After Transmigrating as a Disabled Villain - Chapter 13

The two spoke at the same time.

Qiu Jinning sat steadily, her tone calm.

Qin Chu abruptly stood up, her voice somewhat urgent.

The atmosphere suddenly went silent. Everyone’s gazes could not help falling on them. The corner of Qin Chu’s mouth twitched, and she almost failed to maintain the expression on her face.

Why couldn’t she stop herself from speaking…

But the words had already been said. Pretending nothing had happened was impossible. With three to five meters between them, the two looked at each other from afar, then each moved their gaze away.

Qiu Jinning lowered her eyes slightly and broke the awkwardness. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Qin.”

“No need—” Qin Chu lowered her head and sat down, thinking that this was the Qiu residence, so there was no need to worry. Why had she been so anxious just now and failed to hold back?

Everyone watched with confusion. They felt that something was not quite right. Miss Qiu was unwell, so how did that good-for-nothing Eldest Miss Qin know? And why had she looked so concerned?

Gu San, as she would be called for convenience, thought even more deeply about it.

Qiu Jinning had a cold personality and did not really associate with others. Among everyone present, Gu San dared say that aside from the Qiu family, she was the closest to Qiu Jinning. What did Qin Chu count as?

Was it Qin Chu’s place to refuse wine on Qiu Jinning’s behalf?

Yet Qin Chu had spoken, and Qiu Jinning had even accepted it. It made Gu San seem like the outsider instead.

Gu San felt choked with anger and wanted to make trouble for Qin Chu. Fortunately, she still remembered this was the Qiu residence, so she forcefully held back from splashing the wine over.

Remembering her elder brother’s instructions, she gave a charming laugh. “Sister Qiu, just drink one sip. On such a festive day, how boring would it be not to drink?”

She didn’t want to drink, did she? Gu San just had to see what would happen if she did.

The scene instantly went quiet.

Young Madam Qiu, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, did not know the inside story. Seeing her own third sister lose face, and following the principle of helping family over outsiders, she smiled and said, “Jinning is unwell. After drinking this cup, she won’t drink anymore.”

With one sentence, she agreed on behalf of her sister-in-law.

No matter how much the Qiu family looked down on the Gu family, they were still connected by marriage. Surely they still had to give her the courtesy of one cup of wine.

Qiu Jinning pursed her lips slightly and was just thinking about how to refuse when someone quickly stepped forward and directly took the wine cup from Gu San’s hand.

“I’ll drink this cup for Miss Qiu. Are you satisfied now, Third Miss Gu?”

Qin Chu still could not hold back. Seeing that Qiu Jinning seemed troubled, she walked over.

She was the Eldest Miss of the Qin family, a reckless good-for-nothing in everyone’s eyes. She could do whatever she wanted.

It was only snatching a cup of wine to drink. There was no need for so many concerns. Having too many concerns would be abnormal.

Gu San’s eyes widened. Satisfied, her foot!

What right did this good-for-nothing have to drink in Qiu Jinning’s place?

Everyone was stunned. What stunned them even more was that Qiu Jinning actually accepted it again. “Thank you for taking the trouble, Miss Qin.”

Young Madam Qiu’s mouth twitched slightly. What kind of riddle were her sister-in-law and this Eldest Miss Qin playing? Why could she not understand it?

On the Gu family’s side, Eldest Young Master Gu lowered his head to look at Qin Mo, who was dressed as a manservant beside him. “Brother Qin, you can’t blame me if this fails. As for Qinghe Winery—”

Qin Mo’s expression darkened. He stared in Qin Chu’s direction and said gloomily, “When we return, I’ll give you the land deed. Call your sister back.”

Little Sister was determined to oppose him.

The key point was that Qiu Jinning was also cooperating. It seemed as if she knew the inside story. Could Little Sister have already sold him out?

Thinking of this, Qin Mo’s expression became even uglier.

When Eldest Young Master Gu heard him agree, his face bloomed with a smile. “Brother Qin is indeed straightforward. Gu likes generous friends like you. A pleasure doing business.”

He really did not know what this good-for-nothing Eldest Young Master Qin was up to. Just to make Qiu Jinning drink one cup of wine, he was willing to exchange an entire winery. And when Gu specifically named Qinghe Winery, this good-for-nothing had actually dared to agree. This business was truly guaranteed profit with no loss.

In a rather good mood, Eldest Young Master Gu gestured toward his third sister. But by this point, the situation had already gone out of control.

The one out of control was Gu San. Seeing Qin Chu block that cup of wine for Qiu Jinning, her expression twisted.

The Gu family had once been only a small wine merchant family. It was only because their eldest daughter had married into the Qiu residence that they could barely stand on equal footing with the Qin family. Only then had Gu San dared to challenge Qin Chu and avenge the humiliation of being looked down upon back then.

But what was the situation now? Seeing that Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning’s relationship was not ordinary, if the Qin family also became close with the Qiu family, how would Gu San still suppress Qin Chu in the future?

Gu San gritted her teeth, unable to maintain her expression. “Cripple Qin, I was toasting Sister Qiu, toasting the Qiu family. What do you count as?”

Everyone slowly came back to their senses. That was right. Why was this good-for-nothing from the Qin family showing off at the Qiu residence’s banquet?

