Chapter 362 - 360: A Satisfactory New Daughter-in-law

Chapter 362: Chapter 360: A Satisfactory New Daughter-in-law

"Third Uncle isn’t happy about it, but what about Yang Guiying?" Gu Nuan Nuan suddenly grew curious about this Yang Guiying. "Does she know Third Uncle doesn’t want to marry her?" Gu Nuan Nuan didn’t think her third uncle was so charming that he could attract a woman several years younger, let alone one so devoted she wouldn’t marry anyone else.

"She knows." Wen Xiu was still smiling. "But she doesn’t care at all, because Yang Guiying has no feelings for your third uncle either. She told me that herself, clear as day."

"Neither of them likes the other, so why are you so determined to pair them up?" ℯℓ.

"Because they’re a good fit."

Wen Xiu gave a cold, self-satisfied laugh. "I told your third uncle that I respected his wishes for his first marriage and let him choose for himself. And look at the piece of work he brought home. So this time, if he thinks he gets to choose again, he’s got another thing coming. Hmph, not only is the door shut, but the windows are barred too. This time, he either obediently does as I say, or your grandfather and I will disown him. We’ll make him move out of the villa your eldest uncle built for him and go back to that hovel he built himself. Then he can marry whoever he wants, and I won’t interfere one bit."

"Grandma, that’s a brilliant move. Without you, Grandpa, and Eldest Uncle backing him, I doubt any woman would be foolish enough to marry him." Gu Nuan Nuan burst out laughing.

"Exactly. So in the end, he didn’t dare object anymore," Wen Xiu said, very pleased with herself.

"Grandma, why do you think Yang Guiying is a good fit for Third Uncle?" Gu Nuan Nuan asked, leaning in curiously.

"First, she can keep your third uncle in line," Wen Xiu said directly. "I had my eye on her back when I asked her to go to the hospital to watch over Guo Tianci. I was already testing her then, wanting to see for myself if she had what it takes to handle your third uncle. Second, she’s a very straightforward person. When I proposed the idea to her, she only thought for a moment before nodding. I asked her why she didn’t think it over more, and do you know what she told me?"

"What did she say?" Gu Nuan Nuan’s curiosity grew even stronger.

"She said her agreement wasn’t really about your third uncle. It was because she sees that your grandpa and I are reasonable people—sensible and not the type to torment a daughter-in-law. Also, our family is wealthy and respected in the village, so if she married in, she wouldn’t have to worry about being bullied anymore. And if she had children, their prospects would be better than other kids’."

"Ah—"

Gu Nuan Nuan put a hand to her forehead. "She said something that honest right to your face?"

"Isn’t it? I was pretty stunned myself when I heard it. But I have to admit, what she said was music to my ears." Wen Xiu’s eyes crinkled with amusement. "She also said you can only know if feelings will develop after you’ve actually lived with someone. So, she couldn’t guarantee she’d ever have feelings for your third uncle. But since she’s decided to marry him, she promised she’d take good care of him and do her best to keep him from causing us any more trouble. Also, that loyalty in a marriage is a basic requirement, and she could certainly promise that.

She also guaranteed she isn’t an insatiably greedy person. Besides the bride price—which she said we could decide on whatever amount we wanted—she’d be content if her future children could compete for the same kind of ’scholarship’ our family’s children get. As for anything else, unless she ran into a major illness or a real financial crisis she couldn’t get past, a time when she’d have to swallow her pride and ask for help, she said she would graciously accept whatever we were willing to give, but she’d never ask for anything or try to scheme for more."

"That does sound pretty good. You can’t deny it’s reassuring. If she can really do all that, she’s certainly more clear-headed and much smarter than Cousin Laidi’s birth mother."

For a moment, Gu Nuan Nuan found herself genuinely impressed with this Yang Guiying. The main reason was that the contrast made all the difference—her predecessor, Guo Xiuying, had been so manipulative and fake that a normal person like this now seemed downright endearing.

"Exactly. This is how relatives should properly behave. In the future, if Third and his family face a major illness or a crisis they can’t overcome... well, even if we were just talking about a distant clan member, let alone our own son and brother, could we really stand by and do nothing when helping is such a small effort for us?"

Wen Xiu sighed. "Guo Xiuying was just too insatiable. When people get that greedy, they forget their place and start thinking other people’s things are theirs for the taking. How can you not despise someone like that? But with someone like her, if she really does as she says, what’s the big deal if I secretly or openly give her a little extra after she has a son? You think your eldest uncle and his wife would object? That little bit might seem like a lot to others, but what is it in their eyes now? Even the scraps that fall from between my fingers would be enough for her to live a much better life than most. Ai, this is why I say people are different. This is what separates the smart from the stupid."

"Well, congratulations, Grandma, on finding a smart daughter-in-law this time." Gu Nuan Nuan smiled. "So, did the new Third Auntie make any promises about how she’ll treat Cousin Laidi?"

"This time, I really did find someone decent. She said that there has to be a certain affinity between people. Stepmothers have had a hard time since ancient times. If you’re nice to your stepchild, people think you’re putting on an act. If you discipline them, people think you’re wicked. So, our decision to bring Laidi to the city to live with us suited her perfectly.

She said that it’s a hundred times better for the child to rely on her grandparents than on her own father. Of course, she also said this place will always be Laidi’s home, and Laidi is welcome to come back and stay as long as she likes. When she does, she promised to at least treat Laidi with the respect due to an honored guest. When Laidi gets married in the future, she won’t keep any of the bride price. In fact, she’ll contribute to the dowry herself, as much as she can afford. It might not be a lot, but it would be a token of her father’s affection, so Laidi’s future in-laws won’t think she doesn’t have a father to back her up." ℯ𝐥.

"Hearing a word like ’guest’ might sound a little uncomfortable, but it’s the absolute truth. Once Third Uncle remarries and has other children, whether Cousin Laidi is willing to admit it or not, won’t she basically be a guest whenever she comes back? It seems this new Third Auntie really is a straightforward person. People like that usually do what they say and don’t hide daggers behind their smiles."

Gu Nuan Nuan didn’t nitpick. ’She understood perfectly well that even if Laidi lived with their grandparents, and even though they were her biological grandparents, for a sensitive girl like her cousin, deep down she would probably still feel like a ’guest,’ like she didn’t quite belong.’

Her expression turned somber for a moment. "Grandma, when Cousin Laidi gets into university, you and Grandpa should give her an apartment. One that’s in her name only, a place that belongs to just her. A place she can decorate however she wants."