Chapter 326: The Failure of Tea Art

Chapter 326 Her Act Doesn’t Work

Ai Liangfa took a big step back under Chen Aru's questioning. "N-no... that’s not it... I... I didn’t..."

Ai Xiaoqing’s face also drained of color. She hadn’t realized Chen Aru held such strong opinions about her.

At this point, she no longer dared to put on airs. She quickly grabbed Ai Liangfa’s arm. "Brother, how could you speak to Auntie like that? You’re making her misunderstand me!"

"I know you mean well, but Auntie is your birth mother. Don’t argue with her for my sake. It’s all my fault, all my fault. Please, don’t fight anymore, or I couldn’t bear to stay in this house."

Ai Xiaoqing wept pitifully. "Auntie, I’ll move, I’ll move right away. Please don’t be angry. I’ve never thought you or Uncle mistreated me. All these years, you’ve treated me like your own daughter. My daily necessities have been just like Xiaolan’s and Brother’s—even if you’ve pitied me for losing my parents and treated me even better than them. I know that in my heart."

"I’ve always been grateful, remembering your and Uncle’s great kindness, swearing to honor you as my own parents. Please don’t be upset because of me, or else I... I..."

After all, Chen Aru had doted on this niece like her own daughter for so many years. Seeing Ai Xiaoqing cry like this, half of her anger subsided.

"Alright, Xiaoqing, stop crying. I know what kind of person you are. I know you don’t have ill intentions. I’ve just been in a bad mood lately and was too hard on you."

Ai Xiaoqing relaxed inwardly but put on a wounded look. "I understand, Auntie. I’ve seen how hard you’ve been working lately. If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask. I don’t want you to suffer. Look at how haggard you’ve grown recently—it breaks my heart."

But Chen Aru wasn’t as moved as before. "It’s good you think that way. We’re family; talking things out is enough. Xiaoqing hasn’t been feeling well lately, and the two of you have always been like oil and water. She’s your younger sister—you should cut her some slack more often. Since everything’s settled, go get your things in order. We’ll talk about the rest later."

Ai Xiaolan turned her head in surprise, glancing at Chen Aru. Wasn’t Mom always fond of Ai Xiaoqing? Why was she taking her side now?

Sensing her gaze, Chen Aru turned and gave her a loving smile, taking her hand. "It’s alright. Mom’s here. No one will dare bully you from now on."

Ai Xiaoqing gritted her teeth in frustration. Seizing the chance to stir the pot, she put on a show of concern. "What’s wrong with Xiaolan? Is she unwell? Was it because Uncle came down too hard on her last time when she tried to burn me to death? Ah, Uncle really... I already said it was fine. Xiaolan just had a momentary lapse in judgment. He shouldn’t have been so angry—he wouldn’t hold back..."

Instead of rising to the bait as usual, Chen Aru nodded in agreement. "It’s good you think that way. Xiaolan did have a wrong idea, but she’s learned her lesson. Let’s not bring it up again. Go get your things in order. I’ll help Xiaolan with her room."

Ai Xiaoqing froze.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Shouldn’t Chen Aru have scolded Ai Xiaolan harshly after hearing her words? Then Ai Xiaolan would fly off the handle, making the situation worse, Chen Aru would be furious, and Ai Liangfa would attack Ai Xiaolan too.

She would’ve seized the moment to comfort Chen Aru, creating a stark contrast between herself and Ai Xiaolan in front of her.

After speaking, Chen Aru didn’t linger in the living room. She took Ai Xiaolan’s hand and headed upstairs. "Come, Mom will help you pack. From now on, you’ll stay in the room next to ours—your old room."

She then turned to Ai Xiaoqing. "Xiaoqing, don’t move anything else. Just pack your personal belongings."

Ai Liangfa watched Ai Xiaoqing standing like a lost soul in the living room. He opened his mouth to speak but didn’t know what to say.

He could only console her. "Xiaoqing, don’t be sad. It must be Ai Xiaolan’s doing again. Mom and Dad will see through her eventually. If you don’t want to stay in the guest room, take my room. I’ll move to the guest room!"

Ai Xiaoqing forced a brave smile. "Brother, what are you saying? Don’t pick fights with Uncle and Auntie because of me. Xiaolan is the youngest—it’s only natural they dote on her more. As her older sister, I should yield to her."

Ai Xiaolan followed Chen Aru back to her room to pack. Watching her mother fold clothes for her, she felt a crushing weight in her heart.

She was miserable. In agony.

Downstairs, she had nearly lost control again. Chen Aru shielding her didn’t bring her joy—only a sense of burden.

Because she could never live up to it. She was doomed to disappoint her mother, yet she hung onto fiercely this warmth. Someone in this world loved her.

"Xiaolan, these clothes are all too big now. Later, Mom will take them to the tailor’s shop to have them altered for you."

"By the way, when you were little, you were always so well-behaved and loved wearing dresses more than anything. Tomorrow, let’s go shopping at the department store again. I heard there are two clothing shops there with the latest dresses and outfits imported from the south..."

Chen Aru kept prattling on, and though Ai Xiaolan only responded with occasional hums, it was enough to make Chen Aru light up with happiness.

Ai Xiaolan didn’t have many belongings—just a bag of clothes and hardly any other personal items. Because she had to spend money on medication every month, she rarely bought new clothes for herself. Plus, due to her larger size, she rotated the same few outfits all year round.

Chen Aru carried a duffel bag, while Ai Xiaolan held a modest box of belongings—that was pretty much it.

When they arrived at the room next to the master bedroom on the first floor, Ai Liangfa was helping Ai Xiaolan pack her things. The clothes and shoes piled on the bed alone were several times more than what Ai Xiaolan owned.

There were also books, cassette tapes, celebrity posters, and all sorts of cosmetics and grooming items in a cluttered mess...

Looking at the bag in her hand containing Ai Xiaolan’s simple belongings, Chen Aru felt an even deeper pang of discomfort.

Ai Xiaolan had been dragging her feet with her packing until she saw Chen Aru bringing her luggage over. Only then did she say stiffly, "Auntie, I wasn’t really prepared, so it might take me a while longer to finish packing."

Ai Liangfa shot Ai Xiaolan a dark look and muttered under his breath, "Always causing trouble, making things difficult for everyone."

Chen Aru carried the box from Ai Xiaolan’s hands into the room. "It’s fine, there’s still plenty of time. Take your time moving. I’ll take Xiaolan to the dressmaker's first."

Seeing there was no room for negotiation, Ai Xiaolan finally started packing. By the time she and Ai Liangfa, both drenched in sweat, carried their things and pushed open the door to the guest room...

They both froze in place.