Anning spoke and eventually tears started falling.
Mrs. Jiang cried even harder.
"No matter what happens in the future, I’ll always remember the kindness my sister has shown me. We grew up together, how could I not love her and wish for her to have a good life? As for the Wei Family matter, actually, I’m also reluctant about it."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Jiang felt like she had found a kindred spirit, crying and saying while holding Anning: "Your father has never sympathized with me, but you understand my thoughts. I’ve been aggrieved by your grandmother all my life, I just hope my daughter won’t end up with an unreasonable and inconsiderate mother-in-law. I don’t care about anything else; I just hope my daughter can meet a good mother-in-law, like you, Xiao Yuan’s mother is obviously sensible and kind-hearted. Even if you have disagreements in the future, it won’t be severe, and it’ll pass. But the Wei family... I really don’t feel assured."
Anning nodded: "Mom, I really understand your feelings. Look, when I choose a boyfriend, aside from other things, I must first see what his mother is like. I specifically went to Xiao’s home before deciding to have a relationship with Xiao Yuan. It seemed to me that both his mom and dad were very good people, just like you and dad, all decent people. I felt secure that marrying into such a family would be beneficial. But I’m also worried about my sister."
Mrs. Jiang felt that Anning truly shared her sentiments, they were perfectly aligned, and she opened up to Anning.
"If something happens in the future, it would worry me to death. A parent’s heart aches for their own child. If she suffers the same way I did back then, I’d be heartbroken."
Anning refilled Mrs. Jiang’s glass: "Mom, have another drink. About this matter, it’s also a bit because my sister is somewhat foolish. She can’t distinguish between true and false relationships; she gets confused and lets us worry about her because of a man. In my opinion, no matter what, one shouldn’t alienate their parents. Those who would truly sacrifice everything for you in this world are your parents. Everyone else might abandon you, but parents can never bear to leave their children behind."
Mrs. Jiang crying was truly distressed.
Anning then sat closer and hugged Mrs. Jiang’s shoulder: "Look, considering how unreasonable my sister is, and yet you still care so much for her. No matter what, you still love her mom. She is blindly fixated on Wei Jiaming; what can we do? She is the younger one; she doesn’t understand, but we as the elders must be sensible. I know you love her, but she insists on this path and we cannot stop her. Are we supposed to force her to her demise?"
"That’s not possible."
Mrs. Jiang shook her head: "Just like you said, if she’s being foolish, should I also act foolish?"
"Mom, you are the wisest and your heart is the most open. I must have accumulated good karma over many lifetimes to have parents like you."
This compliment brought a smile to Mrs. Jiang’s face.
"You see, my sister just gets muddled in this matter. First, it was Zhou Chong and now Wei Jiaming. She’s stubborn; once she decides, she won’t listen to anyone. But what has she done wrong in other aspects? She has genuinely respected you and dad, and is truly kind to me and Third. We shouldn’t refuse to forgive her just because she made one mistake. You’re so open-hearted, beautiful, and gentle. How could you keep blaming her? Since she won’t turn back, let’s pave this path for her and make her journey smoother."
What Anning said made Mrs. Jiang nod: "You’re right. What should we do then?"
Anning lowered her voice: "Since my sister is determined, we can’t keep showing a cold face. What would Wei Jiaming think? If they get married and Wei Jiaming and my sister argue, he’ll definitely use this against us, saying her in-laws don’t approve of him. Wouldn’t that become my sister’s Achilles’ heel? His mother is irrational, but you are not, mom, you are wonderful..."
"Yes, his mom is irrational, but I am not."
Mrs. Jiang followed Anning’s line of thought.
Anning seized the opportunity: "Wei Jiaming values loyalty. To ensure my sister’s happiness, we must appeal to his emotions. Think about it, mom, his mother treats him a certain way at his home, but here with us, you treat him even better than his own mother. Over time, whose side do you think he will take? You and dad always consider his best interests, doing everything perfectly for him. My sister loves him wholeheartedly too. After a while, won’t his heart warm up to us? Wouldn’t he appreciate our family’s kindness? Everyone’s heart is made of flesh; we treat him well, never make things difficult for him, and even encourage my sister to be good to him. These layered affections, he must appreciate them. If he ever wrongs my sister, it would be utterly unconscionable."
Anning whispered in Mrs. Jiang’s ear: "Mom, the debt of gratitude is the hardest to repay. The better we treat him, the more he must contrast it with his mother’s treatment of my sister. He will think, why is my mother-in-law so kind to me without ever being harsh, while you are mean to my wife?
These heartfelt words truly resonated with Mrs. Jiang.
Yes, if the daughter is set on her path, trying to pull her back would be futile, and if we oppose now, it could breed resentment in our future son-in-law. For our daughter’s sake, we shouldn’t object but instead be exceedingly good to our future son-in-law, so good that he feels obligated to reciprocate.