Chapter 385: Chapter 385

Li Si and Leng Ning had just stepped out of her room when they saw Leng Mochen coming out of Mr. Leng’s study. Seeing Leng Ning in a good mood, he guessed that this little girl must have figured things out.

Leng Ning tilted her small face up toward Leng Mochen. "Brother, who won between you and Dad?"

"Of course, me!" Leng Mochen answered smugly.

Leng Ning pursed her lips in disdain. "Pride leads to a fall!"

Leng Mochen ignored her and instead looked at Li Si with concern. "Let’s head home. Are you tired?"

Normally, she’d take a nap during the day, but with everything going on about Leng Ning, she probably hadn’t had the chance and would surely feel exhausted soon.

"Not tired!" Li Si said, holding his large hand. The two exchanged smiles.

Leng Ning looked at the sight of their intertwined hands enviously as they walked down the stairs, muttering softly to herself, "They really are a perfect match!"

In truth, if you really compared, Li Si might not possess every perfect quality. But she was the one who could fill her brother’s heart completely. Normally icy and indifferent, he softened into tenderness in her presence.

At times, she genuinely envied her sister-in-law’s good fortune!

But where was her own happiness? The thought of Lei Ming made her furrow her brows, a flicker of pain flashing through her eyes.

Some things are easy to say, but much harder to act on! After all, she and Lei Ming had dated for a while, and she had been the one to secretly love him first.

When someone plants roots and grows in your heart, it’s not so easy to rip them out. Even if you harden your heart to pull them out, they’ll certainly leave behind scars that take a long time to heal!

Mrs. Leng hadn’t fallen asleep, but lay on the bed deep in thought. Now that Mochen was married and about to become a father, she shouldn’t have much to worry about on that front. Check latest chapters at NoveI[F]ire.net

But she couldn’t shake off thoughts of the so-called Life and Death Tribulation! She deeply regretted going to consult Master Liao Kong. If she hadn’t done so, perhaps all this trouble wouldn’t have been revealed.

She sometimes comforted herself, thinking perhaps the master might be wrong.

Yet, every time someone who had crossed paths with Master Liao Kong had their fortune told, there wasn’t a single case where it wasn’t accurate!

Switching gears, she thought she should count her blessings. At least she was forewarned. But knowing something didn’t change the fact that she was powerless to alter destiny.

With a sigh, her thoughts turned to her daughter. Lei Ming was acceptable, but as for his mother, she truly couldn’t tolerate her.

Whenever she imagined her daughter stubbornly committing to marrying him despite everything, insisting on being together, her temples began to pound furiously!

The daughter she’d loved and cared for so tenderly—was her future meant to be linked to that kind of family, to those kinds of people?

It wasn’t that she minded the ridicule of her daughter marrying a poor boy. Their family had wealth, so that wasn’t an issue. But with such a mother-in-law, could Leng Ning possibly lead a happy life?

To be fair, she hadn’t endured much hardship from a mother-in-law. Leng Mochen’s grandmother had passed away when he was very young.

But even so, during those few years she had lived, Mrs. Leng remembered well what it felt like to be overshadowed by a mother-in-law.

And to speak objectively, the late matriarch wasn’t even a malicious character!

Now compare Lei Ming’s mother. Her behavior and attitude today, her underlying greed and schemes—all of it left Mrs. Leng deeply displeased.

She only hoped Leng Ning would come to her senses and not be swayed by delusions.

While immersed in these thoughts, her door was knocked on. Thinking it might be Li Si, Mrs. Leng sat up quickly and called out, "Come in!"

But the one entering was her daughter.

"Where are your brother and your sister-in-law?" Mrs. Leng composed herself and asked calmly.

She knew she couldn’t be too hasty with her children. Before actually knowing someone, who could truly judge their character?

It wasn’t Leng Ning’s fault that Lei Ming’s family was like that. For all anyone knows, they might have been acting nice deliberately with her before!

Leng Ning twisted her fingers as she sat beside Mrs. Leng. "They thought you were resting! They’ve left first! Said they’ll visit again when they’re free!"

"Mm, leaving is fine. Sisi is pregnant, and it’s easy for her to get tired. If she fell asleep here, they’d have to shuttle her back and forth, which would be exhausting!" Mrs. Leng understood that Leng Mochen wouldn’t stay at the family home, so their departure didn’t bother her.

Leng Ning kept her head low, unwilling to meet her mother’s eyes, fearing she’d see disappointment in them.

Mrs. Leng saw through her immediately—understood her child as only a mother could.

She reached out and grasped the hand Leng Ning had placed on her lap. "Xiao Ning, lift your head! What’s wrong? Do you think your mother will blame you?"

This child had rarely given her much trouble growing up, always sensible!

Leng Ning raised her head, her eyes awkwardly meeting her mother’s. "Mom, I’m sorry!"

Her mother was such a proud person, yet had been subjected to criticism because of her. Thinking of how Mrs. Lei had remarked, "It’s the modern era; what parent still opposes their children’s marriages?" and seeing her mother’s expression change, she couldn’t stop blaming herself.

Interfering with her brother’s marriage, then adding the matter with that despicable woman—these were all sore points in her mother’s heart.

Mrs. Leng sighed, pulling her daughter into her arms with a gentle embrace. "Sweetheart, none of this is your fault! You don’t need to apologize to Mom. Tell me, what’s on your mind? What were you discussing with your sister-in-law earlier?"

Leng Ning bit her lip. "Mom, I’ve decided. I won’t continue my relationship with Lei Ming. We’re not suitable for each other!"

Mrs. Leng stroked her daughter’s hair with relief. "Silly child, don’t give up on love just because of Mom’s conflict with Mrs. Lei. Ask yourself, do you truly feel you’re incompatible, or is this because of me?"

Though she hoped Xiao Ning would come to this conclusion, she didn’t want her child to make the choice solely because of her. What if she regretted it later on?

If Xiao Ning truly insisted on continuing with Lei Ming, Mrs. Leng would support her unconditionally.

As for playing mind games or tricks with Mrs. Lei, Mrs. Leng wasn’t one to back down.

Leng Ning anxiously shook her head. "Mom, it’s really not because of you! I’ve thought about it a lot, and my sister-in-law mentioned some things that helped me think clearly. I used to believe that love alone was enough. But today showed me that marriage isn’t just two individuals coming together—it’s the fusion of two families. The differences between our families are just too great, with too many clashes of values!"

"I can’t imagine my future children having someone like her as their grandmother. What kind of reality would that be?"

This realization had just come to her. Love might be blind, but marriage couldn’t afford to be. It didn’t only affect your life—it shaped your children’s future too.

"Good! Xiao Ning, if you truly feel this way, Mom is proud of you! You’ve grown up at last! Mom didn’t stop you before because I wanted you to make your own choices. Since you’ve now made up your mind, both Mom and Dad will fully support you!

"To be honest, Lei Ming himself isn’t too bad. But his mother..." Mrs. Leng didn’t want to gossip in front of her daughter. Still, Mrs. Lei’s behavior had been plain for all to see; who could call it acceptable?

"Thank you, Mom!" Tears brimmed in Leng Ning’s eyes as she nestled against her mother’s warm embrace.

Letting go of this relationship hurt her deeply, but she wouldn’t sacrifice her sense of self or swallow lifelong grievances just for the sake of loving a man. That wasn’t something she could do. (To be continued... If you enjoy this story, feel free to visit Qidian.com to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation! Mobile readers, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)