here."

"I see," AiLin answered, "She must be very caring then."

"Ca.. ring?" Cousin Ling asked her with a look of confusion, "Caring? CaiTai is?"

"Isn’t she?" AiLin uttered as she took a cup of tea to her lips, "After all, she was extremely protective against outsider, it must have been because in the past someone from the outside pretended to come into the family and instead done harmed to the Li Family."

"Oh, right," said Cousin Ling before she chuckled, "I find it amusing that you have a different point of view than everyone else, miss AiLin. But you aren’t as far as what I heard, you’re really clever and gentle in heart."

"Thank you," she answered, crinkling her eyes. Then she saw Li ZiChen walking toward them, immediately holding to her arms gently. "Don’t worry, they all have treated me well."

Li ZiChen turned to where CaiTai had gone to before moving his eyes to Cousin Ling and showing a brief recognition of her presence before bringing her away, "Is it Aunt CaiTai again?"

"So this wasn’t her first modus operandi as Cousin Ling had told me," said AiLin with a nod she hummed, "What happened that made her so extreme to outsiders?"

"Once my father’s fourth uncle had brought in a wife he had chosen. She comes from a poor background and not much was known about her. But we didn’t care much as long as my fourth uncle was happy."

"Mhm and lemme guess, it turns out that she’s a dangerous person who’s after his money?"

Li ZiChen chuckled, "She was the one who kidnapped me." He then rubbed the snake tattoo on his left arm, "Yeah as you imagined, after that she became a bit extreme to outsiders but if she did say something that hurts you, let me know."

"Oh come on, she could never hurt me. Though I do now wonder what kind of words would someone have to say to me to make me really upset," she hummed and shook her head, "I have no idea. I have been on the end of the one who suffered most insults so I guess I wouldn’t know if there’s still anything that would hurt my feelings."

Li ZiChen raised his finger and flicked her nose slightly, "Stop that, hearing it makes me sad. It’s not a joke to make your pain as a humor okay?"

"Yes, yes," she chuckled then she turned to the ancestral hall, "So who is third aunt visiting?"

"My fourth uncle," he replied, "After that woman kidnapped me, my uncle found her. He was still trying to reason with her, wanting to believe it was a misunderstanding or that she was forced because her family was threatened. But it was all for money and when he found out about it, he.. ended his life," Li ZiChen’s voice was a little empty as they both stare at the ancestral hall. "There’s an ongoing curse in Li Family, so much so that it sounds like a joke."

AiLin stared to his handsome face and hummed, "What can it be?"

"That love will one day kill us," Li ZiChen uttered. "Us, Li Family sons and daughters, are usually the type of people who would garner the lucks and attentions from Gods but it seemed our Achilles heel’s are love. Because whenever love is mentioned, we walk on step closer to death. My fourth uncle was one example but there are many more, including my grandparents’ siblings."

She wondered if that was why Third Aunt was extremely upset about new people in the family and the fact that Li ZiChen seems to truly love her. Because if her fear came to live and she was actually someone who only wanted to hurt Li ZiChen, it might repeat what had happened to the fourth uncle of the family, causing Li ZiChen to... drive the blade to his own neck.

She patted his back and smiled widely, "Trust me, I won’t betray you. Especially since we have Shar—" she almost told him since she has shared a bed with him, her life and his is connected as once. But realizing how it sounded she cleared her throat, "Since we are partners in crimes, right?"

Li ZiChen chuckled, "Right."

After that the elders came. AiLin was offered a seat beside Mrs. Li and there was also grandfather and grandmother Li who was looking at her with excited eyes as if they had just seen Christmas miracle. Mr. Li, Li ZiChen’s father was the one who surprised AiLin the most in the seat. Because how could there be someone who looked so much like Li ZiChen?

She was in awe staring at Li ZiChen’s father, realizing that once Li ZiChen was at his age, he would look similar.

"We’re here to welcome the new addition to our family," said Mrs. Li who happily stood up and held her hands, encouraging her to introduce herself in front of everyone. "Let’s hear a little from my soon to be daughter in law."

"My name is AiLin, Hua AiLin. I hope I can be welcomed warmly in the family and I promise that I would always take care of Zi Chen and protect him well."

Some people laughed warmly at her words, "Oh dearest, the one who should be protecting is ZiChen not you sweetheart," grandmother Li said to her before holding to her hand and patting at it with a look of delight. She seemed extremely satisfied that Li ZiChen had brought someone so pretty and so endearing to the family. "Really, you are very gorgeous. Tell me, my dear, what else have you done before coming to the family?"

AiLin’s words were stuck as she couldn’t say anything other than the fact she’s been imprisoned before but does everyone inside the Li Family knew about this? She doesn’t have the courage to say it out loud and Li ZiChen interfere, "She’s a theatrical player. You’ll see her in the big screen soon grandma. Remember Mu Ke’s novel? She’s going to play in it."

"Aiya! Mu Ke’s novel? That’s such a big story to deal with! Not considering the fact that the theme is heavy, I’m sure you must be very talented," said the grandma while patting her hand in happiness. "ZiChen’s mother is a singer, so you two must be very happy to get along with similar occupation."

"Of course," Mrs. Li responded, "I’m very curious to know of your favorite plays AiLin. Maybe we can take it easy in the study room together after dinner."

"I’ll be glad to do so," AiLin responded happily while third aunt stared from afar and let out a cough.

"Let’s not be too proud yet," the Third Aunt intervened, "Everyone shouldn’t forget the fact that the person who had caused Zi Chen to be in a near death situation is also someone from the Hua Family. Where is your grandmother? Has she decided to apologize to our family now since we are soon going to be in laws?"

Her words cut clear and that caused everyone in the table to lose their smiles and appetites. Even AiLin was in a bundle as she knew Third Aunt’s personality was quite on the rough side, but to see the woman bringing out her grandmother in the table immediately killed the mood.

"She’s not related to her grandmother, auntie, not everyone in a family has to shoulder the sin of their own family members," said Li ZiChen firmly, "Let’s not forget that AiLin herself is not the one to blame for the incident that was done when she was barely the age of seven. It’s not her mistake nor something she should force herself to shoulder and apologize for."

"Yes," said Mr. Li who had been quiet. His personality was on the quiet side but his face seemed grim when CaiTai had brought up the situation again which had made his daughter in law’s face to turn ashen. He spoke clearly to the table again so everyone can hear, "AiLin is her own person and I hope no one would ever relate what her grandmother had done to her. She’s not at fault and speaking about this again will only mean that you’re trying to harm her, CaiTai."

CaiTai was surprised and she bite down her lips, "I’m saying this because I’m concerned! If her grandmother could kill Zi Chen, don’t you wonder what she herself could do? She could even kill someone and I won’t be surprised seeing she shared blood with that old witch!"