Chapter 271 - 270: Past Events
Upon hearing Mr. Ding’s words, Chen Meilian’s face was full of anger.
"What do you mean by that? Do you think all of this is my responsibility? Why don’t you think about what you’ve done all these years? Yating is your biological daughter, yet you’ve ignored her. Yunfang is also your legitimate granddaughter, but have you ever cared or looked after her? Now you’re talking to me about education. As a father, as a grandfather, have you ever educated them?"
Mr. Ding glared at Chen Meilian with anger after hearing this and said, "Isn’t educating the children your responsibility? Besides, what meaningful things have you done since you married into this family? You spend all day just trying to dress yourself up, you didn’t even look after Yating properly. She was raised by the nanny, and now you talk to me about education."
Chen Meilian saw how the old man was pushing all the responsibility away, which truly ignited her anger.
"Hmph... saying it’s my job to educate the children. Back when Wu Meng, that wicked woman, gave birth, you wouldn’t even let go of the child. Now, when it comes to our Yating, you don’t even spare her a glance. Can you honestly say you’re not biased?"
When Mr. Ding heard the name of his first wife, his eyes were full of nostalgia and pain. However, he didn’t miss the jealousy and malice in Chen Meilian’s eyes.
"Shut up, it’s been so many years. Why are you bringing it up again?"
Chen Meilian just laughed.
She hadn’t missed the expression on the old man’s face just now. Ever since she married into the Ding Family, she hadn’t felt an ounce of care, which only fueled her hatred.
"What now... Did I hit the nail on the head? I see you still haven’t forgotten Wu Meng, that wicked woman. She’s been dead for many years, yet you’re still so attached, still remembering her. Too bad... she died young."
"Slap..."
Mr. Ding was trembling with anger at those words and reflexively slapped Chen Meilian.
Clutching her stinging cheek, Chen Meilian looked at Mr. Ding with malice and said, "Am I wrong? Wu Meng was a wicked woman. Long ago, you and I were already engaged, yet she used her beauty to seduce you, making you break the Ding-Wu marriage arrangement and marry her. What else could she be but a homewrecker?"
"Shut up, shut your mouth."
Mr. Ding’s eyes were wide with anger as he raised his hand again, ready to slap Chen Meilian.
But this time, Chen Meilian was ready and dodged aside.
"What now... I’m right about your thoughts, and now you want to hit me? I’m telling you, you better give up. You’re stuck with me, Chen Meilian, for life. You and that wicked woman Wu Meng were never meant to be together. Even if you married, she died young, and her daughter didn’t fare well either, passing away shortly after birth."
Hearing the painful events of his past, Mr. Ding, in a fit of rage, swept the cup off the table and threw a jar in his hand across the room.
But Chen Meilian wasn’t the type to stand idly by and take a beating. Seeing that Mr. Ding was truly furious, she stormed out of the living room.
Mr. Ding took several deep breaths to quell his anger, but he couldn’t hide the sadness in his eyes. His most cherished wife and daughter had left him, leaving him to suffer alone in this world.
Meanwhile, after having a meal with Elder Gu and his wife, Yiyi and Gu Tingyu planned to go for a stroll in the streets.
Old Mrs. Gu smiled and said, "Yes, you young people should go out and have some fun. Staying with us old folks all the time must be so boring." She, of course, knew her eldest grandson wanted to spend more time with Yiyi, and they didn’t want to be a hindrance.
After Yiyi and Gu Tingyu left, Yu Qiulan also stood up to leave.
Old Mrs. Gu glanced at her and said, "Forget what happened today. Tingyu and Yiyi are already engaged. You’d better not have any other intentions, or the Gu Family won’t keep you around."
Yu Qiulan felt a chill at these words.
Actually, when the matchmaker visited to talk about Yunfang and Tingyu’s marriage, she was quite tempted. After all, the matchmaker was sent by Mrs. Ding, showing the Ding Family also favored Tingyu as their grandson-in-law.
But now, Old Mrs. Gu’s words were a stark warning, just like Mr. Gu’s previous cautioning.
"Mom, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."
"It’s good that you know."
Old Mrs. Gu didn’t say much, just this, and then waved her hand, saying, "Alright, you can go back now."
After the eldest daughter-in-law left, Old Mrs. Gu called her youngest son’s family to inform them about Gu Tingyu’s engagement and asked them to make sure to attend the engagement banquet.
Gu Yaozhong immediately nodded and said, "Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll definitely be there."
But when Zhuang Caixin learned about it, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, "It seems Mom and Dad really like that girl named Yiyi. They’ve settled the marriage so quickly. I heard that the Shu Family’s girl still hasn’t gotten over Tingyu."
"Alright, that’s enough."
Seeing her husband’s displeased expression, Zhuang Caixin stopped talking.
However, a scream came from the doorway.
"Mom, what did you say? Big Brother is engaged to that woman? When did this happen? How come I didn’t know anything about it?"
Seeing her daughter come in all flustered, Gu Yaozhong’s face hardened.
"Tingting, look at yourself. How unladylike. Speak properly, and stop yelling and screaming."
Gu Tingting looked anxiously at her mother, asking, "Mom, is it true that Big Brother is engaged to that woman?"
"Of course, it’s true. Your grandmother has even picked a date, and we are all expected to attend the engagement banquet."
"No, I have to tell Yunfang." Upon hearing this, Gu Tingting turned to leave.
Seeing this, Gu Yaozhong grabbed his daughter and looked at his wife, saying, "You need to keep an eye on her these days. Don’t let her run around, and... keep her away from the Shu Family."
"Dad, are you going to lock me up at home?"
Gu Tingting looked at her father incredulously, quickly struggling, "No, I have to find Yunfang. I must tell her such important news."
Seeing his daughter like this, Gu Yaozhong couldn’t help but shake his head.
Only now did he somewhat regret how he and his wife had spoiled their daughter, raising her to be like this.
"Yes, I’m going to keep you at home to calm you down. You’re old enough to discern between family and outsiders. Yiyi is going to be your sister-in-law, while Shu Yunfang is merely your friend, and she befriended you with a motive, because of your big brother. Do you think she would have approached you otherwise?"