CHAPTER 410: 395 JIA WENXIU IS OUT

"Why are you so slow? Is the tea I asked for ready?" Tian Sangsang frowned in displeasure, lifting the curtain as she took the initiative to step into the private alcove. The delicate fragrance of rose tea filled the air.

Jia Wenxiu was startled and hadn’t had time to bring out the tea. The cup was still in her hands.

She maintained a gentle and calm expression: "It’s ready." Bending slightly, she poured a small cup for her.

Tian Sangsang took the cup, but as it reached her lips, she paused mid-action. "You didn’t finish wiping things. Go finish it, don’t just stand there like a fool."

"Sister-in-law, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Mom about how you treat me?" Jia Wenxiu’s body tensed, her eyes seemingly fixed tightly on her, but in reality, glued to the teacup in her hand.

Tian Sangsang chuckled languidly, "Then I’ll simply say I’m cultivating you through the proper process. What could Mom do to me about it? Anyway, she doesn’t like me much to begin with. I wouldn’t mind if she liked me even less."

"Sister-in-law, at least you’re self-aware." Jia Wenxiu pushed aside the curtain with her hand and left gracefully, taking care not to reveal any unusual behavior to Tian Sangsang. Once outside, her face finally grew cold.

She picked up the cloth again, glanced back reluctantly, stomped her foot, and could only resign herself to wiping down the surfaces.

But after a minute of wiping, Jia Wenxiu couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her mind was entirely consumed by the curtain separating her from that tea. At this moment, she wished desperately for the curtain to be transparent! She couldn’t figure it out. She had just been about to serve the tea when Tian Sangsang walked in. How could it be such a coincidence? Now she couldn’t even confirm anything if she wanted to.

The tiny packet of medicine from the black market had cost her five yuan—quite expensive!

"Ah!" A sudden exclamation came from inside the alcove.

"Sister-in-law, what happened?!" Could it be that the drug had taken effect?

Jia Wenxiu’s heart leapt with joy. Clutching the cloth tightly, she rushed in eagerly!

Upon entering, she did not see Tian Sangsang flushed or undressing.

The teacup was still in Tian Sangsang’s hand, and the large teapot on the table still contained rose tea. The tea hadn’t been discarded, ruling out the possibility of newly brewed tea. To ensure precaution, she had emptied the water kettle earlier—Tian Sangsang couldn’t have used it to make new tea. Furthermore, taking only one minute to brew tea would hardly leave someone looking so unbothered.

"I took a sip earlier, and just poured this cup—it’s a bit too hot." Tian Sangsang explained as she looked up, "I was so thirsty I almost burned my tongue." After speaking, she swirled the cup slightly in her hand and slowly finished the tea.

Jia Wenxiu breathed a sigh of relief and retreated from the alcove. Just as she stepped out, Tian Sangsang set down the cup and followed her out as well.

At that moment, there were no customers—just the two of them in the shop.

Tian Sangsang stationed herself behind the counter, picking up the account book and flipping through it leisurely but intently. Meanwhile, Jia Wenxiu continued wiping surfaces, all the while furtively observing Tian Sangsang’s demeanor. But the longer she watched, the heavier her heart grew! As her anxiety peaked, two people entered from outside. Jia Wenxiu froze in place, her hand still holding the cloth. Glancing again at Tian Sangsang, an ominous premonition suddenly gripped her.

"Mommy!" Meng Shuyan came bounding in.

Tian Sangsang ruffled his hair and smiled at Jiang Jinghuai, "You’re here."

Jiang Jinghuai raised the bag in his hand slightly, his expression calm and gentle.

She accepted the bag from him and led the two into the alcove.

Jia Wenxiu’s face turned ashen, her fear mounting as she watched them. The tea still sat on the table.

No, she had to find a chance to throw it out!

"Wenxiu," Tian Sangsang called to her softly, her eyes curving into a smile, "Make some tea for your brother." As she spoke, she placed the bag on the counter and called to Meng Shuyan, "Come here, Yanyan, there are candies in the cabinet. They’re for you!"

She pulled a QQ candy out of the box and popped one into his mouth inconspicuously, so Jiang Jinghuai wouldn’t notice. After eating the candy, Meng Shuyan sat down comfortably on the sofa. The alcove was tiny but tastefully furnished, complete with a sofa and tea table—almost like a cozy living room, just without a television.

