Chapter 156 Implicated
Parents shouldn't push too hard; they need to let her try it herself.
Although Xie Lingling said she wouldn't force him, she was already impatient inside.
She was well aware of the Zhou family's situation.
With no direct descendants, the family's future depends entirely on strategic marriages.
Song Zhiwei's status is awkward; she is merely an adopted daughter.
If she doesn't get married soon, she'll become a problem sooner or later.
Mrs. Zhao couldn't help but shake her head upon hearing this.
"Twenty-three is still young? Yun Shu, you're too soft-hearted. The sooner a girl settles down, the better. If you drag it out, she'll become picky and end up with neither a good enough nor a good enough one."
She paused, then said earnestly, "Besides, your family's situation is special. Arranging a place for her as soon as possible is for her own good. She can't be labeled an 'adopted daughter' forever, can she?"
Xie Lingling listened, still smiling, and nodded gently.
"You're right, I've spoiled her too much as her mother. I need to pay more attention to her in the future."
If the Sheng family really wants to form a marriage alliance... a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes.
The aroma of tea wafts through the air, while snow falls silently.
The three people inside each had their own thoughts.
In the evening, Song Zhiwei was busy in the kitchen.
Steam rose from the stove, and the oil sizzled in the pan.
She focused intently on stir-frying the vegetables in the pan.
Yuan Peipei stood to the side, holding a plate, carefully sprinkling chopped scallions on the cold dish.
She would occasionally look up at Song Zhiwei's back.
"The Chinese New Year is almost here."
Yuan Peipei gazed at the snowflakes falling gently outside the window.
Song Zhiwei paused for a moment, holding the shovel in her hand.
"Yes, it hasn't even been half a month yet."
Once she finishes her lawsuit against Zhao Xueran, she will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Then she can prepare for the New Year in peace.
But for her, every Lunar New Year's Eve was nothing more than a long, lonely night of solitude.
Most of them would curl up on the sofa in the corner, wrapped in a blanket, listening to the noisy Spring Festival Gala on TV.
The Zhou family home was always brightly lit and filled with laughter and joy.
This year, she probably won't escape this fate either.
The apartment remained empty, with the refrigerator crammed with frozen dumplings.
On the windowsill are dried flowers from last year that I forgot to throw away.
"I have to go home after the New Year."
Yuan Peipei suddenly sighed.
“My dad will definitely not let me off the hook. He said if he doesn’t discipline me, I’ll become wild as a bird.”
Song Zhiwei turned around and glanced at her.
"It's okay, you can come back to stay after the New Year."
She knew that Yuan Peipei's life at home wasn't easy.
My father was very strict and would scold me at the drop of a hat; I had to be careful even when I was breathing.
No sooner had he finished speaking than the doorbell rang.
Yuan Peipei quickly wiped her hands on her apron and was about to walk towards the door.
"I'll go open the door."
As soon as the door opened, Xie Lingling was standing outside again.
She was wearing a dark gray coat, her scarf still on, and her face showed a hint of urgency.
"Auntie Xie."
Yuan Peipei felt a surge of annoyance.
This wasn't the first time the other party had come uninvited.
But because she was an elder, she suppressed her emotions.
Xie Lingling simply nodded, skipping all pleasantries, and pushed Yuan Peipei aside, rushing straight into the house.
Her gaze was fixed on Song Zhiwei. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
"Come out here, I have something urgent to tell you!"
Song Zhiwei frowned abruptly.
"I have nothing to say to you."
She had really had enough.
The first few times, she could take it as the other person caring about her and give them a few perfunctory replies.
But if it happens too often, this "concern" turns into an intrusion.
This time it's really different!
Xie Lingling raised her voice in her anxiety and reached out to pull her again.
"Listen to me! I won't hurt you!"
No matter how much she disliked her daughter, she was unwilling to watch her plunge headlong into the vortex.
Song Zhiwei took a step back and stood at the kitchen doorway.
“You just say it here, I’m not leaving. Don’t try to use any other excuse to take me out.”
Xie Lingling subconsciously glanced at Yuan Peipei standing at the door.
Yuan Peipei immediately understood and quickly replied.
"Oh right, Zhiwei, I just remembered the supermarket downstairs is about to close. I need to go buy some soy sauce and salt. You two can continue chatting!"
Before he could finish speaking, he had already turned around, grabbed his coat, and rushed out the door.
Only Song Zhiwei and Xie Lingling remained in the room.
The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Xie Lingling then lowered her voice.
"I found out today that the Sheng family is going to form a marriage alliance with the Chen family! It's happening before the new year! You need to break up with Sheng Tingzhou as soon as possible!"
It's not that she doesn't want her daughter to have a good life.
The Sheng family, with its social standing, was simply beyond the reach of ordinary families like theirs.
Rather than letting Song Zhiwei cling tightly to a hard, cold stone and refuse to let go.
It's better to let go sooner and find a smoother path.
Song Zhiwei's face instantly turned cold.
“Ms. Xie, I’ve said it countless times, Sheng Tingzhou and I have nothing to do with each other anymore.”
She paused, a cold smile playing on her lips.
"My affairs are none of your business."
Looking at her cold face, Xie Lingling felt a tightness in her chest from anger.
"If I weren't truly looking out for you, would I have made the special trip here and gone to all this trouble to tell you all this? What do you think I'm after? Your gratitude?"
"Do you think you can just casually cross the threshold of the Sheng family? It's a place where the powerful and wealthy gather, with strict rules and treacherous people. Sheng Tingzhou is probably just playing with you, using you as a pastime. Once the marriage is arranged, he'll turn around and dump you without even saying goodbye."
"You'll end up losing everything—your youth, your heart, nothing left, and no way back. Wake up! Open your eyes and see reality. Stop having those unrealistic dreams!"
She was also burning with anxiety.
Such a huge opportunity is right in front of us, but we can't reach it.
That feeling of helplessness is more painful than having a piece of flesh cut off; it feels like each cut is stabbing into your heart.
But there was no other way; she knew that path was blocked, so she had to bite the bullet and call a halt.
Even if it means being hated by her daughter, she has to stop this calamity.
Song Zhiwei looked at her coldly.
"Are you done talking? If you're done, then leave. Don't block the way and waste my time."
Xie Lingling was so angry at her indifferent attitude that she trembled all over.
"I'm your own mother! I carried you for ten months, raised you with love and care! Would it kill you to trust me just once? Would I harm you? Would I push you into a fire pit?"
Song Zhiwei took a deep breath.
Even if I am completely deceived and wounded, it is still the path I chose.
"You don't need to pretend to care so much."
She knew all too well what Xie Lingling was thinking.
It's simply because he's afraid she won't be able to find a better match and will instead drag him down.
It's simply because they're worried that something might happen to her and ruin the family's reputation.
Her concern was always tinged with calculation.
Xie Lingling's eyes were bloodshot.
"Song Zhiwei, how wonderful! Now you're all grown up and think you're all that, treating your mother who fed you with milk and food like air, huh? Tell me, what have I ever done to wrong you?"
"Please leave."
Song Zhiwei frowned.
"Stop acting all lovey-dovey with your mother. I'm not watching. I don't need your act."
In the past, whenever she felt wronged, Song Zhiwei would immediately admit her mistake, coax her, and indulge her.
But now, the cracks in her own heart are too deep.
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