Chapter 488 - 476: Godmother

Wei Hong returned to the Sun Family. She had changed a lot over the past half-month. She no longer spoke as loudly as before. She wasn’t like her old self with Cao Qiu either; on the contrary, she was almost subservient. She was much gentler with Sun Jiasheng and had grown even more doting toward Tingting.

She wasn’t as lazy as before and even pitched in with the housework. Now, a single glance from Cao Qiu was enough to get her moving immediately. The Sun Family was all she could rely on now. To secure her footing in the household, she couldn’t be the Wei Hong of the past. If the Sun Family didn’t want her, she couldn’t return to her parents’ home. And she didn’t want to go back to a family like that anyway, nor would she hold out any hope for them anymore.

Gu’er didn’t say anything when she learned Wei Hong had returned. She had never wanted Sun Jiasheng and Wei Hong to divorce. Wei Hong had been taught a lesson and could now tell right from wrong. She was no longer so unpleasant to talk to when she came to the Sun residence, which Gu’er thought was a good thing. After all, she was Tingting’s biological mother. They had only wanted Wei Hong to change, not for her to leave Sun Jiasheng.

Seeing Wei Hong proactively head to the kitchen to help as soon as she arrived, Gu’er smiled. In the past, Wei Hong would act like a queen, plopping down on the sofa to eat, ignoring everything else, and making irritating comments while she snacked. Compared to that, the current Wei Hong was much better.

Several tables were set for lunch, just like last year. Everyone ate, drank, and shared their wishes for the new year.

After the meal, everyone found their own amusement. Some chatted, some played cards, and others continued to snack. It was much the same as last year, the only difference being the new addition to the family, Jiji.

Jiji was truly changing day by day. He looked much more developed than when he was a newborn. His skin had become fair, he had big eyes, and he loved to smile at people, making him absolutely adorable.

Even though Gu’er was Jiji’s mother, she hardly got a turn to hold him except when it was time for a feeding. One person would hold him, then the next, and none of them wanted to let go. Even when Gu’er wanted a cuddle, the crowd didn’t give her a chance.

"Gu’er, let me ask you, how has that Liu Fang been lately? She hasn’t been asking around about finding your father again, has she?"

When no one was looking, Chen Fengjiao pulled Gu’er aside and asked her in a low voice. It had to be said that Chen Fengjiao’s life was very comfortable these days. Her husband was back and was now an influential official in the city. Wherever she went, people would flatter her. She didn’t have to worry about Gu’er at all, nor did she need to worry about Sui’er, who was studying diligently. Her teachers even said she might really get into a university. And there was no need to even mention Lin Zheng; he was obedient, well-behaved, never caused trouble, and had good grades. Whenever his teachers saw her, they showered him with praise.

The only thing that unsettled Chen Fengjiao was Liu Fang. Although Gu’er had dealt with her, she was always worried Liu Fang might pop up again out of nowhere.

"Mom, you can relax. They’re watching her very closely over there. They call every few days to give me an update. Liu Fang has been behaving herself and hasn’t left the house. Even if she’s still harboring some ideas, it’s all for nothing if she can’t get out the Liu family’s front door."

Gu’er hadn’t relaxed her surveillance of Liu Fang in the slightest. She knew Liu Fang was a person of great forbearance. After her husband’s death, she had endured her mother-in-law and the other villagers. Therefore, if she had designs on Lin Shan, she would endure and bide her time, looking for an opportunity.

’I won’t give Liu Fang any opportunities.’ She’d had the Liu Family watch her like a hawk. Once her father retired, they wouldn’t have to worry about Liu Fang causing a scene. If, after so many years, Liu Fang still clung to this notion, well, then she could just let her come and try.

"I trust you. I’m leaving this in your hands. You have to watch her closely. My heart... I just can’t be at ease. I’m so afraid she’ll pop up again. Tell me, your father has gone so many years without anything like this happening, so how did she suddenly come out of the woodwork?"

Chen Fengjiao was still, to some degree, dissatisfied.

Gu’er didn’t say anything. She sighed internally. ’Truth be told, my mother has been very fortunate. She married Dad, and for so many years he’s been completely devoted to her, never once having a wandering eye.’

’Even though I was lost as a child, after returning to the Lin Family, I never caused her any trouble.’

’Sui’er went through a rebellious phase, but she’s fine now. And Lin Zheng has been sensible since he was a child. It just goes to show that Chen Fengjiao is a truly blessed woman.’

"I know you all think I hit the jackpot marrying your father," Chen Fengjiao said to Gu’er. "But when I married him, he had nothing. I still chose to be with him. Your father promised me back then that he would be good to me for the rest of our lives and would never do me wrong. It’s only right that he treats me well."

As Chen Fengjiao spoke, she thought about how everyone said it was her good fortune that Lin Shan treated her so well. But she had been as beautiful as a flower in her youth when she married him. It was his duty to be good to her.

Gu’er glanced at her mother. ’Sometimes I just have to marvel at how simple-minded Mom can be,’ she thought.

"Mom, Dad had plenty of admirers back then. He was a handsome young fellow."

As Gu’er said this, Chen Fengjiao was about to object when Gu’er continued, "Think about my aunt. Isn’t she good-looking? She was a beauty in her youth, wasn’t she? But who did she end up marrying?"

Gu’er’s words made Chen Fengjiao freeze. Lin Shuying had married Zheng Daniu, who was dirt-poor and treated her badly. Her mind flashed back to her own youth, and her face paled. If she hadn’t married Lin Shan, if it hadn’t been for him, she feared she would have been ruined by You Erbaihua. In that case, wouldn’t she have ended up just like Lin Shuying, forced to marry some man from the village?

Chen Fengjiao couldn’t bear to think about it any further. ’I’m not Lin Shuying. I shouldn’t have to suffer that kind of treatment.’

Gu’er saw the color drain from Chen Fengjiao’s face and knew her words had hit home. She hadn’t wanted to bring up unpleasant topics during the New Year celebration, but it wasn’t a good thing for her mother to keep thinking this way.

"Mom, why don’t you find a job after Sui’er gets into university?"

Gu’er felt it wasn’t good for Chen Fengjiao to always stay at home. ’Her mind is stagnating, her views are becoming narrow, and she’s falling behind the times.’

"A job? Why? The family doesn’t need me to earn money. Besides, I haven’t worked in years. Where would I even find a job?"

Chen Fengjiao didn’t understand Gu’er’s real intention. She just didn’t see any need for her to work.

"The family doesn’t need the money you’d make from a job, but working would give you something to do so you wouldn’t be so bored. Think about it. Dad’s at work, Sui’er will be away, and Lin Zheng is at school. You’ll be home all alone. A job would help pass the time. You could chat with people, and when you’re free, you could go out with your colleagues, go shopping, things like that. Wouldn’t that be nice?"

Gu’er was genuinely looking out for Chen Fengjiao’s best interests. No matter what, this was the woman who had given birth to her.

"We’ll see," Chen Fengjiao replied dismissively. "If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just come over and help you with the baby."

But Chen Fengjiao had no such intention. ’Go to work? Easier said than done. I’m not going to some unpleasant place. Why should I go somewhere just to be mistreated and work hard? And a good place wouldn’t necessarily want me, anyway. Why would I give up my comfortable life at home to go out and do that? I don’t know what goes through that girl’s head all day. Why can’t she ever see things my way?’

Hearing Chen Fengjiao’s noncommittal reply, Gu’er knew she had no interest in the idea. She sighed to herself. ’I guess we’ll talk about it again when the time comes. In any case, Sui’er has her exams in half a year, so Mom definitely won’t be going anywhere for the next six months.’

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