was exhausted. She had gotten up early to dress and bathe the two little "emperors," as they were known in the family. People who hadn't raised children wouldn't understand, even something as simple...Amidst the anxiety, there was also a tinge of guilt. She feared that her feelings for Song Jingye were too obvious. It's true that she didn't discriminate based on social status and wasn't inferior in any way, but she couldn't deny that the gap in their current status and positions was vast. She felt that her affection would be a disturbance to the Song family.

Luckily, Song Mom has always been very warm and welcoming. She doesn't seem like someone who came to talk about these things with her. She even asked, "I'm quite close with your leaders. If you have any difficulties at work, feel free to tell me."

Chen Ning knew she was talking about Madam Liao Yang Zhang, the head of another department. She was several levels above her, and even if she had a big problem, she couldn't find anyone there to help. Though Chen Ning knew Song Ma might just be being polite, based on what she observed at the hundred-day banquet that day, she and Deputy Yang seemed to have a good relationship. It was likely that Song Ma genuinely wanted to introduce them.

She still wants to take things step by step and build a solid foundation. While she recognizes that background and connections are important, she believes they can be both a blessing and a curse. They can lift you up or bring you down.

"Don't meddle in Xiao Chen's work, she has her own plans and arrangements." Song father, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up to save her from the embarrassment, also explicitly forbidding any ideas Song mother might have.

"What are you getting so worked up about I was just saying something. But if Xiaoning gets bullied at work, just tell me and I'll back you up."

Chen Ling's nose suddenly felt sore. She hadn't received much warmth growing up, and even fewer people would be so straightforwardly biased towards her. However, after she turned 18, everyone she met along the way had been kind.

After the three of them finished their meal, Song Jingye hadn't returned yet.

"Xiaoning, let's go for a walk with your grandmother to aid digestion."

"Okay."

Chen Ling went forward, about the time of Song.

She felt so close to her that she naturally took her hand and walked outside, just like mother and daughter.

The alleyway outside the courtyard was deep and quiet, with only the lights in front of each house illuminating the way. The two walked hand-in-hand, their voices barely a whisper.

Chen Ning had mentally prepared herself. This was the start of the conversation.

"Did you grow up with your uncle and aunt"

"Yes, my parents passed away shortly after I was born." She had no memories of them, so she couldn't feel sadness.

"How are they treating you"

"It's pretty good," she said honestly. It really was. For her aunt and uncle to allow her to focus on finishing high school without any distractions was already a great thing.

Do you still keep in touch

"Occasionally, she would contact them. During the holidays, she would call home. In recent years, she also sent a portion of her saved money back to her family during the Lunar New Year. She never forgot the kindness they had shown her while raising her."

Song’s mother originally wanted to say that they shouldn't contact each other again, but she held back. She admired not only her tenacity in climbing from the bottom, but also her kindness and sense of justice. If a girl could even disregard the grace of upbringing, she wouldn't look favorably upon her.

Although Song mother appeared kind and approachable, deep down she was also conflicted. To be honest, if her mindset were a few years earlier, she would have absolutely refused Chen Ling's proposal. After all, their family backgrounds spoke for themselves.

Even a few months earlier, after Lu Yaoyao's child's 100-day banquet, she had someone check on Chen Ling's return and still wasn't very impressed with her.

But now, her heart was burning with urgency to get Song Jingye to calm down, fearing he would make another mistake. Last night, when he returned home, his face was wounded and dejected. She secretly went to stand outside his room several times, but he stayed silent all night.

She hadn't slept either, she had been up all night.

She knew he was hurting, but what could she do She loved someone she shouldn't have. No matter how good the other person was, they would never be his.

There is no mother who is not selfish, especially when it comes to choosing a daughter-in-law.

She chose Chen Linghui because, first, Chen Linghui has a good character and works well; second, she saw Chen Linghui's intentions at the hundred-day banquet; third, she can tolerate Song Jingye. If she chose a girl with the same conditions as the Song family, who could bear him keeping someone else in his heart

After walking around the hutong for a while, the two returned home. Song Jingye was still not back. Father Song was watching the news in the living room, and Chen Ling also sat in the living room, watching the news and waiting for Song Jingye.

Work habits, once engrossed in news, focused and serious, lost in it, even didn't notice when Song Jingye came back.

Song Jingye was surprised to see her at home, especially seeing her sitting next to his father, both of them focused on the television. Even their backs looked harmonious and incredible. After all, in this house, his mother rarely watched the news, nor did he often. His father always watched alone.

Not only that, but the two also occasionally chat with each other, asking and answering questions. He knows his father very well. If he didn't look up to someone, he wouldn't even stay in the same space.

He didn't disturb them, and went straight to his room. On the way, he met his mother looking at him in disbelief, "Didn't you see Xiaoning"

"I see."

"Didn't even say hello"

"Does it matter if I greet the guests you've invited" He deliberately played against her, as if he didn't know his own mother. Wasn't she always meddling in people's love affairs

"Mom really likes Xiaoning, and your dad has a good impression of her too."

"So what" Song Jingye really wasn't in the mood to think about romance right now, and besides, in his eyes, Chen Ning was just a little girl.

He was cold, but Mother Song wasn't upset. She simply said, "So, am I keeping her here or will you send her back"

Stay here, the guest rooms are next to his. It's well known that Sima Zhao has ulterior motives.

Song Jingye was helpless. If he had known this, he would have gone back home.

He turned back to the living room and shouted at Chen Ning's retreating figure: "I'll send you home."

Chen Ling was startled by his sudden voice and turned around. She saw that his face was cold as well, so she hurriedly stood up.

Song Mu glared at Song Jingye, who pretended not to see and walked out. Chen Ling said goodbye to them and followed suit.

Seeing him like this, Chen Ning followed silently behind him. He got into the car without a word, and Chen Ning also got in silently and sat in the co-driver's seat.

Today was such a wonderful day, I just got in his car at noon.

After driving for a while, Chen Ling glanced at him secretly. His profile was cold and impatient.

Chen Ning also felt wronged in her heart, and mustered her courage to say: "Uncle, you can't blame me for this today, right My aunt suddenly called me to come over for dinner, and I couldn't refuse."

"It's not your fault," Song Jingye answered calmly, his tone giving nothing away.

"But you seem to be angry with me." She discovered that as long as she suppressed the awe or fear in her heart for him, she could communicate normally.

Song Jingye heard her words, turned his head and glanced at her, "I said I didn't get angry with you."

He pretended to be cold and distant so his mother would give up her hopes.

He and Chen Ling returned

... she thought ...

To get it out of him here, would be like incest.

Chen Ning responded with an "oh" and then fell silent, but it was clear she didn't believe him. She looked visibly angry.t odd that someone like Lin Zhi, with such a glamorous presence, would be friends with Ms. Shu. Ms. Shu possessed a gentle and tranquil aura, a stark contrast to Lin Zhi's vivacious personality. 。Lin...