CHAPTER 866: CHAPTER 582

Second update is here. Sorry, I copied the wrong thing in a hurry, good thing I checked again.

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"Yes, close relatives." Zeng Meili confirmed Chuxia’s answer, and then emphasized, "However, there are classmates of theirs who married within such relations, and the kids are quite normal, so they’ve started considering it.

To be honest, before you and Third Brother got married, Qi Hua and Qi Lan couldn’t stand each other and wouldn’t talk at all."

"Really?" Chuxia was quite amazed. After all, it was the first time she’d heard of such a thing. Sisters fighting over a man isn’t surprising, but fighting over a cousin is!

Zeng Meili was amused by Chuxia’s expression: "Don’t be so shocked, this kind of situation is actually not that rare. I have classmates who also married their cousins."

"Isn’t it illegal for close relatives to marry?" Chuxia asked, looking puzzled. Her expression now resembled that of a curious child, causing Zhou Mikang to have a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"It is not allowed, but some people hope that the benefits stay within the family, and some hope for closer family ties. Plus, most don’t have kids with disabilities, so this situation is still quite common."

"Oh." Chuxia responded briefly and didn’t ask further questions. She noted Zhou Mikang’s expression and realized that this wasn’t the place to be overly curious. She was interested, but planned to find time later to discuss it further with Zeng Meili.

"Someone’s coming to see you."

As soon as Zeng Meili finished speaking, Qi Hua and Qi Lan walked over with smiles, sat at the table, grabbed some sunflower seeds, and started munching. Qi Hua spoke first: "Third Brother, aren’t you going to introduce us?"

Zhou Mikang didn’t even look at her, treating her as if she were invisible.

Qi Hua’s expression faltered but she persisted: "Third Brother, I was busy at the time of your wedding and couldn’t attend. What I mean is, Third Brother, aren’t you going to introduce Third Sister-in-law to me and my sister? We’ve always been curious about what kind of girl could catch Third Brother’s eye. It turns out... it turns out to be this kind, haha..."

What does she mean?

What kind is she? Is there a need to laugh like that? As if she’s not up to standard? Humph, during such a festive time, they dare to look down on her and stir trouble!

Chuxia calmly looked at Qi Hua: "Can’t get married to him, so you’re uncomfortable seeing me?"

"Pfft!"

Unexpectedly hit by Chuxia’s comment, Zhou Xikang, who was drinking water, spat out his tea directly onto Qi Lan’s head, who was sitting across from him.

"Big Cousin!" Qi Lan angrily wiped the water droplets off her head, glaring at Zhou Xikang, "You’re disgusting!"

"Sorry, I didn’t mean it." Zhou Xikang quickly handed her a cloth, "Wipe it off, use this to clean it up!"

"Why don’t you use it to wipe yourself?" Qi Lan angrily threw the cloth back at him, "This is hair, not a dirty table. You’re suggesting I use this greasy cloth, what do you mean?"

"Where’s the grease?" Zhou Xikang checked the cloth and then lightly patted his forehead, "It’s too clean, I thought it was a towel. Sorry, if you think it’s dirty, just go wash your hair, it’ll be dry soon in Grandma’s warm house."

"We can’t wash hair during New Year’s, you’re just trying to disgust me!" Qi Lan twisted her body, looking at Zhou Mikang, "Third Cousin, Big Cousin is bullying me, aren’t you going to stand up for me?"

Chuxia felt chills run down her spine unexpectedly.

Oh God, who said women these days are just like men? Look at her, she can’t be more coquettish, making Chuxia feel like she’s the man!

Zhou Mikang glanced at Qi Lan indifferently, not responding with a single word.

The sisters had long given up, they were just still dissatisfied seeing Chuxia beside Zhou Mikang. Besides, they always believed what people said—that after marrying a woman, a man would only see the women outside.

To Zhou Mikang, the sisters should be just women outside, especially since they’re unmarried and supposedly prettier than this so-called Third Sister-in-law (that’s their own assessment, visualize it yourself). Even knowing they no longer had a chance, they were happy to annoy this Third Sister-in-law.

That’s why the sisters came over eagerly, hoping to make someone uncomfortable, but the other party wasn’t uncomfortable at all, they only made themselves uncomfortable.

Having lost face like this, how can the sisters go back? If they did, wouldn’t the other cousins laugh at them to death?

"Third Cousin..." Qi Lan called out again, her tone full of twists and turns.

"Scram!" Zhou Mikang frowned at her, "Don’t show me that disgusting face, get lost right now!"

"You..." Qi Lan, who thought she was quite charming, didn’t expect this outcome and stood there, speechless, unable to utter a second word.

After her sister’s entrance, Qi Hua, who had been sitting on the side watching the drama, saw her sister defeated and of course, couldn’t just admit defeat like this.

