Chapter 516: Chapter 516

"In the end," everyone felt that not only was this father-in-law wealthy, but he was also too harsh, treating his own family members with such harshness, how could they call him family? It might be better not to be related at all.

But, the Zhao Family was different.

The marriage to the Zhao Family had been decided together by his own son and daughter-in-law. Not only that, but the Zhao Family also had a long-standing friendship with the daughter-in-law’s family.

Therefore, Grandma Xiao often said, "The eldest daughter married the best."

However, Xiao Shumei herself never felt that way. One could only say that young ladies, especially those without financial worries, always harbored illusions about things, especially in matters of love. Initially, as the eldest daughter of the Xiao Family, Xiao Shumei was talented and good-looking, pursued by many men. She could be considered just like her daughter, Zhao Mengjin, both renowned socialites nationally and internationally.

As a result, with a single command from her parents, she had to cut off every woman’s inevitable dream of pursuing love when she was still so young.

Zhao Zirong, born into a distinguished family, was a perfect match for Xiao Shumei and they were a handsome couple. But, alas, there was simply no spark between these two young people.

Rebellion, every young person goes through a rebellious phase during adolescence. In the eyes of the elders, it was an immature and childish display. Someday, these young people would realize that their parents truly had their best interests at heart, and they would regret their actions.

Of course, it wasn’t to say that marriages arranged by parents were indeed good. Otherwise, Ruan Ruzhen wouldn’t have decided that her other daughters’ marriages would be up to them to decide. It was just that Ruan Ruzhen was prepared to sacrifice her eldest daughter so that, should the family fall on hard times one day, not all would be lost.

Later on, as Zhao Zirong reflected on this, he couldn’t help but acknowledge that both his mother-in-law and father-in-law were very rational, just like his own parents, conducting themselves like cold-blooded businessmen when it came to their children. He and his wife naturally became the sacrificial lambs.

On the other hand, as he aged, grew older, and weathered life’s storms, he truly embodied the mentality of a parent compared to merely having the mentality of someone else’s child, and it had become drastically different. He could deeply empathize with the hardships of his parents.

He understood this far more than Xiao Shumei did, since he managed the family business. Xiao Shumei was more involved in raising children at home for him.

This was why he was previously unaware of the emotional deception Xiao Shumei had suffered.

The deceiver had known how to use Xiao Shumei as a bridge, then when he approached the Zhao Family, he totally changed his story, using business schemes against the Zhao Family. Read full story at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩

The Zhao Family was now stuck deep in a quagmire, their feet bound tightly by the opponent’s traps, unable to move.

Looking through the isolation room’s window at Xiao Jianming lying on the hospital bed, Zhao Zirong said to Grandma Xiao, "My parents initially wanted to come and visit in person, but they were afraid of getting too emotional."

He alluded to the night Ruan Ruzhen was resuscitated; the Zhao Family was deeply attached to her. When Ruan Ruzhen died that night, the grief of the Zhao couple was overwhelming and they still hadn’t recovered to this day. They feared that seeing Xiao Jianming in this situation might bring about similar misfortune, just like that night with Ruan Ruzhen.

Grandma Xiao understood and nodded her head, saying, "It’s okay, with this old bone of mine here, it’s not so simple for others to touch my son. As long as my son is here, the Xiao Family will certainly not fall."

Zhao Zirong listened to Grandma Xiao and then looked back at the elderly woman, remaining silent for a while.

Now, he didn’t know what he could do. Give some money to ease the old woman’s mind? It would be useless.