Chapter 158: Chapter 159: Depending on Ningning’s Wish
“I know, I know! Qigang specifically wrote a letter asking us to apologize, saying he earnestly wants to go to Sheng Ning’s family as his wife.”
“This… I can’t give a response right away. It mainly depends on Ningning’s opinion!”
“Didn’t that girl also take a fancy to my son?” she said. Why even consider it then?
“Before was before, now is now.” An’an, quite upset, said, “My sister agreed, but your son wanted to call off the engagement. Who could bear that? Now he regrets it, and I’m telling you it’s too late!”
“An’an, shut up. Who told you to talk to your elders like that?”
“What I’m saying is the truth!”
“Rude girl, hurry up and apologize to Uncle Xu.”
“I won’t apologize. I didn’t say anything wrong. Why should I apologize?” Every time Sheng An thought about still owing the mayor’s family five thousand yuan and not being able to pay, if Sheng Ning couldn’t pay, she’d have to marry over there. She felt pained and sad, wanting to tell her father but not daring to.
So now, whenever someone came to propose, she was even more resistant.
With the mayor’s family matter still unresolved, Sheng Ning couldn’t get engaged. If it ever came out, it would not just be their family losing face.
“Rude girl, you’re getting bolder by the day.” Sheng Laosan was so angry; he had been eagerly hoping someone would want to marry Ningning, especially someone he valued highly like Qigang. He wished he could agree immediately.
Seeing An’an come out and disrupt things, he couldn’t help but be mad.
“Lao San, don’t get angry. Why bother arguing with a little girl?” Although Xu Xianxiong felt embarrassed, it was not good to show it to An’an, so he pulled Mr. Sheng aside to try to calm things.
“Hmph! This girl’s temper is getting worse; we’ve spoiled her too much.”
“Dad, you’re being too much.” An’an ran out of the main room, angry. Around noon, everyone was eating, and her running out would surely make people gossip behind their backs.
Thinking it over, she decided to just be sulky alone in the courtyard. Glancing at the kitchen, she saw a vague figure and then remembered Aunt Xu had just gone in—probably to persuade Sheng Ning to marry Qigang. She still didn’t know if her mother had agreed!
Wait… her mother had always been looked down upon in front of Sheng Ning. She used to be bullied often before; her mother surely wouldn’t show any reaction.
Although Sheng An thought this, she was still curious about what was being said inside. So she cautiously moved closer and eavesdropped near the window.
“Mother-in-law, rest assured, once Ningning marries into our family, I, as her mother-in-law, promise to love her as my own daughter,” Zhao Lanzi said with a smile while helping to add firewood to the stove.
Shen Luhua was a literate and discerning woman, her demeanor and speech quite unlike the typical rural woman. Zhao Lanzi, upon first seeing her, thought this woman was formidable, not easy to deal with. But after a few exchanges, she realized she had been overly worried. Although a widow remarrying was truly different from Widow Zhang in the village, she was not even on the same level.
Her initial reluctance vanished, and she found herself more and more satisfied, feeling that this was the mother-in-law she wanted.
“Look at what you’re saying. Lao San and your family’s Lao Xu are brothers; how could I not trust you?” Shen Luhua nodded, thinking secretly to herself. Whatever nice things you say, I won’t believe you. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies from ancient times. You’ve raised such an outstanding son and are willing to let a daughter-in-law take him away?
She didn’t believe it for a second; this wasn’t like a mother-in-law admiring her daughter-in-law, becoming more pleased the more she looked!
“But…” Shen Luhua suddenly changed her tone, causing Zhao Lanzi, who had just calmed down, to become anxious again.