Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 38

When the woman spoke, Yan Qing felt a bit strange, but she said nothing.

Chu Yang carried Chu Zhao out and placed him in the wheelchair, then told her to push him inside. He whispered, “Ignore her.”

Yan Qing nodded, greeted Grandpa Chu, and pushed Chu Zhao inside.

Grandpa Chu smiled and responded, hesitatingly glancing outside, but his attention was drawn to his eldest grandson, so he eagerly followed them inside, saying in a hoarse voice, “Yang Yang, who is this?”

“This is Yan Qing. She lives with us and takes care of my brother,” Chu Yang, wearing a black trench coat, looked tall and spirited, but at this moment, his eyebrows softened as he supported Grandpa Chu. “Grandpa, did you hear my brother call you? Yan Qing taught him. My brother only listens to her.”

Grandpa Chu’s expression turned serious, and he said sternly, “That’s impressive!”

“Yes!” Chu Yang nodded earnestly. His brother had completely fallen for her. He could only hope Yan Qing would slowly like his brother and become his sister-in-law, and eventually, give him a little nephew.

He would ensure no one could bully them.

Grandpa Chu smiled and said, “Little girl, are you thirsty? Let Grandpa get you some water.”

“No need, Grandpa. We brought water we haven’t finished,” Yan Qing smiled and asked, “Grandpa, where’s Chu Zhao’s room? He wants to go there.”

It was a bit noisy here, and Chu Zhao was already getting impatient.

Grandpa Chu quickly said, “It’s on the second floor. Come, Grandpa will take you there.”

Yan Qing nodded.

Even the stairs in the old house were equipped with a wheelchair lift, making everything quite convenient.

Chu Yang followed closely, always watching his brother. Once Chu Zhao fell asleep, he quickly brought up their luggage.

Qin Zhen was on holiday during the New Year and wouldn’t be coming back with them. Thus, the task of looking after Chu Zhao during this period fell to him. If anything went wrong, they would have to return early.

Every year, they would come back on New Year’s Eve and leave after one night. This year, seeing Chu Zhao gradually becoming more normal, they couldn’t help but return two days early.

Yan Qing had nothing to do, so she read a book. With less than six months left, she needed to work even harder.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and Zhou Huaiya found a chair to sit in the doorway, basking in the sunlight.

The woman from before leaned over unhappily and said, “Did you really find a child bride for Chu Zhao? I’m telling you, we can’t trust anyone outside our Chu Village!”

The woman speaking was Zhou Qin, from the same village as Zhou Huaiya. Seeing Zhou Huaiya marry into the Chu family and their rapid rise within a year, she didn’t want to be left behind and married a small official from the town. However, the official was soon exposed for bribery and lost his job.

Zhou Qin then divorced him and moved back to Chu Village with her daughter, Huang Jiyun, conveniently related to Chu Heng’s family. She initially hoped to gain some benefits, but then Chu Zhao had his accident.

Realizing her daughter couldn’t marry someone like Chu Yang, a promising young man, she set her sights on Chu Zhao, who had mental issues and was wheelchair-bound. Every time Zhou Huaiya brought her son back, she would pester her with these ideas, but Zhou Huaiya always refused.

However, out of village solidarity and kinship, Zhou Huaiya would bring some good things for her each time they returned. Zhou Qin thought this arrangement was settled, but seeing them return with a beautiful girl was unacceptable!

Zhou Huaiya’s smile faded slightly as she looked at Zhou Qin seriously and said, “Qing Qing is a good child, but she is not Chu Zhao’s child bride. She is my goddaughter.”

Zhou Qin’s expression became awkward. Seeing Zhou Huaiya’s serious demeanor, she muttered, “Fine, fine, I get it. I’ll leave you to your family reunion then. I’ll head back.”

“Alright,” Zhou Huaiya nodded.

Zhou Qin quickly left, not stopping when she saw Chu Heng on the way.

Chu Heng was puzzled, looking curious as he walked over to his wife, “What happened?”

Clearly, he was aware of Zhou Qin’s situation.

Zhou Huaiya frowned slightly, “She thought Qing Qing was Chu Zhao’s child bride and mentioned something about her daughter taking care of Chu Zhao. But I refused every time.”

Chu Heng patted her shoulder gently, “It’s alright. Just tell her directly.”

“Yes.”

When Yan Qing and the others returned, it was already noon.

The nanny hired for Grandpa Chu had received a call the day before and prepared the meal.

Soon, everyone sat down to eat.

