Chapter 7
In the end, Chen Huanong didn't manage to go to Guilin with Mo Yiyan. She honestly bought a ticket and returned to her parents' home. She didn't know what Tang Chengting wanted to talk to her about, or rather, she was afraid of what Tang Chengting would talk to her about. For the moment, she didn't want to talk about it at all. Before leaving, Mo Yiyan grabbed her shoulders, with a rare serious look, "Huahua, think carefully about what this marriage means to you. What you want in this marriage is not what Tang Chengting wants! Do you need him or do you still like him?"
She still hasn't figured out what she needs and what she wants. Over the years, she seemed to be pushed forward by an invisible hand. She couldn't stop and didn't dare to stop. She was deeply afraid that if she figured it out, this marriage would be over.
Chen's parents weren't surprised to see their daughter. Mother Chen even poked her in the heart, "What's going on? Did you have another fight with Xiao Tang?"
All the little emotions Chen Huanong had when she came were completely shattered by her mother's questioning and affirmative sentence with a strong sense of disgust, "Can't I just come to see you two?"
"It's not a festival, you came to see us just to show your affection. I don't even know that I gave birth to you. If we hadn't had a fight, would you be willing to leave Tang Chengting to come and see us?"
Chen Huanong thought her mother's logical thinking was excellent. No wonder she was suited to being a lawyer. This kind of thing was hereditary. To avoid her mother's constant pestering, she decided to throw out the work problem. Since her mother would never comment on her work, she said, "Something happened at the law firm, so I was given a long vacation. Tang Chengting didn't take a vacation, so naturally I came back alone."
"What can you do? You're just being pretentious." One spring afternoon, I saw two women squatting in Old Chen's vineyard, weeding and arguing with each other. The younger daughter asked when the grapes could be eaten, and the older mother answered irrelevantly, saying, "You're already an adult, and all you do all day is eat, eat, eat. I don't know how your husband can stand you." The younger one was unconvinced. "If your husband can stand your bad temper, how can I, such a virtuous woman, not be able to stand it?" The older one snorted coldly. "You've inherited not only my bad temper but also your father's stubbornness. You're not virtuous at all."
My cousin's mother, who was passing by the vineyard, heard the noise and came in. She said with a smile, "I heard a noise in the garden from a distance. I thought it was someone else, but it turned out to be Huahua coming back."
Chen Xiaohua, who was still arguing a second ago, immediately put on a well-behaved smile and politely greeted her cousin's mother. "There's nothing to do at the institute these two days, so I went home to rest."
"You're not going home to rest, you're clearly here to help your mother with work. Cousin, you're the same. Such a busy person has come home, but you don't provide her with good food and drink, and you even let the girl pull weeds."
Mother Chen also laughed. "I didn't ask her to pull weeds. I said I was going to pull weeds, but she insisted on coming along. Her father was busy at home preparing a feast to welcome her. I really can't stand this father and daughter. Don't cook dinner tonight, just come to my house for dinner."
After a brief moment of demurring, her cousin, who arrived shortly after, unceremoniously accepted the evening's invitation. Chen Huanong knew her cousin was probably craving wine again. Father Chen had two major passions: studying traditional Chinese culture and drinking. He'd given up the former when he was fifty, leaving only the drinking hobby. Chen Huanong didn't think it was necessary to force it, and besides, Father Chen wasn't a heavy drinker. Every holiday, Chen Huanong would always have someone bring back some fine wine from around the country. Father Chen couldn't drink much on his own, so Mother Chen had built a small wine cellar in the basement just for that.
After taking a shower and changing into comfortable home clothes, Chen Huanong went downstairs to eat. Her cousin's family had already sat down. In addition, there were two unexpected guests. One was a "distant relative" whom she should call her aunt according to her generation. Although the relationship in the family tree was not very close, this aunt's house was only a few hundred meters away from the Chen family, and they often visited each other on weekdays. When Chen Huanong was in school, this aunt often gave her some fruits grown by her family. When they met her on the road during the New Year and other festivals, she would also greet Chen Huanong enthusiastically. However, she was older in the past two years and rarely went out. Chen Huanong had not seen her for a long time.
