Chapter 763: Surname Rights
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shen Xi had just returned to her office when, in the next moment, Shen Yan walked in.
Shen Yan looked at Shen Xi’s red lips, and instantly, a wave of displeasure washed over him. Without a doubt, he knew who was responsible for this.
Guan Lei was indeed cunning. He pursued various opportunities openly to get Shen Xi into a formal relationship, while behind the scenes, he used his charm to seduce her.
Noticing her father staring at her lips, Shen Xi quickly covered them, feeling a bit embarra.s.sed. “Dad, what’s wrong? Is there some work you need me to handle?”
Shen Yan let out a long sigh and asked, “Xi, do you really like Guan Lei?”
Shen Xi had not expected her father to be so direct, and considering Guan Lei’s recent confession, she could only respond honestly, “Yes, Dad.”
As Guan Lei fought for their relationship, Shen Xi would not stand on the sidelines. Expressing her stance was a form of support for him.
“Xi, I want you to understand something. You have both the Shen and Lu families behind you, and your marriage will impact the future of both families. So, let me be blunt and tell you. Your children must carry the name of Shen or Lu,” Shen Yan said sternly.
Shen Xi furrowed her brow slightly. She had heard about this matter occasionally from her family, but she had not paid much attention to it at the time. Now that Shen Yan was emphasizing it so seriously, she felt conflicted.
Would the Guan family allow their heir, Guan Lei, to adopt another family’s surname?
With a solemn tone, Shen Yan reiterated, “If you’re determined to be with Guan Lei, Dad can help you fight for it, but Guan Lei must marry into our family. He has agreed to this just now. So, Xi, what do you think? If it’s acceptable to you, tomorrow, Dad will go to the Guan family to propose.” Shen Xi stared at Shen Yan with widened eyes, incredulous. “Guan Lei agreed?”
Shen Yan replied, somewhat irritably, “He suggested it himself.”
Shen Xi was taken aback.
While she did not believe that women should always marry into the man’s family and become devoted homemakers, the practice of men marrying into their wife’s family was uncommon in the cultural norms of Huaguo.
Moreover, having Guan Lei give up his family’s inheritance to marry into another family was bound to be met with gossip and criticism from those around them.
Shen Xi wanted to be with Guan Lei, but she did not want to see him in such a difficult situation.
“Dad, let me think about it,” Shen Xi said, her thoughts in turmoil.
“Xi, Dad doesn’t want you to live with the Guan family, and we don’t want the Shen and Lu families to land in the hands of the Guan family because of you. This is the only solution. Take your time to consider it,” Shen Yan said.
After seeing Shen Yan off, Shen Xi sat in silence on the couch.
In fact, Shen Xi had already discussed this matter with Guan Lei, and she had not expected him to proceed like this.
She picked up her phone and dialed Guan Lei’s number. When he answered, she immediately questioned him, “Guan Lei, what did you say to my dad?
Didn’t we agree not to bring this up again? Why did you do this?”
Sensing the urgency in Shen Xi!s voice and recalling her past reactions, Guan Lei quickly rea.s.sured her, “Xi, don’t get upset. Please try to stay calm.”
After Guan Lei’s persuasive words, Shen Xi eventually calmed down.
On the other end of the call, Guan Lei sighed and said, “Xi, this wasn’t a rash decision. I’m fully prepared for this, and everything will be fine. Your parents are just worried about you and our relationship, as well as the impact on the Shen and Lu families. I needed to show them my determination, or how could they trust me with you?”
“But I’m worried about you too. Although your gesture moves me, I don’t want to see you like this,” Shen Xi said, her heart aching.
Hearing Shen Xi soften her tone and express concern, Guan Lei felt a sweet warmth inside.
After much discussion, Shen Xi was finally convinced by Guan Lei’s words. However, she added, “Let’s think of another solution. How about we don’t get married, and we consider it a family alliance? Nowadays, there are many marriages like that, right?”
Guan Lei had considered this option, but the Guan family had never allowed such a precedent, and the family members were unlikely to easily agree to it.
Moreover, considering Shen Yan’s words today, it was evident that he wanted the right to determine the surname of their children.
If Guan Lei did not break away from the Guan family, he would inevitably have to have a child with the Guan surname..