Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 234: Annie Arrives

Xue Lingxue listened in astonishment, never imagining that her best friend’s family would be so influential.

If she had known about Chen Ruiyu’s family background, could she have fought for a chance?

Countless thoughts were clashing in her mind.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jingxuan squinted, his expression gloomy, contemplating how to smooth things over.

Lin Qin entered the banquet hall and asked Chen Xinyue seriously in her ear, "Is there some problem between you? Why did Wang Suling’s face not look quite right?"

Chen Xinyue blinked innocently, "Who’s Wang Suling? I don’t know her."

"You know! It’s your best friend’s mother," Lin Qin pulled Chen Xinyue’s arm slightly.

Chen Xinyue then pouted and smiled, "Mom, if I say this is the first time I’ve seen them, and I know nothing, would you believe me?"

Lin Qin looked doubtful but said nothing in the end.

The four of them sat with Yang Caifeng’s family of three.

Just as Lin Qin took her seat, she started greeting friends in the circle, while people came over to Chen Wenjun to offer drinks.

The adults were busy socializing, while Chen Xinyue and the other two looked at each other and then sat together.

Qu Zhiyang, lacking interest, muttered under his breath, "That Zhang bastard just told my parents I’m too ambitious, that I didn’t even go out for fun when I was in Britain. My mom was so happy when she heard this and started discussing with me about pursuing a doctorate."

"Cough cough cough..." Chen Xinyue and Chen Ruiyu were startled, the siblings simultaneously stared at Qu Zhiyang, their eyes filled with sympathy.

Chen Ruiyu patted Qu Zhiyang’s shoulder, saying earnestly, "Actually, pursuing a PhD isn’t bad. Anyway, your family doesn’t lack money, they can afford it."

"Hmph! Who the hell here lacks money, except for that meddling bastard who can’t keep his mouth shut? I’m not even familiar with him, yet he gets to talk behind my back to my parents?" Qu Zhiyang thought more and more, his anger erupting.

Unaware of the situation, Yang Caifeng watched with a wide grin, "Lin Qin, look at the three of them, indeed they’ve played together since they were little, their bond is truly good. Before your two kids arrived, my boy was sulking and showing no respect to anyone. I asked him to chat with the family, but he was unwilling.

Once your kids came, he hasn’t stopped talking. It seems relationships really need to be nurtured from childhood. The three of them and Lingxue have played together since they were little, now Lingxue is getting married. Are your kids seeing anyone?"

Faced with Yang Caifeng’s probing, Lin Qin remained composed and laughed lightly, "They just returned home, it’s still early days. My daughter said she’s studied all these years, she can’t have nothing to show for it, plans to strive in the capital for a few years first!"

Yang Caifeng was startled, hastily advising, "You can’t agree to that! If she goes to the capital, what if she stays there, could you bear it? We don’t lack money now; what we lack is companionship!"

Lin Qin sighed, "You’re right, but as parents, we can’t be too selfish. If reasoning works, we try; if they have a point, we can only listen to them. Anyway, my daughter said it’s just a few years, so we’ll go with her plan. If things don’t work out, I’ll head to the capital myself to help her out!"

Lin Qin firmly clenched her fist.

Yang Caifeng was stunned, recognizing the formidable woman in front of her, unlike her own circumstances, she couldn’t help but chuckle with some regret.

Then she turned to Chen Ruiyu, "What about your son? What’s his plan?"

Lin Qin smirked and shook her head, "The boy is easygoing, always well-behaved and considerate. If I were to ask him, he’d definitely ask about what we, the parents, think. If it’s something we can accept, he’ll surely listen to us.

We’ll talk more when we’re back, anyway they haven’t been home long, no rush."

Yang Caifeng said no more.

As they were chatting, the lights dimmed, and everyone looked towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

Music started, a couple made their way towards the red carpet amidst the crowd’s attention.

The emcee was a radio host, showcasing impeccable professionalism and improvisation skills.

As the couple reached the stage, the host heartily praised, "This match made in heaven, beauty and talent. Their union shines brightly, divinely arranged with utmost finesse. Harmony everlasting, congratulations to the groom and the Xue family’s jewel. United in prosperity, together forever."

This is the most beautiful blessing I can think of to describe this couple. Tonight, let’s all offer them our most beautiful wishes as they step into marriage."

Applause began and grew, igniting the atmosphere.

The host chuckled and continued, "Great! Next, we invite the groom’s father to give a speech..."

After both sets of parents expressed their joyous blessings, the host shouted, "Now, let’s have the newlyweds drink a toast for everlasting love!"

As soon as the words fell, the banquet hall doors swung open loudly.

Everyone looked over.

A foreign woman, holding two children on either side, slowly walked onto the red carpet.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Zhang Jingxuan fell backwards in shock, his face full of disbelief.

Zhang’s father was the first to react, dissatisfied, he spoke out to drive them away, "Sorry, you’ve got the wrong place, security!"

Annie paid no mind, staring intently at Zhang Jingxuan, tears fell one by one, "Zhang Jingxuan, is this what you meant by a business trip? I trusted you so much, how could you do this to me?"

"Annie, it’s not like that, let me explain....." Zhang Jingxuan said as he stepped forward, only to be held back by Zhang’s father.

Xue’s father stood up abruptly, "Jingxuan, who is she?"

Wang Suling also followed up anxiously, "Yes, Jingxuan, speak up, who is this woman?"

The words she just heard seemed off!

Zhang’s mother hastily tried to smooth things over, "In-laws, it’s all a misunderstanding, we’ve never seen this person before."

Zhang’s father sternly yelled, "Security! Get them out!"

David and Lily, seeing the security rushing towards them, cried out loudly, "Daddy, save us, please save us!"

Zhang Jingxuan couldn’t take it anymore, he shoved Zhang’s father aside and rushed over, angrily driving the security away, "Get away from them! Who permitted you to touch them!"

Lily cried loudly, Zhang Jingxuan quickly picked her up to comfort her, urgently pulling Annie’s hand, "Listen to me, I’m being forced to marry her, it wasn’t voluntary, it’s the family’s decision, I couldn’t resist. Annie, you have to believe, you’re the only one I truly love!"

Boom! The last bit of Wang Suling’s rationality vanished, she charged over to beat Zhang Jingxuan, "You scoundrel! I trusted you so much, but you went behind our backs with another woman, and...and had two illegitimate children! You deserve to die!"

The Zhang family’s relatives hurriedly stepped forward to intervene.

The Xue family’s relatives wouldn’t let it slide, blocking them all.

Xue’s father slammed the table, glaring at Zhang’s parents fiercely, "If you don’t give us an explanation today, it’s not over!"

Zhang’s father, sweating bullets, immediately walked up to Zhang Jingxuan and slapped him hard.