Chapter 101 It's only natural to look at your future daughter-in-law

The afterglow of the setting sun slanted across the Pearl River, slowly sinking behind the old buildings of Liwan.

The wind carried moisture, gradually dispelling the warmth of the day. Above Baietan, the sunset painted the fish-scale clouds with color, where the three rivers converged, and the water met the sky.

In Shen Jingni's eyes, Zhao Zonglan saw a warm glow.

Undeniably, this was the most pleasant thing he had heard recently.

And just like that, the statement "I don't like Zhao Zonglan" was temporarily suppressed.

Being liked is certainly important.

But being chosen by her is also a very pleasant thing.

He held her close, his deep eyes, unlike their usual calm, were slightly dilated, reflecting her image.

Zhao Zonglan didn't speak, but lowered his head and kissed her on the back of the neck.

Winter days are short and temperatures drop quickly, but no one feels cold.

His tall frame almost enveloped her in his arms, and his black coat exuded his unique warmth and scent.

Their lips intertwined, the soft touch mingled with a faint tobacco scent, both fierce and alluring.

Zhao Zonglan pressed her waist, drawing her closer to him, and the passionate kiss became even deeper and longer.

Shen Jingni went from being uncomfortable at first to gradually accepting it, clinging to his shoulders and neck, forced to look up.

The sound of a boat's horn coming to dock could be heard from the river.

Zhao Zonglan finally released her, pressed his forehead against hers, and said in a low, husky voice, "You said it yourself, you can't go back on your word."

Shen Jingni's cheeks were flushed and she was still a little out of breath. After calming down, she said softly, "I won't go back on my word. If you're free, come with me on any business trips in the future."

The tone was somewhat domineering.

It was as if she was making demands of him.

Suddenly, she looked up at him again, her eyes crinkling with laughter, like a cunning fox.

Her voice became even sweeter: "Brother, look how obedient I've been, so, can I take Meng Qing back with me?"

Since they're all private jets anyway, bringing one more person along is just a convenient thing.

Zhao Zonglan found it both infuriating and amusing.

He knew that the little fox couldn't possibly turn into a little white rabbit so quickly.

night.

Shen Jingni went home.

Xu Ningwan and Shen Zhuoyuan were sitting in the living room waiting for her.

"Hi, have you two had dinner yet?"

Shen Jingni waved to the two of them with a fawning smile on her face.

Shen Zhuoyuan, with a stern face, first snorted coldly before speaking in an annoyed tone: "I heard from your mother that you're moving in with that person?"

Xu Ningwan patted his arm, "What do you mean 'that guy'? He has a name, Zhao Zonglan."

"I don't care what he's called," Shen Zhuoyuan said defiantly, crossing his arms and turning his back to Xu Ningwan and Shen Jingni, "Anyway, I don't agree!"

"Disagree, disagree, disagree..."

They were talking incoherently, which could be described as a very strong opposition.

Xu Ningwan found it offensive and yelled at him, "Is there a repeating machine in your mouth?"

Shen Zhuoyuan didn't repeat it again, but started humming again.

Shen Jingni walked over and obediently sat down opposite the two of them. "I adopted a puppy and am temporarily fostering it with Zhao Zonglan. I have to take care of it every day, and Zhao Zonglan and I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Zhuoyuan interrupted her: "No, is our Shen family so poor that we can't even afford to keep a dog?"

"Even if your mother is allergic to hair, we can just find a house and send a maid to take care of her, why send her there?"

"Tell me, did that guy surnamed Zhao use methods to threaten and coerce you?"

Shen Zhuoyuan's speech was logically clear, very righteous, and his attitude was very firm.

Miaomiao is simple-minded and kind; she can't outsmart Zhao Zonglan.

Cohabitation? That's like throwing lambs to the slaughter.

Shen Jingni felt that Lao Shen really had a lot of prejudice against Zhao Zonglan, so she subconsciously spoke up for him, "He didn't force me, he was very good to me."

"I'm just discussing this with you."

