Chapter 262 - 197: Future Daughter-in-law

Ni Bingyan was getting a lot of buzz recently because of her art book and the relationship announcement, so paparazzi were sure to be waiting if she went out.

She knew this, and Shui Sulan naturally knew it too.

Regarding the announcement, Sang Yuan had told his parents right in front of her when they got back from the auto repair shop last night. Not only did they not object, they were actually delighted.

After all, given Ni Bingyan’s character and her willingness to have a public relationship, it meant their future daughter-in-law was practically a sure thing.

Shui Sulan wasn’t a high-profile person. Her reason for taking Ni Bingyan out to dinner on the very night of the announcement wasn’t really for the supposed hand-pulled sea cucumber.

More importantly, it was to show her support and to stop outsiders from spreading baseless rumors.

She could see the online comments calling her a gold digger trying to marry into a rich family, a commoner trying to become a princess, and saying they were just waiting for her to get dumped. The Sang family could naturally see them too.

Their son had worked so hard to finally win her over, so they certainly didn’t want any unforeseen problems to cause their relationship to fail.

Ni Bingyan understood her future mother-in-law’s sincere affection and was, of course, grateful.

With her hair in a soft bun, wearing a simple blue cotton shirt and a white skirt, and a pair of flat white sneakers, Ni Bingyan only put on a pair of pearl earrings and didn’t even wear any makeup.

Shui Sulan also wasn’t wearing makeup.

Since it was hot, she wore a loose, blue cotton-linen blouse with white, wide-leg pants, and had simply put on a watch before coming.

When the two met, they looked each other up and down and couldn’t help but laugh.

"Look at our sense of style! They say people who are meant to be family think alike, haha! What we’re wearing tonight is just perfect! Come on! Let’s get going!"

Just from hearing Shui Sulan talk, Ni Bingyan knew Sang Yuan was definitely her biological son.

That habit of casually teasing people must be a hereditary skill.

’Listening to this kind of sweet talk all the time, even if Sang Yuan wasn’t that great, I’d probably choose to marry him just for a mother-in-law like her.’

’And Sang Yuan was already wonderful.’

Ni Bingyan’s heart swelled with happiness, a blush rising on her cheeks. She took Shui Sulan’s arm, ready to head out, but Wangcai abandoned his food and came scrambling after them, practically stepping on her heels.

Helpless, Ni Bingyan could only crouch down and stroke his head. "I can’t take you to the restaurant! I’ll be back in a little while, okay?"

Wangcai was a good boy. He didn’t whine at her words, just looked up at her with pitiful eyes.

Ni Bingyan was torn.

’I already left him home alone when I took lunch to Sang Yuan. Doing it again tonight feels kind of cruel, but that Shandong restaurant doesn’t allow pets...’

’Maybe I shouldn’t go? But I already accepted Aunt Shui’s invitation...’

But how sharp was Shui Sulan? She could tell what Ni Bingyan was thinking just by looking at her expression.

"Oh, just bring him over to my place. Your uncle can watch him, and when Yuanyuan gets off work later, he can take over. He just came back to you, after all. He lived with us for a good while, so he’ll be perfectly comfortable there."

Ni Bingyan figured that made sense. She put the leash on him, made sure the doors and windows were secure, and led him out.

The Sang Family’s driver was already waiting. The two women and one dog got into the car, dropped the dog off at the Sang residence, and then set off for their destination.

As the car pulled out of the residential complex, Ni Bingyan was wondering how to start a conversation when Shui Sulan spoke up.

"You, really! You’re so reluctant to go out just because you have a dog now. What are you going to do when you have children? Chain yourself to them all day? A woman needs to have her own life. You have to learn to let the man handle some things!"

Poor Ni Bingyan had only had a boyfriend for a few days, and here was her future mother-in-law already teaching her how to keep a husband. She was cringing so hard her toes were about to curl right through the soles of her shoes!

Seeing Ni Bingyan staring at her, dumbfounded, her mouth opening and closing without a word coming out, Shui Sulan couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

"You’re just too cute, dear. I’m not the kind of mother-in-law who likes to give her daughter-in-law a hard time. I don’t mind you bossing my son around. That’s a responsibility he ought to bear!"

Shui Sulan lifted her chin slightly. "Those mothers-in-law who are constantly afraid their daughter-in-law will steal their son away all have something wrong with their thinking. A mother can’t stay by her son’s side his whole life, can she? Once he has a wife, she should let go and let them live their own lives."

’How was she supposed to respond to that?’

Seeing Shui Sulan’s expectant gaze fixed on her, Ni Bingyan’s eyes went wide, but she was completely at a loss for words.

The AC in the car was blasting, yet Ni Bingyan was so flustered she actually broke out in a sweat!

’I’m not usually this tongue-tied, am I?’

’Why have I clammed up like this today?’

"You’re used to shouldering everything by yourself. From now on, you need to learn to make good use of your ’human resources,’ understand? The things Yuanyuan ought to be doing, you need to hand them over to him. You live so close to each other, it’s very convenient, isn’t it? You might not be used to it now, but you’ll have to get used to it, little by little."