Chen Huanong walked to the empty seat next to Tang Chengting and sat down. He tilted his head and asked why he was here. He was immediately criticized by Chen's mother, who was protecting her son-in-law. "You are still a lawyer, how can you talk like that? It's not normal for Chengting to come home for dinner. Your father made so many delicious dishes, and you want to keep them all for yourself? What did I teach you before? You can't be so selfish!"
Chen Huanong rolled her eyes. She really wanted to yell at her mother, "Your precious son-in-law is about to divorce me, and you still call me selfish!" Because there were other people at the dinner table, because she never cared about the divorce, and because of the principle of "less trouble is more", she chose to drink a bowl of sweet old duck and radish soup.
Not long into the meal, Mother Chen pretended to be nonchalant and asked, "Do you know how to fight for child custody?"
"You want to divorce my dad and fight for my custody? Oh, I forgot. I'm an adult now, so feel free to do as you please." Chen Huanong was delighted to tease his mother, but his father's dignified cough forced him to put away his playful thoughts. "Speak more carefully. Who knows what to do if you say that so suddenly?"
Seeing his own mother looking at him cautiously, Chen Huanong looked like he understood and didn't rush her. He picked up a few pieces of fish and carefully picked out the bones before putting them into Tang Chengting's bowl. Before Chen's mother could say anything, she heard her cousin's daughter, the cousin who had been at odds with Chen Huanong since childhood, say with great disdain, "Chen Huanong, are you going to let me eat? This blatant display of affection is really enough. Besides, you see other people's relationships are always the men picking out the fish bones for the women. If the women are too devoted, there will be no good results."
Chen Huanong raised an eyebrow, ignoring her words. Five years ago, she might have had the temper to engage in a quarrel, but these past few years, under Director Tang's influence, they'd chatted for a bit when they got along, and felt it was a waste to even swear when they didn't. Most importantly, Chen Huanong didn't say anything, and there was also her protective mother. Although she had always adopted a policy of disdain and suppression towards her daughter, she was the only one who could enforce this policy. Not even her father could say a bad word about Chen Huanong, let alone her 28-year-old cousin who had never been in a relationship.
"Yaomei, your cousin and your cousin-in-law have been married for five years. They are not just children who have just started dating. The old saying goes that husband and wife are one. In life, they should take care of each other, tolerate each other, understand each other, and support each other. There is no such thing as giving each other the same weight. Whether you are in love or married, no one has the obligation to be nice to anyone else. In this world, only parents love you unconditionally. You were spoiled by your parents, and boys are also the treasures in the palms of their parents' hands. If you only want boys to treat you well without giving anything yourself, who would want to get along with you after a long time?" Mother Chen glanced sideways at her daughter who was eating with relish. She was extremely relieved that she did not get angry and could even eat. She was really much more mature. "Your cousin was able to take care of your cousin-in-law today, which means that your cousin-in-law treats her the same way on weekdays. So don't worry about whether she will have a good result. You should find a relationship as soon as possible and don't worry your mother to death."
Applause was expected here. Chen Huanong had secretly clapped her mother several times, but outwardly she had to suppress a smile and pretend nothing had happened. She asked her mother seriously, "What exactly is this custody issue you mentioned just now?"
Mother Chen quickly responded, "This isn't anyone else's business, it's your cousin's family's business. Can you help out?"
The situation wasn't particularly complicated. A few years ago, Chen Huanong's cousin's son, whom he should have called his uncle, had been desperately trying to divorce her, claiming nothing. He gave his only son to his wife, paid a lump sum for child support, and severed all ties with his ex-wife. However, the old man couldn't bear to leave his grandchildren behind, and he visited them regularly. The two elders from his ex-wife's family were also undisciplined, demanding extra money for each visit. When his uncle learned of this, he was furious and forbade his mother from visiting again. Over time, and with his daughter having a child, his cousin's feelings gradually faded. Coincidentally, his cousin's ex-wife was about to remarry and leave the child with his grandparents. With two grandchildren already in their care, his grandparents couldn't afford to provide for him, either financially or emotionally, so how could she remain indifferent? However, she was utterly helpless about this situation. Just today, she heard from Chen Huanong's aunt that Chen Huanong had returned, and she wondered if she could ask him what to do.
