novelraw Chapter 488 - 405: Genes Are Important (Extra - for 20 Monthly Tickets)
Chapter 488 - 405: Genes Are Important (Extra - for 20 Monthly Tickets)
Chapter 488: Chapter 405: Genes Are Important (Extra Chapter for 20 Monthly Tickets)
After Li Si and the others left, Leng Qiankai and Ouyang Zhenglin chatted off to the side. The two hadn’t seen each other in years, but back in their younger days, they had gotten along quite well.
Wang Meishu seemingly mentioned offhandedly: "Sis! Your daughter-in-law is stunningly beautiful!"
Mrs. Leng felt quite pleased upon hearing this: "Of course! Why else would Buding have turned out so well? Genetics are very important!"
She glanced upstairs. Obviously, Xiao Ning had insisted on having Buding go to the study to chat with some friends from abroad, and he hadn’t come down yet.
"I heard about Mingming breaking up with his former foreign girlfriend again? This child needs to be managed! The environment abroad is so chaotic; what if he messes around and gets sick? Besides, do you really want your future daughter-in-law to be a foreigner and end up having a mixed-race grandchild?"
Initially, Mrs. Leng didn’t want to bring it up. After all, her brother’s family had returned to China as a complete unit for the first time in many years. But not long ago, she had heard her brother complain about Mingming, saying that the older he got, the more defiant he became, to the point where he had dated dozens of girlfriends and constantly switched them.
He even mentioned that it was largely because Wang Meishu had spoiled Mingming when he was young. To this day, whenever he tried to discipline him strictly, she would refuse to back him up.
So, Mrs. Leng felt compelled to offer some advice, as this was no small matter!
Wang Meishu immediately felt stifled. Her son was already so grown up; was he still at an age where a few words from her could make him listen?
Since marrying Ouyang Zhenglin, she hadn’t dealt with conflicts with her mother-in-law or her sister-in-law. But now, in front of everyone, she had to feign compliance and say: "Sis! You have no idea! How could I not have tried to step in? Even Zhenglin has scolded him countless times! But this kid is just like that, and there’s nothing I can do about it!"
"This time, besides coming back specifically for Mozhen’s wedding, we were also planning to look at the opportunities here in China. If the situation looks good and we find a solid project to invest in, we won’t be leaving again. And if we happen to meet an appropriate young woman, please keep an eye out for us."
"Between us, I don’t want a foreign woman as my daughter-in-law either!"
Having just returned to the country, her family had many things to rely on her elder sister-in-law for, so she had to butter her up and act deferential.
As for those uncomfortable remarks, listening to a few complaints wasn’t going to cost her anything.
Mrs. Leng patted her shoulder reassuringly: "Meishu, the fact that you and Zhenglin think this way is great! Right now, the domestic situation is booming. There are plenty of excellent investment projects. When I get the chance, I’ll ask Mozhen to lend you some advice."
"As for Mingming’s girlfriend situation, you don’t need to worry at all! Mingming is such a charismatic young man. Once things settle down for you, I’ll take you to attend some social functions. Do you really think it’ll be hard to meet the right girl?"
"Thank you in advance for your help, big sis! We’ve only just returned to the country, and we’re clueless about how things work here. If it weren’t for you being here, I have no idea what we’d do!" Wang Meishu made an effort to appear grateful, her eyes full of sincerity.
This made Mrs. Leng even more eager to concern herself with their family affairs, nearly guaranteeing her support outright: "You absolutely mustn’t feel like an outsider! Honestly speaking, you’re my only family left now. If I don’t help you, who else would? It’s the least I can do!"
While chatting casually with her sister-in-law, Wang Meishu looked around at the lavish and intricately decorated Leng Family villa, feeling incredibly envious. She observed how life had been kind to Ouyang Yan.
Despite the family’s decline, she had gone through a stint of rural re-education before marrying into the Leng Family upon her return.
Her husband was a renowned painter. Even overseas, they knew that one of his pieces had fetched an exorbitant price.
And what about her son? Though she’d heard rumors of his rebellious streak, look at him now—successful in his career, married to a lovely and capable woman, and blessed with an intelligent and adorable child.
