Chapter 15: Dream On

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Once the topic was brought up, the rest was easier to address. Especially with the overwhelming emotion of self-pity, Zhang Lanya could articulate her words more effectively.

Looking at Ning Ruyun, Zhang Lanya sighed softly and said with great helplessness, “Little Yun, right now, Xiaotao truly wants to marry Xiaoxue. He really likes her. He said this is the first time he’s felt such a flutter for a girl. He has genuinely fallen for Xiaoxue.”

“In this situation, Xiaotao has finally found someone he truly loves and has tasted the sweetness of love. He wants to marry Xiaoxue and spend his life with her. I don’t want you to misunderstand the relationship between him and Xiaoxue.”

“Xiaotao has said many times over the years that he’s always regarded you as a little sister. Being with you never gave him the same joyful, happy feeling he has with Xiaoxue. Only now does he understand that’s what true love feels like—not just a promise or a duty tied to an arranged marriage.”

“Little Yun, Xiaotao has indeed fallen in love with Xiaoxue. He really loves her. I don’t want to tear them apart. I don’t want Xiaotao to suffer or regret, nor do I want you to endure pain by marrying him.”

“I’ve thought about this for a long time. Seeing Xiaotao suffer so much between love and responsibility, I truly can’t bear it anymore. That’s why I came to talk to you about this.”

“Ah, Little Yun, look, about your marriage with Xiaotao, maybe it’s best to let it go. Forced fruit never tastes sweet; it might even turn bitter.”

As she spoke, Zhang Lanya herself felt convinced that Wei Zhitao could only be with Feng Qingsue. She couldn’t be the cruel mother who broke up true lovers. She had to support the love and marriage between her son Wei Zhitao and Feng Qingsue.

As for the original engagement with Ning Ruyun, Zhang Lanya could only apologize.

Yes, she came because of her son’s love, not because she despised Ning Ruyun for losing her beauty.

Comforting herself this way, Zhang Lanya almost believed it.

But after saying all this, hearing no response from Ning Ruyun or Xu Xiuhong, Zhang Lanya grew a little dissatisfied. She furrowed her brows slightly and looked toward Ning Ruyun again.

Seeing Ning Ruyun bow her head slightly, her shoulders trembling as if deeply wounded, Zhang Lanya’s heart felt a little lighter.

Ning Ruyun simply wasn’t worthy of her son Wei Zhitao. Breaking off the engagement would certainly bring her pain.

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Her son’s charm was extraordinary, making several girls fall so deeply for him.

Ah, such a powerful charm—it’s not always a blessing!

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Lanya rare showed a bit of kindness: “Little Yun, don’t worry. Although your engagement with Xiaotao is broken off, Auntie still wants to adopt you as my goddaughter. From now on, we’ll be even closer as a family.”

“Then, you’ll be Little Yun’s god-sister. It won’t be much different from before, so there’s no need to worry about any awkwardness.”

“Xiaotao is just too soft-hearted and doesn’t dare to speak directly. He knows this will hurt you. Once the misunderstanding clears, he’ll care for you like a sister. Auntie will also treat you well, like my own daughter.”

“What do you think about breaking off the engagement, Little Yun? If you have any thoughts, you can tell Auntie.”

Though she framed it as a discussion, Zhang Lanya was already accustomed to deciding based on her own wishes.

Ning Ruyun’s opinion didn’t really matter. Zhang Lanya was merely announcing her decision.

Being so polite and gentle was already an act of kindness from Zhang Lanya.

While saying these words, she was carefully restraining herself from revealing her true feelings, unwilling to ruin her plans or her reputation.

She wanted to adopt Ning Ruyun as a goddaughter so she could continue to have the Ning family help with chores.

Despite speaking so nicely and even proposing to take Ning Ruyun as a goddaughter, Zhang Lanya secretly disliked it.

She looked down on the Ning family and didn’t want much contact but still wanted their help to keep her life easier.

If it weren’t for this reason, she wouldn’t be so accommodating.

Of course, if Ning Ruyun was sensible enough to quietly break the engagement, Zhang Lanya could indeed treat her better.

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But if Ning Ruyun was not sensible and insisted on clinging to Wei Zhitao, then she shouldn’t blame Zhang Lanya for being harsh.

Ning Ruyun naturally understood all these underlying thoughts of Zhang Lanya.

In her past life, having married Wei Zhitao, she had suffered many losses at Zhang Lanya’s hands and knew her temperament well.

Yet, seeing Zhang Lanya disdain her but still want to benefit from the Ning family and make them continue doing chores, she had to patiently talk with her, coaxing her to agree to break the engagement and accept the goddaughter relationship.

Watching Zhang Lanya’s shameless yet entirely self-serving demeanor, Ning Ruyun found it somewhat laughable and grew even more contemptuous of her.

Now that she had the chance, she certainly wouldn’t fall for the same trap again.

Since Zhang Lanya so desperately wanted Wei Zhitao to be a complete mama’s boy, marry a daughter-in-law she could control, and favored Feng Qingsue so that Wei Zhitao would marry her and listen to her forever, maintaining full control of the family, Ning Ruyun was willing to support their union.

Zhang Lanya wanted all the benefits but still cared about her public image, maintaining appearances and putting on airs—it was exhausting.

She had no desire to get involved with such a family.

Becoming a goddaughter and continuing to be used by their family? Zhang Lanya was dreaming too big!

Suppressing her discomfort and annoyance, Ning Ruyun finally lifted her head, her face marked with obvious pain and loneliness, but she obediently replied, “Aunt Zhang, I’ve come to understand. I’ll listen to you.”

“Since Brother Wei already likes Xiaoxue so much, there’s really no meaning in continuing the marriage between us. Breaking it off is probably for the best.”

“I also hope Brother Wei can live well from now on. I’m willing to support his love for Xiaoxue and hope they can spend their lives happily together.”

“Let’s break off the engagement today.”