When my aunt told Chen's mother about this matter, Chen's mother was also very scared. Since Chen Huanong became a lawyer, those who have some connections in the family would come to her for help with Chen's father's connections whenever there is something. At first, Chen Huanong responded politely, but when it comes to legal matters, which one is simple? They did not formally entrust the law firm, so Chen Huanong could only give suggestions. The problem is that the implementation is different, and the effect is naturally different. In the end, it is normal not to get a good word. Over time, Chen Huanong was also unhappy. In her words, if anyone knows a little about the law and can go to court by themselves, then what are we lawyers for? All our hard work in exams and internships is in vain. At the same time, Chen Huanong also made a harsh statement to her parents that if anyone came to see her again in the future, she would not go home. If there was really something, she would go to the law firm to go through the formal entrustment procedures.
Chen Huanong was silent for a moment, then said sincerely, "Marriage and family disputes are the most troublesome issues for the court. On the one hand, it's difficult to distinguish between the emotional and the rational, and on the other hand, it's also difficult to collect evidence. So, if it's not handled properly, the end result will be a dispute between the two parties. My advice is that you should hire a professional lawyer."
"Huahua, can your cousin treat you? The cost and other things can be negotiated."
"Auntie, I'm mainly responsible for criminal cases right now. We have a dedicated team for civil cases. When I return in a couple of days, I'll take you with me. I'll have the firm assign the most suitable lawyer to help you. Is that okay with you?"
In the evening, when Chen Huanong and her mother were lying on the sofa in the living room, applying facial masks, her mother asked her why she didn't answer the phone herself and whether she was afraid of trouble. After becoming an adult, Chen Huanong always adhered to the principle of reporting good news but not bad news. When chatting with the two elders of the Chen family, she only talked about good things. As a result, her mother still treated her as a child all these years. Every time she told Tang Chengting, she would say, Huahua is a heartless thing, you shouldn't take her words seriously.
"Mom, if I get suspended, will you support me when I come back?"
"No! I've already been very kind to you by raising you until you were 25. Do you still want to rely on me for support? Let your husband raise you. You're married now and belong to someone else's family!"
"I must not be your biological child. Tsk tsk tsk, am I no longer your most beloved baby?"
"no!"
After washing the dishes and going upstairs, Tang Chengting saw Chen Xiaohua hugging her mother and acting coquettishly. "No, if I don't have a job, I will go home and inherit our vineyard and become a grape beauty."
"Our vineyard was built just to keep you happy. It's not that big, and you inherited it. With your current expenses, our vineyard would have to expand fivefold to support you." Chen Ma realized she wasn't joking and turned serious. "What's the matter with you being suspended?"
"Well, I just handled a criminal case a while ago, and now I'm in trouble. Then Lao Xu gave me a long vacation, and I'm now waiting for the city bureau's notification."
Tang Chengting had no idea what expression Chen Huanong had under the mask. It had been a week since she'd gone on leave, and as Chen Huanong's bedmate, he knew nothing. If he hadn't gotten a call from Chen's mother today and returned, he would have remained oblivious until the matter was resolved. Given his temperament, he should have felt relieved. His five years of painstaking training had paid off. Chen Xiaohua had grown into a strong, independent woman, just as he'd hoped. He should have been pleased.
"Why didn't you tell me such a big thing happened?" Chen Huanong's room was a romantic girlish pink. When they got married, Chen's mother said she wanted to renovate the room, but Chen Huanong stopped her. Anyway, they would not be staying for more than a few nights, so she saw Director Tang lying in the pink quilt and asked questions with a serious face.
Chen Huanong suddenly wanted to laugh, and actually laughed, but luckily she stopped laughing quickly. "Why bother saying it? It's just adding to someone else's troubles. It's not a big deal, just a formality."
"Then why did you tell Mom?"
"Director Tang, are you jealous of my mother?" Chen Huanong pounced on Tang Chengting with both hands and feet, his bright eyes filled with arrogance. "My mother asked me why I didn't take my cousin's case, and I had to tell her the reason honestly."
Because the only person in this world who unreasonably favors me is my mother. From childhood to adulthood, no matter what I did, she still loved me. I could throw a tantrum in front of her, act unreasonable, and act like a child, but I knew she would never give up on me. But, Tang Chengting, I don't have that kind of trust in you. I'm afraid if I'm not strong enough, you'll leave me.
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