Chapter 56: Contrasts

Zhu Lingjie was also puzzled, as she had a good relationship with Shi Meng in her previous life. 

Shi Meng was definitely the type who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and she never showed any "coldness" towards family members.

She remembered that when she and Shi Hai got married, Shi Meng even caught the bouquet she threw and happily accepted her blessings.

But this time, upon meeting Shi Meng again, she had shown obvious hostility, which felt strange and out of place.

Liu Zhenshan was equally confused. 

She had known Shi Meng for four years and had a deep understanding of her personality. 

Shi Meng was a kind-hearted child who wouldn't do something unreasonable. 

Now that she had already accepted a new brother, it didn't make sense for her to be so cold towards his friends.

Furthermore, with her emotional intelligence, she could probably sense the ambiguity between these two and Shi Hai, and thus recognize them as potential sisters-in-law. 

She should have started building good relationships with them early on. 

However, the reality was the complete opposite, surprising everyone.

The atmosphere froze immediately.

Only Shi Meng herself, unaffected, frowned and continued to speak impolitely, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and leave."

Zhu Lingjie and Jian Sichun felt awkward—unsure whether to leave or stay. 

They had originally planned to offer to make dinner today, but now it seemed they couldn't even bring it up.

Should they leave? But it seemed that if they left now, they might not get a chance to come back again.

However, they didn't want to have a falling out with Shi Meng. 

In fact, they simply couldn't do that.

The most crucial thing was that the contrast was too stark.

The beloved Shi Meng they had always longed for had treated them as "enemies" right from the start, which was hard for them to believe.

At this point, there was only one person who could resolve the predicament—the one with a maternal halo, filled with motherly love, almost like a saint... everyone's mother, Ms. Liu Zhenshan.

Liu Zhenshan pulled Shi Meng back into her arms and, as if she were soothing a dog that had bristled its fur, gently stroked her head with a voice full of motherly love, "Alright, alright, Mengmeng. They are good friends of your brother's, and they're also our neighbors who live right across the street. They come to our house for dinner every day and even help us with cooking, you know?"

"..."

Ugh, they've already made their way in…

It seems this time, they haven't received any "objections" or "warnings."

What's going on?

Shi Meng couldn't figure it out, but she knew that in her current position, she shouldn't continue to oppose. 

After all, she was the "newcomer," and even Liu Zhenshan had spoken up to persuade her.

Shi Meng always listened to her mother and never disobeyed.

"I understand..."

"Good. Now, let's prepare dinner together. I've already got the ingredients ready. Can I trouble you with that?"

Seeing Liu Zhenshan wink at them, Jian Sichun and Zhu Lingjie perked up.

"Sure! Leave it to us!"

"We'll do even better today."

Liu Zhenshan managed to use her own charm to ease the atmosphere.

"I'll help, too."

Though Shi Meng was very repulsed by them, she wasn't an unreasonable person and would still do her part.

On the other hand, Jian Sichun and Zhu Lingjie continued to express goodwill.

"No, it's okay; we can handle it. Mengmeng, you should rest."

"Yeah… You just got back from school; you must be tired…"

However, Shi Meng was not receptive, only responding coldly, "Thanks for your concern, but I'm not tired."

"Th-Then let's work hard together…"

"Mm... Yes…"

Jian Sichun and Zhu Lingjie were both panicking; they had never seen Shi Meng being so cold.

Before, there had always been an initial favorable impression, and the starting value was high, at least with a minimum of 80.

But now, let alone a baseline good impression, it seemed it might even be negative.

Liu Zhenshan watched the three of them head to the kitchen together, and she too showed a worried look. 

But on the other hand, she found the scene quite interesting.

Shi Meng gave off a vibe as if she were transmitting a message: "I will never give my brother to you!"

Although it wasn't what she had expected, this development was equally interesting…

Indeed, the ever-appealing conflict between a sister and potential sisters-in-law was fascinating!

Liu Zhenshan was thoroughly enjoying this from the sidelines.

And the real core of the conflict, Shi Han, came out of the shower, drying his hair with a towel.

He sensed immediately that the atmosphere in the house was different than it had been these past days—less cheerful, with an added heaviness.

It even seemed a few degrees cooler.

Shi Hai glanced towards the kitchen, where the three were silently preparing dinner.

The atmosphere was so awkward it was suffocating to watch.

Strange, what happened when I wasn't here?

Shi Hai pointed to the kitchen and asked, "What's going on in there?"

"Nothing happened; just wipe off the water and get ready for dinner."

"Oh…"

Then, during dinner, Shi Hai finally understood what was happening.

Shi Meng's gaze at the two girls seemed like that of a prison guard watching over inmates, exerting a kind of invisible pressure on them.

This made the two feel as if they were sitting on pins and needles, silently eating like robots.

Shi Hai didn't know what to say.

He just felt that Shi Meng's attitude was unusual.

For a "first meeting," this hostility was too apparent.

It seemed more like they had "known each other for a long time."

Adding to the rumors he had heard from Teacher Zhang at school, Shi Hai felt he might have stumbled upon something.

Maybe… I should have a good talk with Shi Meng later, he thought.

In the end, it was everyone's mom, Liu Zhenshan, who saved the atmosphere. 

She kept giving food to everyone and livened up the atmosphere.

This difficult dinner time was finally over.

After dinner, Shi Hai intended to do the dishes himself, but Jian Sichun eagerly volunteered, "Let me take care of the dishes!"

She still wanted to find an opportunity to improve Shi Meng's impression of her.

However, Shi Meng only responded coldly, "No need; I'll do it. You should leave now."

"Uh…"

Jian Sichun felt like crying; in fact, she was close to tears.

Why is Shi Meng's heart so fortified? 

Does she really not accept anyone other than a girlfriend?

That means I might never have a chance to mend my relationship with her! 

Although she still wanted to keep watching, Liu Zhenshan was already very tired after a busy day. 

Despite the early hour, she was ready to go to sleep.

Before going to bed, she reminded Shi Hai, "Shi Hai, don't forget to wash your clothes. The washing machine is temporarily occupied; I used it to wash the duvet cover. Don't count on Mom to hand wash your stinky socks, stinky shorts, and stinky undershirts!"

"Got it. I wasn't expecting you to wash them, anyway."

"Well, I'm off to bed; I'm so tired today…"

Liu Zhenshan stretched, yawned, and waved to the people in the living room, saying, "Goodnight, kids, and be kind to each other!"

Shi Hai: "Just go to sleep already."

Jian Sichun: "Goodnight, Mom~"

Zhu Lingjie: "Goodnight, Mom."

Shi Meng: "…"

Hearing these two shamelessly calling out "Mom," Shi Meng was not okay at all.

How dare they call her Mom! 

How can they be so shameless! 

"Mengmeng, you too, go to bed early~"

"Ah–Mm!"

Shi Meng came to her senses and quickly responded as well.

"Goodnight, Mom… Mama…"

"Aww~"

Liu Zhenshan was smiling happily; at last, the "real daughter" also called her "Mom."

Shi Meng was actually more accustomed to calling her "Mom" with just one word. 

Calling her "Mama" felt like she was acting cute or being coquettish, which made her very shy.

How embarrassing it is to act cute when you're this grown up… 

But when she heard the other two calling her "Mom," she naturally didn't want to be left behind, so she suppressed her shyness and called her "Mama."

No retreat! Mom belongs to me!

So does my brother!

You pests and troublemakers, don't even think about stealing them away!

No matter what happens, I will protect my family!

Tonight, the little sister Shi Meng worrying herself sick over her family.

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