CHAPTER 532: CHAPTER 320: PERSUASION

Old Sir Qiao’s angry roar only caused Qiao Xiaowan to pause for a moment before she flung the door open and left without looking back.

"Xiao Wan, Xiao Wan, come back!" Lian Qinghua stood up and chased for a few steps, then turned back to look at Old Sir Qiao who was gasping for air: "Dad, don’t be angry, I’ll go and persuade her. Later, I’ll have her apologize to you."

Old Madam Qiao felt sorry for her husband and gently rubbed his chest, nagging: "Old man, stop being angry. What would this home do if you got sick because of your anger? It’s all my fault for being too indulgent with Xiao Wan before, pampering her into lawlessness and disrespect. From now on, I’ll listen to you, I won’t spoil the children blindly anymore, don’t be angry."

Old Sir Qiao patted Old Madam Qiao’s hand: "Ying Lan, I’m not angry with the child, I’m worried about her grandpa. That old man is bent on returning to the country to develop, and he’s sparing no effort in investing domestically. He’s too conceited with his overseas cooperation with the government and thinks he can get a slice of the pie back in the country, which is simply a pipe dream. If he really promotes the marriage between Ye Qiao and the Moselle Family, it won’t affect the Moselle Family, but what about the Qiao Family? Can the Qiao Family be immune to consequences if we can’t touch the Ye Family?"

"Old man, what should we do then?" Old Madam Qiao panicked upon hearing this.

Old Sir Qiao rubbed his forehead in silence for a while, and finally made up his mind, "Let’s inform the Ye Family in advance. With Lian Qinghua’s temper, he will first fight with Ye International abroad, and then return home to negotiate with the Ye Family. His merchant nature won’t change."

Old Madam Qiao still wore a worried face: "If we do this, we’re essentially betraying our in-laws. What if he finds out?"

"Ying Lan, stopping him is not just for the sake of the Qiao Family, it’s also safest to have him extend his reach less." With that, Old Sir Qiao strode towards the study. Old Madam Qiao stood dazedly for a while, sighed, and got up to follow him.

...

After dinner, Luo Ye and Ye Xuan chatted with everyone for a while and then took Grand Old Master Ye back to his room to rest. Luo Ye secretly marveled at Ye Qinglian’s ability to change face.

In front of the elders, Ye Qinglian was very considerate towards Zhong Shan, and her expression was natural, nothing like her image at noon.

Ye Xuan had long seen through Luo Ye’s thoughts and took the initiative to bring up the reason behind Ye Qinglian and Zhong Shan getting together after Grandpa had gone to sleep.

Zhong Shan was a top student from Beijing University, very responsible at work, and had a good personality. Second Uncle Ye liked him very much and helped to matchmake him with Ye Qinglian.

Zhong Shan’s parents were ordinary teachers, and Second Uncle Ye was his benefactor. Naturally, he wouldn’t refuse Second Uncle Ye’s kindness. Ye Qinglian was initially reluctant, but after a doomed relationship, she suddenly agreed to marry Zhong Shan.

After the marriage, Ye Qinglian adamantly refused to live with her in-laws, leaving Grand Old Master Ye with no choice but to personally accompany Second Uncle Ye to apologize to the Zhong Family. Since then, the young couple has always lived with the Ye Family.

Only during festivals, under the coercion of Grand Old Master Ye, would Ye Qinglian reluctantly visit her father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Ye Qinglian often barked orders at Zhong Shan. Grand Old Master Ye issued an ultimatum that if she didn’t change her ways, she wouldn’t be allowed to stay in the Ye Family home. Thus, she behaved one way in front of the elders and another when they were not around.

After Ye Xuan finished speaking, Luo Ye pondered for a moment and asked, "Her behavior, Grandpa, Grandma, and Second Uncle should be aware of it, right?"

Ye Xuan nodded: "Of course. But, whenever Grandpa talks about Fourth Sister, she always admits her mistakes in every way, yet she continues to do as she pleases thereafter. Over time, Grandpa got tired of dealing with her, only deciding to treat Zhong Shan even better instead. The Ye Family’s politicians have earned their positions through effort; only Zhong Shan broke this rule. Grandpa would remind everyone to look after him a bit more, as a kind of indirect compensation."

Luo Ye thought for a while and said, "Excuse my directness, unless Zhong Shan has a strong desire for power, his mood must be very oppressed. On one hand, he’s grateful for Second Uncle’s kindness and tolerates Fourth Sister’s unreasonable behavior. On the other hand, he would feel sorry for his parents and also see his promotion as a kind of pitiful compensation."

Ye Xuan gave a wry smile, "Grandpa had a private talk with Zhong Shan and made it clear that if he can’t stand Fourth Sister’s temper, he can divorce her, and the Ye Family would not hold it against him and would continue to be his support. But he refused, saying he would manage the marriage well and not let Second Uncle down. He’s already said so much, what can Grandpa do?"

"Getting a sensible wife is so important. There’s a saying, ’a fool father alone, a fool mother with a brood.’ Though the words may be a bit unrefined, they really make sense."

Ye Xuan: "..."

...

In the bedroom of Ye Jia’an and Su Sha.

