Chapter 173: Chapter 171: Mrs. Chen’s Sudden Heart Attack

Mrs. Chen turned her face away, her chest still heaving violently. It was clear she was paying no attention to Mr. Chen’s words.

She glared at Chen Zhengnian, her eyes filled with bitter disappointment.

"Wear me down? I could wait until my hair turns white and I still wouldn’t give in! If you dare to secretly get your marriage license, I’ll lock the household registration book in the safe. Let’s see you get married then!"

Chen Zhengnian took a deep breath, suppressing the bitter ache in his heart.

He knew his mother’s temper. Once she got stubborn, ten bulls couldn’t pull her back. But this time, he had no intention of backing down.

"Mom, if you really don’t want to give us the household registration book, we can go to the police station and get a proof of residence certificate. Legally, no one can stop us from getting married."

"I love Xinxin, and we understand each other completely. I believe that you live your own life, and it has nothing to do with social standing."

"Xinxin is the kind of person you build a life with, and she’s the person I love. If I’m forced to be with someone I don’t love, I’ll never be happy for the rest of my life."

Chen Zhengnian’s voice was quiet, but it carried an unshakeable resolve.

He looked at his mother, his gaze intense, every word sincere.

"But I don’t want it to be like this. I hope you can give us your heartfelt blessing."

"A blessing? I’ll wish for you to break up as soon as possible!"

Mrs. Chen slammed her hand on the arm of the sofa, repeating the same old arguments.

"That Wang Xinxin girl, you can tell just by looking at her that she’s a schemer. How else could she have you so completely bewitched? The Chen Family may not be fabulously wealthy, but we’ve never associated with people from a family like hers. Are you trying to bring shame on all of us?"

"You and Manman were so good together. I just don’t understand... how did the two of you get to this point?"

"Mom!"

Chen Zhengnian’s voice suddenly rose, his eyes filled with disappointment.

"How could you say that about Xinxin? Can’t you see what kind of person she is? She’s reliable and kind. What right do you have to slander her like this?"

"The one who’s truly manipulative and calculating is Chen Man."

He grew more agitated as he spoke, finally letting out all the words he had been holding back.

"You always say you’re doing what’s best for me, but have you ever asked me what I want? I don’t want a marriage between social equals, and I don’t want the future you see for me. I want to build a life with Xinxin. Even if we live simply, I would be perfectly happy." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"What does ’social equals’ even mean? Shouldn’t the fact that I love her be what matters most?"

’He just didn’t get it. Did his family have a throne that needed inheriting?’

’Why did they insist he be with someone he didn’t even like?’

’There was no way he could ever like someone like Chen Man.’

’Chen Man was spoiled and selfish, and she never thought about the consequences of her actions.’

’Being with her would just drag him down sooner or later.’

’Chen Man’s personality just wasn’t his type.’

’He would absolutely never be with Chen Man.’

’But Wang Xinxin was different. Xinxin was open and sincere, and she had a kind heart.’

’She was willing to come all the way to the Northwest for her dreams.’

’She was just a genuinely good person.’

’What reason was there for him not to love her?’

Mr. Chen sighed softly from the side, patting his son’s shoulder. "Zhengnian, calm down. Your mother just can’t get past this right now. In her heart..."

"What about my heart? I’ll tell you what’s in my heart—I’m furious!"

Mrs. Chen interrupted him, her neck stiff with defiance, but tears streamed down her face against her will.

"I worked my fingers to the bone to raise him, put him through college, supported him when he joined the army... all I ever hoped for was that he’d find a well-mannered, educated girl from a good family and live a stable life. Was I wrong? But no, he just had to go and find... find a..."

She didn’t finish the sentence, but the disdain in her voice was unmistakable.

Seeing his usually tough mother with tears streaming down her face, Chen Zhengnian felt a pang in his own heart.

He softened his tone, crouching in front of his mother and looking up at her.

"Mom, I know it hasn’t been easy for you, but this is my life to live. Only the wearer knows if the shoe fits. Xinxin is the one who makes me feel at ease. When I’m with her, I feel like I’m truly alive."

He took his mother’s hand, his tone pleading.

"Please, just take pity on me. Give me one chance, okay? I promise you, marrying Xinxin doesn’t mean I’ll stop caring for you and Dad. We’ll take good care of you both. We’ll work hard to build a good life and show you how happy we can be."

"Chen Man and I... we’re just not cut from the same cloth. We’re truly not right for each other."

Mrs. Chen’s hand twitched slightly, but she still yanked it back forcefully and turned her face away from him.

Silence fell over the living room once more, broken only by the TICK-TOCK of the wall clock.

「Meanwhile」

After returning home, Wang Xinxin shut herself in her room.

Moonlight spilled through a gap in the curtains, casting a long, thin sliver of light on the floor.

She sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the first gift Chen Zhengnian had ever given her.

It was a small music box with chipping paint. Inside, he had carved both of their names by hand.

She remembered how Chen Zhengnian had stood in front of her earlier, and a bittersweet feeling washed over her heart.

It was the first time he had clashed so intensely with his mother, and all for her sake. She was both moved and anxious.

’What if... what if Mrs. Chen never gives in? How difficult would that make things for Zhengnian, being caught in the middle?’

「In the Chen Family living room」

Mr. Chen pulled Chen Zhengnian out onto the balcony and handed him a cigarette.

"Your mother’s bark is worse than her bite. Deep down, she loves you more than anyone. It’s just that old-fashioned way of thinking. It’s not something she can change overnight."

Chen Zhengnian lit the cigarette and took a long drag. "I know, Dad. But I’m not backing down this time. Xinxin and I are serious. I want to give her a home."

"I understand."

Mr. Chen patted his shoulder. "Take it slow. Give your mother some time. She’s furious right now, so she won’t listen to a word you say. Wait a couple of days for her to cool off, and I’ll try to talk to her for you."

Chen Zhengnian nodded, but he knew this was going to be a difficult road.

But as he gazed into the distance, his eyes grew even more resolute.

As long as he could be with Wang Xinxin, he was willing to bear any hardship.

「The next morning」

Mrs. Chen was getting ready to go find Wang Xinxin and have it out with her.

But unexpectedly, the moment she stepped out the door, she felt a discomfort in her chest.

She reached for the door to steady herself and slowly sank to the ground.

"Is... anyone there... Help... help me..."

The words had barely left her lips before Mrs. Chen collapsed completely, unconscious.

Hearing a loud THUD, Mr. Chen rushed out. When he saw his unconscious wife, he immediately shouted for help.

By the time Chen Zhengnian got the news, Mrs. Chen had already been taken to the hospital.

Coincidentally, it was the same hospital where Su Tang worked.

"Call Doctor Su! Ask if she can come to the hospital," the attending physician said, rushing out of an operating room.

Hearing this, the young nurse outside immediately understood the situation.

Doctor Su was the most skilled surgeon in the entire hospital.

A call like this most likely meant the situation was so complex that no one but Doctor Su could handle it.

"I know where Doctor Su lives. I’ll go," Chen Zhengnian said suddenly.