Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

Chapter 55 Being Bullied
The winter wind howled fiercely, cutting across her face like a sharp blade. With a mix of trepidation and anticipation, Jiang He followed Lin Yanqing to his home to celebrate the New Year.

She tightened her scarf, trying to ward off the cold and her inner unease. Warm memories of being with Lin Yanqing kept flashing through her mind. She thought it would be a family reunion full of laughter and warmth, but she never expected that what awaited her was endless grievances and embarrassment.

As soon as Jiang He stepped through the seemingly grand yet chilling gate of the Lin family home, she keenly sensed the cold, almost indifferent gazes of Lin's parents.

Lin's mother merely glanced at her indifferently, her gaze as if scrutinizing an uninvited guest, before turning and entering the house without a trace of warmth or even a New Year's greeting.

Lin's father sat on the sofa, glanced at Jiang He, and nodded slightly, the gesture mechanical and perfunctory, before continuing to read his newspaper, as if Jiang He was just an insignificant passerby, not worth his time or attention.

Jiang He forced a smile, though it seemed so pale and weak in the cold atmosphere, she still politely said, "Uncle and Aunt, Happy New Year."

However, all that responded to her was a suffocating silence.

Lin Yanqing sensed the awkward atmosphere and quickly pulled Jiang He into the guest room. After gently closing the door, he whispered to comfort her, "Don't mind them, they're probably just not used to it yet."

Jiang He nodded silently, but the unease in her heart grew more and more wildly like weeds.

When it came time to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner, Jiang He thought that perhaps taking the initiative could improve the tense relationship, so she took the initiative to go into the kitchen to help.

Lin's mother frowned and said impatiently, "Go out. We don't need your help here. Don't make a mess of the kitchen."

Jiang He's face flushed bright red, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears. She stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet, her heart filled with grievance and disappointment.

Seeing this, Lin Yanqing wanted to say something for Jiang He, but was stopped by his mother's stern gaze. Helplessly, he gave Jiang He a look, signaling her to leave first.

The New Year's Eve dinner table was laden with sumptuous dishes, a dazzling array of delicacies, but in Jiang He's eyes it was just a cold meal devoid of any flavor.

Lin's parents kept putting food on Lin Yanqing's plate, but ignored Jiang He as if she didn't exist at the table.

Lin Yanqing tried to serve Jiang He some food to ease her embarrassment, but Lin's mother suddenly said, "Yanqing, you eat more. Don't worry about her, she can eat by herself."

Those words were like a cold sword, piercing straight into Jiang He's heart.

Jiang He gripped the chopsticks tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Tears welled in her eyes, but she forced them back, not wanting to show her vulnerability in front of this cold family.

After dinner, the family sat in the living room watching TV. Lin's mother began to ask Lin Yanqing about his work. When Lin Yanqing mentioned that Jiang He had also helped him a lot at work, Lin's mother snorted disdainfully and said, "What great abilities can a girl have? Just don't cause trouble."

Jiang He felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart, the pain penetrating to the bone. She wanted to argue back, to defend herself, but she was afraid of causing a bigger conflict, so she could only silently lower her head and let the feeling of humiliation spread in her heart.

That evening, Jiang He and Lin Yanqing were in their room when Jiang He finally couldn't hold back her tears, which flowed like a burst dam.

"Yan Qing, why do your parents dislike me so much? I've tried so hard."

Her voice was choked with sobs, and her body trembled slightly. Lin Yanqing hugged her tenderly and gently stroked her back: "I'm sorry, Hehe, they just have traditional views. They'll get better with time." But Jiang He knew in her heart that this was just Lin Yanqing's comforting words. Her parents' prejudice against her was deeply rooted and wouldn't disappear so easily.

The next day, relatives came to pay their respects one after another. When Lin's mother introduced Jiang He to the relatives, her tone was clearly disdainful: "This is a friend that Yan Qing brought back. I don't know how long they can stay together."

Listening to this, Jiang He felt like a clown on display, her dignity ruthlessly trampled upon. Her relatives' gazes swept over her, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and above all, contempt, making her wish she could disappear into the ground and escape this humiliating scene.

During a family gathering, everyone sat together chatting.

A relative mentioned the importance of marrying someone of equal social standing, and Lin's mother immediately chimed in, "That's right. Our Yanqing is so outstanding, we have to be careful when he finds a partner. We can't just pick anyone."

Jiang He knew that Lin's mother was saying this to her on purpose.

Her lips trembled slightly. She wanted to get up and leave, but she was afraid of embarrassing Lin Yanqing, so she could only sit there as if on pins and needles, and waves of bitterness surged in her heart.

As time went on, Jiang He's days at the Lin family's house became increasingly unbearable.

She was very careful in everything she did, walking very quietly, afraid of making any noise that might upset her parents, but no matter what she did, she could not gain their approval.

Although Lin Yanqing tried to mediate between his parents and Jiang He, the effect was minimal. Every effort seemed to sink without a trace, leaving no ripple of hope.

Finally, it was time to leave. Jiang He packed her luggage with a sigh of relief. Looking at the home that had caused her so much suffering, her heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness.

Looking at Jiang He's tired face, Lin Yanqing's eyes were filled with guilt: "Hehe, I'm sorry you had to suffer this time. I will have a good talk with my parents."

Jiang He simply said, "No need. I think we both need time to think it over."

The moment Jiang He stepped out of the Lin family's gate, she took a deep breath.

Jiang He dragged her weary, heavy steps home alone. When Liu Chunlian saw her daughter's pale, tear-streaked face, her anger flared instantly, like a powder keg exploding.

"The Lin family is bullying us! What's wrong with my daughter? Why are they treating you like this!"

Liu Chunlian was so angry that her face turned red. She turned around and was about to rush towards the Lin family, as if she were going to have a big fight with them. Seeing this, Jiang He rushed forward and stopped her mother.

"Mom, don't go. Going will only make things worse."

Jiang He's voice was choked with sobs, carrying a hint of helpless pleading. Liu Chunlian looked at her daughter, her eyes reddening with heartache: "Daughter, are you just going to let them bully you like this? We can't let this go."

Jiang He shook her head: "Mom, this is a matter between Yan Qing and me, and between me and his family. We will handle it ourselves. If you go, you will only make things worse and it will be even harder to handle later."