My Lady, To Defeat Scumbags You Must Start Early

Song Zhizhi joked about Baijian being kind enough to personally pick her up.

They entered the Ji family villa together.

To their surprise, they found Yin Qin and Ji Baixin in the villa.

Upon seeing Ji Baijian’s return, Yin Qin’s whole demeanour became animated, as if he’d just found a lifeline.

And indeed he had.

He felt incapable of handling the awkwardness in the family on his own.

He always thought Ji Baixin had a somewhat obsessive relationship with her family, so he planned for her to accompany him back to her family’s home so she could spend more time with them.

Ji Baixin, of course, objected. However, Yin Qin told her that her mother had been asking him to join them for dinner at the Ji’s house. Feeling too uncomfortable to go alone, she reluctantly agreed to accompany him.

Amused by Yin Qin’s pleas, Baixin finally relented.

However, she had one condition: she wouldn’t initiate conversation with the Ji’s, and would leave as soon as dinner was over.

Having achieved Baixin’s agreement, Yin Qin didn’t dare to make further requests.

As it turned out, when Baixin said she wouldn’t speak with the Ji’s, she stuck to her guns. The only person Yin Qin could converse with was Zhang Qingmei. The Ji brothers, Ji Yunlei and Ji Baili, completely ignored them, leaving only Zhang Qingmei engaged in conversation with Yin Qin. Over time, the conversation dried up and the atmosphere became increasingly awkward.

Luckily.

Ji Baijian finally arrived back with his wife.

Yin Qin hurriedly greeted him, “Baijian is back.”

“Mm-hm,” Ji Baijian replied.

Upon seeing the situation, Song Zhizhi understood what was going on.

It seems Yin Qin the good Samaritan would do anything for Ji Baixin.

She walked over and affectionately called out “Dad” and “Aunty,” then casually took a seat next to Zhang Qingmei.

Zhang Qingmei, relieved at the interruption, wondered why Ji Baixin was being so stubborn. Why couldn’t she just soften up and live happily with Yin Qin? Baumxian had been through a lot and she was fortunate enough to have found Yin Qin, it’s as if she had accumulated virtue in her past life. Zhang Qingmei didn’t understand why Ji Baixin didn’t appreciate her blessings.

“Sir, the meal is ready,” a servant respectfully announced.

Zhang Qingmei quickly called everyone to the large dining table at the Ji’s house.

At the dinner table, Zhang Qingmei kept urging everyone to eat.

When she turned to Ji Baixin, she even put a piece of Baixin’s favourite lobster meat into her bowl.

Ji Baixin paused for a moment.

Yin Qin promptly asked, “Auntie, does Baixin like lobster meat?”

“Yes, she’s loved it since she was a child,” Zhang Qingmei responded naturally.

“Then I’ll learn how to make it for her.”

“Baixin likes steamed lobster. I’ll teach you when I have a chance.”

“Alright.” Yin Qin and Zhang Qingmei chimed with each other.

Ji Baixin quietly placed the piece of lobster meat in her mouth, which gave her a complex feeling.

When Yin Qin saw her eating, he realized that she wasn’t as aloof as she seemed. Perhaps she was just….still pining for some lost love.

Zhang Qingmei couldn’t really be blamed – she married into the Ji family from an ordinary background, and managed to secure her position by devoting herself fully to Ji Yunlei. Having a son and a daughter from her, he doted on her; she was able to enjoy a privileged treatment from him.

In the upper-class society where males were preferred to females, Zhang Qingmei naturally paid more attention to her son, Ji Baili, hoping he could have a promising future. Hence, she might have unintentionally neglected Ji Baixin since childhood. This could be the reason behind Baixin’s aversion toward her mother and the entire family.

Yin Qin believed that as long as they all opened their hearts and considered one another’s feelings, then, sooner or later, Ji Baixin and the Ji family would reconcile their differences.

The atmosphere at dinner was pretty good.

Song Zhizhi just watched Yin Qin play up to everyone.

Knowing Luo Xiaolang, a single mom, was struggling to support her family, she felt somewhat irate.

Yin Qin had truly given all his good to Ji Baixin, while leaving all his troubles to Luo Xiaolang!

After dinner.

