Chapter 630: Chapter 632: Wishful Thinking

Jin Qianqian and the others were chatting happily—with the exception, of course, of Wang Caiyue, who looked regretful and uncomfortable.

But that didn’t detract in the slightest from the trivial, everyday topics that women discuss when they get together.

Even Li Cuicui would occasionally chime in on these subjects.

"Seventh Sister-in-law," Gu Yuanfeng suddenly said, choosing a moment when everyone had paused to drink some water.

Li Cuicui shot her a warning glance. ’Whenever this girl opens her mouth, it’s never for anything good.’

"You and Seventh are going to be away for a long time again. Your two children have grown distant from their cousins."

Only then did Jin Qianqian look up at her, not taking the bait and simply waiting for her to continue.

"Look, our Laiyun is about the same age as your second child. Why not let them be companions?"

The moment she said this, the way everyone looked at her changed.

Everyone knew that being associated with Jin Qianqian and her husband meant endless benefits.

But in all these years, no one had dared to ask. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but that they were unwilling to risk straining the relationship.

The families hadn’t been particularly close in the past. They had only managed to maintain a superficial peace with great difficulty. If even one small thing went wrong, it would be too late for regrets.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Do you really think Cancan and Luo Luo are short on people to look after them?

Besides, are you really just sending Laiyun over so the kids can have a companion? You’re just trying to get Seventh to raise your child for you."

Liu Liu never minced her words. Right now, aside from Ancient Wen Heng’s household, her branch of the family was the most prosperous, which naturally gave her the confidence to speak so boldly.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, why must you put it so harshly? Our Laiyun is Seventh’s biological nephew. What’s wrong with him living with his own uncle?

Besides, it’s just one child. The servants and maids can look after him. It’s no extra effort and won’t be a burden on Seventh and his wife."

As she spoke, she pushed her son forward a step. "Seventh Sister-in-law, look how handsome our Laiyun is. Just think of it as raising another son. When he grows up, he can be filial to you, too."

Jin Qianqian smiled. "Sixth Sister, from the way you talk, it’s clear you don’t understand. Any parent knows how mentally taxing it is to raise a child. Besides, raising one is about more than just putting food on the table.

Aren’t you afraid that if he grows up with us, he’ll become distant from you and closer to me, his aunt?"

Hesitation flickered in Gu Yuanfeng’s eyes, but her expression quickly hardened. "No matter what, I’m still his biological mother. That can’t be changed.

And I’m sure Seventh Sister-in-law isn’t the kind of unreasonable person who would keep a mother from her child."

Jin Qianqian was actually a little impressed. ’Has Gu Yuanfeng actually gotten smarter after all these years?’

"It seems I’ve given you the wrong impression, Sixth Sister. To be honest, I’m actually quite petty." Though Jin Qianqian was smiling, her eyes had turned completely cold.

"A mother only ever thinks about her own children, wishing she could lay all the good things in the world at their feet.

I’m sure you can understand that, Sixth Sister. No matter how adorable or handsome another’s child is, they can never compare to one’s own.

If you don’t want to raise your child, or if you find him a bother, you can always do what you did with Chuncao and the others—just hand him over to someone else to raise."

"How can those two money-pits compare to my Laiyun? He’s the one who will carry on the family name and support me in my old age!"

Jin Qianqian glanced at the two girls standing behind Li Cuicui and saw their expressions remained as cold and indifferent as before. She shook her head inwardly. ’This Gu Yuanfeng is as brainless as ever.’

’This little test revealed her true colors. It seems someone must have been giving her ideas for that earlier proposal.’

But Jin Qianqian sneered inwardly. ’This woman is as stupid as ever. Her own mother is raising her two daughters for her, and she doesn’t have to lift a finger.’

’All she has to do is be nice to them, say a few kind words, or give them some small trinkets. They’re her daughters, after all. Couldn’t she win them back that way?’

’But look at what she does instead. Judging by the look in those two girls’ eyes, they’re already completely alienated from her.’

Li Cuicui was already furious. How could she not know what her stupid daughter was plotting?

"If you don’t know how to talk, then shut your damn mouth!" In front of her daughters-in-law, Li Cuicui didn’t care about hurting her daughter’s pride and cursed her directly.

"So I raised you all these years for nothing? Our family doesn’t treat its daughters like they aren’t human! Where did you get such twisted ideas?

You raise the children you birth! If you can’t afford to, then throw them away!

And you’re still thinking of sending him to your Seventh Sister-in-law to raise for you? What kind of fantasy are you living in?

Going by your own logic, you’re a money-pit, so on what grounds should your child come and take advantage of our Gu family?

I have so many grandsons and great-grandsons from my sons. Even if we were taking turns, it would never be the turn of someone with the surname Shi!"

Gu Yuanfeng’s face fell. She stared at Li Cuicui in disbelief. "Mother, I’m your own daughter!"

Li Cuicui turned her head away. "I don’t give a damn. You said it yourself—daughters are money-pits. So what right does a money-pit like you have to plot against your own maternal family?"

"...That’s different..." Gu Yuanfeng’s expression froze. Even though she had rehearsed many arguments in her head, she couldn’t find a way to justify herself now.

She was secretly fuming. ’What kind of mother doesn’t help her own daughter and holds her back instead?’

When she saw the mocking looks from her sisters-in-law, a flash of shame crossed her face. But the moment she felt the small hand in hers, she lifted her head high again and said,

"I’m not asking for him to be treated the same as Luo Luo and Cancan. I just want Seventh to give him a helping hand when he’s teaching his own children.

If it comes to it, I’ll pay in Silver. I won’t let Seventh and his wife be at a disadvantage."

Liu Liu couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "Sorry," she said insincerely, "I couldn’t hold it in."

"You’re not the only one. I couldn’t hold it in either," Hong Xiaoya chimed in, also laughing. "If offering Silver was all it took to get a spot by Seventh’s side, there probably wouldn’t even be room for us to stand here."

Hong Xiaoya believed what the witch had told her—that her own young daughter had a promising future and would one day bring her glory and wealth.

But she wasn’t audacious enough to scheme to send her own child to Seventh’s side.

Besides, if you don’t keep your child by your side to nurture a bond when they’re young, then even if they become successful later, they will only fulfill their filial duty in the most basic sense—at most, just ensuring you have food and clothing.

She had run these calculations in her head long ago and was surprised to find someone even worse at this kind of math than she was.

Although Li Cuicui was furious at Gu Yuanfeng for being so out of line, the girl had still come from her own womb. When her daughter was disgraced, she lost face as well.

She waved her hand impatiently. "What you’re proposing is impossible. Never mind that Seventh and his wife won’t agree, but I won’t agree, and neither will the clan. You should just give up on this idea and take your child home."

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