CHAPTER 308: CHAPTER 303: PHOENIX MAN (FIFTH UPDATE)

"I don’t believe it, what gives such a young unmarried girl the right to give you so many nice things?" Ye Mei shouted.

Zhang Meng smiled faintly, her expression innocent: "Because I’m rich!"

"You, you must have conspired to deceive me." Ye Mei’s face turned red with anger, feeling that her family indeed didn’t treat her as one of their own.

"So you think your brother and I have the money to buy these things? I’m just an old lady from the countryside. I couldn’t even earn enough for your brother’s tuition fees back then, and he’s still studying now, where would he find the time to make money?" Granny Liu countered.

Ye Mei was stunned by her mother’s words. Upon further thought, she realized it might be true; what money could one earn in this shabby mountain village? But over the years, she and Zhao Zihao had made some money and she’d always been proud at home, not wanting to lose face like this.

She glared at the innocent Zhang Meng and asked dismissively: "So where would a young girl like you get the money to buy all these things? They couldn’t possibly be earned through dirty means, right? Mom, little brother, what’s wrong with you accepting a dubious woman into your home for the sake of some petty benefits?"

"What did you say? Who are you calling dirty?" Ye Qiu’s face darkened as he pressed Ye Mei with a cold interrogation.

"Apologize to Mengmeng right now." Granny Liu too became angry, unable to believe that her daughter could be so thoughtless and maliciously speculate about Mengmeng. Previously, she felt guilty for taking her daughter’s dowry which caused her to endure suffering at the Zhao Family, so she had indulged her these years, never expecting that indulgence to lead to such issues.

Ye Mei took a step back, frightened by Ye Qiu and Granny Liu, but still defiantly retorted, "What for? What did I say wrong?"

"You’re wrong about everything." Although Zhang Meng grew up with everything going smoothly for her, it didn’t mean she lacked a temper. She might be fond of Ye Qiu, but this didn’t give Ye Qiu’s sister the right to insult her for no reason. Her money was earned honestly and openly by her father who saved lives and helped the injured.

"I have money because my dad can make it. Do you know who my dad is? He’s the chief executive and chairman of Changfeng Chain Hospital with assets worth over a billion. I spend the pocket money my dad gives me to buy gifts for Auntie because I want to; what right do you have to make any comments? And that imitation cashmere coat you’re wearing, how much did it cost? Is it even five hundred? Now, guess how much I spent on the cotton-padded jacket I bought for Auntie? Not much, just three thousand! Plus the refrigerator, air conditioner, massager, and so on. All together, it’s just a bit over ten thousand. How about that, are you jealous? And that Honda your husband drives, even our housekeeper drives a BMW when she goes out to buy groceries. Hmph!"

Zhang Meng finished her tirade in one breath, leaving everyone in the room stunned.

Seeing no one speaking, she felt a bit nervous inside since this was, after all, Ye Qiu’s sister. She worried whether Ye Qiu and Auntie would hold any grudges.

She glanced over cautiously, only to see Ye Qiu’s eyes brimming with amusement, and his thumb quietly raised; she immediately felt reassured.

Granny Liu was somewhat unable to come back to her senses, not because Zhang Meng had suddenly turned fierce, but because of the assets under Zhang Meng’s dad, worth over a billion. How much money that must be? And the jacket she bought was three thousand? It wasn’t made of gold; why so expensive? And the refrigerator, air conditioner, don’t the villagers buy those for a couple thousand? How come it’s over ten thousand at her place? Well, Mengmeng’s family is rich, they definitely wouldn’t buy low-quality stuff.

Ye Mei was overwhelmed not only by the wealth of Zhang Meng’s family but also by being humiliated. After all, she was still Ye Qiu’s sister, how could she dare to speak to her like that?

