After Marrying the Officer Chapter 1194 - 1193: Pleading for Favor

Outwardly, Xia Lian’er donned a pathetic mask, lamenting, "It is bad enough that she is so wicked, but she has even poisoned Uncle Xia’s heart against me. He simply dislikes me now..."

"Your uncle?" Mother Xia gasped, anxiety flooding her features, "Did she say something behind your back to him?"

Xia Lian’er didn't hesitate, seizing the moment: "I cannot be sure what she told him; I only know that Uncle Xia looks at me now with nothing but disdain."

"That girl..." Sorrow filled Mother Xia’s eyes. She swallowed the bait entirely, blinded by her trust in Xia Lian’er. "I will speak with your uncle. After all, you are his own flesh and blood."

Her goal secured, a smug glimmer sparked in Xia Lian’er’s eyes. "Then I shall trouble you, Mom. It is true what they say—a child with a mother is a true treasure!"

She quickly pivoted the conversation. "However, when you talk to Uncle Xia, please remember to ask him to reclaim that shop he originally bankrolled for Xia Chuyi!"

Mother Xia faltered, her expression wavering. "That shop... it is currently overseen by Chengzong..."

At the mention of Xia Chengzong, Xia Lian’er curled her lip in contempt. "What does he matter?"

"He is merely an adopted son," Xia Lian’er scoffed. "I am your true daughter, born to you and Dad!"

She stomped her foot dramatically, demanding, "Are you really going to tell me that an outsider like Xia Chengzong holds more importance than your own flesh and blood?"

"No, that is not it at all!" Mother Xia quickly placated her. "Fine, fine, I will talk to your uncle and see that the shop is returned to you!"

Seeing her daughter's agitation, Mother Xia added, "And if... if it proves too difficult to reclaim, I will make sure your uncle provides the capital for you to open a brand new shop instead. Does that satisfy you?"

"A different shop?" Xia Lian’er pouted, feigning hurt. "It is not about greed; it is just that the shop was built with Uncle Xia’s coin. By rights, it belongs to us!"

She added with calculated malice, "Besides, Xia Chuyi’s biological parents and her husband are rolling in wealth. This little shop is nothing to them!"

Beneath the surface, envy gnawed at Xia Lian’er, leaving her teeth gritted in frustration.

Convinced by the performance, Mother Xia nodded firmly. "Very well, Mom will speak to him about this."

At that moment, Xia Chuyi and her family remained blissfully unaware in Ling County, oblivious to the storm Xia Lian’er was brewing for them.

The following day, Xia Lian’er brought Mother Xia along on a trip to the county town.

They soon arrived at the supermarket under Uncle Xia’s management.

Only Uncle Xia and his staff were present inside; Aunt Xia had taken Xia Chuyi out to attend to other matters.

Uncle Xia’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he saw the two women enter.

"You..." Even without finishing his sentence, Uncle Xia knew his niece all too well.

Seeing his sister and Xia Lian’er together, he braced himself, sensing that no good would come of this meeting.

Xia Lian’er, ever the schemer, gestured for her mother to step forward. "Mom, you handle the conversation with Uncle Xia. I will wait outside."

Leaving her mother to face him alone, she slipped back out of the establishment.

"Sister, what business brings you here?" Uncle Xia asked, his tone icy. "Did I not tell you to stop wandering about without a reason?"

"Get back home quickly, while Xiao Gui’s mother is still away," he urged.

He didn't bother to voice his added concern: *And while Chuyi is not here either.*

Unexpectedly, Mother Xia ignored his cold dismissal. "Brother, I realize that my past actions were wrong and caused you much distress."