Chapter 682 - 237: Li Shuyu’s Motives Aren’t Pure

"When I trust someone, I go all in. And if I don’t trust them, I don’t use them. Besides, if you dare go back on your word, even if you marry Gao Qiang, I can just whisper in Jie Jingchen’s ear and make sure you get divorced," Qin Mei said confidently.

Xu Jiali’s eye twitched. She pouted and said, "But isn’t there a saying? ’Better to demolish ten temples than to ruin a single marriage.’"

"You’d be the one breaking your promise first, so don’t blame me for being ruthless." Qin Mei reached out and pinched Xu Jiali’s cheek.

Xu Jiali pulled Qin Mei’s hand off her cheek. "Have some respect! I’m your elder."

"When you were kneeling and clinging to my legs, begging me, did you consider that you were my elder?" Qin Mei demanded.

Xu Jiali fell silent.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. A knock came from the door.

"Yes?" Qin Mei called toward the door. ’Jing Qi wouldn’t knock; he’d just stand outside and call for me. And Jie Jingchen would never knock—he’d just open the door and walk straight in.’

"Eldest Young Madam, is Miss Jiali in?" Granny’s kind voice rang out.

"Granny, I’m here!" Xu Jiali said cheerfully as she went to open the door. "Granny, what’s up?"

Granny glanced at Qin Mei before lowering her voice to tell Xu Jiali, "Miss Li is looking for you."

"Shuyu’s looking for me? Where is she?" Xu Jiali asked happily.

"Downstairs," Granny replied.

"I’ll go find her." Xu Jiali happily ran downstairs.

Granny didn’t follow. She stood her ground, hesitating for a few seconds before explaining to Qin Mei, "Eldest Young Madam, please don’t misunderstand. Miss Li and Miss Jiali are good friends."

Qin Mei smiled faintly. "Granny, Miss Li is here to see my aunt, not Jie Jingchen. What is there for me to misunderstand?"

Granny opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know what it should be.

"Granny, is there anything to eat? I’m hungry," Qin Mei said, rubbing her stomach.

"Yes, the Eldest Young Master reminded me before he went out. I’ll go bring it up for you right away," Granny said, her face wreathed in smiles.

"Don’t go to the trouble. I’ll eat downstairs," Qin Mei said with a smile. The smile on Granny’s face froze. ’All her painstaking effort, and Qin Mei didn’t even appreciate it.’

’Then again,’ Granny thought, ’maybe I’m overthinking this. Qin Mei is the Eldest Young Madam of the Qiao Family. Miss Li and the Eldest Young Master... Pah, pah, pah! What nonsense am I thinking? Even the young lady in question doesn’t acknowledge anything, so what’s a nanny like me doing letting my imagination run wild?’

Qin Mei walked ahead with Granny following behind her, lost in thought. When they reached the top of the stairs, Qin Mei noticed Granny was still zoning out. ’If she misses a step and tumbles down the stairs,’ Qin Mei thought, ’with those old bones, she’ll end up with a broken bone, if not permanently disabled.’

’A serious break can take a hundred days to heal. That’s a lot of suffering.’

Qin Mei stopped in her tracks and called out a reminder, "Granny, watch your step."

"Oh." Granny acknowledged, but her foot still missed the step. She lost her balance and pitched forward. Qin Mei was right in front of her, but Granny reacted with surprising speed. Qin Mei had no idea how the old woman managed it, but she somehow dodged her, tumbling down the stairs without giving Qin Mei any chance to grab her.

’Granny had anticipated my move to catch her. She would rather get hurt herself than drag me down with her.’

Qin Mei’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air. She could only watch, helpless, as Granny tumbled down the stairs.

Hearing the commotion, Xu Jiali and Li Shuyu came running. They were shocked and horrified by the scene.

"Granny!" Xu Jiali cried, hiking up her skirt to run up the stairs, with Li Shuyu right behind her.

Granny’s body came to a stop on the landing between the second and third floors. Before they could even reach her, Li Shuyu struck first, pointing an accusing finger. "Why did you push Granny?"

Qin Mei’s almond eyes narrowed. She pulled back her hand and walked briskly down the stairs.

Xu Jiali reached Granny first. She knelt, about to lift her, but Qin Mei’s sharp command stopped her. "Don’t touch her."

Startled by the command, Xu Jiali looked up at Qin Mei descending the stairs. "Xiao Mei, we have to get Granny to a hospital."

"Don’t touch her. You could cause a secondary injury," Qin Mei said, her face cold.

Xu Jiali believed her without a doubt. After all, Qin Mei knew medicine—her own cousin had once said Qin Mei’s medical skills were even better than hers.

"Jiali, don’t listen to her! She’s the one who pushed Granny! She’s a monster!" Li Shuyu said, pointing at Qin Mei with a hostile glare.

"Shuyu, don’t be ridiculous. Xiao Mei would never push Granny," Xu Jiali said.

Li Shuyu was stunned. She looked at Xu Jiali in utter disbelief. "We saw it with our own eyes, Jiali! I can handle you not believing me, but are you going to deny what you saw yourself?"

"I didn’t see Xiao Mei push Granny," Xu Jiali stated plainly. They had only come running after hearing the noise. By the time they saw anything, Granny was already tumbling down the stairs.