Rumor had it that her daughter, Leng Ning, also had a boyfriend, whose family seemed quite well-off from the hints dropped in conversation.
Why did some people just have all the luck?
"Well, Sis, I won’t be playing coy then! We’re all one family, after all. Speaking of which, is there anything else for Mozhen’s wedding that needs to be prepared? As his aunt, I must lend a hand! That’s my duty, no question about it!"
Mrs. Leng felt even more warmth and smiled brightly. She waved her hand and said, "Everything is more or less ready! When Li Si was pregnant, Xiao Ning and I started planning already. There’s nothing missing! But the sentiment is appreciated, and on behalf of Mozhen, thank you for your kindness!"
Wang Meishu exaggeratedly laughed: "Sis, I have to say, you’re truly one-of-a-kind as a mother-in-law. Li Si marrying into your family is like striking gold! How many mothers-in-law go out of their way to organize the entire wedding?"
"Exactly! Li Si truly is a lucky girl!" Mrs. Leng chuckled lightly, choosing to say no more.
After all they’d been through, she was quite content with the current relationship she had with her son and daughter-in-law.
The recent quarrel with Leng Qiankai had been an eye-opener for her; when push came to shove, it was her own daughter-in-law who stood by her. Outsiders could never do that.
Later on, she even realized that she might have been slightly too critical, making both Li Si and Sister Ding uncomfortable. But this was just her personality. When she saw something she didn’t like, she spoke up; that wasn’t going to change.
Wang Meishu thought of something and rolled her eyes: "Sis! I heard Li Si’s background is pretty complicated? You and my brother-in-law must be very gracious. With families like ours, you could’ve chosen countless other girls, yet you went with her. If she dares to be ungrateful to you in the future, I’ll make sure she hears about it!"
She had hoped her sister-in-law would laugh heartily at her remarks. After all, wasn’t it common for mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law to be natural adversaries?
On the surface, they might get along harmoniously, but behind closed doors, they always scrutinized each other—sometimes without even realizing it.
Unexpectedly, the former bright smile on Mrs. Leng’s face vanished. Even her husband, sitting nearby, shot her a disapproving glance.
Why bring up such an awkward subject? Even before they’d come back to China, they’d heard from relatives gossiping about the Leng Family’s daughter-in-law. Truth be told, he also felt that her background was not quite fitting for Mozhen.
But after seeing her today, he thought otherwise. That girl named Li Si wasn’t the way people had described her; she seemed like a decent person.
What’s more, Mozhen’s gaze followed her everywhere—who loved whom more wasn’t as clear-cut as it might seem.
Leng Qiankai cast a quick glance at Wang Meishu, feeling displeased but holding back since it was his wife’s younger brother’s family. Instead, he returned to his previous conversation, talking with Ouyang Zhenglin about some of his experiences abroad.
The two hit it off, and Zhenglin regained his composure as he continued to recount his stories.
Mrs. Leng asked casually: "By the way, Meishu, I remember you mentioning you still have your elderly mother and some relatives here in China. Since it’s such a rare occasion that you’ve returned, you should make an effort to visit them. The older they get, the harder life becomes, and family ties only stay strong if you keep in touch regularly."
This sister-in-law really had a tendency to insert herself where she didn’t belong. Her son and daughter-in-law’s filial conduct—was it her place as an aunt to comment?
Initially, out of her brother’s regard, she had intended to maintain their relationship with care.
But now, she felt it might not be necessary.
"Of course! Sis, if there’s nothing else you need from me, I’ll head to my mom’s place tomorrow to pay her a visit. It’s been years since I last saw her!" Wang Meishu responded somewhat awkwardly.
Back when she moved abroad, her father had already passed away, leaving her mother to live alone, still strong enough to manage by herself.
She had tried persuading her mother to live abroad with her, but the elderly woman was adamant about staying, claiming that she wanted to return to her roots when the time came. She didn’t want to die overseas and become a wandering ghost!
Part of the reason for this trip back to China was not just her interest in local business opportunities but also a desire to care for her aging mother.
After all, at eighty years old, how many more years could the old woman have left? (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your votes and support. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com for reading.)