Chapter 68 Afraid I’ll Suspect You’re Trying to Seize the Family Property?

“But Fifth isn’t that young anymore. Once he graduates from college, he’ll already be in his twenties. When his elder brother was his age, he was already working as a manager in the company. Even if he’s a bit slower, giving him ten years should be enough, right?” Yu Xiangqiao said. “By then, we’ll also be close to forty—basically nearing retirement.”

Yes, by that time, they would indeed be close to the “forty” their mother-in-law mentioned.

Ruan Yaoyao stared at Yu Xiangqiao with suspicion written all over her face. “Are you afraid I’ll think you’re trying to grab the Xu family’s property and not leave anything for my biological children? Why are you so eager to retire? What if Fifth turns out to be useless? Look at him—he’s nothing but a playboy. Does he look like someone who can carry on the family business?”

【What if you dump the family business on him and he ruins it all in just a few years? Then we’ll all end up starving!】

【No, absolutely not!】

Ruan Yaoyao’s attitude was firm. She was already considering that if things really came to that, she might need to divide the property early and keep more money for her retirement.

Otherwise, if Fifth squandered everything, her annual dividends would be gone, her stocks would be gone, and she might even have to pour in a huge amount of money just to stay afloat.

Yu Xiangqiao’s lips twitched. She had only meant to reassure her mother-in-law that they had no intention of “fighting” over the family property.

But Ruan Yaoyao didn’t care about that at all—she only cared whether she could still receive her year-end dividends.

Yu Xiangqiao quickly explained that it wasn’t like Fifth would immediately take over after graduation. There would definitely be a learning and transition period first.

After all, who didn’t go through that?

He might seem unreliable now, but once he starts working, he might gradually mature.

Ruan Yaoyao looked unconvinced. “You can tell what a person will be like from the age of three. If he was like that as a child, he won’t change much when he grows up. That kind of talk might fool others, but not me.”

【Instead of saying all this, you might as well urge your husband to earn more so I can get a bigger share at the end of the year.】

Ruan Yaoyao had never thought of herself as a good person, nor did she believe her children would be particularly filial. Her mindset had always been simple—earn as much money as possible so she wouldn’t be left without support in old age.

Yu Xiangqiao couldn’t understand her before. Back when she couldn’t hear her mother-in-law’s inner thoughts, she even thought Ruan Yaoyao was selfish and only cared about herself.

But after hearing more of those thoughts, she began to understand.

Maybe Ruan Yaoyao was still selfish—but she wasn’t heartless or devoid of kindness.

She had just been hurt too many times, so she wrapped herself in thorns. Whenever something happened, those thorns would rise up to protect her.

She was straightforward, unable to pretend; she was shrewd, but had no intention of harming others.

Such a mother-in-law… was actually quite adorable.

Yu Xiangqiao immediately smiled. “Mom, the Paris brand recently released some beautiful new accessories. There’s one emerald piece that I think would suit you perfectly. Want to take a look? If you like it, I’ll buy it for you.”

“So generous?” Ruan Yaoyao looked suspicious. “You don’t happen to be asking me for something, do you? Or… was it true that you went to meet another man that time, and now you’re trying to buy my silence?”

【It doesn’t matter if you meet other men, but Xiao Lingxuan is still young—you mustn’t mess around!】

【Even if you want to mess around, at least wait until Xiao Lingxuan grows up!】

Yu Xiangqiao looped her arm through Ruan Yaoyao’s and said with a smile, “Can’t I just be filial to you for no reason? You like Xiao Lingxuan so much—it makes me, her mother, really happy. I used to worry you’d be disappointed that I had a daughter, but now seeing how much you love her, I finally feel at ease. You’re so perceptive, Mom—you’ve seen more of life than I have. When Xiao Lingxuan grows up and it’s time for her to marry, I’ll have to rely on you to help me judge and make sure she doesn’t choose the wrong man.”

At that, Ruan Yaoyao immediately frowned. “She’s so young and you’re already talking about marriage? What, did you have a daughter just to marry her off? Can’t she stay at home and live as a rich young lady for life? Isn’t that much more comfortable? No in-law troubles, no worrying about being deceived by men. If she wants a child, she can have one herself—just pick a good man for the genes. It’s not like our family can’t afford it…”

Yu Xiangqiao couldn’t help but think: her mother-in-law’s mindset was a century ahead of hers!

She smiled happily. “Well, both her father and I are hopeless romantics. I’m just afraid she’ll turn out like us.”

“That is a problem!”

Suddenly, Ruan Yaoyao recalled something.

【The reason Xiao Lingxuan died so miserably in my previous life wasn’t just because her parents did nothing—it was also because she inherited the wrong kind of brain!】

【Of all things to inherit, she ended up being love-brained. She fell for that man at first sight, like she was under a spell. All she could see was him—of course she ended up getting destroyed.】

【No! I have to keep an eye on this. I absolutely can’t let them meet. Otherwise, it’ll be like Li Tingting—once she meets him, she’ll be completely bewitched. I won’t even have time to react.】

Yu Xiangqiao’s heart skipped a beat. “Mom, I was planning to send Xiao Lingxuan to the same kindergarten her brother attended, then for primary school…”

She hurriedly laid out the life plan she and Xu Lianghan had carefully discussed, asking for Ruan Yaoyao’s opinion on any adjustments.

After all, even if fate had changed, the male and female leads still existed. Who knew—maybe that male lead would be the next Li Tingting.

The moment Ruan Yaoyao heard one of the school names, she immediately objected. “That middle school won’t do. Pick another one.”

She even came up with a reason. “Just because her brother went there doesn’t mean she has to. Try something new. I think that other school is quite good too. Anyway, we have a car—we can just have the driver take her.”

“Alright. If you think that school is good, then we’ll send her there. Should Lingxuan also learn multiple talents like her aunt?”

Xu Lingxuan’s aunt—Ruan Yaoyao’s daughter, Xu Nannan—had learned dancing, singing, violin, and more, eventually taking the artistic path and becoming a painter.

Outsiders thought she was impressive, but the family knew the truth—her “fame” and exhibitions were all funded and packaged by them.

Before her awakening, Ruan Yaoyao would have said: “That’s great—she can grow up to be an artistic little fairy!”

After her awakening:

“Why learn that? If anything, she should learn taekwondo, kendo, basketball with her brothers… more physical activities so she stays healthy.”

【So she’ll have the strength to beat up scumbag men in the future!】

“And sign her up for economics, business, philosophy, and history classes too.”

【And those ‘thick black theory’ and psychology courses—she needs to learn how to read people so she won’t be easily deceived.】

【Study economics to understand the importance of money.】

【Study history to learn how to use people wisely.】

…

On and on she went—whatever courses the men of the Xu family had taken, Xu Lingxuan would take as well. Absolutely, she must not end up like her aunt Xu Nannan, learning useless things like tea ceremony or flower arranging, becoming some gentle, virtuous wife.

They had worked so hard to raise their daughter—why let her grow into a delicate flower for men to pick?

If anything, she should become a man-eating flower—beautiful from afar, untouchable up close.

Stay dazzling. If she meets someone she truly likes and who truly loves her, she can bloom.

But if the person isn’t sincere—then bare her fangs and devour him whole.