Chapter 36.2

After dinner, Mother Meng personally went to the kitchen to cut fruit with the help of a maid, while Meng Zhengrong was called to the study by Father Meng for a talk.

Meng Pingting seized the opportunity to call Xu Yuan to her room.

After closing the door and making eye contact with Xu Yuan, Meng Pingting smiled shyly, “Thank you, Sister-in-law. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known how to respond.”

Xu Yuan sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to her, “Come, sit here.”

Meng Pingting hesitated but eventually walked over and sat down.

She had never been this close to Xu Yuan, feeling somewhat uneasy.

“Pingting, be honest with me. Are you really in a relationship?” Xu Yuan added quickly, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your brother about our conversation today.”

After a moment of hesitation, Meng Pingting knew that after today’s incident, her parents and brother would definitely investigate. There was no way to hide it. Before things get worse, she should discuss it with someone.

She glanced at Xu Yuan and cautiously nodded, “Yes…”

Upon admitting it, Meng Pingting hurriedly explained, “But Sister-in-law, it’s not like Shen Xin said. His family isn’t wealthy, but they’re not poor either. Being together isn’t about family background, right? As long as he treats me well and we like each other, that’s enough, right?”

Seeing Meng Pingting’s sincere expression and hearing her words, Xu Yuan didn’t know what to say.

Is it really enough for two people to just treat each other well and like each other?

She didn’t know.

In fact, she felt a bit envious of Meng Pingting. She lived in a peaceful era, in a happy family, making her innocent and optimistic about everything. How could anyone not be envious?

In her past life in the palace, even the most privileged imperial concubine was just a pawn for her family. The imperial concubine wasn’t even as old as Meng Pingting but had already taken on the family’s honor and disgrace.

“Sister-in-law?” Meng Pingting called softly, bringing Xu Yuan back to reality.

Xu Yuan smiled apologetically, “I was just thinking about some things. So, Pingting, the current situation is that you have a boyfriend, but his family background isn’t great, right?”

Although wanting to refute, Meng Pingting nodded.

Thinking about what Mother Meng had entrusted her with, Xu Yuan pondered for a moment, “Pingting, you’re an adult now. No one else has the right to decide your life or relationships. As a family, we can only give suggestions. If you believe this boy is the right one for you, I suggest being honest with Mom. Whether the family will oppose it is something to consider later. Remember, it’s your life and your decision, but you’ll have to face the consequences of your choices.”

Meng Pingting took in her words, hesitating before asking, “Mom will be very angry, won’t she?”

Xu Yuan smiled, “I believe Mom is mentally prepared. But Pingting, let me speak frankly. Please don’t mind if it sounds unpleasant.”

Meng Pingting was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“The old saying about marrying into similar families has some truth. In ancient times, people emphasized matching social status because long-term relationships rely on more than just love. Shared backgrounds, circles, and education matter too. Matching social status isn’t just about wealth but compatibility in life. I’m not saying your current boyfriend isn’t the right one, but no one can predict the future. You’re still young; dating is fine, but marriage should ideally have the blessing of both families.”

Meng Pingting naturally took Xu Yuan’s hand and leaned her head on her shoulder. This sudden intimate gesture made Xu Yuan a bit uncomfortable, but she quickly adapted.

“I know, so I wanted to hide it from you all until he had a stable job and achievements. I didn’t expect…” Even if Shen Xin hadn’t said anything, someone else might have. “Sister-in-law, I’ll listen to you. We’ll work hard to gain the parents’ approval. Before that, I’ll be honest with Mom.”

“That’s the right approach.” Xu Yuan patted her hand, “There should be nothing you can’t tell your parents.”

“But Shen Xin is really annoying. I hate Uncle’s family.”

It’s said that two women with a common enemy can easily become friends.

Those words were true. Originally, Meng Pingting and Xu Yuan didn’t have much to say to each other, but now they were both venting about Shen Xin. “If we posted everything about my uncle’s family on a forum, it would probably go viral. They’re such a bunch of characters. My mom treats them as relatives, but my uncle and aunt see Meng’s family as an ATM. Sister-in-law, don’t look at me like that. It’s not like I don’t know anything. Shen Cheng is a spendthrift, thinking he can rely on the Meng family in the future. He’s dreaming. And the most outrageous one is Shen Xin. When we were kids, she would take my clothes and toys. When we grew up, she would copy everything I did. Whatever I wore, she would buy. Whatever car I got, she would get the same.”

Meng Pingting continued complaining about Shen Xin until Mother Meng called them downstairs to eat fruit.

However, Xu Yuan got the information she wanted. It seemed that aside from Mother Meng, no one in the Meng family liked the Shen family. After today’s events, even Mother Meng might start having doubts.

If Shen Ming and his wife knew what Shen Xin had done…

Well, they would likely be quiet for a long time, and Shen Ming wouldn’t be trying to come back anymore.

Shen Xin wasn’t completely useless.

After Meng Zhengrong and Xu Yuan had some fruit and chatted with Father and Mother Meng for a while, they headed home.

After they left, Meng Pingting found an excuse to go out as well.

Father and Mother Meng had a very regular routine, going to bed before ten every night.

“What do you think, is Pingting really dating?” Father Meng, who was reading in bed, took off his glasses and asked, recalling the events of dinner.

Mother Meng’s heart skipped a beat. She squeezed some hand cream and said, “She said she wasn’t.”

“Not necessarily.” Father Meng shook his head. “But no rush. I’ll find someone to look into it. As for Xiao Xin, the older she gets, the more outrageous she becomes. Xiao Yuan is still her sister-in-law. How could she speak to her like that?”

Mother Meng didn’t really want to discuss this topic. However, her husband’s words were a slap in the face because Shen Xin was her niece.

“Honey, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say for a long time, but I’ve kept it to myself. You saw what happened today. It’s not that Xiao Xin should always defer to Pingting, but she seems eager to see Pingting as bad as the rumors suggest. I really don’t want someone like her interacting with our family anymore,” Father Meng had been holding this in for many years. If it weren’t for his love for his wife, he wouldn’t have waited until today to express his dissatisfaction with the Shen family. 

“Zhengrong hasn’t told you about the company’s situation because he didn’t want you to worry, but I know Shen Ming has taken a lot of money from the Meng Corporation over the years. You know your son’s character; he wouldn’t do that unless it was absolutely necessary.”

Mother Meng lowered her head without saying anything.

“Xiao Xin has always been hostile to Pingting. We knew this before. The things their family has done over the years have exhausted my patience. In short, I will never let them cause any more trouble for our children.”

Regardless of whether Meng Pingting was in a relationship or who she was dating, Shen Xin’s attitude was enough to make any father disgusted and hateful.

After a long silence, Mother Meng nodded, “Thank you for all these years. I know what’s been going on, but what can I do? He’s my brother after all. My mom asked me to look after him before she passed away. I can’t just ignore him, can I?”

She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued, “But don’t worry. I’m not that clueless. Now that Zhengrong has his own family, and Pingting will have hers in the future, I can’t expect our children to be as tolerant as I’ve been. Zhengrong has already spoken to me about this. I haven’t ignored everything, have I? From now on, I won’t interfere in their matters anymore.”

A mother’s strength comes from protecting her children. Mother Meng understood this well.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have driven Shen Xin away today. It was a warning to the Shen family.

**