Hot Search Incoming: The Yandere Heiress’s Wife-Chasing Livestream - Chapter 83

With that, Xue Yang suddenly fixed her gaze on Gu Zhichou, her aged eyes sharp and piercing.

“I never said that didn’t include you.”

Xue Yang was no gentle soul, nor did she hold any sentimental regard for bl00d ties. Her words on Gu Zhichou’s behalf were merely another attempt to assert her dominance, to test what skills her granddaughter possessed that might warrant her continued presence.

Beside them, Ning Yiyuan moved his lips as if to plead, but dared not utter a word. After all, it was Xue Yang who had insisted on seeing Gu Zhichou, who had urged her to come quickly. So why, now that they were face-to-face, was the atmosphere so tense?

“Is that so…” Gu Zhichou lowered her head, her voice tinged with hurt. “I thought Grandma was just as eager to see me.”

Xue Yang turned her head away with a cold snort, her voice still strong and resonant. “Playing hard to get won’t work on me.”

She had lived for so many years, but… then again.

As she watched Gu Zhichou’s slow, dejected turn, Xue Yang signaled to a nearby servant with a subtle glance. The servant immediately understood and called out, “Young Miss, the Old Madam wants you to make her breakfast!”

Xue Yang: ?

She sharply rapped the servant on the head.

“Is that what I meant?”

“Nonsense,” Gu Zhichou said without turning around, continuing to walk forward, though her peripheral vision flickered slightly backward.

A smile played on her lips. She hadn’t been wrong.

The person who had urged her to come wasn’t Gu Ce at all—it was Xue Yang.

But Xue Yang couldn’t show her face directly, so she had used Gu Ce’s name to have Ning Yiyuan call Gu Zhichou.

Gu Zhichou sighed, counting on her fingers. “What a pity. I can make so many delicious dishes: xiaolongbao, sticky rice chicken, eight-treasure duck, boiled cabbage in clear broth…”

Xue Yang wasn’t a gourmand; she had tasted countless delicacies throughout her life.

Yet for some reason, she was eager to try Gu Zhichou’s cooking.

How had she never known her granddaughter could cook?

Of course, Gu Zhichou could cook. When she was young, she had often watched Lan Hui prepare meals in the kitchen, hoping to please Xia Zhaoxun.

Xue Yang was somewhat curious about Gu Zhichou.

Gu Zhichou was notorious for her love of leisure, her aversion to work, and her disinterest in managing affairs.

Her hands had never touched the rough work of the kitchen. How could she possibly know how to cook?

Xue Yang refused to believe it. She had to see for herself.

Once Gu Zhichou failed to produce a dish, Xue Yang would have the perfect excuse to drive her away.

Xue Yang nodded regally and inclined her head to the side. Ning Yiyuan immediately moved to block Gu Zhichou’s path.

“Young Miss, the Old Madam says she doesn’t want you to leave.”

Xue Yang’s eyes widened in disbelief. Why is everyone twisting my words? That’s not what I meant at all!

But she preferred to remain silent and let others interpret her intentions, which inevitably led to misunderstandings by the time the message reached Gu Zhichou.

The young woman turned around with a cheerful smile and bounded over to Xue Yang in a few quick steps.

“Grandma was looking forward to this? I won’t let her down!”

Enraged, Xue Yang snatched the cane from the servant’s hand and slammed it against the floor.

“You people! Are you tired of living?”

Her fury choked her, causing her to cough uncontrollably after just a few words.

Gu Zhichou quickly steadied her, her voice filled with concern. “Grandma, you need to take care of yourself. I’ll make you a nourishing meal.”

Xue Yang glared at her irritably. “Do I look that old? What’s with this ‘nourishing meal’ nonsense?”

Ning Yiyuan cleared his throat behind them and leaned in to whisper, “The Old Madam means she wants to eat Eight Treasure Duck.”

