Tian Sangsang replied flatly, "Mom, Yanyan is my son." With just one sentence, she emphasized her relationship with ng Shuyan. As a mother, she had the right to decide her son’s future.
"Without my son, could you have given birth to a child?" Ye Binyi sneered coldly.
Tian Sangsang was speechless. Wasn’t that child her own? She hadn’t expected Ye Binyi to be so unreasonable! Without the original, Jiang Jinghuai wouldn’t have even been able to have a child! Could he bear one himself? Let him try to bring one into the world!
Seeing her silence, Ye Binyi’s disdain grew. She said coldly, "I don’t want to waste words with you. Where is Yanyan? Hand over my grandson! Jinghuai is coming back today, and Yanyan must return with . As for you, you’d better not co back. Last ti during dinner, you vomited and ruined everyone’s appetite."
Tian Sangsang pursed her lips in silence. She didn’t want to argue with Ye Binyi, but thinking about how Ye Binyi believed she was vomiting on purpose made her feel deeply wronged. She was simply pregnant, but the child was unwelco. Everyone hated its arrival. In the future, she would have to treat the child doubly well.
"Who said she’s not going back? Both she and Yanyan must return ho!"
Suddenly, an elderly voice filled with rage bood from upstairs, growing louder as its owner approached.
Grandma Tian descended with a cane, her presence domineering and unyielding.
Behind her, Second Aunt Tian held ng Shuyan’s hand and followed, her head held high, equally unwilling to back down.
No one could allow Sangsang’s in-laws to think the won from Tian Family were easy to bully! The won of the Tian Family were no pushovers!
Father Jiang froze.
Ye Binyi furrowed her brows slightly as she coolly assessed Grandma Tian and Second Aunt Tian. They were crass, putting forth a typical rural act, wearing embarrassingly unsophisticated clothes. They weren’t even in the sa social class; ordinarily, she wouldn’t trouble herself to engage with people like them—it wasn’t worth it.
Where had they even co from?
Anyway, thinking about them hanging around with Tian Sangsang was enough to irritate her.
"Yanyan!" She directly ignored Second Aunt Tian and Grandma Tian and stared zealously at ng Shuyan, her deanor warm and amiable: "Co to Grandma! Let Grandma take you ho!"
Tian Sangsang felt dazed. Ye Binyi’s attitude toward her and her son was worlds apart, but she had to admit, when Ye Binyi softened up, she could be rather endearing.
ng Shuyan halted his little steps, hesitant.
Ye Binyi coaxed him, "Your dad is coming ho today. Don’t you want to see him?"
ng Shuyan’s big eyes sparkled as he looked questioningly at Tian Sangsang. He wanted to go back, and he wanted his mom to co along so they could see Dad together.
Tian Sangsang steeled herself to ignore his imploring gaze. She wouldn’t go back to the Jiang Family no matter what.
Ye Binyi saw her grandson’s expression and beca even more dissatisfied with Tian Sangsang. It had only been a few days, and yet her grandson was already under her control. Now even going ho seed to require Tian Sangsang’s approval.
Grandma Tian stroked ng Shuyan’s head and pulled him closer to Tian Sangsang, saying, "Yanyan, stick with your mom for now."
Tian Sangsang held ng Shuyan’s hand, her gaze catching the shimr in Grandma Tian’s eyes. She didn’t have ti to stop her from doing sothing impulsive.
Grandma Tian stepped forward, her wrinkled face spreading into a jovial grin, her tone leisurely and mocking: "So this is my in-law? It’s our first eting, isn’t it?"
As she spoke, she scrutinized Ye Binyi. Aiyoh, wasn’t this the archetype of a landlord’s wife from their era? Beautiful, yes, but always keeping a stiff expression, with eyes evoking a sense of disdain and arrogance. Moreover, this in-law wasn’t just condescending; she looked sickly on top of it. Clearly the kind of daughter-in-law country folk detested most—not good for childbearing.
No wonder she married into a wealthy family; otherwise, who would raise a fragile invalid like her? Regular folks wouldn’t even take her for free.
In-law? Ye Binyi narrowed her eyes, pondering the implications of her words.
Tian Sangsang sensed the impending drama and proactively introduced, "Mom, this is my grandma, and that’s my second aunt. They just arrived in Beijing."
A trace of understanding crossed Ye Binyi’s eyes as she glanced flippantly at the two won, examining them briefly. Of course, they were Tian Sangsang’s relatives. She forced a shallow smile, "So you’re my in-laws? Coming all the way from that little place to Beijing is no easy feat. Sangsang didn’t ntion this to before, or else I would’ve made proper arrangents to host you in accordance with the ’duties of the landlord.’"
Second Aunt Tian flinched in surprise, "In-law, don’t say things like that. There are no landlords anymore." Frantically, she looked around nervously, "Don’t refer to yourself as a landlord or you might get into trouble."
Ye Binyi explained, "You misunderstood, Second Aunt. ’Duties of the landlord’ is an idiom. It ans you’re the guests, and I’m the host. When guests co to the host’s ho, the host would prepare food and wine to treat them."
"Sangsang, is that correct?" Second Aunt Tian blushed, embarrassedly seeking confirmation.
Tian Sangsang smiled and nodded.
Second Aunt Tian mulled over Ye Binyi’s explanation—this talk of hosts, guests, and clear distinctions—and felt she had lost face for her niece. Helplessly, she looked to Tian Sangsang for rescue.
"Since my in-law is so thoughtful, it’s not too late to host us now," Grandma Tian said with a grin. "In-law just ntioned taking Yanyan ho—it’s perfect for all of us to go together. That Jinghuai fellow, right? He’s coming back, so we can et him as well. Besides, we have so matters to discuss with your family."
Tian Sangsang’s heart skipped a beat, afraid Grandma Tian would bring up her pregnancy. She wanted to keep it a secret for now.
Ye Binyi grew wary—were they planning to move in? Dealing with one Tian Sangsang was already exasperating, but these two seed even harder to handle. People who didn’t even understand basic idioms...
"If you have sothing to say, just say it here," Ye Binyi said harshly, lifting her chin in disdain.
"Our Sangsang, from a young age, has been obedient and sensible. When your son made his mistake, she was the one who endured all the suffering while carrying Yanyan. She went through hell," Grandma Tian lanted, her tone shifting to joy. "But, of course, not to brag—Sangsang is beautiful, kind, and has a bit of savings. A girl like her is rare. When she followed your son to Beijing and married into your family, as her grandma, I felt deeply reluctant."
"So isn’t it ti your family gave us a bride price? The wedding for the young couple hasn’t been held either. Let’s discuss and choose a date for it."
Ye Binyi sneered audibly—clearly they ca prepared, hoping to take advantage.
She’d never wanted Tian Sangsang to marry into their family. A bride price? No way! A wedding? Absolutely not!
"Here’s the thing," Ye Binyi began, tone icy. "I was the last to know about the marriage, and yes, it was rushed. But now the child has been born and everyone is settled in our ho. Bringing up bride prices and weddings at this point is completely unreasonable. Those traditions are outdated, just for show—there’s no need to bother with them anymore."
Tian Sangsang lowered her eyes. Perhaps she’d never have the chance to experience an honorable wedding in her lifeti.
Grandma Tian wasn’t pleased: "How can that be acceptable? My granddaughter married into your family, but with no bride price or wedding? That’s outrageous! We’re all won here—we know getting married is a once-in-a-lifeti event and must be treated seriously. This is an age-old tradition passed down through generations. How can it not matter to your family?"
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