Chapter 246: Zhang Meixui’s Discovery

As soon as they left, Zhang Su bellowed, "Those bastards!" He grabbed a vase, intending to break it, but Lui Ying intervened, holding his arm firmly. "That vase was very expensive, don’t you dare."

Reluctantly, Zhang Su put the vase down. "I have never been insulted like this in my entire life."

Zhang Weijun chimed in, "Mom, Dad, you know a villa in Radiant Sun Estate doesn’t cost less than 10 million... Those people are filthy rich."

Zhang Su’s anger surged. "Meixui, quickly check which cars they are driving!"

Zhang Meixui rushed outside to check, finding Li Chen and Zhang Mei about to enter their car. She hurried towards them, saying, "Cousin Mei, I’m sorry... sorry for everything."

Zhang Mei responded with understanding, "You were still young when it happened. You don’t have to apologize for anything."

Zhang Meixui expressed her remorse, "Sorry they treat you like this."

"It’s okay... Hope to see you at the wedding," Zhang Mei replied.

Zhang Meixui confided, "They won’t allow me."

Zhang Mei, determined to help, asked for her phone. Inputting her number, she instructed, "Call me if they don’t allow you. I’ll arrange for someone to come and fetch you, okay?"

Grateful, Zhang Meixui nodded. "I should go back before Dad gets angry." With that, she hurried back inside the house.

As they got in the car, Li Chen asked, "You two close?"

Zhang Mei nodded. "She’s always been a sweet little girl. She was 14 or so when it happened. I don’t know why, but they always treat her coldly."

"I see... Maybe you should ask her to be your maid of honor, since you don’t have any friends," Li Chen suggested.

Zhang Mei considered it. "I haven’t thought about that issue, but I do have former colleagues I was a bit close to. I can also ask."

"Good. Unfortunately, my family only has men," Li Chen lamented.

Zhang Mei chuckled. "Your brothers should get married too so I can get sisters."

"Maybe you can give me girls," Li Chen teased.

Zhang Mei shook her head. "So you can all spoil rotten? No way."

Li Chen grinned. "She will be treated like royalty."

Their conversation turned to the topic of children, a welcome distraction from the drama that had just unfolded.

Back in the Zhang household, Zhang Meixui had returned, and Zhang Liying asked, "What took you so long?"

Zhang Meixui fabricated a lie, saying, "I wasn’t sure of the cars, so I had to look closely."

Zhang Weijun inquired, "So, what cars?"

"Rolls Royce," Zhang Meixui replied.

"They are really rich," Zhang Liying remarked.

"Maybe they hired the cars," Zhang Su speculated.

Lui Ying interjected, "What about the check and the villa?"

Zhang Weijun suggested, "Mom, maybe the check was going to bounce. They were just putting on a show for our eyes."

Zhang Su concurred, "Yes, that was all a show. No way a rich man can take fancy to someone like Zhang Mei."

Zhang Liying chimed in, "His cousin is cute."

Lui Ying cautioned her daughter, "But poor. Listen, dear, don’t even look at the direction of poor men. You have to find a man who will give you everything."

Zhang Weijun expressed disbelief, "I can’t believe Aunt Lingling went as far as staging a skit to make her future son-in-law seem rich."

Zhang Su asserted, "They have to accept that they have nothing."

As they continued their discussions, the resentment within the Zhang family became more apparent.

Zhang Su chuckled darkly, "Can you imagine? Zhang Mei, the daughter of a nobody, marrying into wealth? It’s laughable."

Lui Ying joined in, sneering, "Indeed. They must think we’re fools to believe such a ridiculous story."

Zhang Weijun added, "And that Li Chen, what a joke! Pretending to be rich when he’s probably just another fraud."

Zhang Liying nodded in agreement, "Exactly. They’re trying to deceive us, but we’re not that gullible."

Zhang Su leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, they can try all they want, but they can’t hide the truth forever. Zhang Mei will always be one of us, no matter how hard they try to change that."

The family erupted into laughter, their jokes laced with bitterness and resentment towards Zhang Mei and her supposed newfound fortune. They found solace in belittling her and her family, convinced that their own superiority would prevail in the end.

