CHAPTER 402: CHAPTER 319: LET’S NOT HOLD EACH OTHER BACK

Lei Ming’s face darkened; he hadn’t expected Leng Ning to speak so bluntly!

He admitted that everything she said was vivid and incisive, completely seeing through his mother.

But from the very beginning of their relationship, things had always been this way! Why hadn’t she considered all this back then?

Why didn’t she mind that his family was poor back then?

Still, he knew that certain words, once spoken, would only provoke Leng Ning further.

So he softened his tone and said gently, "Xiao Ning! You’re misunderstanding the situation a bit! Don’t take those angry words from my mom that day so seriously. I’m me, and she’s her. How could I possibly bear to have you live crammed together with her?

Don’t you have any faith in me?

After I graduate, I’ll work hard to make a living and support our family! I can’t promise you a life free of worries, but at least it won’t be as bad as you imagine!

As for your lifestyle, I’ll absolutely support it! None of those scenarios you’re afraid of will happen. It’s not your fault you grew up in an affluent family!"

Leng Ning listened quietly as he spoke, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of her cup. What Lei Ming said didn’t touch her at all; even now, he hadn’t grasped the crux of the issue.

No matter how sweet his words, the reality was plain as day. Even if his mom was like that, could he really cut ties with her in the future?

And more than that, he didn’t even think there was anything wrong with his mother. Deep down, he even thought she was just blunt but forthright!

In the future, if conflicts arose, she could already picture it—he’d definitely tell her not to mind it, that his mom just had a sharp tongue but a soft heart!

And then what? Would she abandon her comfortable life to throw herself into a constant state of chaos and misery? What would she be doing it for?

A sense of frustration slowly rose within her.

"Lei Ming! Some words, anyone can say. But few can truly follow through! The problem isn’t just the differences between us—it’s also your mom! Maybe saying this makes you angry, makes you think I’m wrong, but since we’ve been in a relationship, even if we’re breaking up, I’d still want the best for you in the future.

Your mom might not mean any harm, but tell me: which mother-in-law in the world truly cares deeply for her daughter-in-law? I don’t ask for her to treat me well; I’d settle for her not scheming against me!

That day, you were there too. Your mom, under the guise of being forthright, insisted that my mom agree to our engagement. When my mom didn’t consent, your mom said those things!

Why? Isn’t it because she thought my mom, like me, was easy to push around? Can you really tell me your mom wasn’t thinking that?"

Lei Ming wanted to object, but Leng Ning raised a hand to stop him: "Let me finish! Ever since that day, I’ve thought a lot. I asked myself if I could accept a future where your mom dictated everything about my life; if I could accept a future of fighting over child-rearing and education costs with your mom.

The answer is, I can’t! I can’t bear it. I’m an independent person, and yet for the sake of loving a man, I’d have to endure things I shouldn’t have to endure!

I can already imagine your family’s reaction when I buy expensive toys for our child, or send them to an elite school where money flows like water.

Which is why I have no choice but to walk away from this relationship. Hate me if you want, resent me if you must! This is the only decision I can make! Because I have to love myself first before I can love someone else!"

Lei Ming’s eyes burned red; the words Leng Ning spoke felt like icicles driven straight into his heart. Was his mom really so unbearable to her?

He admitted that his mom might have a bit of a petty, small-minded attitude, and she liked to take small advantages where she could. What she’d said to Leng Ning’s mom that day was indeed inappropriate. But wasn’t she fundamentally kind-hearted?

Back when Leng Ning had visited his home, hadn’t his mom treated her well?

He believed that as long as Leng Ning sincerely stayed with him, over time, his mom would surely come around.

But from her words, he could hear it—deep down, she looked down on him and his family!

And yet, none of this was his fault! He wished he could have been born into a better family, with better parents. But some things were dictated by fate, and he could only go along with it.

He wasn’t someone who lived idly. Given the chance, he refused to believe he would stay this way his whole life!

"Xiao Ning! I understand everything you’re saying! But you knew what I was like when we first met. Why didn’t you say all this back then, or consider it? Or have you now met someone better suited to you, and that’s why you look down on me and my family?

I know your family is wealthy, but you’re not a materialistic or vain person, and that’s what I liked about you, what made me fall for you and want to be with you! But hearing all this today, I’m deeply disappointed! Is that truly how you see me and my family?

If you’ve decided we must break up, then Lei Ming isn’t the sort to cling on stubbornly. Let’s part ways amicably and not waste each other’s time!

But don’t use my mom as an excuse. She has never wronged you!"

Leng Ning looked coldly at the agitated Lei Ming, feeling as though her words had fallen on deaf ears. Everything she’d just said had been for nothing. Her real intention had never been to disparage his family, but Lei Ming always assumed she looked down on them.

He failed to realize that her words were simply meant as advice. They were breaking up, but someday he would date, marry, and have children with another girl, and he would still eventually face the troubles of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships.

Forget it. Why continue humiliating herself and inviting disdain here?

"I take back what I just said! Since you want to part ways cleanly, then let me say it clearly—we’re breaking up! Please don’t contact me again in the future!"

Lei Ming regretted his impulsive outburst. He’d only said those things out of frustration. Now, watching as Leng Ning turned and left without hesitation, he felt an overwhelming sense of remorse!

He took a few hurried steps forward, wanting to chase after her and apologize, but the words he’d blurted earlier had gone too far. He truly didn’t know how to salvage this relationship.

As Leng Ning pushed the door open and walked out, for the first time she felt at peace. A clean break—it was what they both needed.

From now on, she would begin her new life!

As for Lei Ming, he was no longer connected to her in any way.

Lei Ming returned home in a daze. Mrs. Lei immediately noticed something was wrong with her son. After a round of questioning, she learned the two had officially broken up.

She grew furious, her anger burning, while Mr. Lei grumbled on the side, blaming her actions for ruining their son’s perfectly good romance!

This only made Mrs. Lei lash out at her husband. Ultimately, wasn’t it his inability to provide her and their son with a rich life that led to all this humiliation and disdain today?

Her scolding left Mr. Lei deflated. He shuffled off to the corner and dozed, clearly having no say in the household.

Seeing her son so dejected, Mrs. Lei berated him bitterly. How could he be so stupid? You have to coax girls! If Leng Ning said a few unpleasant things about her, so what? Couldn’t he just let it slide?

Once you trick her into coming back and becoming your wife, wouldn’t there be plenty of opportunities to put her in her place?

After all, she was her senior—she’d walked more bridges than Leng Ning had walked roads! If she couldn’t control her, then what kind of mother-in-law would she be?

Lei Ming remained buried in his own little world of sorrow, unable to emerge. But hearing his mom’s words left him deeply disappointed!

It turned out that Leng Ning wasn’t entirely wrong about some things. His mom really could be like that sometimes!

If even he, her own son, could barely tolerate her, how could spoiled, pampered Leng Ning possibly manage?

In a fit of anger, Lei Ming retreated to his room, pulling the blanket over himself to muffle the sharp sound of his mom’s shouting from the living room!

Mrs. Lei, noticing that both her husband and son had fled, slapped her thigh in frustration. She cursed them both for being useless while stewing in bitterness toward Leng Ning!

So what if her family had money? Did it really make her that arrogant?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She refused to believe her son, with his looks and abilities, couldn’t find someone better!

"We’ll see about that," she muttered bitterly as she bided her time. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote or leave feedback on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation! Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for more.)