Chu Zhao was still sleeping, and after eating, Yan Qing joined Zhou Huaiya outside to bask in the sun and cultivate some drowsiness before taking a nap.

She closed her eyes, leaning back in the comfortable rocking chair. With no wind today, everything felt incredibly cozy.

If not for the fear of catching a cold, Yan Qing would have happily napped right there in the doorway.

Suddenly, she felt the sunlight being blocked.

With the sun blocked, a chill hit her, and Yan Qing immediately opened her eyes. A young woman with heavy makeup stood before her, about twenty years old, with a princess-cut hairstyle and an oval face. Her skin wasn’t great, and the makeup looked patchy, giving her face a dirty appearance.

She looked at Yan Qing with a mix of curiosity and hostility.

Yan Qing sat up and smiled, “Is there something you need?”

The girl had been observing her curiously, and when Yan Qing sat up, her face became clearer. The girl felt embarrassed, took a step back, and awkwardly said, “No, nothing.”

Yan Qing replied, “Oh.”

But she didn’t lie down again. She got up, preparing to head inside, as she was indeed feeling sleepy.

Just as she started to walk away, the girl grabbed her. The girl smiled awkwardly but persisted, “Are you going to be with Chu Zhao?”

Yan Qing blinked, pulled her thick down jacket tighter, and freed herself from the girl’s grip. Her small, delicate face was partially hidden by her clothes, making her look even more refined. She smiled charmingly, “Yes.”

The girl’s face changed several times before she let go. She was reluctant but suddenly smiled and called out, “Auntie.”

Yan Qing turned to see Zhou Huaiya looking at her with teary eyes, making her shiver. She laughed dryly, “Auntie.”

“Yes?” Zhou Huaiya wiped her tears and gently pushed Yan Qing towards the house, “You must be tired. Go take a nap after that long drive.”

She then turned to the girl, “You’re all grown up now. Come, let’s have a chat.”

The girl’s smile stiffened, and she tried to leave but was pulled back by Zhou Huaiya and made to sit down.

Yan Qing quickly escaped.

Ahem, it was truly awkward to declare her intentions about someone else’s son right in front of their mother.

But Yan Qing meant it.

Chu Zhao was very dependent on her. He was obedient and quiet, and his condition was improving. But after spending so much time together, Yan Qing realized that his recovery wasn’t the most important thing. Living together as they were now was perfectly fine.

Moreover, the Chu family was just too agreeable. Yan Qing couldn’t find any reason to leave them and seek another man, which might upset Chu Zhao.

Back in her room, Yan Qing patted her warm face, calmed her slightly erratic heartbeat, quickly removed her outerwear, and lay down to sleep.

……

When she woke up, she was startled to see a handsome face close by.

Yan Qing’s eyes widened in shock, but she quickly calmed down, realizing it was Chu Zhao.

Seeing her awake, Chu Zhao smiled softly, “Qing Qing, it’s time to eat.”

Yan Qing, surprised, asked, “You came to wake me for dinner?”

Chu Zhao nodded, looking both shy and obedient, “Mom said to come get you.”

Yan Qing looked at him suspiciously, yawning and rubbing her face, “Did she say anything else?”

Chu Zhao’s face turned red, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at her, like a shy girl.

Of course, his mother had said more.

After waking from his nap and finishing his meal, Chu Zhao wanted to find Yan Qing. But his mother stopped him. He was about to get angry, as they always prevented him from seeing Yan Qing.

But then his mother said, “Zhao Zhao, do you want to be with Yan Qing forever?”

Chu Zhao, irritated, glared at her.

Wasn’t it obvious? Of course, he wanted that. She could only be his!

Zhou Huaiya continued, “If you want that, you need to treat her like your girlfriend. In a few years, we can hold a wedding for you, and you’ll never be apart.”

Chu Zhao’s anger dissipated. A wedding… a wedding…

His frown relaxed, and he asked, “How do I treat her like a girlfriend?”

Zhou Huaiya smiled slyly, pushed him into another room, and slowly taught him.

Once he understood, she allowed him to enter Yan Qing’s room without further objection.

Since Yan Qing seemed to have the same idea, it was good to start developing their relationship early.

……

Seeing that Chu Zhao wouldn’t lift his head or speak, Yan Qing didn’t press him. She got dressed and left the room with him.

Zhou Huaiya and Chu Heng were busy cooking, and the house was lively with Chu Yang and Grandpa Chu watching TV together.

Zhou Qin returned in the evening, bringing some villagers with her. She didn’t find a chance to say much, and Zhou Huaiya remained vigilant.

