After seeing her daughter's tear-streaked face, she immediately hugged her tightly while patting her back as she took her to the main room.
Chen Meixiang was truly heartbroken. She had decided to go on a blind date because her parents assured her they would take care of her daughter. But when she found her daughter locked up crying in the store room, her heart broke.
Chen Meixiang's father and mother were standing outside, not daring to come in. Old Chen glared at Madam Chen, accusing her of not even properly taking care of their granddaughter.
Madam Chen, feeling guilty for leaving Su Rui at home alone — who would have thought that in the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense she was away, her eldest grandson Chen Hu would lock Su Rui in the store room? Today she would spank his bottom hard. How dare he lock up her dear granddaughter in the store room! Old Madam picked up the broom and went out to find the brat. Chen Hu, already hiding behind the wall when he saw his granny's terrifying appearance, bolted out. He had just wanted to prank Su Rui, but who knew she would be so weak as to start crying?
After not finding Chen Hu, the old granny came back, murmuring curses under her breath.
Inside the room, Chen Meixiang laid Su Rui on the kang before lying beside her, patting her back. She asked in a soft voice, "What happened to Rui Rui? Why is Rui Rui crying? Don't cry, Mama is here. I will beat Chen Hu. How dare he lock my daughter inside the store room?" she said, as anger flashed in her eyes.
Su Rui, who was about to drift off to sleep, suddenly perked up upon hearing this. "Mama, today Brother Hu said you went to find a new dad for me. But Rui Rui doesn't want a new dad."
She didn't mention anything about the system pretending to be her dad although she didn't remember what her dad looked like but She knows he must be his dad .
After saying this, Rui Rui started crying again. Chen Meixiang hugged her daughter after listening to this. She was only remarrying so that her daughter could have a complete family. If her daughter didn't want it, she would not marry. Her first husband had died on a military mission, and she had received over 200 yuan, a certificate, and a promise of monthly rations. It would be enough for her and her daughter to live peacefully. After thinking all this, she patted her daughter's head and said, "It's okay. If Rui Rui doesn't want a new dad, then Mama will not marry. Rui Rui's happiness is the most important."
[ Ding .]
[Name - Chen Meixiang]
[ Villian potential - 68/100 ]
[Reward - 7 merit points]
Upon hearing the notification of merit points the system eyes blazed with the newfound determination so that how it can earn merit points which according to the system guide are necessary for maintaining his State and upgrading after the mission ends.
After hearing her mother's confirmation, the little girl finally quieted down and drifted off to sleep. After ensuring that her daughter was sound asleep, Chen Meixiang came out and gently closed the door. The system also sighed with relief after confirming that Su Rui hadn't mentioned him.
On the other hand, Chen Meixiang's family was all standing nervously outside the door. When Chen Meixiang came out, they wanted to ask but didn't have the face to.
After some hesitation, Madam Chen asked her daughter, "How's Rui Rui? It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left her here alone. I was gone for only half a stick of incense. Who knew that brat would lock Rui Rui up in the store room?"
Meixiang didn't speak. She took a deep breath and said, "Mother, tell the matchmaker I don't want to marry."
[Ding]
[Name - Chen Meixiang]
[ Villian potential - 61/100]
[System rewards -11 merit points ]
Inside upon hearing the notification the useless system was wondering about the unexpected windfall the system was exasperated while after listening what their daughter saidboth Old Chen and Madam Chen were shocked.
Old Chen was the first to speak. "Do you know what you're saying? How can you say that? We're already old. How will you survive as a single girl in this day and age?"
Madam Chen also spoke. "Your father is right. After all, your eldest brother and sister-in-law are dead. Your second brother has been transferred far south with his family. You know your sister-in-law's nature. Who will support you after we die?" Old Madam said while jabbing a finger at Meixiang's forehead. She knew that her daughter was stubborn and had a big temper — that's why she worried about what would happen to her after they died.
Chen Meixiang turned to her father. "Dad, this is my final decision. We have Su Zheng's compensation money, which is up to 200 yuan, and the military also promised monthly rations. You don't have to worry about us becoming a burden."
Old Chen bristled at this. "You really think so? Don't forget about your mother-in-law. Do you really think she will let you get all the rations? The total compensation for your husband was around 500 yuan. After fighting, we only got 200 yuan. And you're thinking about monthly rations? Do you really think your mother-in-law — who never favoured you and thinks of your child as a burden — will share the rations?"
Madam Chen, seeing her husband angry, nudged him. "Child, we think about your welfare. You're not a burden to us, but we old folks want to see you married and having a place to stay."
Chen Meixiang knew everything her parents said was true, and it would make her life easier. At one point, she wanted to be selfish and marry, but after seeing her daughter's face, she just couldn't bear to do anything her daughter didn't want. After her husband left for duty, she was always alone at her in-laws' house.
She had always been pampered at home. Although she had to do work, her conditions were always better than other village girls. She knew she was stubborn and unruly. Therefore, she just couldn't get along with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, who were always finding faults with her.
At one point, she just wanted to run away from that home, but she knew she couldn't. Then Su Rui came into her life. At first, she didn't have any expectations for this child. She just thought that it would be better if she were a boy. But unfortunately, she was a girl. She didn't have any major prejudice against daughters over sons like her in-laws — she hadn't been raised that way. But she just couldn't love her child. Slowly, with time, the girl became an important part of her life and to protect her and her daughter she learned to pretending to be weak and pleasing others .
After her husband's death, small quarrels became big ones, and in the end, she had to come back to her natal family. But before coming she make sure to ruin the reputation of the family by telling everyone how they pushed her and her daughter out after her husband's death. Although She faced societal gossip and condemnation for this, but it she make sure they also suffers the heat of the gossip. You can say that she is petty so what that's what she is.
After taking a long breath, Chen Meixiang said, "Mother, I understand. Rui Rui is small, and she just lost her father. Let's talk about this after a year or two. And I know you don't want the villagers to gossip . Although 100 days of mourning period is enough but I don't want to the villagers a topic to gossip.Tell them I want to observe a mourning period for 3 years .
After listening this madam Chen pursued her lips and didn't say anything. She just wants to make her daughter happy that's why she asked the matchmaker to make arrangements but her daughter is also right it can also affect Rui Rui future prospect. Than three years there is , she thought.
[Ding]
[Villian potential - 49/100]
[Reward - 19 merit points]
With the matter of wedding dissolve the series of notification sounded in systems head as it start collecting merit points .