Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl
Chapter 337: Does the law require me to report what I eat to you?

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Does the law require me to report what I eat to you?

This is a top-quality snow fungus, the most nourishing and tonic. The way Jiang Xiruo stewed it was also meticulous, bringing out its effects better than others.

She took small sips, savoring it, when she felt someone rushing over hastily.

When the second wife of the Xia family ran over, she saw empty bowls already on the dining table. In the bowl closest to her, Jiang Zhe’s, was the dark treat.

She had never eaten snow fungus before, but she had heard of it, just this color, prepared in a manner similar to bird’s nest soup, with excellent benefits, and in all of Beijing, only the most powerful elites had the luxury to enjoy it.

The thought that her own son had gone to great lengths to buy the snow fungus, and now it was secretly taken by Xia Enci and the others to use, made her blood boil.

Seeing Jiang Zhe eating deliciously, she reached out to hit Jiang Zhe and grab the bowl.

Jiang Zhe, eating, sensed someone making a move and caught a glimpse of the second wife of the Xia family from the corner of her eye.

She sidestepped and lifted her leg, tripping the second wife of the Xia family into a face-plant.

After all, the second wife of the Xia family was of an age, and after such a trip, she couldn’t get up for a long time.

Xia Mingzhu entered behind her, saw her mother on the ground and helped her up, glaring at Jiang Zhe, "Jiang Zhe, what do you mean by this? Why did you hit my mom?"

"Which eye of yours saw me hitting her?" Jiang Zhe looked sideways at Xia Mingzhu.

Madam Xia finally came to her senses and hurriedly asked, "Are you alright? Mingzhu, quickly help your mother sit and rest, and see if she’s hurt anywhere. Mingzhu, what you’re saying isn’t right, how could Jiang Zhe possibly hit anyone?"

Xia Enci pouted, "Exactly, it was the second aunt who rushed over here in such a hurry, she fell by herself. The way she looked, it seemed like she wanted to take Xiaozhe’s dessert. But no one touched her, don’t falsely accuse people."

Xia Mingzhu, hearing their harmonious response while her mother was in such pain, fumed, "Jiang Zhe! Xia Enci! Do you really think if no one else gets angry, you can treat people like fools? What are you eating in those bowls of yours!"

Jiang Zhe put down her spoon, "What, is there a law that says I have to report to you what I eat?"

This attitude of hers made Xia Mingzhu even more angry.

The second wife of the Xia family took hold of Xia Mingzhu, stood up, and said, "What you eat is none of our business. But if you’ve taken our valuable belongings for your consumption, then I certainly have to step in!"

Madam Xia always knew the second wife of the Xia family was a bit irrational, and at hearing such words now, she found it even more amusing.

She asked, "What exactly are you talking about?"

"Sister-in-law, I have no objections to you keeping them at home, but that snow fungus in their bowls was bought by Mingli for mom’s health! Seeing mom unwell, Mingli had only managed to buy such an expensive item with difficulty, and I was planning to use it for mom today. And here they are, having taken my ingredient and stewed it! And even served it to everyone! Do they not understand the priority of matters?" The second wife of the Xia family was furious.

Madam Xia was also taken aback upon hearing this, recalling that she indeed had heard the name snow fungus before, and it should appear as they just had eaten.

Jiang Zhe picked up her spoon and continued eating calmly and deliberately.

This action caused Xia Mingzhu to glare at her furiously.

Madam Xia paused, "But that’s not something you can just claim. How can you prove that those items were taken from you?"

"Where else could it have come from, if not from me? Mingli just bought it yesterday and placed it at my home. Otherwise, how could you possibly have it?"

Jiang Xiruo put down her bowl and spoke evenly, "The items were brought by me for mom to eat. I’ve been eating this for a while now, and the aunts in the kitchen can testify."

"I don’t believe a word of your testimonies! The things we bought home yesterday are now appearing on your table today. Xia Enci, didn’t you visit my courtyard today?" the second wife of the Xia family asked angrily.

Jiang Xiruo understood the implication in her words, "Second Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean? Can’t you understand?" Madame Xia, the second wife, became even angrier. "Usually my things are left untouched. But just after Xia Enci visits, they go missing. Now that I’ve caught you red-handed, you still want to quibble?"

This time, Xia Mingzhu was also very angry and said, "These things are quite valuable, and you just mishandle them like this. I won’t say much—Great Aunt, please buy two new bags for me in replacement, and I won’t pursue this matter further. They were originally bought for Grandmother anyway, and it’s the thought that counts. But I do have one condition: from now on, no one is allowed to enter our second branch’s courtyard!"

She originally had no interest in vying for the family’s property.

But this time, Xia Enci’s actions had infuriated her, and she did not wish to give any more face, only wanting to sever ties with these people and to not have any further dealings in the future.

Hearing them repeatedly slander Xia Enci as a thief and accusing her of taking their things, Jiang Xiruo, with her protective motherly instinct, angrily said, "Not everyone wants to go to your courtyard. But my daughter’s reputation will not be sullied by your accusations!"

Jiang Zhe stood up, walked over to Jiang Xiruo, and said, "Little Aunt, let’s call the police."

"Of course, we should call the police!" Jiang Xiruo said. "Whoever took their things must be investigated thoroughly. Not all the dirty water can be splashed onto my daughter’s head!"

Madame Xia, the second wife, and Xia Mingzhu saw her speaking with such righteous indignation but thought she was just putting on a brave front, feigning ease.

Lady Xia did not want Xia Enci to be wronged either and said, "Then let’s call the police."

The second Madame Xia snorted coldly, "Perfect, leaving a criminal record, I’d like to see how some people could go to college! Do they really think what they’ve done has left no trace?"

Jiang Zhe looked at her coldly, "If the police prove Xia Enci’s innocence, then you’ll be guilty of defamation. And if a criminal record leads to someone losing their job or being expelled from school, they won’t get away with it."

These words made the second Madame Xia’s heart skip a beat.

Xia Mingzhu also felt a pang at her sore spot.

The second Madame Xia carefully reconsidered whether she might have misplaced her belongings.

She was certain she hadn’t, and said, "Call the police! I refuse to believe it’s just a coincidence!"

She had hardly finished speaking when Xia Zhen and Xia Mingli walked in from outside.

Both looked rather grim.

"Husband, Mingli, you’re back just in time! We were just discussing calling the police. Xia Enci took some tremella from our home..."

"Nonsense!" Xia Zhen’s face turned ashen, "Apologize to them right now!"

The second Madame Xia said, "You haven’t even heard me out..."

"Mingli and I took the tremella to give as a gift today!" Xia Zhen lowered his voice, "Why are you causing such a commotion?"

The second Madame Xia was stunned; she truly hadn’t considered this.

She glanced at her husband Xia Zhen, then at her son Xia Mingli.

Xia Mingli had a very unpleasant look on his face.

"Apologize!" said Xia Zhen.