"So your dad is the chairman of Changfeng Hospital?" Zhao Yang, who had been overhearing the Ye Family’s argument from outside without intervening, suddenly perked up upon hearing about Zhang Meng’s background and extended his hand to greet her, "Sister-in-law, hello, my name is Zhao Yang, I’m your brother-in-law. I’m currently in the LED lighting business, and the lights I sell are the best in the province. I wonder if your hospital is interested in changing lights recently? Here’s my business card, please give it to your dad when you go back."

Zhang Meng scoffed and turned her head away, completely ignoring him.

Zhao Yang gave a sheepish smile and glared at Ye Mei: "Why are you still standing there? We’re all family here, how can you say such unpleasant things? Go and apologize to your brother’s wife right now!"

Ye Mei’s complexion darkened as her husband shouted at her. She mumbled something under her breath, but ultimately didn’t resist and managed a stiff smile: "Sister-in-law, I guess my mouth just works faster than my mind, don’t take it to heart, okay?"

"Works faster than your mind? So you actually think that way?" Zhang Meng helped Granny Liu take off her old cotton coat and replace it with the valuable sapphire blue one worth three thousand yuan.

Ye Qiu knew Granny Liu’s size, and the coat fit perfectly. Although her face was no longer youthful, her past elegance was still discernible. As soon as she put on the new clothes, her whole demeanor brightened up significantly.

"I told you Auntie looks good in this coat." Zhang Meng complimented with a smile.

"It’s very nice, very nice." Knowing that Zhang Meng’s father was worth over a hundred million, Granny Liu liked her even more. Although Zhang Meng wasn’t her own daughter, she found her sensible and filial, perfectly suitable for her family’s Ye Qiu. She didn’t want to let go of such a precious daughter-in-law. As for her own daughter, Ye Mei, it was time for her to learn a lesson.

Ye Mei felt uncomfortable watching the intimate interaction between Granny Liu and Zhang Meng as if they were a real family, especially thinking about the coat valued at three thousand yuan that wasn’t for her. The discomfort grew as her husband was prompting her from the side, and she had to apologize yet again.

"Mengmeng, look, your sister hardly had any schooling when she was young. I don’t always know the right things to say - it was my mistake, and I apologize to you." Ye Mei thought to herself that she should first appease her, and once Ye Qiu married Zhang Meng, she would be part of the family, wouldn’t she? Then she could use her money too, right? With this thought, even her smile contained a few genuine elements.

Since she had apologized, and it was also during the festive season, Zhang Meng didn’t want to keep holding a grudge against Sister Ye Qiu, hence her expression softened: "Oh, since sister has apologized, let’s leave it at that."

Zhang Meng heaved a sigh and continued, "But just now, brother-in-law said you’re doing business. Sister, you can’t talk recklessly to your clients like you did to me. Since you said you haven’t had much education, you can still go study now. There are adult colleges, and if Sister needs, I can help you find one."

"No need, I’m already at this age, what’s the point of going to school now?" Ye Mei said with an awkward laugh.

"Sister, you can’t say that," Ye Qiu chimed in, "Didn’t you always complain that Mom was biased, letting me study and not you? Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll pay for your tuition. Although I don’t have money now, I can borrow from Mengmeng. It’s better than you calling me an ingrate and saying Mom favored me over you."

Ye Mei had poor grades back in the day; not pursuing education was just an excuse for her to bully her family. The thought of actually going to school was unbearable - how was she to sit through classes or even graduate?

"Never mind that, Zihao is still young, I need to take care of him."

"Zihao can be taken care of by his grandparents. Besides, he’s already in kindergarten and doesn’t need someone watching over him all day. That settles it, Mengmeng and I will arrange the school for you. Just go there and study when it’s time. Brother-in-law, do you agree?"

"Sure, sure, no problem." Zhao Yang was hoping to do business with Zhang Meng’s father, how could he disagree?

"Well then sister, you better put in the effort. Our Ye Family’s third college graduate is up to you. Mengmeng and I are making your old dream come true." Ye Qiu said to Ye Mei with a smirk as she saw the displeased look on her face.