With a wave of his hand, Shen Zhuoyuan instantly displayed the demeanor of a family head, stating decisively, "There's no use in discussing it; you're not allowed to go."

Shen Jingni said with a bitter face, "You can't decide for yourself."

Xu Ningwan spoke up at the opportune moment, offering a reasonable suggestion, "How about we hold a vote?"

Upon hearing the word "vote," Shen Zhuoyuan sneered, as if he had expected it.

He crossed his legs, rested his hands on his knees, and looked at Xu Ningwan with confidence.

“I spoke with Qingyan on the phone last night, and he disagreed as well. So, there are at least two opposing votes. Even if you agree, we'll at best be tied.”

"This implicitly means that Miaomiao cannot go for the time being, unless the number of votes in favor exceeds the number of votes against."

“Heh heh,” he said, laughing. “Obviously, that’s impossible.”

After all, there are only four people in the family.

Why is it impossible?

Xu Ningwan picked up the tea on the table, calmly took a sip, looked up at Shen Jingni, and smiled gently.

“Miaomiao, your grandmother appeared to me in a dream last night and said that she will always support all your decisions.”

"Go."

Shen Zhuoyuan could no longer sit still and immediately turned red with anger.

"How dare you cheat!"

"That doesn't count!"

Xu Ningwan stared at him coldly, "It's nothing? You don't even acknowledge your own mother?"

"Without even thinking, Mom would definitely agree."

Shen Jingni chimed in, adding, "Yes, yes, and Grandma too. She loved me the most when she was alive, she would definitely agree."

At this moment, Shen Zhuoyuan realized that he was truly no match for the mother and daughter fighting alone.

He stood up in anger, breathing rapidly, glaring at Xu Ningwan with gritted teeth, but dared not vent his anger directly, and turned to walk out.

Xu Ningwan asked him, "Where are you going?"

Shen Zhuoyuan was furious and had a lot of backbone. "I'm going to find Lao Qin for a drink. I won't be back tonight. You can sleep by yourself!"

"Oh, thank you."

Shen Zhuoyuan: "..."

The feelings have faded, faded?!

Then he definitely can't leave.

The next second, Shen Jingni saw Old Shen return with a dark face and storm upstairs.

——

After dinner, Old Mrs. Zhao approached Xie Yunfan and subtly inquired about the matter.

"Now that Zonglan has found someone he likes, although that girl is beautiful, neither of us knows her personality or abilities. When you have time, you should still keep an eye on her."

Xie Yunfan lowered her head and hesitated before saying, "But Zong Lan won't let us go..."

"As his mother, it's only natural for you to go and see your future daughter-in-law. What can he say?"

The old lady's meaning was already quite clear.

Xie Yunfan was raised with an education that forbade her from disobeying her elders.

Even if they were unwilling, they had no choice but to agree.

"Okay, Mother, I'll go when I have time."

The old lady, fingering her prayer beads, said in a calm and unhurried tone, "Take that girl from the Rong family with you."

"Mother!"

Xie Yunfan frowned, her tone serious: "Isn't this a bad idea?"

"We both know what Zaiyi is thinking. If you do this, the girl from the Shen family will probably be unhappy."

“What’s wrong with her?” the old lady snorted. “If she can’t even compare to Rong Zaiyi, and doesn’t even have that much magnanimity, how can she be suitable to be the head of the household?”

“Since Zonglan says she’s the best, let’s see what makes her so good.”

Xie Yunfan: "But she's still young, and as far as I know, the Shen family dotes on their youngest daughter. She's never been exposed to the ways of aristocratic families, so how could she possibly be like Zaiyi..."

The old lady interrupted her sharply, "That's perfect, let her realize her shortcomings and let her learn."

"The demeanor of a distinguished family, social and organizational skills, management of the inner circle of family members, management of family assets, and the cultivation of future heirs—these are things that no one is born with."

“Yunfan, you can’t manage this forever; someone has to take over.”

Xie Yunfan clenched her hands tightly, lowered her eyes, and said nothing more.