Zhang Meixui listened quietly to their conversations, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. While she outwardly agreed with her family’s sentiments, inwardly, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of guilt and sympathy for Zhang Mei.

Despite their harsh words, Zhang Meixui couldn’t help but wonder if there was truth to Zhang Mei’s story. She remembered the kindness Zhang Mei had shown her in the past, contrasting sharply with her family’s treatment of her.

As the laughter faded and the conversation shifted to other topics, Zhang Meixui remained lost in her thoughts, torn between loyalty to her family and empathy for Zhang Mei’s plight. She knew that she would have to make a choice soon, one that could potentially change the course of her life and her relationships with those around her.

The dynamics within the Zhang household were complex and entrenched in traditional gender roles. Zhang Weijun, at 24, had yet to establish independence from his parents, while Zhang Liying, at 27, sought luxury and security through wealthy suitors. Their paths were dictated by societal expectations and family dynamics.

In contrast, Zhang Meixui, at 19, struggled to find her place amidst the rigid expectations imposed by her family. Despite her intelligence and aspirations, she was stifled by the traditional views of her parents, who believed that education was unnecessary for women.

Each member of the Zhang family navigated their own challenges and desires within the confines of their upbringing, yet their individual journeys were intertwined in the fabric of familial expectations and societal norms.

Zhang Meixui, failing to listen to the conversation any further, retreated to her room, seeking solace in the quiet confines of her own space. As she closed the door and locked it behind her, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. It was exhausting being around her family sometimes, especially when their discussions turned sour and resentful.

Seated at her desk, Zhang Meixui took out her old phone and began to type into the search engine. The name "Sun Lixia" filled the screen, and she hesitated for a moment before pressing enter. Instantly, a flood of information appeared before her eyes, revealing the identity of Zhang Mei’s future mother-in-law as a member of the wealthy Sun family.

The realization hit Zhang Meixui like a bolt of lightning. So, Zhang Mei’s fiancé came from a family of immense wealth, a fact that could change everything for her cousin and her mother. But along with the excitement came a sense of caution. Zhang Meixui knew that revealing this information could potentially cause more harm than good.

With a determined expression, Zhang Meixui made a silent vow to herself. She would keep this discovery to herself, ensuring that Zhang Mei and her mother could navigate their new life without unnecessary interference. As she tucked her phone away, a small smile played on her lips, hopeful for the brighter future that awaited her cousin and aunt.

As Zhang Meixui sat in her room, contemplating the newfound information about Zhang Mei’s future in-laws, a sense of peace washed over her. Despite the tensions within her own family, she found solace in the thought of Zhang Mei and Mu Lingling finding happiness and security in their new alliance with the affluent Sun family.

As she glanced around her room, Zhang Meixui’s eyes fell upon a framed photograph on her desk. It was a picture of her and Zhang Mei from happier times, captured during a family gathering years ago. The memory brought a soft smile to her lips, reminding her of the bond they shared and the importance of family, despite their differences.

With a sense of determination, Zhang Meixui made a silent promise to herself. She would do whatever it took to ensure Zhang Mei and Mu Lingling’s happiness, even if it meant sacrificing her own desires or enduring the challenges that lay ahead.

As the evening sunlight filtered through her window, casting a warm glow across the room, Zhang Meixui closed her eyes and allowed herself to envision a future where her cousin and aunt thrived, surrounded by love, prosperity, and the support of their newfound family. And in that moment, she felt a glimmer of hope for brighter days ahead.

As the car sped along the familiar streets, Zhang Mei’s gaze drifted out of the window, watching the passing scenery with a sense of calm washing over her. The events of the day had been tumultuous, but the support and solidarity from the Lis had provided her with a newfound reassurance.

Beside her, Li Chen noticed her quiet contemplation and reached out to gently squeeze her hand, offering a wordless gesture of comfort and understanding. Zhang Mei glanced at him, her heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support.

As the city lights flickered past, Zhang Mei felt a sense of optimism bubbling within her. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, she knew that with the love and support of her new family, she could overcome anything.

With a deep breath, Zhang Mei turned her gaze back to the window, feeling a renewed sense of hope blossoming within her. As the car continued its journey, she allowed herself to bask in the comforting embrace of her newfound family, knowing that together, they could weather any storm.