Chen Ruanruan's breath hitched.
She hadn't expected her birth mother to be so difficult.
From what Chen Liuyue had said before, wasn't her birth mother supposed to be a responsible and dedicated elementary school teacher?
This aggressive, overbearing manner made Chen Ruanruan feel cornered.
She looked toward her birth father, Tao Tian, for help.
Seeing the atmosphere had turned tense, Tao Tian smiled and broke the silence:
"Teacher Jin, you're bringing out your classroom demeanor again. Look how you've frightened the child."
"Ruanruan has used this surname for so many years. Asking her to change it all at once, I'm afraid it's..."
Before he could finish, he was interrupted again by Jin Minjia:
"Why can't she change it?"
"Look at Liuyue. She promptly went and changed her surname to Chen."
Mentioning this, she still felt some resentment toward this adopted daughter.
No matter what, they had raised her for so many years. How could she just change her name and run off to the Chen family without even a word?
Everyone's gaze shifted collectively to Chen Liuyue.
She was lowering her head, slowly taking a bite of steamed egg custard.
Seeing everyone looking, she lifted her porcelain-like face.
Smiling with an air of particular innocence.
She pointed a finger at herself.
"Huh? Me?"
After confirming they meant her, Chen Liuyue then spoke slowly:
"Finding one's birth parents and changing to their surname."
"That seems pretty normal, right?"
Right, it's normal.
The words seemed plain and unremarkable.
But the worst thing is comparison. So why was Chen Ruanruan unwilling to change back to her birth parents' surname?
Of course, she had her own little scheme.
Having been the Chen family's young lady for so many years, if she changed her surname now, everyone would know what had happened.
They would all find out she was actually an imposter.
Although Qin Xuanye had repeatedly promised her their engagement would absolutely not change, who knew what the rest of the Qin family thought.
Chen Ruanruan certainly didn't want to change.
Her eyes reddened slightly again.
She looked pleadingly at Wu Peihua and Chen Haotian.
"Mom, Brother, I've been called Chen Ruanruan for all these years..."
Jin Minjia had an extremely strong need for control. The initial joy of meeting her birth daughter had faded.
Seeing that her daughter was, at her core, someone who couldn't be controlled, she couldn't help but frown.
"You are my birth daughter, Ruanruan. Mom asking you to change your surname isn't to harm you."
"It's for your own good!"
"Our Tao family may not be extravagantly wealthy, but we're not some shameful, unworthy household either. Being Tao Ruanruan wouldn't disgrace you!"
These last words were spoken with great force.
Almost like a condemning, belittling reprimand.
Chen Ruanruan's body trembled slightly upon hearing them, almost unable to remain seated.
Couldn't even handle this?
Chen Liuyue, sitting in her seat, curled the corner of her lips, revealing a hidden, mischievous smile.
Back when she was in the Tao family, what she endured was Teacher Jin's control for over a decade.
Suddenly, a gaze fell upon the top of her head.
It was Qin Xuanye.
His eyes were full of disgust and dislike as he looked at her.
It seemed he felt that if not for her earlier ambiguous remark, Chen Ruanruan wouldn't be in such an awkward predicament.
Chen Liuyue knew he was looking at her.
She smiled even more happily, even with a hint of provocation in her eyes.
As if saying, 'Yes, I did it on purpose, so what? Come hit me if you dare.'
Qin Xuanye gave a soft snort, then withdrew his gaze.
She hadn't changed one bit.
Still so selfish and self-centered.
Chen Zhenye looked at Tao Tian with a troubled expression. He also didn't want Ruanruan to change her surname, as it might affect the marriage alliance with the Qin family.
He spoke in a polite, diplomatic tone:
"Brother Tao Tian, look, we are both Ruanruan's fathers, and we both want what's best for her."
"Previously, Ruanruan has won numerous dance competitions under the name Chen Ruanruan. She's already built quite a reputation under that name."
