Chapter 83: Forced Marriage
Chi Shuyan got off the plane, took a taxi, and rushed all the way home. When she reached the door of the house, the happiness and excitement on her face faded when she heard the talk inside.
“Lingyan, you really want to anger me to death. It’s not that I want to lecture you, but why are you as stubborn as an ox? Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about that woman?” An old voice rang out.
“That’s right, Third Brother, don’t keep thinking about Sister-in-law. She’s already married and will laugh at you like this,” Third Aunt, Chi Guihua, also advised.
“Pooh, what sister-in-law? How can that fickle woman be worthy of my son?” Wu Jufen’s voice rose sharply, but her next sentence seemed to be a rebuke directed at Chi Guihua. “Don’t let me hear you calling her that next time.”
Chi Guihua responded awkwardly.
“Mom, Third Sister, that’s enough. I’ll take care of my own affairs.” A mellow, deep male voice in the room sounded somewhat impatient.
“I’m doing this for your own good. That distant daughter of your sister-in-law’s family is obviously from a virtuous family. Don’t look at how she comes from a rural village, she’s a college student with a clean background…” Wu Jufen, who was in the house, spoke energetically. Seeing that her son wasn’t the least bit interested, she leaped to her feet and cried, “Was it easy for me to raise all of you? Look at you now. You’ve grown up and spread your wings. You don’t even listen to me anymore. I’ve only seen you fourteen times in ten years. You’re all alone and there’s no woman to take care of the house. If this goes on, how long will I have to wait until you have a son? Give me a grandson!”
“Mom, I, I didn’t mean it like that. Why are you crying?” Chi Lingyan was helpless. “Yanyan as my daughter is enough for me.”
“That’s not the same. Do you really have hopes for Shuyan? That girl is as delicate as her mother. I already said a long time ago, what’s the use of a girl going to school? Won’t she become part of someone else’s family in the future? You’re already very generous, to let her go to high school.” Hearing Chi Lingyan’s words, Wu Jufen raised her voice severely. “These are words from the bottom of my heart. If you continue to be stubborn, you’ll break my heart.”
When Wu Jufen saw that Chi Lingyan still remained silent after she spoke, she shot a glance at Chi Guihua on the side.
“That’s right, Fourth Brother, just agree with Mom.” Chi Guihua pursed her lips, not the least bit sincere in her persuasion. She didn’t want her Fourth Brother to agree. If he really married a woman, then all the money he had would belong to that woman.
Chi Lingyan let out a long sigh. “Alright, Mom, I promise I’ll go take a look.”
“Hey, that’s more like it.” Wu Jufen beamed happily and advised earnestly, “Look at a few of them, there’ll definitely be someone you like. But let me be blunt first: don’t marry that kind of witch again who can’t do anything and acts like she’s so amazing.”
“I know,” Chi Lingyan said gloomily. His mother was extremely stubborn and he really didn’t want to argue with her anymore.
“By the way, where’s that girl, Shuyan?” Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Wu Jufen’s mood improved a bit. After all, even if her son didn’t listen to her, he still didn’t dare disobey her in front of everyone. So, she asked nicely about the child of that woman.
“Mom, Lingxue told me that that girl, Shuyan, hasn’t been to cla.s.s for several days.” Chi Guihua had long wanted to complain, and her face was pained. “The college entrance exams are coming up. I’m not trying to lecture you, Fourth Brother, but an adult has to be around to discipline a child at home; otherwise, they’ll be like a monkey in the countryside.”
“How outrageous!” Wu Jufen frowned. “Her studies are nothing to shout about; just don’t waste the money. Lingyan, you can’t count on your daughter. I’m telling you, find some time to discuss it with your big brother and the others. Your nephews are much more promising than this girl.”
Chi Lingyan could give in to his mother in other ways, but when it came to his daughter, he was absolutely unwilling to do so. He shot a cold glance at Chi Guihua, scaring her. He said to Wu Jufen, “Mom, Yanyan has a sense of propriety. Education nowadays isn’t the same as before. There has to be a balance between work and rest. After studying for so long, going out for a breather is normal. Many of the parents around me are like this.”
Wu Jufen’s frown eased. Although she didn’t like Chi Shuyan, she was still her granddaughter. Moreover, Chi Lingyan said that many parents were like this, so her face softened a bit. In the future, as long as Lingyan married and gave birth to a son, he himself would understand her painstaking efforts.
“Okay, okay, you guys discipline your own kids. I don’t have to worry so much.”
Seeing that her mother was planning to turn a blind eye, Chi Guihua secretly resented that her mother only cared about her son and was so biased toward him. She looked up and saw her Fourth Brother’s cold eyes, and cringed. However, she was sure that in front of her mother, her brother had to give her face.
She thought of how her family had suffered recently; they wouldn’t be able to endure if things went on like this. So, she gritted his teeth and fawned on Chi Lingyan. “Fourth Brother, your brother-in-law and I were wrong last time. It’s all our fault for thinking poorly and being blinded by greed. But how can a family be divided? Shuyan is at such a critical period of her life, so let’s take her back. Our home is a little closer to Shuyan’s school, so your brother-in-law can send her to school.”
“No need, Third Sister, I wouldn’t dare let you take care of her.” Chi Lingyan sneered.
“What are you talking about? She’s your Third Sister, after all.” Wu Jufen spoke up.
“That’s right, we’re biological siblings, and look how long I’ve been taking care of Yanyan for you. Aren’t you going to give me a chance?” Chi Guihua sighed. “Besides, Lingxue and the others are really reluctant to part with Shuyan. Shuyan is also alone and has no siblings of her own. I’m afraid she’ll be bullied again in the future.”
Chi Lingyan frowned at Chi Guihua’s words and pursed his lips. His daughter was indeed too shy. In the end, he said, “I’ll consider it again, Third Sister.”
After speaking, Chi Lingyan sent his mother and his sister home. By the time he came back, it was already dark.
“Dad, are you really going to go on a blind date?” Chi Lingyan, who had just stepped inside, looked up and saw his daughter, who was sitting in the living room. Before he could be happy, he heard Chi Shuyan’s question.