Chapter 42: With Money, There’s No Grievance

Raising an eyebrow, Kong Chengyi's previously smiling gaze instantly lost all traces of amusement. "Grandma, is this your accusation or Lianxi's?"

Could it be that she had gone to Grandma to accuse him?

"No, Grandma, nothing's happened recently. Don't overthink it!" His icy glare pierced like a sharp knife into her heart, yet Hua Lianxi seemed completely oblivious as she clung to Fang Xiufang, quickly denying it and emphasizing, "We're doing just fine!"

Staring at her delicate face, watching her instantly switch to a bright smile, Kong Chengyi sneered, his eyes filled with mockery.

Fang Xiufang's sharp eyes darted between the two of them, unconvinced by their words. She was about to continue lecturing Kong Chengyi when the ringing of a phone interrupted her.

Pulling out his phone, Kong Chengyi frowned at the number before answering, softly calling out, "Dad!"

Hua Lianxi, still holding onto Fang Xiufang, stood quietly to the side, as if Kong Chengyi didn't exist, focusing entirely on caring for her. After a moment, she gently suggested, "Grandma, you must be tired from standing. Why don't you sit for a while?"

Fang Xiufang shook her head lightly, her attention now on Kong Chengyi's phone call, worried that Kong Zhendong's sudden call might mean something had happened at home.

"Mm, okay, I understand," Kong Chengyi responded succinctly to the call. After a brief two minutes, he hung up and turned to Fang Xiufang to relay the message. "Kong Huan is back. Dad wants me to return." He paused, then added, "You should come too. Kong Huan hasn't met you yet."

"Ah, that girl is finally back!" Hearing that her granddaughter had returned from studying abroad, Fang Xiufang immediately became as excited as a child. "Then let's hurry back, quick!"

Sitting in the backseat with Fang Xiufang, listening to stories about Kong Huan, Hua Lianxi was distracted, her eyes occasionally lifting to glance at the tall figure driving, trying to catch a glimpse of his expression.

"That girl, she didn't come back after graduating. Only now that she's had her fill of traveling does she finally decide to return!" Fang Xiufang continued to chatter, her eyes still darting between the two in the car, already planning to keep them at the old mansion for the night.

"Young girls always want to see the world. They can't resist running off to explore," Hua Lianxi forced a smile, responding softly to Fang Xiufang. Suddenly, a wave of irritation washed over her, and she didn't want to go back to the old mansion with them.

Unlike before, the lively atmosphere of the Kong family now made her feel like she was constantly playing a role she despised. She was almost deceiving herself.

"You'll definitely like her when you meet her. Later, you two can have a good chat!" Just as Hua Lianxi was racking her brain for an excuse to escape, Fang Xiufang's words instantly shattered all her plans.

The long half-hour car ride grew quieter as Hua Lianxi's distracted responses dwindled, while Kong Chengyi remained silent the entire time, as if he were the only one in the car.

As soon as the car stopped in the courtyard of the Kong family mansion, Hua Lianxi opened the door and was immediately greeted by a long-haired girl rushing toward them, her clear voice echoing through the yard. "Grandma!"

Before Fang Xiufang could steady herself after getting out of the car, she was nearly knocked over by the enthusiastic hug, both delighted and startled as she exclaimed, "Oh dear, oh dear!"

Fortunately, Kong Chengyi, who had also just gotten out of the car, quickly reached out to steady Fang Xiufang, immediately scolding Kong Huan, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. "You're not a child anymore. What if you'd knocked Grandma over?"

"Grandma, look how happy I am to see you! But as soon as my brother sees me, he scolds me. Boo hoo…" Kong Huan pouted, resting her head on Fang Xiufang's shoulder while sticking her tongue out at Kong Chengyi, clearly setting him up to be scolded.

"You don't want your sister back? You just saw her and you're already criticizing her?" Holding her precious granddaughter, whom she had missed so much, Fang Xiufang didn't care if she might have fallen. She simply followed Kong Huan's lead and gently reprimanded Kong Chengyi.

Watching Kong Huan's exaggerated acting with wide eyes, it was rare to see Kong Chengyi at a disadvantage, completely at their mercy. This sight made Hua Lianxi, who had been feeling down and irritable, unable to hold back a laugh.

Hearing the laughter, Kong Huan finally lifted her head from Fang Xiufang's shoulder and cheerfully jumped in front of Hua Lianxi. "You must be my legendary sister-in-law! Has my brother been bullying you? If he has, just tell me and Grandma. We'll definitely help you get justice! We're women, and women always support women. Women don't make things difficult for women!" Like a machine gun, Kong Huan's words came out in a rapid-fire burst, so fast that Hua Lianxi could barely keep up.

Blinking, Hua Lianxi was about to respond when she was suddenly yanked forward, nearly losing her balance.

