Qian Ling, who was Zhou Chongming’s mother, frowned as she stood in the doorway, appraising Zhao Mother.
Walking into the dim hallway, she noticed the cardboard and newspapers piled at the entrance. Her frown didn’t relax at all.
No wonder a family like this could raise a daughter like that. It really shows the importance of marrying into a proper family. Which respectable girl would dare to get pregnant before marriage?
What kind of era is this? If people found out, the gossip alone could drown someone!
“Is this the Zhao Mengxue residence?” Qian Ling asked, her tone sharp.
Someone came down the stairs outside, and upon seeing Zhao Mother, greeted her immediately. “Old Zhao family, who’s this?”
The person was a woman who seemed familiar with Zhao Mother. She glanced at Qian Ling’s outfit, suspicion written all over her face.
Judging by her clothes, she must be wealthy. Could what the Zhao family said be true? Their daughter really was marrying into a rich family?
The woman felt a pang of envy. How did Zhao Mengxue get so lucky—first a wealthy young lady as a friend, and now a good family to marry into?
Looking at the gold bracelet on her wrist and the two women following her, probably maids or servants, she couldn’t help but feel bitter.
Heavens! Could Zhao Mengxue really rise to become a phoenix?
“Yes, yes, yes, I am Mengxue’s mother. Please, come in!” Zhao Mother ignored the woman’s envious gaze and ushered Qian Ling inside.
Qian Ling hadn’t come alone; she brought two maids with her—strong, middle-aged women.
The other woman tried to peek further, but Zhao Mother smiled and closed the door.
The woman was still reluctant to give up. The Zhao family daughter was going to marry into a rich family! She couldn’t miss such juicy gossip!
She quietly pressed her ear to the door to listen in, catching the conversation inside.
“Mengxue! Come out quickly, someone’s here to see you!” Zhao Mother called as she sat Qian Ling down.
Zhao Mengxue, wearing pajamas with messy hair, walked out impatiently. “Who’s looking for me?”
Seeing her like this, Zhao Mother was nearly furious.
“Mengxue! This is Zhou Chongming’s mother. Go change your clothes immediately!” Zhao Mother stood, dragging Zhao Mengxue back to her room.
Qian Ling had tightened her grip on her handbag.
This is the woman her son insisted on marrying? Compared to other young ladies, how could she even enter the Zhou family?
Marrying her off would probably be laughable!
Yesterday, her son still refused to believe Zhao Mengxue was that kind of woman. Even after her brother threw all the evidence in his face, he kept defending her.
Qian Ling grew angrier, scrutinizing the room. Mold in the corners, stains on the sofa—she felt completely uncomfortable.
The two maids exchanged disdainful glances behind her.
This house didn’t even measure up to them, and the family was lazy—didn’t even clean properly. The dishes on the table weren’t washed!
Zhao Mengxue was frustrated. Why hadn’t her mother checked on her before calling her out? Zhou Chongming’s mother would surely get a bad first impression!
But where was Zhou Chongming? And why didn’t he tell her his mother was coming?
She felt something was off and touched her belly, forcing herself to stay calm.
It’s fine. She was carrying a child of the Zhou family. Even for the grandson’s sake, the Zhou family would have to accept her as a daughter-in-law, right?
“Haha, this is my Mengxue. Mengxue, quickly greet Auntie!” Zhao Mother said, seating Zhao Mengxue.
She hurried to prepare tea and snacks. The best tea in the house had been brought by Su Wan last time, and they hadn’t dared to drink it yet.
“Auntie, why are you here? Where’s Chongming?” Zhao Mengxue shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at Qian Ling.
Qian Ling felt uncomfortable sitting there and didn’t want to speak much. She said directly, “Zhao Mengxue, if you abort the child, there’s no way our family would accept you as a daughter-in-law.”
Zhao Mengxue froze, and Zhao Mother too, dropping the tea canister, spilling tea leaves everywhere.
The sound snapped them back to reality. Zhao Mengxue blushed and breathed heavily.
“Where’s Chongming! Let me see Chongming! I don’t believe he would do this to me! Auntie, I truly love him!” Zhao Mengxue’s tears fell instantly, crying pitifully.
But Qian Ling was not moved at all. She looked at the acting woman impatiently.
This woman really knew how to manipulate—look at her crying! No wonder she could completely fool her foolish son.
“You don’t need to see him. Whether he loves you or not, the methods you used are your own business. As for the child, whether you abort it or not, our Zhou family will not recognize this grandson!”
Zhao Mengxue stifled her tears, red-eyed, looking at Qian Ling. “Auntie…”
Zhao Mother couldn’t hold back any longer. “Madam Zhou! Your son got my daughter pregnant, and you think she can just have an abortion on command?!”
She glared angrily at Qian Ling. She knew rich people were never straightforward. Her son did this, and they wanted to deny responsibility? Dream on!
Zhao Mengxue’s expression wavered, her fingers nervously twisted together. What did she mean? Did they find out something?
That’s not possible. She had been very discreet. Zhou Chongming hadn’t even noticed. How could they know?
“What kind of woman do you raise in your family? She’s probably seduced every man in Shanghai, and even drugged my son! How this child came to be, she knows herself!”
Zhao Mengxue turned pale. Zhao Mother looked at her in shock.
“Let’s go! You’re coming with me to have this child aborted!” Qian Ling stood up, unwilling to stay any longer.
Zhao Mengxue stepped back. “No! I won’t abort the child!”
The two maids moved in. They grabbed Zhao Mengxue by the shoulders, restraining her.
“If you don’t want this to become public, you’d better come quietly to have the child aborted. Our family won’t hold you responsible. But if this gets out… you’ll go to jail!”
“Your brother also stole. My son spent 30,000 yuan to get him out! If you abort this child, we won’t pursue this money. Otherwise…”
Zhao Mother was completely paralyzed by the news, her son still locked up, and now her daughter might be imprisoned too.
Zhao Mengxue’s legs weakened. The two maids held her, preventing her from falling. Everything was over.
The door opened, and three women immediately fell into the room.
Zhao Mother looked at the women, despair washing over her instantly.