Later, she brought her daughter, Huang Jiyun, the girl from earlier. Seeing the Chu family, Huang Jiyun felt embarrassed and shy, but was forced over by her mother. As soon as she saw them, she jumped and ran away.

“Ah! You child!” Zhou Qin, losing her grip, watched her daughter run off, unable to say anything, and left in a huff.

Yan Qing chuckled, finding the mother and daughter amusing.

Zhou Huaiya patted her hand, “Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone get close to Zhao Zhao.”

Yan Qing: “…”

She coughed lightly.

Chu Zhao, hearing some commotion, looked over nervously, “Are you catching a cold? Do you need hot water?”

Yan Qing blinked, surprised at his concern.

Chu Zhao, embarrassed, bit his lip and lowered his head, “Shall I get you some water?”

Yan Qing smiled, “Sure.”

Chu Zhao smiled back, quickly maneuvering his wheelchair to get water.

Chu Yang, not willing to let his brother do it alone, followed. As he left, he glared at Yan Qing, his stern face looking quite intimidating.

Chu Zhao said, “Yang Yang, be polite. That’s your future sister-in-law!”

Chu Yang: “…”

The countryside had a strong festive atmosphere.

Even two days before New Year’s Eve, the village was already bustling.

Outside, children’s laughter and firecracker sounds filled the air.

The village was a bit far from the town, making it inconvenient to buy things.

On the twenty-ninth, Yan Qing’s aunt arrived early, needing to go out. They also needed to buy couplets and other items, so Chu Yang drove Yan Qing to town, bringing Chu Zhao along.

After shopping, Chu Yang handed Yan Qing two movie tickets and said sullenly, “Do you want to watch a movie?”

Yan Qing looked confused, “A movie?”

Chu Yang nodded, glancing at his seemingly interested brother, “I asked the staff. They’ll help with the wheelchair.”

“Chu Zhao, do you want to watch a movie?” Yan Qing asked.

Chu Zhao nodded immediately, “Yes.”

After speaking, his fair face flushed slightly. Another relationship milestone completed.

Having done this, Yan Qing should agree to be his girlfriend.

Nervously clenching his fists, he had heard that couples could hold hands in the cinema.

“Alright, I’ll drop you off,” Chu Yang said, feeling a strange, bittersweet sensation as he drove them to the cinema.

Watching them watch a movie was not an option for him.

Chu Yang messaged Yan Qing, then waited in the car.

……

The movie was a typical romantic comedy, with handsome men and beautiful women on screen. The audience laughed heartily, and Yan Qing watched attentively.

However, Chu Zhao seemed distracted, constantly glancing at her.

The screen’s light illuminated her face intermittently. He wanted to make a move but couldn’t find an excuse. After an hour and a half, they left with the help of the staff, nothing significant happening.

Yan Qing, smiling, still relished the movie. She pushed Chu Zhao to the first floor, messaging Chu Yang while looking around. Her gaze fell on a milk tea shop, feeling thirsty.

Chu Zhao, feeling useless, wondered how to muster the courage to make a move.

“Are you thirsty?” Yan Qing asked. “Should I get some drinks?”

Chu Zhao nodded, “Sure, I’d like something lemon-flavored.”

Yan Qing raised an eyebrow, patted his dejected head, smiled, and pushed him to the shop’s side before queuing up.

As she stood in line, a large hand covered her mouth, a strong sweet scent filling her nose. Yan Qing elbowed the person behind her, trying to free herself, but the drug was already making her dizzy.

She panicked, but the people around screamed and backed away.

The person grunted in pain but tightened his grip, another hand wrapping around her waist, lifting her. Yan Qing struggled, but the drug weakened her, leaving her helpless.

Weighing only 80 pounds at 1.6 meters tall, Yan Qing, focused on her studies, hadn’t gained much weight. The man easily dragged her away.

Some people screamed, others called the police, but the man held a knife, and no one dared intervene.

“Ah!” A familiar figure in a white down jacket charged at them, and Yan Qing, her vision blurry, saw his angry, reddened face.

Chu Zhao had somehow gotten from his wheelchair to them, clutching the man’s legs, looking crazed.

The man, unable to move, shouted, “Help me!”

A man jumped from a nearby van, already prepared. “Take him too!”

“Hurry!” They quickly pulled them into the van.

As the driver started the car, Yan Qing tried to stay conscious, pinching herself to keep awake, but her strength waned.

Silly boy, why did you come up too?

Chu Zhao, oblivious, clung to her.

But soon, he was also drugged unconscious.

Yan Qing, pretending to be unconscious, overheard them talking, regretting she couldn’t kill in this world.

