The elderly Zhang couple only wanted to get to the bottom of things—neither letting their own family or their son suffer a loss, nor letting their son carelessly give up a woman who truly loved him. They had no desire to stir up trouble.

They disapproved of such an open-and-shut visit to the Liu household.

So when Ma Fengying asked this question, the elderly couple simultaneously shook their heads in refusal.

Zhang Mama even forced a sheepish smile and said, “Let’s just forget it. What if Liu Qingqing shows our photos to her family? Then, once they recognize us later, they might start fighting with you over us—that wouldn’t be good at all.”

“I’m not afraid; what are you two scared of? So what? Are you two still hoping that little slutty fox surnamed Liu will become your daughter-in-law? Aren’t you afraid she’ll bring a whole lot of trouble into your family? Or turn your family into a laughingstock on the prairie?”

Ma Fengying asked with a cold laugh, seeing right through their true intentions.

Zhang’s father remained silent, his face stern.

Even before they’d officially taken this daughter-in-law into the family, they could already feel the old lady’s mocking gaze piercing right through them.

Just thinking about how, once their only son married that woman, they might have to endure such looks and ridicule every single day, every single moment—even worse—made it hard for them to even breathe.

Zhang Mama also forced a terribly awkward smile and said, “Oh, come now, I’m just worried…”

“Alright, alright. I know exactly what you’re worried about.”

Ma Fengying waved her hand, cutting Zhang Mama off mid-sentence.

Zhang Mama gave an embarrassed smile.

Ma Fengying continued, “No need to look at me like that. I’m not one to push people too hard. Since you’re unwilling to go, then forget it. But let me warn you one more time: if you’re not afraid of ruining your family and becoming the laughingstock of the world, then go ahead and marry that Liu woman. Now, let’s be off.”

Although Ma Fengying really wanted to take the two of them to the Liu household and catch them completely off guard, seeing how timid and apprehensive the elderly couple looked—so afraid of causing trouble—she didn’t insist. After sighing several times, she took Housekeeper Zhao and left, heading back toward her own home.

Watching the two of them walk away, the weight on the elderly Zhangs’ hearts grew even heavier, pressing down so hard they could barely lift it.

As Zhang’s father peered toward the Liu household, Zhang Mama grabbed his hand. Her expression was somber, her voice low. “Honey, what should we do now? This Liu family… should we still… still go?”

“We’ve already come this far. We definitely have to go and see for ourselves, clear as day, before we can truly give up hope,” Zhang’s father said.

But after a moment’s thought, he added, “Still, shouldn’t we take it a bit easier?”

“Easier? How do you mean ‘easier’? This isn’t a fight, nor is it anything like that—how exactly would we ‘ease’ things up?” Zhang Mama frowned.

Thinking about how soon her son and Liu Qingqing were due to register their marriage made her even more worried.

Zhang’s father sighed and said, “What else can we do? Before we go to the Liu household, let’s ask the neighbors nearby first. After all, it’s hard to trust just one person’s word; but if everyone says the same thing, then there’s no choice but to believe it.”

Zhang Mama thought this made perfect sense and quickly nodded. “That’s right.”

“Mm.”

“Then let’s stop dawdling and head out. The sooner we get clarity, the sooner we can go back. Sigh… my heart is in knots right now. I’m afraid our son will register with that woman, yet I’m also worried the kid won’t be able to stand the loneliness and end up doing… well, you know what I mean. And I’m even more afraid of ending up with a child. Once that happens, that mess will be something we’ll never be able to shake off, no matter how hard we try.”

End of Chapter 221: Counterattack 148