Seeing her younger sister lose control, the eldest daughter of the Gu family continued to maintain the demeanor of a steady eldest daughter-in-law. “Please excuse us, everyone. My third sister has a simple nature and speaks frankly. Since Jinning is unwell, I, as her sister-in-law, will drink for her. There is no need to trouble Eldest Miss Qin.”

Both openly and secretly, her words protected Gu San while also pointing at Qin Chu: what did you count as? Was it your turn?

The main hall was full of juniors, with no elders present, so there were far fewer concerns. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Qiu residence, the eldest daughter of the Gu family naturally held a relatively high status.

Seeing that she intended to protect Gu San, those who wanted to curry favor with the Qiu family were just about to speak in agreement when someone beside them nudged them, signaling them to look at Qiu Jinning.

Although the eldest daughter of the Gu family had married into the Qiu residence, she was still from the Gu family. Of course she would protect her maiden family.

But what the Qiu residence meant was not necessarily the same. With Qiu Jinning present, they naturally had to observe the attitude of this county magistrate’s daughter before deciding whether to speak, lest their efforts bring no reward.

Qiu Jinning looked at the Gu sisters standing opposite Qin Chu and curved her lips into a smile. “There is no need to trouble Eldest Sister-in-law, nor Miss Qin. It is inconvenient for me to drink today. I believe everyone will be tolerant and not make things difficult for me.”

Her long hair was like ink, her skin white as jade. Her usually cold brows and eyes suddenly smiled, like warm sunshine in deep winter—gentle and bright.

Everyone had no resistance against such a smile.

Her words were far too right. This was the Qiu residence, and Qiu Jinning was the county magistrate’s daughter. Who would be so blind as to make things difficult for Qiu Jinning by forcing her to drink?

There was no need to discuss anyone drinking in her place at all.

Hm? But something was not right. Hadn’t Gu San been the one repeatedly toasting her just now? Something was off.

Was Qiu Jinning’s meaning a warning to Gu San? Or was she defending Eldest Miss Qin? Everyone was directly confused, unable to tell whose side her attitude leaned toward.

Only Gu San’s heart trembled, because when Qiu Jinning looked at her, there was an undisguised trace of coldness in her eyes.

But why? On what grounds?

The Gu family and the Qiu family were clearly related by marriage, so their relationship should be closer. Could it be that between her and Qiu Jinning, she could not even compare to Qin Chu, that good-for-nothing?

Otherwise, why did Qiu Jinning not help her and instead help Qin Chu?

It had been the same during that incident when she exposed Qin Chu for cheating in arithmetic. Qiu Jinning had also stepped forward to testify for Qin Chu.

The more Gu San thought about it, the more stifled she felt. The gaze she directed at Qin Chu became increasingly unfriendly.

Her hand holding the wine cup trembled slightly, but she had no choice but to swallow the dissatisfaction and anger in her heart.

“Since Sister Qiu is unwell, then don’t drink. We’ll drink. Do you dare?”

That “we’ll drink” was said while looking at Qin Chu. Didn’t she like snatching wine? Didn’t she love blocking wine? Then let’s see her drink.

Gu San still remembered the Lantern Festival night. Qin Chu had gotten muddleheaded drunk after only a few cups and had made a fool of herself in public.

Based on her understanding of Qin Chu, this good-for-nothing had a very proud temperament and could not stand being provoked or angered by words. She would definitely take the bait.

Gu San’s gaze burned as she stared fixedly at Qin Chu.

Who would have thought that today’s Qin Chu was no longer the former Eldest Miss Qin?

“If you want to drink, drink by yourself. Who is ‘we’ with you?” Were they very close? Qin Chu lightly raised her brows and turned back to her seat.

Such a low-level provocation tactic, and she actually had the nerve to say it out loud. Truly naive and ignorant.

Did Gu San think she did not know the original owner had a poor alcohol tolerance? Qin Chu’s own alcohol tolerance was not very good either, so of course she would not drink.

Blocked by her words, Gu San nearly ground her teeth to pieces.

That hateful Cripple Qin! Why did she feel even harder to deal with than before?

When Qin Chu returned to her seat, the little maid leaned close and whispered, “Miss, Eldest Young Master left just now. It looks like he went back.”

After saying this, Guanzi felt full of confusion. Why had Miss kept making her watch Eldest Young Master?

Qin Chu nodded. Her gaze landed on the Gu family’s side.

Eldest Miss Qin and Gu San did not get along, so how had her cheap elder brother gotten mixed in with Eldest Young Master Gu?

She always felt things were not that simple.

Just as she was watching, she saw Eldest Young Master Gu turn his head and look over. He even smiled at her and walked over with a wine cup in hand.

Qin Chu could not help becoming alert.

“Younger Sister Qin, my third sister is immature. Don’t lower yourself to her level. This one apologizes to you on her behalf.” Eldest Young Master Gu smiled like a spring breeze, his words and actions like those of an upright gentleman.

But Qin Chu did not accept it. “You called me wrong.”

Hm? Eldest Young Master Gu looked puzzled.

Qin Chu reminded him coolly, “I am the Eldest Miss of the Qin family. This is Young Master Gu, yes? Don’t randomly recognize younger sisters.”