Facing Jiang Jinghuai, Jia Wenxiu felt her heart race uneasily. "The tea’s nearly cold—let me brew a fresh pot." She reached for the water kettle, only to find it empty.

Jiang Jinghuai frowned slightly; the tea was still hot. He poured himself a small cup and brought it to his lips.

Tian Sangsang’s heart leapt into her throat at the same time as Jia Wenxiu’s. In alarm, Jia Wenxiu blurted, "Brother!"

"What is it?" The tea rippled slightly in the cup. Jiang Jinghuai paused just short of taking a sip, his deep, dark eyes calmly fixed on her.

Under his gaze, Jia Wenxiu’s heart pounded wildly, her throat dry. "Brother, don’t you hate floral teas? You prefer Pu’er Tea, don’t you?" If he found out, it would all be over! Why hadn’t the drug affected Tian Sangsang yet?

"Tastes change." His voice carried a hint of sternness. "Don’t call me brother again."

"Daddy, I want tea too." Meng Shuyan blinked his wide eyes at him and reached out to pour a cup for himself. The rose petals inside shone in their vibrant colors, catching the boy’s eye with excitement.

Tian Sangsang’s nerves tightened abruptly. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jiang Jinghuai quickly reached out to stop the boy. "Don’t drink it."

He slowly raised his eyes, his voice cold and detached. "Who made this tea?"

Tian Sangsang replied at just the right moment, "Wenxiu did."

Jia Wenxiu’s body stiffened entirely, and her face turned ghastly pale. She shot a venomous glare at Tian Sangsang, then shifted her gaze in terror to the man seated on the sofa with a grave expression.

"Yanyan, go play outside," Jiang Jinghuai instructed Meng Shuyan gently.

Sensing something amiss, the boy obediently went outside.

At that moment, a small bird flew to the window ledge, chirping incessantly.

Jiang Jinghuai grabbed an empty cup and tossed it backward. The bird let out a cry of pain and teetered on the window ledge. He stood up, caught the bird, and pressed its head into the teacup.

The bird drank a small amount of tea. It twitched in pain for a moment before collapsing lifelessly.

"This..." Tian Sangsang’s eyes widened in shock.

Jiang Jinghuai glanced at her. "Wenxiu? Was this your tea?"

Jia Wenxiu’s guilt enveloped her. Her legs gave way beneath her, leaving her speechless.

"Poisoning? Is this how you repay Mom’s trust in you? Go pack your things—" His voice turned icy as he spat out three words: "Then get out."

Jia Wenxiu slumped to the ground, while Tian Sangsang looked at her with a meaningful gleam in her eyes.

"Mommy, there’s a customer here," Meng Shuyan called from outside in his sweet, melodious voice.

Tian Sangsang lifted the curtain and went out, Jiang Jinghuai following behind.

Left sprawled on the floor, Jia Wenxiu broke into a cold sweat. She murmured to herself in disbelief, "I clearly used *c-drug*..." Jiang Jinghuai overheard her, and a fleeting, enigmatic look passed through his eyes.

Jia Wenxiu staggered home, despair written all over her face. She knew Tian Sangsang had outplayed her again. There was no way her brother would allow her to stay in the Jiang Family now. Once Jiang Jinghuai made a decision, not even their mother could overturn it.

Quietly packing her belongings, she did not leave right away.

So when Tian Sangsang returned home around noon and saw Jia Wenxiu, she was somewhat surprised. Perhaps Jia Wenxiu hoped to seek Ye Binyi’s help.

The family dined peacefully, leaving Tian Sangsang even more astounded. Jia Wenxiu pretended as though nothing had occurred. She neither confessed to Ye Binyi nor pleaded with her. Instead, she obediently answered Ye Binyi’s questions when asked.

After the meal, Ye Binyi and the Jiang family patriarch went upstairs to rest. Meng Shuyan insisted on napping with Jiang Jinghuai, leaving the man little choice but to comply.

Jia Wenxiu silently carried her luggage downstairs. Just as Tian Sangsang was about to head up, Jia Wenxiu called out to her firmly. "I have a question."