Chapter 384: Chapter 384

Leng Ning laughed at herself, "That’s true! So now I’m enormously grateful for today’s meeting! They do say time reveals true character, don’t they?"

If not for this meeting between both sets of parents, how would she have seen clearly what kind of person Mrs. Lei truly was?

To be fair, she had visited the Lei Family two or three times before, and each time Mrs. Lei had greeted her warmly, smiling and acting as though she wanted to treat her like her own daughter!

Lei Ming would even tease sometimes, saying his mom was particularly fond of her and couldn’t wait for him to marry her!

How did she feel then? She actually found it kind of sweet!

Looking back now, what was behind all that enthusiasm? Wasn’t it her family’s privileged circumstances?

Li Si set down her cup and looked intently into Leng Ning’s eyes, saying, "Xiao Ning! Some things, you know, aren’t for others to decide for you; you have to make up your own mind.

But as your sister-in-law who has been through this, I want to give you some advice! No matter how good Lei Ming is, his mother is an astute, greedy, and calculating woman! You need to seriously think this through—marrying into a family with a mother-in-law like her, you won’t find happiness!"

Li Si genuinely treated Leng Ning like her little sister, which is why she spoke straightforwardly. If Leng Ning didn’t want to listen or couldn’t accept it, that was her problem—but Li Si had to say what needed to be said.

She couldn’t let Leng Ning act on impulse or fall for a few sweet words from Lei Ming—that would truly ruin her!

Leng Ning affectionately held her arm, "Sis! I know you mean well! Honestly, my heart is a mess right now! Before today, I was still imagining our future together, but now my mind is filled with everything his mom said!

Even with my limited experience, I can tell his mom isn’t someone easy to get along with. Moreover, Lei Ming listens to her too much—earlier at dinner, she threw him a look, and I’m not blind; how could I not notice? To tell you the truth, I’m a bit disappointed in him!"

The whole way back, Leng Ning was quiet; she deeply appreciated that her family refrained from pressing her or bombarding her with questions about how she felt.

Instead, they tactfully talked about lighthearted and enjoyable topics.

It gave her the space to sort through her genuine thoughts and opinions.

Scenes of her time with Lei Ming played over and over in her mind. She couldn’t deny from the bottom of her heart that she still liked Lei Ming! Being with him made her happy and comfortable!

Even though there were indeed many ways in which the two of them were mismatched, this had been evident since the very beginning of their relationship.

But she had always downplayed or even forgotten about it—but unfortunately, it was something unavoidably present,

like the insecurity hidden beneath Lei Ming’s veneer of confidence. She could sense it many times—it was ingrained deeply and unshakable.

"A grown man being overly obedient to his mother is terrifying! Worse yet, for an excessively filial son, when conflicts or disputes arise between you and his mother, he’ll just try to smooth things over, always expecting you to endure. Over time, it’ll wear you down until you’re depressed, despondent! It would destroy you!"

Li Si thought of the posts she had read on online forums about mother-in-law issues. How many excessively filial sons let their wives endure endless nitpicking and difficulties from their mothers, justifying it all with, ’She’s my mother; she raised me, it wasn’t easy for her.’ These words dismissed everything else.

Why didn’t these men think about their wives? Their mothers may have endured hardships to raise them, but what about these women?

Before marrying them, these women were also doted on by their own parents. After getting married, why should they have to show filial piety on behalf of a man? Did their fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law raise them? Simply because they loved a man and married him, should they unconditionally sacrifice everything, work themselves to exhaustion, and still dare not complain?

What kind of reasoning is that?

And whenever something went wrong, the first one to be blamed and criticized was always the woman!

How utterly unfair is that!

Leng Ning agreed, "Sis, I get it! No matter how excellent a man might be otherwise, if he’s excessively filial, the woman marrying him will never be happy!"

But, was Lei Ming really an excessively filial son?

"As long as you understand! Lei Ming might not necessarily be that type of son, but as for his mother, I truly don’t like her!" Li Si paused before saying, "Was his mom back when you met her before?" Googlᴇ search Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Leng Ning snorted, "Back then, she was obviously in disguise! Sis, you heard her today, right? Asking me to squeeze in and live with them! She really sees Lei Ming as something else! No matter how much I like a man, I won’t debase myself by putting up with that!"

The thought of Mrs. Lei still infuriated Leng Ning—how could she be so confident that she’d willingly let herself be bossed around?

Was Mrs. Lei watching too many movies and TV dramas? Thinking that all wealthy families produced ignorant, overly sheltered daughters who were sweet but naive?

No matter how much she liked Lei Ming, so what? Liking him didn’t mean she’d lose herself entirely!

She wasn’t that kind of person!

Li Si teased her, "I bet Mrs. Lei’s gone home thinking Lei Ming can sweet-talk you into agreeing! Once he does, everything will be under her control!"

How many times had parents opposed something, only for their children to stubbornly do the opposite?

Leng Ning stared at her with mock grievance, "Sis, whose side are you on anyway? Obviously that’s impossible! This time, I’ve really seen through both him and his family. We’re not even married yet, and they’ve already dared to challenge my mother—imagine how much worse it’d get over time!"

If it came to that, she’d rather not date at all than live a stifled, miserable life.

Li Si patted her fair hand comfortingly, "As long as you see it clearly! But you know, Lei Ming will definitely try all kinds of ways to win you back. What are your thoughts—will you still continue to see him?"

Leng Ning’s tone became a little sad, "I don’t think there’s any point in continuing. Could I forget him instantly? That’s impossible. But I’ll try my best to move on. Dating is about two people, but marriage involves two families!

If, after what just happened, I still insisted on being with him, my mom might literally die of frustration!"

"You’re thinking the right way—it’s good you can see things clearly! He really isn’t the right match for you! But do you think Lei Ming will easily agree to break up?" Li Si knew Leng Ning wasn’t someone foolish.

Still, thinking about Mrs. Lei, she doubted she’d let go easily of a prospective daughter-in-law with such favorable conditions.

There was bound to be some entanglement yet to come!

"He doesn’t get to decide! Just the thought of his mom’s attitude today makes me furious! Forget everything else—between my pocket money and the property shares under my name, I’ll never worry about food or clothes in my lifetime! Am I stupid? Why would I knowingly jump into a pit?"

Leng Ning gave a sly smile, "But I’ve never shared any of this with Lei Ming, so his mom doesn’t know either! All they know is that I have a rich older brother!"

She felt incredibly fortunate—being low-key really paid off! If Lei Ming’s family had known about these things sooner, would they have disguised and hidden their true nature even more?

Seeing her finally smile, Li Si playfully tapped her nose, "You! Having these thoughts puts me at ease! Later, go talk with Mom; she’s very worried about you!"

Mrs. Leng clearly had been furious today! If not for her restraint, she might have gotten into an argument with Mrs. Lei right then and there.

You don’t understand a parent’s perspective until you’re one yourself, and right now, Li Si could deeply empathize with that.

If her own child were to one day find themselves with a family , she might not be able to stay calm!

Leng Ning nodded, "Alright! Sis, Mom’s words today were cutting, but honestly, thinking back on it feels so satisfying!" The two of them exchanged a smile, recalling Mrs. Lei’s expression at the time.

Leng Ning also understood that the reason her mom hadn’t strongly opposed her relationship was partly out of concern for her brother. She didn’t want to interfere too much, fearing Leng Ning might end up resenting her.

It was only because Mrs. Lei had gone too far that her mom finally said those things!