Chapter 244: The Zhangs
The following day, Mu Lingling and Zhang Mei sat in the room, their faces etched with worry as they discussed the impending meeting with Zhang Su, Zhang Mei’s uncle. The atmosphere was tense, filled with uncertainty about how he would treat Li Chen and his family.
Mu Lingling clasped her hands together, her brow furrowed with concern. "I’m afraid Uncle Su might cause trouble," she admitted, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Zhang Mei nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring her mother’s apprehension. "I know. He’s always been difficult, especially when it comes to money," she replied, her tone heavy with worry.
Mu Lingling sighed, her thoughts troubled. "We must remain calm and handle the situation delicately," she advised, her voice firm but gentle.
Zhang Mei nodded in understanding, though her worry remained evident. "I just hope he doesn’t cause any problems for Li Chen and his family," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the floor.
Mu Lingling placed a reassuring hand on her daughter’s shoulder, offering her a comforting smile. "We’ll get through this together," she assured Zhang Mei, her voice filled with determination.
As they drove out to Zhang Su’s house in three separate cars, Zhang Mei found herself sitting next to Li Chen in the backseat of the car. The tension in the air was palpable, and Zhang Mei’s worry was evident in her furrowed brow and fidgeting hands.
Li Chen, noticing her distress, reached out and gently placed his hand on hers, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will be alright, Mei," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and reassurance.
Zhang Mei looked up at him, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "I hope so," she replied, her voice tinged with worry.
Li Chen smiled reassuringly, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes. "We’ll face whatever comes together," he said confidently, his tone firm and reassuring.
Zhang Mei nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. With Li Chen by her side, she felt more confident in their ability to handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
In Zhang Su’s household, the air was thick with tension as they discussed the impending visit of Mu Lingling and Zhang Mei. Zhang Su, a stern man with a calculating gaze, sat at the head of the table, his wife by his side, and their children gathered around.
"I can’t believe Mu Lingling and Zhang Mei have the nerve to come here," Zhang Su’s wife muttered, her voice laced with disdain. "After all these years, they think they can just waltz back into our lives."
Zhang Su’s eldest daughter, Zhang Liying, nodded in agreement. "They’re probably here to show off their newfound wealth," she remarked bitterly. "Well, they won’t be impressing us. We know where they came from."
His son, Zhang Weijun, scoffed. "Zhang Mei is probably marrying into some rich family," he chimed in, his eyes gleaming with greed. "She always did think she was better than us."
Zhang Su’s youngest daughter, Zhang Meixiu, remained silent, her gaze distant as she listened to her family’s conversation. Deep down, she felt a pang of guilt for the way they treated Zhang Mei and Mu Lingling, but she knew better than to voice her thoughts.
As they continued to discuss the visit, Zhang Su and his family’s greed and resentment cast a dark cloud over the household, overshadowing any sense of compassion or empathy.
As the housekeeper conveyed the message, Zhang Su’s family members exchanged knowing glances, their anticipation palpable. Zhang Su’s wife straightened her posture, adjusting her appearance to exude an air of superiority.
In the dining room, Zhang Su continued to sip his tea, unaffected by the impending visit. "Let them wait," he declared, his voice dripping with arrogance. "We’ll see just how eager they are to see us."
The house Zhang Su inhabited was a testament to his greed and ambition. While not extravagant, it boasted of the spoils he had amassed through his ruthless business practices. It stood as a symbol of his success, a facade to mask the darkness that lurked within.
As the minutes ticked by, tension mounted in the household, each member eagerly awaiting the confrontation that was about to unfold. Little did they know, Mu Lingling and Zhang Mei’s arrival would shatter the illusion of control Zhang Su had meticulously crafted.
As Mu Lingling and Zhang Mei entered the living room, they were met with curious gazes from the Zhang family members. Zhang Su’s wife, Liu Ying, barely concealed her disdain, while Zhang Liying’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Zhang Su’s greeting was laced with thinly veiled mockery. "Mu Lingling, last I heard, you were on your deathbed with cancer. You seem to have made quite the recovery." Mu Lingling’s smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Yes, thankfully, I am doing much better now."
Liu Ying interjected with a cold tone, "Mu Lingling, it’s been years, hasn’t it?" Mu Lingling nodded politely, masking her discomfort. Zhang Su gestured towards the seating area. "Please, have a seat, and do introduce the people accompanying you."