Although the two sisters used to fight fiercely, when dealing with outsiders, their relationship was still stronger; if her sister was bullied, how could the elder sister stand by idly?

"Third cousin, don’t mind me speaking out, but this third sister-in-law of ours is really awful. We can only see our cousins a few times a year, and we’re quite close, but what did she say? She said I want to marry you and that I’m jealous of her. How’s that possible?

If I really wanted to marry third cousin, before third cousin got married, I would definitely have clung to him every day, not just met him during holidays, right?

Besides, my mom and Second Aunt haven’t gotten along for years. If I really wanted to marry the older cousin, my mom wouldn’t agree, and neither would Second Aunt fancy me. There’s no happiness in such a marriage, I’m not stupid, why would I involve myself in that?

Third cousin, we’re family, that’s why I’m laying the facts out for you. If it was an outsider being slandered like this, they wouldn’t let it go easily.

If third cousin wants peace in the future, you really need to manage third sister-in-law; otherwise, you’ll either have to stop interacting with young women forever or you’ll be thoroughly disgraced. Don’t believe me? Just wait and see."

"Mindless worry!" Zhou Mikang waved her off, "You get lost too, otherwise don’t blame me for not giving you face during the New Year."

From the looks of the situation, gaining an advantage was impossible, so Qi Hua and Qi Lan exchanged glances, let out a cold snort, and turned away together.

"Tsk tsk..." Chuxia stared at Zhou Mikang, clicking her tongue repeatedly, "Weren’t you saying you had no issues earlier, and now they’re showing up?

By the way, big brother also said some relatives wanted to set you up with someone, and they weren’t happy when you refused. Just how much trouble have you caused for me?"

"It’s New Year’s, let’s not talk about this."

"Then what should we talk about?" Chuxia blinked her big eyes at Zhou Mikang, "Alright, let me ask, why does everyone look at me like monkeys at the zoo seeing a banana?"

"Pfft!" It was Zeng Meili who spat this time. She leaned on the table, waving at Zhou Mikang, "Third Brother, I didn’t mean it, it’s just third sister-in-law’s analogy is too vivid!"

All in all, Chuxia was saying that Zhou Mikang caused a lot of trouble; Qi Hua and Qi Lan disliked her because their wishes weren’t fulfilled, and they looked at her with hostility. The children from Fourth Aunt’s family were upset because she "stole" Zhou Mikang, denying Fourth Aunt’s daughters the chance to marry into the Zhou family and boost their family status, so they all looked at her as if wanting to grab the "banana" and eat it.

Zhou Mikang was also left helpless, giving a wry smile, "Chuxia, can we talk about something more sensible? Give it another ten minutes, then we can leave."

"Fine, you speak then." Chuxia leaned comfortably against her chair, "I speak nonsense, you speak something sensible, let me hear it?"

Zhou Mikang: "..." Well, if he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have opened his mouth. Now, here he was, with all the leverage in his little wife’s hands, wasn’t he asking for trouble?

With Big Brother and the cousin present, it wasn’t appropriate to say any explanatory words to the little wife, so he simply shut his mouth as well.

Seeing the two entering a silent state, Zhou Xikang and Zeng Meili exchanged a concerned glance, wanting to advise, but couldn’t find a suitable entry point, making them so anxious they scratched their heads, finally causing Chuxia to laugh: "Are you afraid we’ll embarrass ourselves in front of outsiders? We won’t, I won’t give them the chance." Leaning her head towards Zeng Meili, she whispered, "Come home with us later?"

Zeng Meili nodded: "Alright, why are you being so mysterious?"

"To keep those people curious, don’t you believe that when I speak like this, they’ll think I’m speaking ill of them and might even come over to pick a fight?"

Zeng Meili facepalmed: "Are you hoping to be picked on? What’s wrong with you?"

"Just bored."

Zhou Mikang laughed, amused by Chuxia’s nonsensical talks, and seeing his brother laugh too, Zhou Xikang exhaled a long sigh and also grinned.

"Hey, can I know what we’re doing sitting here?" Chuxia asked with a face full of curiosity, "After greeting, we all just sit at our own tables, then the old couple sits there quietly, everyone stays silent, does this really feel great?"

"What do you think?" Zhou Mikang retorted.

"How would I know?" Chuxia rolled her eyes, "Do you think a smart person should know and understand everything? I’m not some Diviner, what kind of trickery is this?"

"Can’t you save me some face in front of Big Brother and Meili?" Zhou Mikang looked at her amusingly, "Why do you switch to aggressive mode whenever you talk to me?" He couldn’t help but laugh himself, indeed, after being with his little wife for so long, he had started speaking like her. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)