“Then you’re truly lacking in good fortune.”
Su Ning’s expression was solemn, and she didn’t so much as blink.
“A peerless beauty like me is a rarity in this world. Getting to look at me even once is a bargain. You’re lucky enough to have seen me, yet you can’t appreciate my beauty… How pitiful.”
Everyone present froze.
Almost instinctively, they turned to look at her.
Peerless… beauty?
“Take your son, for example. He’s very fortunate—he can appreciate my unparalleled beauty. Most importantly, he even has a chance to marry me. I’d say all eighteen generations of the Huo family’s ancestors used up their good fortune on him, wouldn’t you?”
The others were one thing, but Mother Huo’s lips twitched violently. She forced her face into a stern expression, slammed her hand on the table, and said coldly:
“Let me make this clear: this is the Huo family, not that filthy, stinking slum of yours. Stop pretending to be insane and playing dumb. Otherwise, even if Xiang protects you, don’t think you’ll get off easy.”
“I’ll spell out the unpleasant parts first. Xiang is the Huo family’s eldest son and grandson. For the sake of continuing the family line, you must give birth to at least three sons. Daughters don’t count. If you can’t meet that number, he’ll have to take concubines and maidservants to help. You’re not allowed to be jealous.”
Actually, by this point, Su Ning was already growing impatient. But she was curious to hear what else Mother Huo could come up with, so she endured a little longer.
“Just look at me. I gave the Huo family four sons and three daughters. Even if I died, I’d have the confidence to face our ancestors. These are your younger brothers- and sisters-in-law. Once you marry into the family, you’ll have to treat them well. Don’t gobble up all the good food and drink like starving ghosts. Remember, the elders and the others are still here. You must fulfill the duties of an eldest daughter-in-law and treat them like your own children…”
“Wait a moment.”
Su Ning still couldn’t hold back. She earnestly explained:
“The saying ‘an eldest sister-in-law is like a mother’ only applies when the parents are already dead… Oh, I understand now.” Her face suddenly lit up with realization. “So all of you have contracted some serious illness and are about to die? Are you making arrangements for your final affairs?”
“What nonsense are you spouting!”
Mother Huo’s lips trembled with rage. The rest of the Huo family wore furious expressions as well.
“How utterly disrespectful! This is outrageous! The Huo family cannot have a daughter-in-law like you. Get out!”
Father Huo blew out his mustache and roared.
“That’s not for you to decide.”
Su Ning wasn’t frightened in the slightest. She found a chair and sat down, then beckoned to the Su family to join her.
“The one who wants to marry me is Huo Xiang. What does it have to do with you? What, are you angry?”
“Being angry won’t help.”
She was utterly brazen.
“Who can you blame when your son is madly in love with me? He’d rather die than marry anyone else. Huo Xiang… isn’t that right?”
Huo Xiang: …
He was mortified. A real man should never have a reputation like that. Enough was enough—he opened his mouth to deny it.
But in the next instant—
He felt a surge of luck points coming his way.
Su Ning had finally been moved?
He nearly wept with joy.
And the words that came out of his mouth changed as well. In a deeply affectionate tone, he said:
“That’s right. My only wish in this life is to be with Su Ning. Otherwise, I’d rather die.”
“Did you hear that?”
Having confirmed some of her suspicions, Su Ning was in an excellent mood. She flashed the Huo family a smug smile and continued:
“If you want me to marry into the Huo family, then you’ll have to follow my rules.”
“What nonsense is this about continuing the family line? I’m not having children. Actually, I’m doing this for your own good. Giving birth can kill a woman. If I die, Huo Xiang certainly won’t survive either. By then, it’ll be one corpse and three lives lost!”
As if he’d ever die for you.
Huo Xiang cursed furiously inside, but on the surface, he nodded with unwavering determination.
“And as for those younger brothers and sisters, if they need anything, they can go to their own parents. They’d better not come bothering me. I still have to look after my uncle and my younger cousins.”
The Su family gazed at her with deep emotion.
“Niece.”
“Cousin.”
“Cousin.”
“Ah.”
Su Ning responded just as emotionally.
“You’re the only family I have left in this world. Once I become successful, of course I’ll bring you all up with me!”
Then she turned to Huo Xiang.
“From now on, my uncle is your uncle, and my younger cousins are your younger siblings. Understand?”
“Mm.”
“And you don’t need to bother with your younger brothers and sisters anymore.” Su Ning spoke as if it were only natural. “I’m not completely heartless. You can still acknowledge your parents, but there are only so many resources to go around. Your younger siblings have already enjoyed their share. Now it’s time for Zhenzhu and the others to have theirs.”
“Their food, clothing, and daily necessities must all be the best. Both my younger cousins are very clever, so you’ll have to support their education. Perhaps they can even study abroad someday. And later, there’ll be dowries and bride prices. You mustn’t neglect any of that…”
She couldn’t finish.
The shrieks and curses of Father Huo and Mother Huo, along with the aggrieved sobs of the group of “younger brothers and sisters,” completely drowned out her voice.
Su Ning stopped in frustration.
Then she turned around and moved behind Huo Xiang, letting him stand in front of her.
One person versus many. Let the battle begin!
……
Human potential was limitless.
Just look at Huo Xiang. Every time he was about to collapse, Su Ning’s favorability rating would give him the strength to struggle back to his feet. In the end, he even managed to win—though only by the skin of his teeth.
After things had barely calmed down, Su Ning brought the Su family in and settled them there as if nothing had happened. She ordered people around and criticized everything in sight.
When she was alone, she reviewed everything that had happened over the past two days. She had more or less figured out a great many things.
There were just a few uncertainties left.
She would continue testing things tomorrow…
That was what Su Ning thought hazily as sleep overcame her.
Then, a voice suddenly rang out in her mind—
“Host!”
