Chapter 172: Chapter 170: Mr. Chen Approves

Su Tang’s words were like a rapid-fire cannonade—logical, reasonable, and hitting their mark with every sentence.

Mrs. Chen opened and closed her mouth, her face flushing red and then turning pale.

Mr. Chen’s expression grew even more grave. He took off his glasses and wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose.

In truth, he didn’t have many strong feelings about his son’s marriage.

As the old saying goes, you can’t put a price on happiness.

If his son was willing, then the elders shouldn’t interfere.

Children have their own paths to follow. Meddling too much would only backfire.

Just then, Lu Xiao, who had been silent as a mountain, finally spoke.

His voice was calm, yet it carried the unquestionable authority of someone long accustomed to power.

“My sister.”

Lu Xiao’s gaze was tangible as it slowly swept over Mr. and Mrs. Chen, finally landing on Mrs. Chen’s face.

“Is not for others to belittle.”

It was just a short statement, delivered without any harshness, yet it carried more power than any roar.

Lu Xiao had never been afraid of such things.

“Xinxin, let’s go.”

After he said this, the living room fell into a dead silence.

After a long silence, Mr. Chen let out a long sigh. “What you’ve all said is reasonable. Zhengnian is a grown man now. As his parents, we…”

He glanced at his wife, but ultimately couldn’t finish his sentence, merely waving a dismissive hand.

“Forget it, just forget it…”

However, “forget it” did not mean “accept it.”

“Reasonable? What’s reasonable? I don’t care!”

She stared daggers at Chen Zhengnian before shooting a venomous glare at Wang Xinxin.

Being rebuked like this only made her more furious.

Every word seemed to be squeezed from between her teeth.

“As long as I’m still breathing, this will absolutely not happen! Chen Zhengnian, if you dare marry her, then don’t you dare call me your mother! Unless I’m dead, she, Wang Xinxin, will never set foot in the Chen Family home! Not a single step! Never!”

Chen Zhengnian’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes, full of disappointment, fixed on Mrs. Chen. “Mom! Must you really take it this far?”

Wang Xinxin’s expression was just as grim. She subconsciously clutched the hem of Su Tang’s shirt, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Su Tang patted the back of her hand in silent support, her gaze turning icy as she looked at the hysterical Mrs. Chen.

Lu Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly, and the atmosphere around him grew several degrees colder.

Mr. Chen slammed his hand on the table and boomed, “Haven’t you made enough of a scene! Will you only be satisfied when you’ve thrown this family into complete chaos?”

His chest heaved; he was clearly livid.

“Zhengnian is my son, and I’ve seen what kind of person Xinxin is. How is she not good enough for our family? It’s about time you got rid of those antiquated rules and prejudices of yours!”

Being yelled at by her husband, Mrs. Chen felt a surge of indignation, but she still refused to back down.

“I’m only doing this for his own good! You all know what Wang Xinxin’s family situation is. What can she possibly bring to Zhengnian? She’ll only drag him down in the future!”

“Mom!”

Chen Zhengnian took a step forward, positioning himself in front of Wang Xinxin, his tone resolute.

“I don’t need anyone to ’bring’ me anything. I just want Xinxin. I know what kind of person she is better than anyone. Only when I’m with her do I feel like my life has meaning. If you truly want what’s best for me, you’ll give us your blessing.”

He paused, his voice tinged with displeasure. “What you said just now was incredibly hurtful.”

The living room fell silent once more, with only the sound of Mrs. Chen’s suppressed sobs echoing in the space.

Wang Xinxin looked at Chen Zhengnian standing protectively in front of her, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. She reached out and gently tugged on the hem of his shirt.

Su Tang chose this moment to speak, breaking the stalemate. “Aunt Chen, matters of the heart can’t be measured by material conditions. Chen Zhengnian and Xinxin are genuinely in love, and that feeling is more precious than anything.”

“You might find it hard to accept right now, but they’re the ones who have to live their lives together. As long as they’re happy, what could be more important than that?”

Lu Xiao gave a faint nod, signaling his agreement with Su Tang’s words.

He looked at Chen Zhengnian. “Are you sure about this?”

Chen Zhengnian nodded without hesitation. “I’m very sure.”

“Good.”

Lu Xiao’s tone was calm. “Then handle your family matters first.”

With that, he glanced at Wang Xinxin. “Let’s go. We’re heading back for now.”

Wang Xinxin looked at Chen Zhengnian, then at the adamant Mrs. Chen, and finally turned to follow Lu Xiao and Su Tang out.

Chen Zhengnian started to follow, but Mr. Chen grabbed his arm.

“Let them cool down for a bit. You stay. We need to have a proper talk.”

Mr. Chen’s voice was stern.

Chen Zhengnian watched Wang Xinxin’s departing figure and stopped, but his mind was already made up. He would not give up on her, no matter what.

As Wang Xinxin followed Lu Xiao and Su Tang out of the Chen Family’s gate, a cold wind hit her face. She pulled her coat tighter. The wind seemed to dry the unshed tears in her eyes, making them sting.

Su Tang linked her arm through Wang Xinxin’s and said softly, “Don’t take it to heart. Aunt Chen just can’t see past her own views right now. You saw Chen Zhengnian’s attitude. He knows what he’s doing.”

Wang Xinxin nodded, her voice thick with emotion. “I know, it’s just…”

She trailed off, letting out a heavy sigh instead.

Lu Xiao, walking beside them, glanced back at her, his tone softening slightly. “A child raised by the Lu Family has not fallen so low as to have to live at the mercy of someone else’s approval. If Chen Zhengnian can’t even handle something like this, then he’s not worthy of standing by your side.”

The words were harsh, but they helped to calm Wang Xinxin’s turbulent emotions.

The car ride was silent until they were almost home. Su Tang finally spoke, “Get a good rest tonight. Don’t overthink things. Should I come with you again tomorrow?”

Wang Xinxin shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Let their family talk it out. I… I want to be alone for a bit.”

After dropping off Wang Xinxin, Su Tang turned to Lu Xiao. “Getting past Mrs. Chen isn’t going to be easy.”

Lu Xiao turned the steering wheel, his eyes darkening. “If Chen Zhengnian can’t get his act together, I don’t mind knocking some sense into him.”

「Meanwhile」

In the Chen Family’s living room, Mrs. Chen had fallen silent.

Mr. Chen was the first to break the silence, looking at his son. “Are you serious about Xinxin?”

Chen Zhengnian didn’t hesitate for a second. “Dad, I am. I want to marry her.”

“Her family’s situation…”

Mr. Chen paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. “What your mother is worried about are the practical issues.”

“None of that is a problem.”

Chen Zhengnian’s tone was firm. “When I’m with Xinxin, I’ve never planned on relying on anyone else. We’ll live our own lives. It doesn’t matter if we’re a little poor or a little rich. As long as we’re united, things will always get better.”

Mrs. Chen snorted. “Easy for you to say! Let’s see if you can still talk like that when you’re worrying about where your next meal is coming from! I’m telling you, I refuse, and that’s final!”

“Enough!”

Mr. Chen scolded. “Do you think you can still arrange your child’s marriage like in the old days? Zhengnian has his own thoughts and his own plans. As parents, we have to know when to let go.”

He looked at Chen Zhengnian, his tone softening. “I know you’re a headstrong young man. Since you’ve made up your mind, then follow your heart. It’s just…”

He glanced at his still-furious wife. “Your mother… it will take time to bring her around.”

A warmth spread through Chen Zhengnian’s heart. He nodded. “I know, Dad. Thank you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep