The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System

"Yes." Gu Shengsheng nodded. "He’s saved me many times. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have made it this far."

Gu Shengsheng told them everything, holding nothing back.

Mrs. Lu Sr. quickly leaned in.

"Never mind Shengsheng, I like that Ryan too," she said. "What a good kid."

"What’s wrong? Do you have an opinion?"

Madam Lu: ’...’ ’What opinion could I possibly have!’

Although she was unhappy, she didn’t know what to say. She had never been an unreasonable person.

’Shengsheng is capable and very independent; she never had much of a connection with my son to begin with.’

’If she were to meet someone capable whom she also liked, it would naturally be a very good thing.’

’But it still hurt. My son is gone... does his memory mean nothing to anyone anymore?’

She was torn, but she was also sensible.

"Shengsheng," she said, "if you make a decision, if you find someone you like, just tell me. I won’t let the Lu Family’s affairs affect you."

"Because our branch of the family has gained a lot of prestige thanks to you."

Gu Shengsheng’s reputation was growing, and it was a great help. The first branch of the family had separated from the Lu Group and was now trying to start their own business. Often, when they sought loans, people’s attitudes would improve dramatically upon learning that Gu Shengsheng was Madam Lu’s daughter-in-law.

The level of service they received was night and day.

As a daughter-in-law, Gu Shengsheng had been excellent and always conscientious. But ultimately, it was the Lu Family who had wronged her.

’More importantly, my boy Shi Jing is most likely dead. Why should such a marriage trap such a wonderful girl?’

Just as Gu Shengsheng was about to stand up to speak and make a promise, Mrs. Lu Sr. quickly pulled her back down.

She jumped up first and declared, "Shengsheng is free to choose whomever she likes. That’s perfectly fine. A woman can remarry after her husband dies."

"It’s not a problem at all," Mrs. Lu Sr. declared.

Gu Shengsheng: "..."

’Mrs. Lu Sr. knew Shengsheng was a stubborn one. And with Lu Shijing’s reserved personality, how could he possibly win her over anytime soon?’

’Their relationship was already on the rocks. If Shengsheng was burdened with another responsibility, it would be even more impossible for them to get together.’

’She might be old, but she saw everything with perfect clarity.’

’If these two were ever going to get together, she, the grandma, would have to give them a good push! Otherwise, there was a real chance Shengsheng might not end up as her granddaughter-in-law for good.’

Mrs. Lu Sr. silently breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly changed the subject, giving Gu Shengsheng no chance to voice her own thoughts.

Madam Lu was also a clever woman. Since her mother-in-law had spoken, she now understood her stance.

’It seems Mrs. Lu Sr. is playing matchmaker. I’m getting curious... who exactly is this Ryan?’

Recently, Madam Lu had been starting her own business, and her husband was out drumming up clients. In both endeavors, the LG Group had been helping them from behind the scenes.

’The man likes Shengsheng, and he’s willing to help our family. He seems quite thoughtful.’

’My son is gone, and all this time, I’ve come to see Shengsheng as my own daughter. I find myself genuinely hoping Shengsheng will marry a good man.’

Madam Lu found her own emotions baffling.

’I’m usually a woman of strict principles, but when it comes to Gu Shengsheng and Mrs. Lu Sr., I feel like I’m constantly compromising my own standards.’

Madam Lu rubbed her temples. ’This is tricky.’

At this point, Gu Shengsheng still managed to say, "Actually, according to my own way of thinking, I have to be Gu Shengsheng first, before I can be anyone else."

"I love our family’s life as it is now, and I hope it can go on like this. But my priority right now... I think I need to focus on my career first."

"Grandma Lu, Madam Lu, I want to become a family member you can be proud of, and I also want to make my own grandmother back home happy."

"That’s all I’ve ever wanted."

Madam Lu was moved as she listened. Say what you will, but the girl had a good heart.

’After all, it wasn’t easy for a young woman to succeed in any field. It was true for me in business, for Mrs. Lu Sr. in her early career, and it was even more difficult in Gu Shengsheng’s antiques world...’

So, Madam Lu patted her shoulder. "Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You’re already doing great."

Mrs. Lu Sr. stealthily recorded her screen and sent it to Lu Shijing. She added a message: "There’s been some progress on the emotional front, but you, my boy, have failed in your confession."

Lu Shijing’s only reply was an ellipsis.

Then Mrs. Lu Sr. continued, "You need to get your identity back, and quickly. This whole situation is just creating a dead end for Shengsheng, isn’t it? Why don’t you get your identity back and then pursue her?"

"She’s going to divorce you anyway, so you might as well rip the band-aid off. The longer you drag this out, the more problems will arise."

Lu Shijing: "I’ll think about it. Grandma, trust me."

Then he stopped reading his messages.

Seeing his message, Mrs. Lu Sr. muttered to herself, "Trust you? As if."

But she didn’t press the issue. Children have to live their own lives; meddling too much wouldn’t do any good.

Soon after, they arrived at the old family residence. Gu Shengsheng’s group got out of the car, with Mrs. Lu Sr. leading the way.

Second Master Lu came out to greet them. "Mother, Sister-in-law."

Mrs. Lu Sr. glanced past him. "Where’s your wife?" she asked. "She was raising hell to get me over here, and now she won’t even show her face?"

"Mom!" Second Master Lu’s tone sharpened. "Why are you always picking on Shufen? She’s truly depressed. She was about to jump off the roof today, and you’re acting like you’re here for the drama."

At this, Mrs. Lu Sr.’s expression darkened, but she didn’t say a word.

Seeing that Gu Shengsheng was about to jump in, she grabbed her arm. "Let’s go inside," she said.

’He was her son, after all. A certain level of decorum had to be maintained on the surface.’

Don’t be fooled by Mrs. Lu Sr.’s usual childlike demeanor; in reality, she was sharp as a tack. Never mind that the three sons she had raised had all turned out to be rather useless.

Except for the first branch of the Lu Family, the rest were rebellious and disrespectful. If she hadn’t washed her hands of them long ago, they would have worried her into an early grave!

After a moment’s thought, she decided against saying anything more. "Let’s go in," she said. "If they asked us to come, they must be planning to feed us."

Second Master Lu nodded and led the group inside.

They had just taken their seats at the dining table when Wang Shufen came downstairs in a nightgown. Her lips were chapped, and she looked to be in a poor state, wearing a deeply melancholic expression.

Mrs. Lu Sr. glanced at her, then quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn’t seen a thing.

"..."

...Mrs. Lu Sr. remained silent, and it wasn’t anyone else’s place to greet her.

So, the moment she appeared, the room fell utterly silent.

Wang Shufen had been waiting for someone to come up and coax her down. Now, she was fuming but dared not show it.

’I can’t be stupid and ignorant anymore. I can’t keep throwing tantrums every day. It’s because I haven’t controlled my temper that I’ve let that little bitch, Gu Shengsheng, exploit every opening.’

’...and that’s why my son’s career is in ruins...’

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