CHAPTER 519: CHAPTER 10 MOTHER-IN-LAW LOOKS AT DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

Later on, it turned out that Wang Zhizheng’s judgment was very good.

Although Yuan Minggang was not wealthy or from a remarkable family, he was indeed the right man for her.

When it was confirmed that he would settle in Shanghai in the future and the family elders would not be an obstacle, Yu Xiaomiao and her husband also approved of this son-in-law.

On the eve of Wang Zhizheng’s return to Shanghai to prepare for the wedding, Lin Xiaoguai placed a carved small wooden box in front of her.

Wang Zhizheng curiously opened it and then exclaimed, wide-eyed, "Godmother, why are you giving me this?"

The box was not large, about the size of a make-up box, but it was packed to the brim with items. The top two layers contained various pieces of jewelry, with complete sets of gold and platinum necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, and although the diamonds and gemstones set in them were not the multi-million-yuan treasures found in gift shops, they were certainly not pedestrian items. Besides these, the rest was all jade jewelry.

Lin Xiaoguai did not lack the desire to give better, but she knew that anything too extravagant would not only be refused by Yaya, but even Yu Xiaomiao would not allow it. Therefore, she specifically chose jade jewels, which hold or greatly increase in value over time.

"For your dowry." Before she could refuse, Lin Xiaoguai said, "This has been prepared for you since you were a little girl; you can’t reject Godmother’s good intentions. I know you’re going to say you don’t want to accept favors without merit, but isn’t it only proper for a mother to prepare a dowry for her daughter?"

"Godmother..." Wang Zhizheng’s eyes turned red.

She knew Godmother was sincere; from childhood to adulthood, she was more at ease at Godmother’s home than at her own. Godmother always spoiled her; whatever Little Niangao and the others had, she was sure not to be left out. And Godmother was always considerate of her own family’s financial situation, taking great care over the gifts she gave her; she could not have been more thoughtful.

"Okay, I will accept it all," Wang Zhizheng nodded and said.

But when she discovered a property deed at the bottom of the box, she froze in shock and said, "Godmother, I absolutely cannot accept this."

"You must take it," Lin Xiaoguai insisted, pressing down on her hand, "This is your Godfather’s wish. You know, your Godfather has a real estate business; the house he’s giving you is our own. Owning a house when you marry into their family will surely make your in-laws think more highly of you."

"The house is quite big; it has a four-bedroom, two-hall layout. It hasn’t been decorated yet, though. You and your husband can use your money to decorate, rather than not having any burden at all."

After a pause, she whispered in her ear, "The house is in your name, and no matter what happens in the future, you’ll always have the upper hand."

"Godmother!?" Wang Zhizheng’s eyes widened; she did not expect Godmother to have such cunning thoughts.

Spending both of their money on renovations, but the house remaining in her name? Wasn’t that unfairly taking advantage?

"Don’t look at me like that." Lin Xiaoguai felt a bit embarrassed but still whispered, "It’s not like we’re harboring any bad intentions; it’s to prevent Yuan Minggang from having any. Think about it, you’re married anyway, what does it matter whose name the house is under? As long as you two are happy together, what difference does it make?"

"But there’s one thing. You can’t go around bragging that the house is your dowry. Men need to save face. Your Godfather gave you the house, not for you to show off, nor to oppress Yuan Minggang with it, but to give you a fallback plan."

Though Lin Xiaoguai had never lived that small city-dweller life, she had seen and heard plenty in her previous life. Now that her goddaughter was getting married, she inevitably had to put it into practical use.

—In marriage, a wealth gap is not the issue; it all comes down to the attitude of the wealthier partner. Otherwise, if one side looks down on the other even the slightest bit, even with strong affection at the moment, problems will definitely arise in the future.

But on this point, she absolutely trusted Yaya.

"Time really flies; in the blink of an eye, Yaya is getting married." After returning from Shanghai from the wedding, Lin Xiaoguai couldn’t help but sigh.

"There will be plenty more opportunities for you to lament in the future," Shen Chi said with a smile, "Next year Little Niangao graduates, and there will surely be even more people inquiring about his marriage; just you wait and worry."

Lin Xiaoguai was nonchalant; even if it was worrisome, for a mother, it was a sweet worry.

However, she had not anticipated that her son, so filial, would resolve all her concerns without her needing to worry at all.

A year later, in the airport waiting hall, Lin Xiaoguai, while checking the time on her phone, couldn’t help asking Shen Chi, "Do you think Little Niangao is really going to bring a girlfriend home, or is he just teasing me?"