Chapter 382: Chapter 382

"Everyone says that next year, 2007, is a widow’s year. I was thinking that both our families are well-matched, so why not take this opportunity to get engaged first? After next year, the kids will have graduated, and then they can get married!

You see, I’m a straightforward person, and since we’re not outsiders, I’ll just speak my mind. If I say anything inappropriate, please don’t hold it against me!"

After Mrs. Lei finished speaking, the atmosphere at the dining table grew silent.

Li Si’s lips curled into a cold smile—what a "straightforward" person indeed!

Leng Mochen’s dark eyes glanced at Mrs. Lei, then at Leng Ning, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Leng Ning had calmed down considerably after hearing her mother-in-law’s words.

Exactly! Why is his family in such a rush? No matter how good their relationship might be, they’ve only been dating for a few months. It’s definitely not at the stage of getting engaged yet.

Especially Mrs. Lei’s behavior today—it made her feel uncomfortable. The way Mrs. Lei looked at her was as though she was a walking mound of gold.

Lei Ming felt secretly anxious. He had already noticed that his future mother-in-law wasn’t responding to his mother’s mention of engagement.

Why would she suddenly bring it up again now?

Mr. Lei and Leng Qiankai paused mid-drink, setting their glasses down.

Leng Qiankai didn’t have rigid rules about his daughter’s marriage. As long as she was happy and fulfilled, that was all that mattered.

His family wasn’t lacking in money, so if the son-in-law were someone worthy, he wouldn’t hesitate to provide for a wedding, a house, or a car.

Lei Ming—Leng Qiankai had met him before. The young man seemed honest and reliable, and it was clear that he cared deeply for Xiao Ning.

Today’s meeting between their families coincided with his return from abroad, and he’d agreed to come along without reservations.

Having the kids meet and letting the parents connect—it was perfectly reasonable.

Mr. Lei seemed like a kind-hearted man, but as for his wife... she was harder for him to accept.

Mrs. Leng’s face broke into a smile. "Well, look at what you’re saying! Being straightforward is a good thing! Honestly, I’m straightforward, too, so I’ll just say my piece. Please don’t take offense!

Today’s meeting between our two families—no problem. But as for engagements or weddings, it’s too early. Let’s wait until after they graduate and see what the two kids think by then!"

In her heart, she sneered. With this kind of situation, it’s hard to say if they’ll even make it to graduation!

Mrs. Lei’s face changed—what did this mean? She was being turned down!

"Xiao Ning’s mother! My son is genuinely serious about your daughter. This relationship is about marriage, not just dating! We’re here sincerely and with full intent today! So, don’t you think it’s worth asking the two kids how they feel about it? What if they want to get engaged now?

This is the modern age! How many parents nowadays are so closed-minded as to block their children’s major life decisions like marriage?"

She didn’t believe that if her son wanted engagement, Leng Ning—if she truly loved Lei Ming—would disagree.

Lei Ming looked at Leng Ning awkwardly—it hadn’t even crossed his mind that things would escalate this way. Back at home, his mother had only mentioned "discussing it," so how had it turned into an ultimatum for engagement?

Leng Ning glanced at his embarrassment but didn’t speak. Mrs. Lei’s words seriously disappointed her.

She had initially thought this woman would be a frank mother-in-law, but now, seeing the true personality revealed today—so much was just an act.

Mrs. Lei’s final sentence had undoubtedly hit a sore spot. Mrs. Leng cared deeply about this issue. With Leng Mochen’s situation already as it was, how could Leng Ning fall into the grasp of such a mother-in-law? Even if it meant her daughter resenting her for a time, she couldn’t let Leng Ning sacrifice her lifelong happiness.

Mrs. Leng said solemnly, "I didn’t object to Xiao Ning dating Lei Ming because I felt that kids, by definition, are young—they have to experience some falls to understand pain and learn from it. At their age, they need more life experiences, don’t you think?

As for asking the kids—it can be done, but definitely not now! At least wait for them to graduate and start working! Let me speak frankly: even if we agreed to their engagement or marriage right now, what does your son have to support a family? Can a man who cannot provide for his family truly be called a husband?

Or perhaps you assumed that my family would willingly prepare the house, car, and money for them? But to set the record straight, since you say you’re an upstanding family, I trust you wouldn’t entertain such shameless notions!"

Mrs. Lei grew furious and fired back in indignation—this was too insulting!

"Xiao Ning’s mother, how can you say such things? Even if my family lacks money, we have our pride! How could we covet what’s not ours? Once they settle down, I would break my back to buy them a house if I had to!

Even if we can’t afford one, I’d rather have them live with me than let my son move into his wife’s house and have others point fingers!"

She was furious—what kind of people were these? At least Xiao Ning hadn’t inherited this mindset; otherwise, she wouldn’t accept such a daughter-in-law!

Mrs. Leng let out a cold sneer as she stood up. "Alright! We’ve all heard what you had to say! Leng Ning, I don’t think there’s any point in continuing this conversation. What do you think?" Google seaʀᴄh novel✶fire.net

She then called out to Leng Mochen and the others, "Let’s go!" Everything had been said—what reason was there to stay?

She hadn’t come today with the intention of causing any conflict, just to get to know them better. But Mrs. Lei’s transparent scheming was far too blatant. She wasn’t foolish enough to let her precious daughter jump into a pit she could see coming from a mile away.

Mrs. Lei was stunned. She hadn’t expected such an explosive reaction. She had thought Mrs. Leng was composed and well-mannered!

Mr. Lei rose and opened his mouth as if to speak but found no words, only watching helplessly as everyone else began to leave.

Leng Ning’s expression grew complicated as she looked at Lei Ming. Was this the happiness he promised her?

His mother had said all these things, and yet he hadn’t voiced a single word of opposition or tried to mediate. Could it be that this was his agreement—that he envisioned her squeezing into his family, his mother’s life, and lifestyle? Her disappointment was crystal clear now. If her mother hadn’t been provoked into anger, perhaps some of these truths wouldn’t have been laid bare.

Li Si was being escorted to the door by Leng Mochen, who had his arm around her shoulder—he would not allow his child to absorb such toxic atmospheres. Leng Qiankai followed them with a sigh. He, too, had lost faith in this potential union.

Sure, most young couples didn’t live with their parents anymore. But ultimately, these were Lei Ming’s parents—could anyone conceivably block their involvement forever?

This kind of mother-in-law paired with Xiao Ning’s seemingly agreeable nature would inevitably lead to clashes.

Lei Ming’s face was ashen. He deeply regretted not stepping in earlier to stop his mother’s words. He quickly reached out, attempting to stop Mrs. Leng and Leng Ning as they walked at the rear. He pleaded earnestly, "Auntie, please, don’t take what my mom said too seriously! I promise she didn’t mean it that way—she just spoke in the heat of the moment!"

Mrs. Leng shot a cold glance at his family but didn’t mince her words. "Oh, so that means I was the one who went overboard and upset your mother?" she retorted, then turned and walked away with her handbag, not sparing another word.

Lei Ming anxiously grabbed Leng Ning’s hand and begged, "Xiao Ning, I’m so sorry! I never imagined things would turn out . Please, help me explain to your family, all right?"

Mrs. Lei quickly rushed over, her eyes reddened in guilt, and began apologizing too. "Xiao Ning, I really didn’t mean anything bad. I just speak my mind, and I unintentionally upset your mother. Please, don’t be angry with me, dear."

(To be continued. If you work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)