Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me
Chapter 111 - 56: The Eldest Sister-in-Law Becomes an Older Sister

Chapter 111: Chapter 56: The Eldest Sister-in-Law Becomes an Older Sister

"Good, good!" Mrs. Wang chuckled heartily, grasping Gu Fangzi’s hand and patting it, then commanded Sang Wan to sit down and gestured to Gu Fangzi, "Quick, step forward and pay your respects to Miss Wan!"

"Yes!" Gu Fangzi stepped forward, bending her knees and elegantly curtsied to Sang Wan, "Elder cousin-in-law!"

Mrs. Wang then laughed and scolded, "What elder cousin-in-law! It’s time to start calling her sister! It’s perfect that Fengju isn’t here, you two should get close and bond well!"

Sang Wan felt a bitterness in her heart, and an even stronger bitterness in her mouth. What does it mean ’it’s perfect that Fengju isn’t here, you two should get close’? Only her mother-in-law could say such inexplicably odd things.

Hearing this, Gu Fangzi appeared even more coy, looking up slightly at Sang Wan, "Sister! Your little sister has shown her respect!"

As their eyes met, Sang Wan clearly saw deep scorn and provocation in her gaze.

She smiled faintly, slid the jade bracelet off her wrist, and placed it onto Gu Fangzi’s, laughing softly, "Little sister need not be so courteous, I wasn’t well prepared, don’t disdain this little thing!"

"How could I disdain anything from sister? I’ll definitely treasure it like a precious gem!" Gu Fangzi giggled sweetly.

Mrs. Wang was very pleased to see Sang Wan behaving so commendably and laughed joyously, reprimanding Gu Fangzi, "You’ve got a bargain! You must treat Miss Wan with great respect in the future! If I hear of any grievances from Miss Wan, I won’t stand for it!"

"Auntie! Auntie is biased!" Fangzi said playfully, "How dare I let sister suffer any grievances? Fangzi does have that much self-awareness!" Her eyes dimmed and her voice dropped slightly as she spoke the last sentence.

"I know you wouldn’t! I’m just talking needlessly!" Mrs. Wang hurriedly added upon seeing this.

Then Gu Fangzi laughed again, "Auntie teaches well, and Fangzi should indeed learn! Isn’t that right, elder cousin-in-law—oh no, sister!"

Hearing this, Sang Wan smiled and gave a slight nod.

Upon leaving Mrs. Wang’s presence, Sang Wan instinctively looked up—the sky was vast and azure blue, sunlight piercing through thin layers of clouds casting upon the earth, and a gentle breeze swept by the shade of green trees and blooming flowers. Sang Wan suddenly felt a bit dazed and muddled, unsure if this was reality or a dream.

Her demeanor and posture were as elegant and composed as usual, but only she knew that her steps were uneven as if stepping on clouds of cotton.

Suddenly lifting her gaze, she saw ahead a young madam idly playing with a willow branch above the waters of the Wanfang Pavilion, listlessly watching the koi fish in the pond—it was Second Grandma Shi. Sang Wan then realized that she had inadvertently wandered into the garden.

After some thought, she deliberately walked heavily towards the Wanfang Pavilion.

"Elder sister-in-law! What a coincidence!" Second Grandma Shi heard the approach and looked up, seeing that it was her, she hurriedly got up and welcomed her.

"What are you doing here all by yourself!" Sang Wan smiled faintly and entered hand in hand with her.

"What else could I be doing? Just bored and daydreaming!" Second Grandma Shi said with a languid and bitter smile, her loneliness and defeat unmistakable.

Sang Wan did not expect her to be so blunt and was briefly taken aback.

Second Grandma Shi suddenly laughed and said, "You won’t think me impolite, will you? In this house, it’s only in front of you, elder sister-in-law, that I dare to speak a few words from the heart!"

"What’s wrong? Why are you upset?" Sang Wan asked.

"Upset? What’s there to be happy about!" Second Grandma Shi curved her lips into a scornful smile, then said softly after a moment, "I’ve secretly sent a message to my parents already; I want to stay at my natal family for a while."

Sang Wan’s breath hitched, and she felt a sudden sadness. Second Grandma Shi’s life was as hard as her own! But at least she could go back home, where her parents would shelter her from the storm! What about her? She couldn’t even return home! Her elder brother and sister-in-law already had enough to deal with; she couldn’t add to their troubles!

Second Grandma Shi smiled faintly again, "To outsiders, how fortunate we are to have married into the Shi family! But who would believe that we’re actually steeped in misery? Heh, we’re quite pitiable! Yet saying this out loud, no one would believe it! We have to pretend to be content with our lot!"

Second Grandma Shi began to choke up, swiftly wiping the corners of her eyes, "Actually, my wishes are very simple; I just want to live a peaceful life with my husband. Yet even that seems like an extravagant hope!"

"Sister-in-law!" Moved, Sang Wan couldn’t help but feel her eyes moisten, and she gently patted Second Grandma Shi’s shoulder.

Second Grandma Shi leaned her head against Sang Wan’s shoulder and laughed a bit embarrassedly, "I’ve lost my composure; you won’t blame me, will you?"

Sang Wan quickly shook her head, speaking softly, "Don’t think too much about it. Being happy is one day, being unhappy is also one day; why cause yourself unnecessary trouble? Rest assured, the second young master will definitely come back! Not to mention anything else, his parents are still here; can he never return in his lifetime? Youthful impetuosity is just for a year or two at most! Think about it, how reliable can such a woman be? He is bound to return to his senses!"