Dragging Hua Lianxi toward the mansion, Kong Chengyi muttered to Kong Huan, "You're too noisy!"

Before she could truly get to know Hua Lianxi, Kong Huan watched as her own brother whisked her away, stomping her foot in frustration and turning back to Fang Xiufang to complain. "Grandma, look at his attitude! Isn't she my sister-in-law? Why won't he let me talk to her? What kind of person is he?"

Kong Chengyi's hot palm pressed against hers as he led her away, his large strides forcing her to quicken her pace to keep up. Staring at his profile, she still couldn't clearly make out his expression.

He dragged her all the way to the living room before finally letting go. The spacious room was empty, and he casually crossed his long legs as he sat down.

Standing in a daze for a few seconds, Hua Lianxi stepped forward, intending to sit on a sofa far from him.

"Come here," his deep voice, deliberately lowered, rang out, and his elegant hand pointed to the spot beside him.

Taking a deep breath, Hua Lianxi obediently sat down next to him, though leaving about a person's width of space between them.

She knew she should sit close to him, but at that moment, she couldn't bring herself to act as if everything were normal, to forget his hatred for her, or to ignore her own feelings about his love for someone else.

His dry, burning hand swiftly gripped her waist, pulling her forcefully toward his chest. His hot breath brushed against her cheek. "What? Forgotten your place? Forgotten that we're supposed to be a loving couple now?"

Her deliberate distance stirred anger in him, and his grip tightened.

"Keeping so far away? Or do you want Grandma to scold me again?" He scoffed, his breath warm against her ear, disgusted by her pretentious act of stirring up trouble in front of Fang Xiufang.

The familiar yet foreign scent filled her nostrils as Hua Lianxi nearly collapsed onto his chest. Struggling to steady her breathing and suppress the urge to argue, she propped herself up on the sofa and inched closer to his chest.

"With Mr. Kong's black diamond card, how could I forget my place?" She pushed herself up from his chest, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. Her hands seductively rested on his shoulders, creating the appearance of an intimate embrace. "Love? Of course, we're a loving couple!"

Staring at her smiling face, Kong Chengyi's forehead veins bulged, his lips pressed tightly together. For some reason, he disliked her current hypocritical demeanor. "Hua Lianxi, with money, there's no room for grievances. Don't show me that pitiful face."

With that, he leaned down, his full lips pressing against her delicate ones, speaking against them. "Remember, in the Kong family mansion, you should smile and deeply love your husband."

The seductive scent overwhelmed her lips, and Hua Lianxi trembled, her hands unconsciously clutching the fabric of his suit jacket.

"Ah, Grandma, let's go sit in the garden for a bit. Big brother is being shameless!" Just as Fang Xiufang stepped into the living room, Kong Huan's loud voice rang out again, giggling as she watched the two kissing, with no intention of actually going to the garden.

The deliberate call snapped Hua Lianxi out of her daze, and she shyly moved her hands away, though her head still leaned slightly against his arm.

Squinting at the two on the sofa, Fang Xiufang cleared her throat and said, "Since Huanhuan is back, you'll stay here after lunch today. The whole family should spend some time together!"

His hand naturally caressed Hua Lianxi's waist as Kong Chengyi murmured an "Mm," showing no objection. Hua Lianxi sat upright, naturally not daring to protest either.

With Kong Huan's sudden return, Kong Zhendong and Lin Xiao also rushed back home. The family gathered warmly in the old mansion, with Kong Huan animatedly sharing stories of her adventures abroad, making the elders laugh heartily. Hua Lianxi's inner turmoil gradually eased, and she found herself laughing along with Kong Huan's tales.

Listening to the joyous laughter filling the house, Kong Chengyi's perpetually icy expression softened slightly. He occasionally interjected with teasing remarks about Kong Huan's antics, eliciting playful protests from her.

After lunch, the family sat in the living room drinking tea when Fang Xiufang remembered the new broadcasting room at the senior activity center.

"Chengyi, how's the broadcasting room at the senior activity center coming along? The Double Ninth Festival is almost here, and I've already promised the elders that we'll start broadcasting that day. They're all excitedly preparing their scripts!"

"Mm, it's almost done. The equipment is installed, and the technicians are fine-tuning it these days. I'll make sure the sound quality is perfect for your broadcast," Kong Chengyi replied with a slight smile, having successfully completed Fang Xiufang's task and finally earning her approval.

"Then I'll hurry and tell everyone the good news. They'll be thrilled!" Fang Xiufang clapped her hands happily, her dissatisfaction with Kong Chengyi diminishing slightly. She continued, "It was Lianxi who took me to the senior activity center. Because of that, I've met so many interesting elders. On the day of the broadcast room's opening, both of you must attend with me. You'll make me proud and let everyone get to know you both!" Her granddaughter-in-law not only cared for the elderly but also had her grandson fund the broadcasting room. Of course, they had to be there to show off.