Chapter 525: Mrs. Gao Comes Up with an Idea

Mrs. Gao came to question Gao Lan.

"So, are you having this family recognition banquet or not? The new year is just around the corner. Are you telling me you’re going to hold it after the holidays?"

"The Qin family won’t allow it," Gao Lan said, her face dark.

She and Qin Wenze hadn’t spoken in days.

’Just thinking about it was agonizing.’

As soon as Mrs. Gao heard this, she couldn’t help but raise her voice. "What right does the Qin family have to stop it? What family adopts a child without hosting at least a few tables for a banquet?"

The only ones who don’t are the families so poor they can’t even put food on the table.

And the Qin family—they’re a prominent, well-respected family, after all.

How could they forbid a recognition banquet for something as important as adopting a child?

"His family doesn’t want to acknowledge Yao Hui. Our adopting Yao Hui is our own affair. Qin Wenze said that if we’re going to have one, it has to be here at home. Otherwise, we don’t have one at all. Besides, he and I have been fighting over this for days."

Gao Lan only dared to cause a fuss because she was banking on the guilt Qin Wenze felt toward her.

’If it really came down to divorcing Qin Wenze—that was absolutely out of the question.’

’Never mind Qin Wenze’s excellent prospects, his good job, and his high salary.’

’And given that she couldn’t have any more children—if she divorced him, could she ever hope to marry a man better than Qin Wenze?’

’Ha, if she were as beautiful as Fu Mingxue, maybe she could actually find someone better than Qin Wenze and his family.’

’Unfortunately, her looks were, at best, merely pleasant.’

’As for her other qualities—she had nothing else that was particularly outstanding.’

As she thought about all this, a wave of panic washed over Gao Lan.

’If she and Qin Wenze keep up this silent treatment, he won’t start having second thoughts, will he?’

Right then, Mrs. Gao’s expression was indescribably foul.

She was utterly disgusted with her daughter.

’She couldn’t even manage to secure her own husband’s heart.’

’And she didn’t even try to curry favor with her in-laws.’

"Alright, forget the recognition banquet. Have Qin Wenze transfer Yao Hui to the same school as his own son."

"Just tell him the two boys can look out for each other."

"Also, I think you should bring your husband’s two children back to live with you. A stepmother is still a mother. You have to be good to Qin Wenze’s two children. At the very least, you have to let him see what a good stepmother you are. Only then will his heart truly be with you."

"Besides, once Qin Wenze’s daughter gets a little older, won’t she be able to help you with things? And when she gets married someday, won’t you be the one calling the shots?"

"If you let the brother and sister stay with the Qin family, why would they ever accept you as their stepmother?"

"Listen to your mother. Others in this world might hurt you, but I never will."

Hearing this, Gao Lan was taken aback.

"—My mother-in-law would never agree to that."

’Her mother-in-law is a formidable woman—it feels like she’s constantly on guard against me.’

’Otherwise, she wouldn’t have just separated the two children from us so completely.’

Seeing her daughter’s spinelessness, Mrs. Gao was filled with exasperation.

"Are you stupid? You bring this up gradually. Talk to Qin Wenze about it more. Over time, won’t he eventually have to listen to you?"

Gao Lan: ...

Mrs. Gao then remembered something and quickly added, "Also, I hear that sister-in-law of yours is a real handful. You need to get on her good side."

’Her sister-in-law...?’

’Get on Fu Mingxue’s good side?’

’They’d already had a huge falling-out. How could they possibly do that?’

Fu Mingxue sneezed.

"Teacher Fu, are you catching a cold?" Song Mingyue asked with concern.

Fu Mingxue glanced at her. "No. By the way, did you understand the problem I just explained?"

Song Mingyue immediately replied, "Yes, I understand now. Thank you, Teacher Fu."