The man who drugged her was Yan Xianhong.

She recognized his voice but didn’t know the others.

She lay motionless, feeling the cold blade on her face. Even unconscious, Chu Zhao clung tightly to her, his grip strong enough to hurt.

“I finally got her!” Yan Xianhong laughed viciously. “This is Chu’s eldest son, a precious treasure. Perfect for extortion! You can have fun with her first.”

He pressed the blade against Yan Qing’s face, cutting her. Blood trickled down.

Yan Xianhong’s pupils contracted, instinctively recoiling, but his hatred forced him to deepen the cut.

Yan Qing endured the pain, keeping her eyes shut.

Revealing she was awake would only make things worse.

Losing interest in a supposedly unconscious person, Yan Xianhong stopped.

Someone nearby laughed cruelly, “Why not just kill her?”

“I need her for ransom!” Yan Xianhong replied coldly.

Yan Qing woke to a bucket of cold water thrown over her. In the freezing winter, the water shocked her awake, leaving her shivering.

She looked around and saw a much thinner, menacing Yan Xianhong sitting nearby in an abandoned warehouse, with a small alcohol stove and disposable utensils.

Yan Qing sniffed the faint smell of food, but it seemed unappetizing.

The warehouse was empty, with no one else around. The timing seemed perfect.

She lay on the ground, Chu Zhao’s arm still around her. The water had shocked him awake, and he was slowly regaining consciousness.

Yan Xianhong sneered, “My dear niece, won’t you greet your uncle?”

Yan Qing, her head aching, rubbed her forehead and sat up, supporting Chu Zhao. Her voice hoarse, she asked, “What do you want?”

“What do I want?” Yan Xianhong’s smile grew colder, his gaze like knives. “You ask me? Why didn’t you say this when you had the Chu family ruin our company?”

Yan Qing innocently replied, “Uncle, the company was my parents’ legacy. Of course, I could destroy it if I wanted to.”

“It’s mine! Mine!” Yan Xianhong’s face twisted with rage, his hands waving as if to strike her.

Yan Qing was lucky he saw them as weak and disabled, not bothering to tie them up. She slowly stood up.

Yan Xianhong laughed maniacally, “Let’s see how arrogant you are now!”

His laughter abruptly stopped as Yan Qing kicked him in the face, sending him flying.

“Bang!” Yan Xianhong crashed into some objects, making a loud noise.

Two guards rushed in, shocked by the scene.

“You said you could handle it! How did it come to this?”

They brandished weapons, one with an electric baton, the other with a knife.

Yan Qing had already incapacitated one and instructed the now-awake Chu Zhao, “Chu Zhao, don’t move!” Then she swiftly approached the attackers, sweeping her leg to knock them down, dodging the knife and continuing her assault.

She didn’t know how she could do this, but it felt instinctual.

In no time, she had the armed men cowering.

Just as she was about to disarm them, she heard a grunt behind her. Turning, she saw Yan Xianhong lunging at her with a knife, with Chu Zhao clinging to his back, biting his ear.

“Ah!” Yan Xianhong screamed, redirecting the knife from Yan Qing to stab the boy behind him, his eyes crazed.

Yan Qing’s heart sank as she took a knife to the arm, then struck Yan Xianhong on the head with the electric baton.

“Bang!” A final sound.

Yan Xianhong’s scream stopped abruptly, and he collapsed, rolling his eyes.

Chu Zhao, dragged down by him, also fell, but in different directions. As he let go, a piece of ear remained in his mouth.

Blood spattered on Yan Qing’s face. She instinctively closed her eyes, wiping the blood away, and rushed to Chu Zhao, patting his face gently, “Calm down, it’s okay…”

Chu Zhao, wild-eyed like a wolf cub facing a beast, gradually calmed under her touch.

In that moment, his fierce eyes resembled Chu Yang’s.

Chu Zhao’s eyes softened, releasing the ear from his mouth.

Yan Qing tossed it aside and checked his waist.

Luckily, the thick winter clothes had protected him from serious harm.

Throughout, Chu Zhao lay still, his gaze blank, clearly shocked.

Yan Qing ruffled his hair, “Wait here.”

She stood up, her face covered in blood, a menacing expression in the dimly lit warehouse, looking like a demon.

The two attackers, having barely stood up, saw her and screamed, “A ghost!”

Yan Qing had no intention of letting them go. She pursued them, but before she could catch them, a group of armed police appeared.

The two men ran out, immediately subdued by the police, crying for help, “Save us! There’s a ghost!”

