1717 Coming to Look at Clothing Patterns

"Knock, knock, knock!"

There was a series of violent knocks on the door. In fact, it sounded more like kicks than knocks! Even the two watchdogs near the door were awakened and kept barking at the door.

"Who is it? What do you want so early in the morning?" Xu Kang stood at the door and shouted.

"I'm Xu Jiao. I'm here to look for Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law! Open the door for me!" Xu Jiao stood outside the door and shouted with her hands on her hips.

This was Xu Jiao's first time at Qiao Mei's house, but she could recognize the voices of Qiao Mei and Xia Zhe. The person who asked the questions did not sound like Qiao Mei.

Xu Kang was actually Xu Jiao's aunt, but theirs was a relatively distant relationship, the kind where it was up to them whether they wanted to acknowledge each other as relatives. Xu Kang first went to the bedroom to ask for Qiao Mei's permission before opening the door for Xu Jiao.

"Sister-in-law… Eh? Aunt, why are you here? Oh! You must be the relative whom my mother says is working as Qiao Mei's helper! You're so slow to open the door and yet my third sister-in-law still hires you. She's really kind-hearted. This place is becoming an old folks' home," Xu Jiao said as she looked at Xu Kang mockingly.

"I need to ask Qiao Mei before I can let you in," Xu Kang said calmly.

"Hmph, is there a need to ask her? She's my third sister-in-law! This is my third brother's house. Who can stop me from entering? You're so nosy and cause us to wait for so long," Xu Jiao said unhappily.

There was another person behind Xu Jiao. It was Shi Rui, who was at Xu Lan's house yesterday. Qiao Mei had just changed her clothes and left the room when she heard Xu Jiao humiliating Xu Kang.

"Although Sister Xu is our family's helper, she still has a lot of say in everything. We listen to Sister Xu when it comes to all the matters in our family. You should address her as Aunt," Qiao Mei said sternly.

"Third Sister-in-law, I've already greeted her…" Xu Jiao whispered.

"Is that so? I heard everything you said from beginning to end. Apologize to Sister Xu first before you can enter my house. Otherwise, you can get out!" Qiao Mei said.

Xu Kang held Qiao Mei's hand and whispered, "Forget it, Mei Mei. You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine! Kids are insensible, so don't be angry."

"How old is she already? Is she still young? Even my son is more obedient than her," Qiao Mei said disdainfully.

"You! How dare you make things difficult for me because of a helper! This is my third brother's house! How dare you treat me like this! I'm going to tell my third brother about this! I'll get him to teach you a lesson!" Xu Jiao pointed at Qiao Mei and shouted at her.

Qiao Mei walked slowly to the swing at the side and sat down. She then said, "Then go ahead and look for him. Let's see if he will chase you out or chase me out. I'm the one who has given the Xia family two great-grandchildren. There is now a third one on the way. Also, this house is mine. I paid for it. If you don't believe me, you can go home and ask your mother."

"You! Ugh!" Xu Jiao wanted to say something else, but Shi Rui quickly covered her mouth and said, "I'm sorry. I apologize on her behalf. Sorry, Aunt."

Qiao Mei continued to look at them coldly. She did not expect Shi Rui to be so capable as to be able to find her through Xu Jiao. She wondered what Shi Rui was up to and why she was here today.

"I have forgotten that you're also here. Unfortunately, it's useless for you to apologize. She needs to be the one to do it," Qiao Mei said as she pointed at Xu Jiao.

Shi Rui whispered into Xu Jiao's ear, "Have you forgotten what your mother told you when we came out?"

Xu Jiao broke free from Shi Rui's grip and straightened her clothes. She looked at Xu Kang reluctantly and said awkwardly, "Aunt, I'm sorry… I was too insensible. I won't do it again…"

"Fine, fine,fine. It's alright! Let's just forget about this matter!" Xu Kang said quickly.

Everyone looked towards Qiao Mei. Seeing that Xu Jiao had apologized politely, Qiao Mei's expression had softened a lot. Qiao Mei looked at Xu Kang and felt a little sorry. She could not believe that such a nice person had been humiliated. It was all her fault for allowing Xu Jiao to come in.

"Tell me why you are here," Qiao Mei said impatiently.

"It's like this. Xu Jiao is going to start school soon and wants to make a few sets of clothes, but she doesn't think the styles in the stores look nice. Seeing that the clothes you usually wear are very beautiful, we have come to your house to take a look. I wonder if it's alright?" Shi Rui probed.

"We just want to take a look at the patterns. Aunt Shi Rui knows how to make clothes. We don't need you to do anything. She just needs to take a look," Xu Jiao said.