"If she suddenly changes her name, it won't just affect her daily life, but also her future career."
Then he turned to Jin Minjia, with a respectful expression:
"Teacher Jin, I have great respect for educators like you. Imparting knowledge, nurturing people, having students everywhere."
"You certainly understand how much hard work and sweat is behind winning all those provincial competitions. It wasn't easy for her to achieve what she has today under the name Chen Ruanruan."
"For our daughter's future, could you perhaps be a bit more accommodating?"
It must be said Chen Zhenye's diplomatic speech was very well-crafted.
After all, he was an old fox seasoned in the business world for years.
Jin Minjia's expression softened slightly upon hearing this.
But she was still somewhat unwilling and said:
"We came for a family reunion between both sides, but in the end, how did it turn into both daughters belonging to your Chen family?"
Wu Peihua, looking at Chen Ruanruan with heartache, immediately chimed in:
"Teacher Jin, that's not quite right to say."
"Although Liuyue has returned to the Chen family, she is still your daughter."
"How about we also have her come stay at the Tao house for a while each month to keep you company?"
To achieve Chen Ruanruan's wish of not changing her name.
Her birth mother, Wu Peihua, could sacrifice her own interests without a second thought.
Chen Liuyue's thought: Even worse than a stepmother!
She blinked her eyes innocently.
Her voice crisp and sweet, she said:
"Yes, Auntie Jin. Although my sister and I both have the surname Chen, we are both your daughters."
Deliberately poking right at the sore spot.
A hint of displeasure appeared on Jin Minjia's face, seemingly very unhappy with this arrangement.
But under Chen Ruanruan's tearful gaze and the persuasion of the other adults, Jin Minjia reluctantly agreed for the time being.
"Not changing the name is fine for now, but I will take Ruanruan back to our hometown for a visit."
"Let our relatives and his father's relatives all meet her. No objections to that, I hope?"
Both Jin Minjia and her husband Tao Tian had tested into the big city from a remote small town.
Their parents and relatives still remained in their hometown.
Chen Zhenye said with a beaming smile, "Of course, no problem. Ruanruan should get to know her relatives."
Seeing this, Chen Ruanruan let out a long sigh of relief.
Thinking to herself: Good, as long as she's still called Chen Ruanruan, then nothing major will change.
Although her parents' birth daughter had been found, she knew in her heart that Mom and Brother still favored her more.
Even if she doesn't gain much in the Chen family in the future, with their affection, she won't lose out much.
As for going back to the hometown to meet relatives, that's just a formality.
Who wants to get all chummy with those country bumpkins.
Chen Liuyue lowered her eyes, revealing a look of anticipation for the drama to come.
Chen Ruanruan agreed readily now, but when the time comes and she goes back to the hometown and meets those relatives, she'll know to cry!
With the serious matters discussed.
The dinner table once again filled with lively conversation. Chen Zhenye was very skilled at enlivening the atmosphere, making everyone present feel attended to.
Even the usually critical Jin Minjia had a smile reappear on her face.
Although, upon hearing that today's banquet table cost tens of thousands, she couldn't help but mutter quietly:
"This is too wasteful, not economical or practical at all."
Chen Liuyue was already deeply familiar with her hardship-and-frugality education.
She hoped Chen Ruanruan would get to experience a bit of it too later.
Just before the banquet ended, Qin Xuanye's phone suddenly rang.
He picked up his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and showed an expression of disbelief.
He abruptly lifted his head and looked toward Chen Liuyue, who was biting into a lobster with great relish.
The other party showed no reaction at all.
Chen Ruanruan leaned in with concern and asked, "Xuanye, what's wrong? Whose call was that?"
Qin Xuanye immediately hung up.
His expression returned to normal as he said, "It's nothing, just a nuisance call."
Not long after, the phone rang once again.
It was the same caller.
This time, Chen Liuyue proactively lifted her head, revealing a radiant smile.
"Brother-in-law, is it still a nuisance call?"
