Hong Pingâs voice wasnât loud, but every word struck the heart, and Mrs. Hong grew increasingly angry as she listened.
She looked down on her sister-in-lawâs nephew, indeed because she despised the lack of family background and culture, but how could her daughter be the same? How could they be compared!
Firstly, her Lingling was a girl, and in the future girls donât need to support the family, so why compare family backgrounds? As long as she can bear children at home and take good care of the family, thatâs enough. Whatâs more, her Lingling is pretty and cultured, which is far better than many girls nowadays.
Mrs. Hong glanced at Hong Ping, didnât argue with her words, and only said, "Youâve studied a lot and went to college, I canât argue with you. I wonât say anything further; besides, how do you know the other party doesnât fancy Lingling? Iâm not expecting anything from you, just donât interfere if your sister ends up with that boy from the Ruan Familyâs big house."
Hong Ping didnât expect that after saying so much with such earnestness, the response sheâd get would be just this, feeling as if an old blood was stuck in her chest, neither going up nor down, nearly causing her to suffocate.
Her nature is soft and gentle, unable to say anything harsh, so upon hearing this, she just fell silent, sitting at the table with an unpleasant expression.
After all, they are her flesh and blood; Mrs. Hong, although biased towards Hong Ling, loves her elder daughter too. Moreover, today is her big day, so she turned to comfort her, but Hong Ping had already been hurt by her previous words, barely saying anything afterward.
Mrs. Hong found herself talking to a cold face and gradually spoke less.
Later, Hong Ling came in, noticed their off expressions, but didnât mind, and in good spirits, walked over briskly to ask Hong Ping, "Sis, Hao brother booked the whole dance hall and invited us all to join tonight. Are you coming?"
"Hao brother?" Hong Ping lifted her head.
"Yes, itâs Jiaojiaoâs big brother," Hong Ling couldnât help blushing while speaking about Ruan Hao.
Seeing her love-struck appearance and recalling Mrs. Hongâs words, Hong Ping was truly uncomfortable. She didnât understand the position her sister and mother had placed her in to disregard her so.
"Sis?" Seeing Hong Ping unresponsive for a while, Hong Ling called again.
Hong Ping diverted her gaze: "No." Her tone was somewhat cold.
Hong Ling looked at her, blinked inexplicably, though finding her attitude somewhat aloof, she didnât overthink it, and turned to tell Mrs. Hong, "Mom, I might return late tonight, or maybe not at all... If itâs late, I might just stay over at Jiaojiaoâs place."
Hong Ling thought simply, considering the Ruan Jiaojiaoâs house is a villa and so large, if they return late, for convenience, they might take her home with them as well.
Thinking she might share a place with Ruan Hao tonight, Hong Ling couldnât hide her delighted joy.
Mrs. Hong glanced at Hong Pingâs expression, dared not respond loudly, merely mumbled a vague "Hmm."
Nearing noon, the guests who finished lunch began leaving the hotel gradually; Ruan Jianguo drank quite a lot and was helped by Ruan Jie and Ruan Chi into the familyâs exclusive rest room in the hotel.
Ruan Jiaojiao initially intended to go over and help take care, but seeing Shu Jiao closely follow him, she changed her mind, turning instead to Hong Pingâs resting room nearby.
She gently knocked on the door.
Inside, Hong Ping had just helped a drunken Ruan Jun lie down.