Yin Qin willingly accompanied Ji Yunlei in a game of chess, Ji Baijian and Ji Baili had a chat, while Song Zhizhi and Zhang Qingmei indulged in casual chit-chat. Alone, Ji Baixin sat playing with her phone, looking as though she wasn’t part of the family at all.

While playing chess, Ji Yunlei suddenly ordered, “Brew me a fresh pot of tea.”

Zhang Qingmei promptly responded and went to prepare it.

Ji Baixin watched her mother catering to Yunlei’s needs with a sarcastic smile.

Song Zhizhi watched as myriad emotions flickered across Ji Baixing’s face. She spoke, “Actually, I didn’t used to dislike you much.”

Ji Baixing looked up at Song Zhizhi.

Song Zhizhi stated frankly, “I used to think you, though incredibly unfair to Yin Qin, were in the right for not leading him on since you didn’t love him. Your actions, while cruel, were arguably the best way to handle the situation. I admired your courage.”

“Just get to the point.” Ji Baixing made it clear that they could never peacefully coexist due to their ties with Luo Xiaolang.

“I now feel that everything you have done springs from pure selfishness.”

“Don’t think that just because you’re my sister-in-law I have to respect you.”

“You are free to live your life the way your mother did, but you have no right to dictate how others should live theirs. You may see dignity in your independence, but maybe your mother also finds happiness in her way of life. You shouldn’t judge others based on your views.”

Ji Baixing’s expression darkened noticeably.

“Speaking of which, I believe your mother is far more noble. At least she fulfills her responsibilities as a wife and mother, whereas you lack even the basic consciousness of being a daughter.” Song Zhizhi’s tone was rather stern.

Ji Baixing retaliated, “You have no right to lecture me.”

“I am not lecturing you. I’m just an observer, offering my perspective. I never assumed you’d take my opinions to heart,” Song Zhizhi stated bluntly.

“In that case…” Ji Baixing began to rise.

“Only a fool like Yin Qin would always put you first.” Song Zhizhi’s words were steeped in sarcasm.

Always putting you first, always thinking about you.

Unaware of all Xiaolang had been through because of you.

Ji Baixing paused as she moved to leave.

“Yin Qin detests the flattery game, you’d know this if you understood him. And even then, he tolerates your family for your sake. He despises playing chess yet he played through the night with your father. Anyone with a sliver of conscience would be moved by this.”

“I don’t need any input on my relationship with Yin Qin from others.”

“I’m not interested in giving you any either. If it wasn’t for Yin Qin, if it wasn’t because you are Ji Baijian’s sister, I wouldn’t bother wasting my breath on someone like you.”

“Then stop talking.” Ji Baixing wasn’t someone who took insults lying down.

She made her move to leave.

“There’s one last thing.”

Ji Baixing halted in her tracks.

“Stop bothering Luo Xiaolang. Don’t take her for a pushover. If you ever dare to malign Luo Xiaolang in the media again, regardless of you being Ji Baijian’s sister, I will not spare you!”

Ji Baixing clenched her teeth, suppressing her anger as she left.

She had indeed slandered Luo Xiaolang before, thus she couldn’t refute anything. However, being scolded so bluntly by Song Zhizhi was a bitter pill to swallow.

She made her way directly to the tea room where Yin Qin was. “I want to leave now.”

The chess game had just ended.

Yin Qin had lost so badly it felt like his whole world was falling apart.

Those Ji family members were all sneaky foxes, bullying him at every opportunity!

“Isn’t it a bit early to leave? I could play another round with Uncle.”

“I want to leave now,” Ji Baixing insisted.

Yin Qin found himself in a difficult position and glanced at Ji Yunlei.

Ji Yunlei was unconcerned, “I don’t feel like playing with someone whose chess skills are this poor.”

“…” Yin Qin was disheartened.

He rose from the sofa, declaring respectfully, “Then I will take Ji Baixing home first.”

Ji Yunlei nodded.

As the pair left, they suddenly heard Ji Yunlei say, “Come back more often.”

Ji Baixing’s steps faltered momentarily.

Even Yin Qin could sense something was off about Ji Baixing.

Ji Yunlei added, “I was talking to Yin Qin.”

Ji Baixing tightened her lips in response.

Yin Qin didn’t call out Ji Yunlei’s bluff. After all, the head of the household did have authority.

He thought, resolving the difficulties between Ji Baixing and her family might not be as hard as it seemed.

As long as everyone was willing to open up their hearts.