After the car had driven a short distance, Cheng's mother smiled at her.
"I haven't congratulated you on getting into the University of Washington yet. Your grandmother was a remarkable woman, and it's fortunate that you inherited her excellent genes."
At first glance, these words seem innocuous, but upon closer examination, they are quite intriguing. Jiang Wanqing curled her lips slightly.
"Maybe."
What are your plans for your future studies and career development?
"Let's take it one step at a time; it's still early."
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard Cheng's mother let out a faint snort, as if to say that she was indeed from the countryside and had no long-term vision.
“A man who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present. Cheng Ran’s identity is special. His wife must either be a virtuous wife and loving mother who can manage the household and take care of him, or…” Cheng’s mother raised her eyes, paused for two seconds, and continued, “have her own career, just like Xue Yun. Only then can she be presentable and not disgrace the name of our Cheng family’s daughter-in-law. If you want to be a lazy bum, I advise you not to waste your opportunities!”
Cheng's mother's tone was calm, not exactly harsh, but she couldn't quite hide the underlying criticism and disdain in her words.
"You don't need to worry about my affairs."
Both sides of her hand are shit; she doesn't need to choose one to taste and compare their flavor.
She refused decisively, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, effectively thwarting her mother's attempt to persuade her.
"You really live your life like this. No wonder you'd rather leave your parents behind to climb the social ladder. They only have you as their daughter, so you don't have to worry about anything and can just focus on yourself."
"Don't you feel awkward? You want your son to have a bright future, but do you think my parents would want to keep their daughter by their side and restrict her movements?"
"I……"
Jiang Wanqing didn't hold grudges overnight; she settled them on the spot. This left Cheng's mother speechless, and she didn't say another word for the rest of the conversation.
The driver sensed the tense atmosphere in the car and the low pressure, and his hands trembled several times, causing him to lose control and drive unsteadily. Jiang Wanqing, on the other hand, calmly parted the car curtains and even seemed to be enjoying the scenery.
Upon arriving at the Cheng family's gate, a tall, straight figure walked towards the car.
"How come you got home so quickly? Your dad just called you not long ago..."
"Mom, let me know before you bring Wanqing home for dinner next time!"
"I was just trying to give you a surprise," Cheng's mother said guiltily.
"Indeed, Auntie gave me quite a surprise."
Jiang Wanqing got out of the car, reached into Cheng Ran's open palm, and then shook her head.
"I'm fine, your mom is very talkative."
"Come inside, what can I do to your wife?"
Cheng's mother was very unhappy. The son she had raised was now protecting his wife in front of her, completely disregarding her.
She walked briskly for a few steps, feeling down, and only felt at ease when she got home. She threw her embroidered bag onto the sofa and complained to her father.
"There's an old saying that a son forgets his mother once he gets a wife, and I've come to understand that now."
Mr. Cheng chuckled and replied, "Comrade Huo, I listened to your advice quite a bit when we got married. Isn't that normal? Think bigger."
It's true what they say about families where there's no bloodshed; their few words of conversation flowed perfectly together. Jiang Wanqing just wanted to laugh, but this wasn't her territory, and besides, Cheng Ran was there too.
Just as she was wondering how Cheng Ran would react, he seemed to agree.
"So this is a fine tradition in our family."
Pfft... Jiang Wanqing smiled slightly, feeling instantly at ease.
Cheng's parents exchanged a glance, speechless.
"Let's eat. Everyone's here, so let's stop with the small talk." Mr. Cheng waved his hand, inviting everyone to sit down at the table.
They dismissed the victory as mere idle talk, but what if they won through verbal sparring?
Jiang Wanqing, with her ears focused on her nose and her nose focused on her mind, sat down next to Cheng Ran.
The dishes on the table were almost the same as last time, but a few dishes were clearly made with more care. Before she could even wonder, Cheng's mother took those dishes away.
"This is Xueyun's favorite food. I figured you probably wouldn't like it, so I took it away."
"Why take it down? It looks better left there. Otherwise, people will think that's all the Cheng family is capable of."
Jiang Wanqing was fed up with the veiled criticism of the food and the person being criticized. Just as she was about to get up, the bowl in Cheng's mother's hand tilted right at her, spilling a bowl of warm soup all over her body!
"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm getting old and my hands are shaking. I'll have someone take you to change your clothes."
As she spoke, she called out an auntie and gave her a wink.
"Comrade Wanqing, come with me, I'll get you some clean clothes."
Cheng Ran and Jiang Wanqing stood up together, and Cheng's father glanced at him.
“Sit down, what kind of behavior is it to change your clothes like this?”
Jiang Wanqing sneered when she realized that his parents wanted to speak to him alone.
"I'll be there in five minutes, please have a seat."
Cheng Ran frowned, hesitated, and then sat down.
"We'll go back once you get here."
"good."
After watching her go upstairs and making sure she wouldn't come down immediately, Cheng's mother patted her husband's arm.
"you say."
"You go first."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
The back-and-forth pushing and shoving didn't seem like a good thing, so Cheng Ran got impatient and simply asked back.
"Don't get agitated. We're doing this for your own good. I talked to Wanqing on the way here. It's undeniable that she's smart, but she doesn't have a long-term plan. She might hold you back in the future. I'm not saying you should separate from her, but you should keep her in check. Let her finish her university studies at Huada University peacefully, arrange a stable job for her, and let her be a good wife and mother. That's not impossible, but she doesn't seem to be interested in that. You have to persuade her."
Cheng's mother thought she was being very kind, but she didn't realize that the more she talked, the uglier Cheng Ran's face became. This only made her more confident. Just as she was about to continue, Cheng's father grabbed her hand.
"Your mother isn't entirely wrong; stability should be the priority in life."
"No need to say anything more. Are you trying to teach me how to control my wife's life? Don't you find it ridiculous? Especially you, Mom, you used to be a brave and daring warrior. If it were really for stability, would things be like this today?"
These words left Cheng's mother speechless, her breathing becoming erratic. If she weren't facing her own son, she probably would have kicked him out long ago.
“We were different from you back then, and your wife is different from me.”
"You're right, she might be better than you in the future."
He left those words and didn't intend to continue. He got up to find Jiang Wanqing, and she happened to come out. She hadn't changed her clothes; she had just wiped the stains off them.
She smiled at him and walked towards him, when her aunt ran out from behind with clothes in her hands.
"Comrade Wanqing, here is a white..."
Before the aunt could finish speaking, she sensed the unusual atmosphere and was unsure whether to hand over the clothes or put them away.
Regardless of whether she had taken the clothes or not, Jiang Wanqing took Cheng Ran's hand.
"Go back?"
“Okay, let’s go back.” He glanced back at his parents and said to her, “Don’t force yourself to come next time if you don’t want to. I’m here for you.”
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