Chapter 8: The Son-in-Law Who Came Knocking

Meng Guangping glanced at He Lianrong with a half-smile.

He Lianrong, quick to catch his look, glared fiercely at her husband.
Seriously? Was he trying to embarrass her in front of everyone?

And her daughter too—she had just been using reverse psychology to provoke her into tapping into her potential. That way, she’d be motivated and achieve extraordinary results.

But her daughter just didn’t get it. She had no idea how painstaking a mother’s intentions could be.

Sigh, so exhausting. Honestly, in this whole family, she felt like she was the only normal one. Everyone else? Not quite right.

Meng Guangping turned to An Xiyan and, after hesitating for a moment, said,
“Miss, you honestly don’t need to go through the trouble of opening a candy shop. It’s tiring, and it wouldn’t even earn much.”

“Besides, the wealth Master and Madam left behind for you and the young master is more than enough to last you both a lifetime—even if you spend lavishly. You really don’t have to work so hard.”

An Xiyan’s expression froze, and the corner of her mouth twitched.
Was this what people meant by being born with a cheat code?

Not only did she have mysterious parents, she didn’t have to worry about making a living, she had money to spend freely, and she even had a powerful fiancé lined up.

This… this was totally a main-character setup, right?
Or maybe she was Heaven’s favorite child?

Tsk tsk, she was seriously loving this life.

He Lianrong gave Meng Guangping a smack on the arm, her expression clearly disapproving.
“What do you know, you’re just a man? A woman should have her own career. Isn’t it better to earn her own money and spend it however she likes?”

“Madam always said, ‘If men were truly reliable, pigs would be able to climb trees.’ Our daughters need strong hearts, and they should work hard to improve themselves and never rely on anyone else.”

Meng Guangping: “…”

The Madam again? Always Madam this, Madam that.

He was on the verge of collapsing. His wife and daughter talked about Madam like she was the gospel truth.

Oh Heaven, oh Earth, oh Madam—please, have mercy! Stop brainwashing them already!

His position in the household was already low enough. If all the women in the house turned into powerful career women, where would that leave him as the man?

Should he start calling himself a kept man?

Clap clap clap…
An Xiyan clapped her little hands with enthusiasm. Her mother truly was a model for all women. Just listen to how practical and realistic her words were!

She gave He Lianrong a look of encouragement and said with a bright smile,
“Aunt Meng, Tangyuan—since we’re women, let’s act like it! Let’s work hard and make big money. We’ll strive to achieve financial freedom!”

“If anyone dares to look down on—”

“…down on us, we’ll throw copper coins at their heads!” An Xiyan laughed. “Just imagining that scene fills me with fighting spirit!”

He Lianrong and Tangyuan’s eyes lit up instantly, filled with excitement and longing for that future.
They too wanted to know what it felt like to smack someone down with money.

Tangyuan grinned and said,
“Miss, I’m going to work hard and earn lots of money. Then I’ll find a handsome young man, keep him as my live-in husband!”

An Xiyan froze for a second, then suddenly clapped her hands.
“Girl, I love it! I fully support you keeping a pretty boy! If he doesn’t behave—we just swap him out for another one!”

She knew her sister far too well—classic boy-crazy type. The kind that would lose all sense when faced with a good-looking guy.
As her sister, there was no way An Xiyan wouldn’t help her achieve this dream.

In fact, forget one—if Tangyuan could handle it physically, she’d help her keep ten of them!

Tangyuan clasped her hands like she was holding a bouquet, eyes sparkling like stars as she gazed at An Xiyan with worship.

“Waaahh… Miss, I really love you! You’re the first person to ever support me in this!”

“This… this is just… utterly against all traditional morals!” Meng Guangping was stunned, staring incredulously at He Lianrong beside him.

“Wife! How can Tangyuan have such thoughts? And how could you not stop her? You’re just letting her run wild?!”

Three rapid-fire questions in a row burst from Meng Guangping’s mouth—filled with blame, frustration, and a hint of guilt.

Tangyuan, seeing her father like this, grew nervous. She quickly got up and hid behind An Xiyan, seeking protection.

To her, Miss always gave her the greatest sense of safety.

He Lianrong shot her husband a sharp look and said irritably,
“You talk like Tangyuan isn’t your daughter. And why is it that only women are responsible for teaching the children? Aren’t you, as her father, also responsible for raising her properly?”

Meng Guangping was completely shut down. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. In the end, he let out a silent sigh.

He Lianrong pressed on,
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what Tangyuan said. I’m her mother—and I support her. Why are you so against it?”

Her gaze locked onto Meng Guangping as she questioned him slowly and clearly,
“Don’t tell me… you don’t care about your daughter at all? You want to marry her off so she can slave away for her husband’s family?”

“Or are you saying… you want to see your daughter suffer? Do you…”

“…you want to see her suffer through the endless battles with a mother-in-law? Everyone knows, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships are the hardest to deal with.”

She had grown up as Madam’s maid, following her from a young age. Madam had not only taught her to read and write, but had also instilled many values in her.

Later, when Madam married the Master, she married her own husband too. Back then, the only reason she even considered him was because he was an orphan with no parents.

Otherwise, she’d never have married him—so old-fashioned in his thinking and so terribly dull. If not for the Master and Madam’s influence,

He wouldn’t be the man he was now—seemingly obedient to her in all things, though once he got stubborn, not even a hundred oxen could drag him back.

Meng Guangping quickly shook his head and tried to explain:
“Wife, that’s not what I meant. Of course I care about Tangyuan—she’s my daughter. How could I bear to see her wronged?”

“It’s just… when she suddenly said she wants to earn money to keep a handsome man… that’s hard for me to accept. Since ancient times, men provide for women—when has it ever been the other way around?”

Qingzhu, with his delicate, expressionless face, turned his head and looked at Meng Guangping seriously.

“Father, I support sister bringing in a live-in husband. If you disagree, I’ll set up my own household and take sister with me.”

An Xiyan’s pupils contracted slightly in surprise.

She truly admired Qingzhu. So young, yet already so responsible. Tangyuan was lucky to have such a younger brother.

“Waaah…” Tangyuan dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, overwhelmed with emotion.
“Thank you, little brother, for supporting me! I’ll make lots and lots of money for you, and I’ll even find you a pretty little girl to be your wife!”

Qingzhu stiffly turned back toward her, the corners of his mouth twitching involuntarily.

With a cold tone, he firmly rejected,
“Sister, that won’t be necessary. A man should be self-reliant. I’ll earn my own money, and find my own wife.”

He Lianrong watched her children interact, a warm, satisfied smile spreading across her face.

Just look at them—her kids might be a little odd, but they were a pair of loving siblings, always thinking about each other. That alone deserved praise.

Then, in perfect synchronization, the family of three turned to look at Meng Guangping, who was still frozen in place.

An Xiyan and An Xixuan, the sister-brother duo, blinked their big bright eyes as they eagerly watched the unfolding family drama.

If only they had some sunflower seeds, they thought—then they could really be qualified spectators of this show.

But hey, lollipops would do just fine too.