Chapter 132: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

The next day, at the Gu residence.

Song Sining watched as Li Qiuhua arrived for a sudden visit, politely preparing tea and snacks.

Even though there were only the two of them in the house, Li Qiuhua felt incredibly uneasy.

In front of the elegant and intellectual Song Sining, Li Qiuhua felt as though even her breathing was coarse.

"Is Big Brother Gu not here?"

"No, he went fishing with some friends. How has Momo been recovering these past few days?" Song Sining took the initiative to ask, breaking the awkwardness between them.

"Her physical health is fine, but her spirits haven't been very good."

Mentioning Su Mo, Li Qiuhua’s face naturally clouded with gloom.

Back when Su Mo was well, she had even fantasized that her daughter might have a chance to marry into the Gu family, but now she didn't even dare to think such a thing.

"Take it slow. You both need to show her more care and guide her. Momo is a smart girl; she will eventually accept reality."

Hearing Song Sining praise Su Mo's intelligence, the tension in Li Qiuhua's face finally relaxed slightly.

"Actually, I came here today because I have something I'd like to trouble you with."

Song Sining had already guessed as much, though she didn't know what would be said next.

"Please, say it. As long as it's something we can help with."

"You definitely can help!" Li Qiuhua's emotions grew a bit more intense, and then she said somewhat embarrassedly, "Jianguo and I had a fight yesterday, and he moved into the factory dormitory. I was wondering if I could trouble Big Brother Gu to go and persuade him? Jianguo usually listens to Big Brother Gu more than anyone."

Song Sining did not agree immediately, but instead asked in detail, "Why did you fight?"

Li Qiuhua paused for several seconds. After running through the words Su Mo had instructed her to say before she arrived, she deliberately let out a heavy sigh.

"Sigh, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but the reason we fought was because of Yanyan."

"What happened with Yanyan?" Song Sining's tone shifted.

Before answering, Li Qiuhua actually shed tears, sobbing silently.

Song Sining frowned slightly, waiting for her to compose herself.

"They say being a stepmother is hard. My feelings toward Yanyan are truly the same as my feelings toward Momo and Qiangqiang," Li Qiuhua's first sentence was to declare her own righteousness.

Song Sining's gaze deepened.

Li Qiuhua continued, "Yanyan was sent to the countryside when she was little, so I truly love her from the bottom of my heart. I can understand that the child isn't close to me. Jianguo is even more indulgent with her; the whole family revolves around her."

Song Sining still didn't speak, but she handed over a tissue.

After taking it, Li Qiuhua wiped the corners of her eyes bashfully, secretly observing Song Sining's expression.

*The opening buildup is about done, right?*

She took a deep breath and deliberately slowed her speaking pace.

"It's only natural to spoil a child, but one shouldn't go too far, right? If a child does something wrong, shouldn't we as adults step in and manage it?"

Song Sining gave a faint "Mhm," which served as the response she wanted.

Li Qiuhua immediately gained confidence. "Yanyan might not have had anyone to teach her back in the village. Since coming back, she skips school every few days. Jianguo says he doesn't expect her to get into university, so I can only turn a blind eye."

Song Sining picked up the water cup in front of her, her gaze flickering slightly beneath her lowered eyelashes.

Li Qiuhua's volume grew louder, her emotions clearly becoming agitated.

"Whether she goes to school or not is one thing, but lately, Yanyan has actually started staying out all night! She's just a young girl, staying out all night long without coming home. If we, as parents, just ignore it, then we are truly harming her!"

With a background like the Gu family's, they certainly could not accept a future daughter-in-law with poor character.

This was her purpose for coming today: first, to have Gu Qingfeng persuade Su Jianguo, and second, to ruin the marriage between Su Yan and Gu Yang. It was killing two birds with one stone!

Sure enough, when Song Sining heard about Su Yan staying out all night, her expression turned serious.

"Perhaps Yanyan is going through something."

"What could a young girl still in school be going through? If there really is something, shouldn't she tell her parents?" Li Qiuhua argued righteously.

"You fought with Jianguo just because of this?" Song Sining concluded.

Li Qiuhua nodded vigorously. "Even though Jianguo and I are a blended family, our life has been very stable. But ever since Yanyan came back, not only has Momo gone through such a major incident, but Jianguo and I have been fighting every other day. This time was because I said a few words to Yanyan, and she incited Jianguo to move to the factory dormitory. And of course, Jianguo obeys her blindly, making a scene and demanding a divorce from me."

By the end, her voice choked with grievance again, looking exactly like a stepmother being bullied by her stepdaughter.

Seeing her with a nose full of tears and eyes streaming, Song Sining comforted her, "You are Jianguo's partner; you should know that his temperament is just like that. As for Yanyan, she is still young and lacks understanding; it's better if you show more patience. When Qingfeng returns, I'll have him make a trip to the factory to talk some sense into Jianguo."

Li Qiuhua was overjoyed in her heart, but she still had to maintain a distressed expression on her face.

"Big Sister, my heart is so bitter. I'll have to trouble you with the matter between Jianguo and me. Please don't take what I said about Yanyan to heart. In the future, I will definitely educate Yanyan more so she knows what should and shouldn't be done."

"Alright, thank you for your trouble."

Originally, Li Qiuhua thought that after pouring her heart out like this, she would definitely earn Song Sining's dissatisfaction with Su Yan. However, she hadn't expected that from beginning to end, Song Sining wouldn't say a single negative word about Su Yan, and would simply end the topic like that.

"It's no trouble. It's getting late, so I won't disturb you any longer and will head back."

"Momo needs care at home, so I won't keep you." After saying this, Song Sining stood up to see her guest out.

Li Qiuhua had a feeling as if she had used all her strength to throw a punch, only for it to land on cotton—soft and without causing the slightest ripple.

Frustrating.

The response Song Sining gave was not at all what she had imagined.

Under Song Sining's gaze, she left the Gu residence awkwardly.

"That shouldn't be right. Did I not say enough? Why does she not seem angry at all? Or is she angry inside but not showing it? Dealing with these intellectuals is truly exhausting."

On the way back, Li Qiuhua kept muttering to herself.

When she arrived home, Su Mo rushed to meet her eagerly.

"Mom, how was it? Did you say everything I taught you? Were Gu Big Brother's parents furious?"

Looking at her daughter's expectant face, Li Qiuhua gave a guilty cough.

"I said it all. Song Sining's face looked quite grim after hearing it, and she promised to have your Uncle Gu go and persuade your father."

The corners of Su Mo's mouth curled up wildly. "Mom, it might not be long before we hear the news that the Gu family is calling off the engagement."

Li Qiuhua gave a "Hehe" sound. Unlike Su Mo's certainty, she didn't care whether the engagement was called off or not; she only cared if Gu Qingfeng could persuade Su Jianguo to come back.

(End of Chapter)