’I know how to answer this one!’

Ni Bingyan had finally found her opening!

"He’s very busy with work, too. I’ll do what I can by myself, but if there’s something I can’t handle, I’ll definitely ask him for help."

She thought for a moment, then took Shui Sulan’s hand. "And if I’m in a hurry and can’t find him, I’ll come to you and Uncle for help. You can’t turn me away!"

Ah!

’Now that was a sweet thing to say!’

’A good girl should be open and direct like this!’

’Being all shy and hesitant is just improper!’

’The more I spend time with this girl, the more I like her!’

’Plus, her family is wonderful too; my husband and I get along great with them. If she wasn’t so worried the kids would be embarrassed, Shui Sulan would have declared, "I approve this marriage!" right then and there.’

"Oh, by the way, I saw a very special watch the other day. It’s a small gift. I hope you like it."

Instead of answering, Shui Sulan, like a magician, produced a watch from out of nowhere. With a soft CLICK, she grasped Ni Bingyan’s wrist and fastened it on.

Ni Bingyan looked down. The watch band was encrusted with diamonds. The dial was a deep blue, framed by another circle of diamonds. In the center was a silver bridge, upon which a man and a woman stood facing each other.

As the seconds and minutes ticked by, their tiny feet would advance, and at twelve o’clock, the two figures would meet in the middle of the bridge.

The moment her son found a girlfriend, Shui Sulan had given such a gift to her future daughter-in-law. The meaning was self-evident.

’This watch is far too valuable. How can I possibly accept it?’

Ni Bingyan took it off, intending to give it back, but then she saw that the case was engraved with her and Sang Yuan’s names. She knew at once that this was a meticulously prepared gift from her future mother-in-law.

’If I give it back, she’ll surely be hurt, and she might even start to overthink things...’

’It’s not as if I can’t afford to accept something like this, given my own income. I’ll just have to find an opportunity to give a gift in return later...’

Shui Sulan just watched her, quietly waiting for her decision.

Ni Bingyan hesitated for a long time before putting the watch back on. Then, without a word, she took Shui Sulan’s arm and leaned her head gently on her shoulder.

"Ah, that’s the right way to be. In my heart, you are worth the effort I put in for you, so please don’t feel burdened. You have to understand, when you earn a certain amount of money, it just becomes a number. The emotional connection is what’s most precious. Our bond has reached that point, so this watch is just an interesting watch. Remember that, okay?"

"Mm-hm, I’ll remember."

Ni Bingyan nodded obediently.

’This mother-in-law wasn’t like a typical one. She wouldn’t spend all day gossiping about trivial family matters, nor would she nitpick, try to sow discord between her and Sang Yuan, or do other irrational things.’

’She was so broad-minded, and the life principles she taught so casually were things that Ni Bingyan would benefit from for a long time to come.’

’Ni Bingyan didn’t have a mother to guide her, so she’d had to figure out many of life’s lessons on her own. As a result, her way of doing things inevitably bore her own distinct mark.’

’People who start from nothing often retain the same mindset even after they’ve become successful.’

’Having a wise mentor like this appear in her life, someone who could guide her, was incredibly precious.’

’Not having to worry about her relationship with her mother-in-law and only needing to focus on her relationship with Sang Yuan... Ni Bingyan felt this was a very good romance to be in.’

"Ah! I really have great taste!"

Hearing her sigh and mutter this, Shui Sulan broke into a particularly hearty laugh.

The two went to the restaurant arm in arm. The owner was already waiting at the door and immediately came out to greet them when he saw them.

"President Shui, long time no see!"

"Boss Qin, I’ve come to trouble you again!"

"Not at all, not at all, it’s my honor! Please, this way. I’ve reserved a private room for you."

Shui Sulan, still holding Ni Bingyan’s arm, chuckled. "Ah! Excellent! Let me introduce you. This is my future daughter-in-law, haha!"

Ni Bingyan extended her hand and shook his warmly before following them to the private room.

What they ate tonight wasn’t the most important thing. What was most important was shattering the rumors.

Sure enough, before the dishes had even arrived, the paparazzi’s story was already published.

Shui Sulan was cheerfully scrolling through Weibo, and when she saw something amusing, she pointed it out. "Look at this headline they came up with—’Lookie what I found?’ Hahaha!"

Ni Bingyan sighed in resignation. "Sigh. The haters are always trying to take me down, just making stuff up all day. I’m sorry you all are going to get dragged into this because of me."

"Oh, please. We live our lives with a clear conscience, so it’s all the same. You appearing in the entertainment news is no different from me appearing in the business section."

Shui Sulan waved her hand dismissively, not thinking it a big deal.

Seeing the dishes arrive, she quickly put down her phone and gestured to Ni Bingyan. "Come, let’s eat first. We can put everything else aside for now."

Ni Bingyan once again nodded obediently.