Lin’s mother could not suppress her jealousy. She muttered softly, “That old lady is only his grandmother. Even if his grandmother approves of Dr Zeng, it does not mean his parents will.”
“Could his grandmother still make decisions for him?”
“Mum!”
Though Dr Lin was jealous of Zhan Yue’s superior family background, he would never speak with sarcasm or mock Zeng Xiaoya for lacking the fate to marry into a wealthy family.
Hearing his mother speak of Zeng Xiaoya in that way, he had to speak up and stop her from going on.
He said, “Dad and Mum have always lived in our hometown, so it is not surprising they have not heard. We have lived in the city for a long time and have heard many rumours about the wealthiest family.”
“The Zhan old madam is the pillar that steadies the Zhan family. She has great fortune. Not only does she have children and grandchildren filling the house, but they are all filial. She gets on with her daughters-in-law like mother and daughter, and cherishes her granddaughters-in-law as her own granddaughters.”
“The Zhan family has always had many sons but few daughters. The old madam has no daughters or granddaughters of her own, so she is exceptionally kind to her daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law.”
“When Zhan men choose wives, the most important factors are character and the woman’s family values. If the character is good and the family values upright, they will not object even if there is a large gap in current circumstances.”
“It is said the Zhan elders love urging the younger generation to marry. As long as the young ones are willing to wed, that is enough. Their requirements are not very high, mainly because they trust their sons’ judgement.”
“Xiaoya is excellent, and the Zeng family values are upright too. If Zhan Yue is sincere, there will be no obstacles to her marrying into the Zhan family.”
Unless Zhan Yue was only playing around.
When he spoke to Zeng Xiaoya, Dr Lin claimed Zhan Yue was just toying with her for novelty, but in his heart he knew there was a ninety percent chance Zhan Yue was serious.
Zhan family men are renowned for their devotion and for spoiling their wives.
Lin’s mother said to her son, “You are still defending her, yet she does not like you.”
“That she does not like me means I am not good enough, and that we are fated to meet but not destined to be together. Just because she does not love me and rejected me, I cannot deny her excellence.”
He Yuehua also said, “Dr Zeng is very good.”
Lin’s mother pursed her lips and fell silent.
In her eyes, her son was so outstanding and had admired Zeng Xiaoya for so many years, yet Zeng Xiaoya had rejected him without mercy. That made her blind.
Zeng Xiaoya must have taken up with the Zhan young master, which was why she rejected her son. She was simply vain, despising the poor and loving the rich.
Lin’s mother did not voice these thoughts.
But after meeting the Zhan family’s eighth young master today and chatting with the Zhan old madam, she knew her son had no hope. On the way home, she would strongly urge him to accept He Yuehua.
Zeng Xiaoya knew nothing of this. After examining the old lady’s test results, she smiled and said, “Grandma Zhan, your check-up report is better than many young people’s.”
The old lady laughed. “I pay close attention to health maintenance. I eat lightly, practise Tai Chi every day for exercise, go to bed early and rise early, keep an open mind, and worry about nothing.”
“Grandma Zhan’s approach to health is excellent. Keep it up.”
The old lady had children and grandchildren filling the house. Each grandson was a dragon among men. The granddaughters-in-law were filial and all young ladies from great wealthy families. What more could she have to worry about?
She could truly be called the happiest old lady.
“Yes, I will stick to my routine. Xiaoya, you carry on with your work. Old Eight and I will head home.”