The police were momentarily stunned, but one look at Yan Qing, her face smeared with blood, her eyes fierce, and they understood the reaction.

Behind the police, Zhou Huaiya screamed, “Qing Qing, it’s Qing Qing!”

Yan Qing stopped, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She suddenly felt exhausted, her legs giving out as she collapsed.

The police rushed to check on her condition.

Zhou Huaiya, frantic, ran to Yan Qing, following the trail of blood she had left behind.

…

Yan Qing woke up with a bandage on her left arm. Although she felt weak, she was comfortable.

But…

She turned her head and saw Chu Zhao’s face close to hers. On the other side, Zhou Huaiya, seeing her awake, quickly approached with a smile and whispered, “He refused to be anywhere else. He’d get angry if we moved him. Jiang Cheng said he’s afraid you’d be taken away again.”

Yan Qing blinked and understood, giving a small smile that tugged at her injured face, causing her to wince.

Seeing she wasn’t angry, Zhou Huaiya felt relieved. Her son was too stubborn, making things difficult for her.

Looking at Yan Qing’s bandaged face, Zhou Huaiya said gently, “Qing Qing, the doctor said the cut on your face is deep and might leave a scar, but with makeup, it can be covered.”

Yan Qing raised her left hand, touching her face, recalling Yan Xianhong’s force and the contamination of the wound. A scar was inevitable. She shook her head slowly, “It’s alright.”

It was a bit sad, considering how important her face was, but she was grateful to be alive, thanks to Chu Zhao.

Thinking of him, Yan Qing’s heart softened.

Zhou Huaiya’s eyes reddened, but she held back her tears. “Are you hungry? I have prepared some lean pork congee and corn rib soup. Which one do you want?”

“Soup,” Yan Qing said.

Zhou Huaiya quickly helped her sit up and brought the soup.

The noise woke Chu Zhao, who blinked, looking startled. His large eyes watered, and he instinctively grabbed Yan Qing’s right hand.

She patted his hand, whispering, “It’s okay, I’m here.”

Chu Zhao calmed down, his gaze fixed on her bandaged face. His light brown eyes reflected her small face, almost entirely covered by bandages. He stared intently, and Yan Qing, with patience, continued to comfort him, their eyes locked.

Zhou Huaiya watched, unsure whether to interrupt them.

Chu Zhao seemed unaware of anyone else. His most vivid memory from the incident was the danger Yan Qing faced. He couldn’t let anyone take her away.

Chu Zhao’s eyes grew sharp, his expression changing, but Yan Qing quickly interrupted, “Chu Zhao, I’m hungry. Are you hungry too?”

Her soft voice broke through his thoughts, calming his turbulent emotions. He rubbed his stomach, looking pitiful, “Hungry.”

“Then let’s eat,” Yan Qing smiled.

She remembered Chu Zhao hadn’t been injured.

Chu Zhao obediently sat up.

Zhou Huaiya brought over a hospital meal tray. Qin Zhen entered, lifting Chu Zhao into his wheelchair.

The hospital bed was too small.

…

After eating, Jiang Cheng came to take Chu Zhao for some psychological comfort.

Zhou Huaiya explained the situation to Yan Qing, revealing that after their disappearance, Chu Yang had immediately called the police. Chu Zhao had a locator on his necklace, making it easy to find them.

The police used the locator to track them down.

Yan Xianhong, seeking revenge and money, had inadvertently revealed their location.

Without Chu Zhao’s locator, it would have been hard to find them in the countryside, near desolate areas with little surveillance.

The three kidnappers, two were in jail, and one was still in the hospital.

Yan Xianhong survived but suffered severe head trauma and lost an ear.

When Yan Qing heard about Yan Xianhong, her pupils contracted, and her hand clenched.

She remembered Chu Zhao biting off his ear vividly.

It was a gruesome sight, making her heart race.

Zhou Huaiya, thinking Yan Qing was scared, hugged her gently, “Don’t worry, you’re safe now. It was self-defense; you won’t be in trouble.”

“Yes,” Yan Qing replied softly, closing her eyes and leaning into the comforting embrace.

Zhou Huaiya’s motherly warmth calmed her frantic heartbeat.

Suddenly, the sound of a wheelchair rolling echoed.

Zhou Huaiya was pushed aside, and Yan Qing, confused, saw Chu Zhao by the bed, frowning at Zhou Huaiya, looking displeased.

Jiang Cheng, behind him, smiled wryly, shrugging innocently.

Zhou Huaiya, seeing the situation, laughed in exasperation, “Silly boy!”