Mu Lingling motioned for her companions to sit as she began the introductions. "This is Sun Lixia, Li Yanyan, Zhu Fengrui, and Li Chen," she said, gesturing to each in turn. "They are here with us today."
In that instance, Zhang Liying’s eyes lingered on Li Chen and Zhu Fengrui, captivated by their presence. As they settled into their seats, Zhang Su initiated the conversation, "Mei, I heard you are getting married."
Zhang Mei confirmed, "Yes, Uncle Su."
Curious, Lui Ying inquired, "And who among these fine young men is your husband-to-be?"
Pointing towards Li Chen, Zhang Mei proudly declared, "Him."
With a friendly smile, Li Chen greeted, "Mr. Zhang, Mrs. Zhang, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you."
Annoyed by Zhang Mei’s choice, Zhang Liying redirected her attention to Zhu Fengrui, her fascination evident in her gaze.
Meanwhile, Mu Lingling explained the upcoming wedding plans. Zhang Su questioned the timing, "And you’re only telling us now? We are your only family, after all."
Mu Lingling justified, "The marriage was planned quickly."
Curious about the rush, Lui Ying asked, "What’s the rush?"
Sun Lixia interjected firmly, "Because they love each other." Her words silenced any further objections, leaving the room in a momentary pause.
Zhang Su asserted, "I see, but you still have to pay betrothal gifts."
Mu Lingling responded firmly, "That is not necessary."
Zhang Liying chimed in, "But Auntie Lingling, it’s tradition."
Lui Ying added with a smirk, "Afraid your future son-in-law can’t afford it?"
Mu Lingling clarified, "That’s not what I meant."
Zhang Su pressed, "And what did you mean, Mu Lingling? With my brother gone, Zhang Mei is like my daughter. You can’t just marry her off without proper betrothal gifts paid to us as her family."
Li Yanyan interjected, her annoyance evident, "And since we are talking about tradition, we need to discuss the dowry as well."
Zhang Su and Lui Ying exchanged uneasy glances, realizing they had overlooked that aspect. Lui Ying’s eyes drifted to the attire of Sun Lixia and Li Yanyan, sensing their wealth.
Zhang Meixui sat quietly, inwardly pleased that Zhang Mei seemed to have found happiness. She harbored regret for her family’s past actions against Mu Lingling and Zhang Mei. Zhang Liying nudged her mother, subtly pointing at Zhu Fengrui. Lui Ying followed her daughter’s gaze and asked, "Who is this?" pointing at Zhu Fengrui.
Zhang Mei replied, "Zhu Fengrui, Li Chen’s cousin."
Lui Ying inquired, "Is he married?"
Li Yanyan retorted, "Does it matter?"
Zhang Su interjected, "You can’t speak like that to my wife."
Li Yanyan countered, "My son’s marriage doesn’t concern you. We’re here to discuss the marriage of my nephew Li Chen and Zhang Mei."
Sun Lixia interjected firmly, "Well, Mr. Zhang, my son truly loves your niece, and she’ll be in good hands."
Zhang Su questioned Li Chen, "What do you do for a living? How can I know that you will treat her right?"
Li Chen admitted, "Nothing."
Lui Ying laughed, joined by Zhang Liying and Zhang Weijun. The latter remarked, "I knew it. Zhang Mei’s husband is just a poor bastard."
Sun Lixia frowned and demanded, "Did you just call my son a poor bastard?"
Zhang Meixui sat there, observing Sun Lixia intently, a feeling of familiarity nagging at her mind. She couldn’t shake the sense that she had seen Sun Lixia somewhere before, but the memory eluded her grasp.
As the conversation unfolded, her attention drifted back and forth between Sun Lixia and the ongoing discussion. Despite her efforts to recall where she had encountered Sun Lixia, the memory remained stubbornly out of reach. She wondered if perhaps they had crossed paths at some event or gathering in the past, but nothing concrete surfaced in her mind.
Caught in this mental puzzle, Zhang Meixui found herself intermittently tuning in and out of the conversation, her focus divided between the present discussion and the elusive memory of Sun Lixia. She made a mental note to continue pondering the matter later, hoping to uncover the source of this inexplicable feeling of recognition.