“I’m seventy years old, not deaf!” Xue Yang snapped, glaring at them with a ferocious glare. Is Mercury in retrograde today?

Gu Zhichou smiled and took her arm. She hadn’t expected so many people to support her.

“If Grandma wants Eight Treasure Duck, I’ll make it for her tonight.”

“I wouldn’t touch that stuff!”

“Then what do you want to eat? A health food meal?”

“Xiao Yuan, go pick out the fattest duck you can find.”

“Yes, Old Madam!”

Outside, Qiao Zhiyue, who had been thrown out, scrambled to her feet, biting her lip in humiliation.

“Damn it! Why did this happen…?”

She pulled out her phone and dialed Xia Zhaoxun’s number.

“Didn’t you say I’d win the Old Madam’s favor if I came here?” she snarled into the phone.

Xia Zhaoxun replied flatly, “I only promised to get you into the Xia Residence.”

“You don’t think I’ll expose your secrets?”

Xia Zhaoxun hung up, blocked the number, and sighed.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

She refused to harm Gu Zhichou again.

Even if her past disgrace became public knowledge, Xia Zhaoxun had nothing left to fear.

Having brushed against death, she found herself less afraid of life’s trials.

Enraged, Qiao Zhiyue smashed her phone to pieces, her mind teetering on the edge of madness.

She crouched down, clutching her head, her pupils dilating wildly.

“No, this isn’t me…”

“I should be elegant and noble, belong in high society, have people adore me.”

“Why are some born different? Why am I so inferior to the wealthy?”

Faintly, Qiao Zhiyue seemed to hear a soft sigh.

Was it the heavens?

Or her fate?

She tilted her head back, reaching upward with trembling hands.

“Don’t… don’t abandon me.”

“I still have a chance… I’ll get my chance…”

Qiao Zhiyue’s mind reeled, as if struck by a violent force.

A sudden, sharp pain pierced her skull, her vision went black, and she collapsed unconscious.

Xue Yang, wearing her reading glasses, sat on the edge of the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

She occasionally glanced toward the kitchen and let out a disdainful hmph.

“If she’s just bragging, I’ll definitely…”

Ning Yiyuan stood beside her, leaning slightly to whisper something in her ear.

“What do I care whether that unfilial daughter lives or dies?” Xue Yang snapped irritably. “Do you think I’d even notice?”

Ning Yiyuan pressed his lips together, silently grumbling to himself.

You’re the one who makes me report Madam’s health status to you every day. But you always have to throw in some sarcastic remark.

Gu Zhichou, busy in the kitchen, wiped her hands and glanced out.

She smiled to herself, thinking, This old woman is quite amusing.

But Xue Yang is probably the only one who would want Eight Treasure Duck for breakfast.

Still going strong in her old age.

Though it makes sense. When you’re older, as long as it’s not too unhealthy, you might as well enjoy some good food.

Gu Zhichou called out to Ning Yiyuan, “Uncle Ning, what are you two talking about?”

“The Old Madam is worried about Madam.”

Xue Yang grabbed Ning Yiyuan’s ear and twisted it until it turned red, gritting her teeth. “Say another word, and you’ll be sleeping in the rice paddies tonight.”

“Old Madam, I understand…”

Ning Yiyuan had served Xue Yang for many years and knew her temperament well. He also understood her true feelings. Though their relationship appeared strained, they actually understood each other deeply.

Gu Zhichou paused, then smiled, her eyes crinkling. “She’ll be fine.”

See? she thought. I told you Xue Yang loves Xia Zhaoxun more than anyone in the world.

“Enough chatter. Where’s the eight-treasure duck?”

“It still needs to steam for another two hours, Grandma.”

Listening to their conversation, Ning Yiyuan finally felt a knot in his heart loosen. He walked to the kitchen doorway and whispered to Gu Zhichou, “Young Miss, please stay longer this time. The Old Madam… she really wants someone to keep her company.”