Chapter 7

Xu Yuan and Meng Zhengrong did not stay for dinner, and Mother Meng reluctantly watched them leave, repeatedly reminding them to come back for dinner the next night. After getting Meng Zhengrong’s nod, Mother Meng finally felt satisfied.

Meng Pingting held her mother’s hand and said, “Brother is just married and has his own home, not leaving forever. Why do you look like you’re losing a son?”

“Nonsense,” Mother Meng gave her daughter a look. “You’ll understand my feelings when you become a mother yourself.”

“Mom, don’t you think my sister-in-law has changed completely?” Meng Pingting tilted her head. “Before, when I talked to her, she would ignore me. Today, she actually offered me food. Has she had a change of heart?”

Meng Pingting initially wanted to have a good relationship with Xu Yuan. Before Xu Yuan and Meng Zhengrong got married, she had invited Xu Yuan to go shopping, but Xu Yuan had declined it outright. They rarely talked or interacted, and Meng Pingting, who had been pampered, couldn’t tolerate such neglect and indifference. She had developed strong negative feelings towards Xu Yuan.

“She has indeed become much more obedient,” Mother Meng thought for a moment. “It’s good this way. When you get married, it’s different from being a young girl at home. You have to learn to control your temper.”

Meng Pingting remembered what she had discussed with her brother today. She wasn’t completely clueless. She wouldn’t badmouth Xu Yuan in front of her parents, but she hoped that Xu Yuan could completely break free from the past.

“Her temperament does need to change. She used to be so aloof. I wonder if she acts the same way in front of others…” Meng Pingting didn’t realize it at the moment but she had said these words.

Mother Meng turned to glare at her. “Are you ignoring your father’s words? Regardless of Xiao Yuan’s behavior, she’s your sister-in-law. Pay attention in the future.”

“I didn’t say she’s not good. I just said that she’s too aloof. Alright, Mom, don’t glare at me. I won’t say such things in the future.”

Xu Yuan sat by the window, a bit distant from Meng Zhengrong. She was now contemplating a question: what role should she play after understanding the situations in both the Meng and Xu families?

Submissive and gentle? No, it didn’t match the original owner’s personality, and being too obedient and sensible might not necessarily please the Xu family.

Acting independently? If she followed her true wishes, she would figure out the situation and leave as soon as possible. However, it was impossible to act entirely according to her own desires at the moment. After all, she was now Xu Yuan.

She had borrowed Xu Yuan’s life for now, so she needed to manage her current life well. Maintaining a balance between the two families was crucial, and she needed to think about how to position herself between them.

Just as Xu Yuan was lost in thought, Meng Zhengrong suddenly spoke, “There’s a car dealership nearby. Do you want to check it out?”

Xu Yuan suddenly snapped back to reality, replaying his words in her mind. Unfortunately, she realized she had no idea what a “car dealership” was.

Not knowing how to respond, she just nodded and went along with it.

Seeing Xu Yuan nod, Meng Zhengrong instructed the driver and made a U-turn at the next intersection.

In no time, the car was parked in front of a car dealership.

Xu Yuan followed Meng Zhengrong out of the car. Although the manager of the dealership didn’t recognize Meng Zhengrong, he could tell from their appearance and the car they arrived in that they were people of wealth and importance. He warmly approached them, saying, “Hello, I’m the manager here. How can I assist you?”

Meng Zhengrong nodded at the manager and then turned to Xu Yuan, asking softly, “See if there’s anything you like.”

Xu Yuan finally understood what Meng Zhengrong meant by a “car dealership.”

She certainly couldn’t drive, but if she declined now, it would be somewhat embarrassing, especially since she had already agreed to come. Thinking about this, she pretended to browse the cars in the showroom. The manager, observing her closely, immediately understood that she might not have a specific preference.

“Or, if you have any preferences, ma’am, you can just tell me, and when the new models arrive, we’ll notify you,” the manager suggested.

Xu Yuan couldn’t name any specific car models. She had to go along with it and said, “Maybe I should go back and think about it. I can’t really say what style I like right now.”

Meng Zhengrong realized that Xu Yuan wasn’t enthusiastic about buying a car. He didn’t want to pressure her, so he accepted her explanation. As they left the dealership, the manager gave them his business card and promised to inform them when new models arrived.

As they left the dealership and got back into the car, there was a moment of silence.

Xu Yuan was thinking about the role she needed to play between the two families now that she understood their situations. She needed to maintain a delicate balance, but it was challenging.

Out of the blue, she gathered the courage to speak, “It’s kind of you to consider this for me. Thank you.”

She hoped that by expressing her gratitude, it would help bridge the gap between them, as she was still learning to navigate her new life.

Meng Zhengrong, on the other hand, was momentarily taken aback by her soft-spoken and polite tone. He cleared his throat, not due to discomfort but to hide his surprise, “Uh, you’re welcome.”

Xu Yuan wished she could show more concern for him, but after their previous conversation, she didn’t want to seem too eager to please him. So, she remained silent, looking out the window.