The couple sat on the sofa, silently sipping tea. After a long while, Ye Jia’an sighed, "Su Sha, we’ve been married for so many years now, there are many things we should let go of, don’t you think?"

"Hmm." Su Sha nodded her head without explaining anything.

"I know you’ve endured a lot of injustice from your second sister-in-law since you married into the Ye Family, but with such a daughter-in-law, what else can we do?"

Su Sha nodded again: "I know, so I’ve been enduring it."

"As for Xiao Xuan..." Ye Jia’an hesitated for a moment, then continued: "You should be very clear about Xiao Xuan’s temperament. You know exactly how he’s been with girls growing up. Now that he’s finally met someone he likes, if you stand in his way again, you’ll only make him hate you."

"I know, like father like son. He’s as stubborn as you are." Su Sha’s response was full of sourness.

Ye Jia’an’s expression cooled: "Su Sha, I’m speaking with you kindly, hoping you wouldn’t become another second sister-in-law. Do you really find being so unreasonable fun?"

"Am I being unreasonable?" Tears welled in Su Sha’s eyes: "Ye Jia’an, can you place your hand on your chest and tell me, have you truly loved me since our marriage?

I can endure the second sister-in-law’s temper, but when the other sisters-in-law get upset because of her, they can find comfort in their siblings. But you, completely ignoring it, only proves you don’t care about me, doesn’t it?"

"This..." Ye Jia’an gave a bitter smile: "I’m not good at expressing myself, you know that. It’s really hard for me to say those cheesy words."

"I didn’t ask for cheesy words, at least show some concern for me." Su Sha sobbed softly with her head down.

"Alright, I’ll try to change in the future." Ye Jia’an patted her back: "Su Sha, for Grandpa and Grandma to have Ye’er and Xiao Xuan return together was such a joy for them. But with your lukewarm attitude, and even bringing Qiao Xiaowan back, how could Ye’er feel comfortable in her heart?

Later, go to Ye’er’s room, say some kind words to coax your daughter-in-law. It’s not for anything else but for your son’s happiness, just lower yourself a bit, okay?"

Su Sha stiffened, then gave a desolate smile: "I was wondering why you suddenly became so nice to me, it turns out it’s for this reason. I admit, it was inappropriate of me to bring Xiao Wan back today.

But I really can’t get over it, her face resembles Wen Xin’s so much, how can you expect me to accept it calmly?

Now you’re even asking me to actively please her, Ye Jia’an, all this that you’re doing, it’s just to appease Wen Xin, and it is truly disappointing!"

Ye Jia’an’s expression turned cold: "Su Sha, speak with some conscience, how many years has it been since the matter with Wen Xin? Since she called off the wedding, we haven’t seen or contacted each other, do you really need to hold onto it so tightly? Doesn’t everyone have a past, don’t you?"

"Then why did you hide her photo in a book where I couldn’t see it? If your conscience is clear, you could have displayed it openly."

"How long ago was that? Xiao Xuan was only five years old back then. Su Sha, aren’t you holding onto this grudge a little too long?" Ye Jia’an stood up to take a blanket from the closet: "Do as you wish, but when the day comes that your son doesn’t recognize you as his mother, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Su Sha glared hatefully at Ye Jia’an: "If you go to the guest room, never return to this bedroom again."

"If that’s what you wish, I won’t come back." Ye Jia’an warned her with a look: "I advise you, if you do something again to hurt Ye’er, to damage this family, we can go straight for the divorce papers!"

"You..." Su Sha trembled, unable to speak, watching as Ye Jia’an left the room. She collapsed onto the sofa, weeping bitterly.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Su Sha hesitated, but still answered it: "Hello?"

"Su Sha, it’s your sister. Why do you sound off?" It was Su Sha’s elder sister, Su Miao, on the other end.

"Sister, it’s nothing, what did you want?" Su Sha’s voice choked up as she spoke.

Su Miao sighed helplessly: "No reason at all, did you fight with Ye Jia’an again? You two, your son is about to get married, and still you fight endlessly. Such energy."

"Sister, it’s his fault..." Su Sha recounted the whole story, and after listening, Su Miao was silent for a while: "Su Sha, I won’t lie to you, I’m calling because I heard Xiao Xuan brought back a girlfriend, and I guessed you would make a scene.

You’re almost fifty, don’t you feel childish? It’s been so many years since Ye Jia’an’s thing with Wen Xin, yet you clutch at it, annoying him and making yourself unhappy.

Moreover, acting like this, aren’t you just making sure he can’t forget Wen Xin? If you were smart, it’s not too late to change.

Be kinder to Luo Ye, be a true good mother-in-law. People are creatures of emotion; he’ll be good to you when you’re considerate of him, don’t you think?"

Su Sha "hmphed": "Did Xiao Xuan call you?"

"Correct, why do you think he’d call me? If not because you, his mother, pushed him to it? Su Sha, having a son like Xiao Xuan, you should be content. Stop trying to control him, if you stick to your ways, you’ll regret it one day."

"Are you my sister?" Su Sha spoke discontentedly: "You always side with Ye Jia’an and Xiao Xuan, I even doubt whether you’re my sister or theirs." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your Recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)