Chapter 538: Double Standard

Chapter 538: Chapter 538: Double Standard

A bitter look appeared in Han Xiaoqing’s eyes when she heard this. "Lately, whenever we’ve discussed our future plans, my parents-in-law have said they want us to stay here! Even though the Chen family has investments back in Shencheng, it’s nothing compared to their assets here in Germany."

"But Wenxuan and I both refused them directly. When we came to study abroad, our goal was to learn advanced skills and then, like our predecessors, return home to help build our own nation."

"We’ve had some friction with my mother-in-law over this, but I don’t believe she would intentionally harm me. Sister, you don’t have to worry about me!"

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui poked Han Xiaoqing’s forehead. "You! You’re just too trusting! You set a wedding date and sent a letter to tell me."

"I was so happy to hear you were getting married! But really, this is something your parents-in-law should have handled. Even if they couldn’t come discuss the marriage with me in person, they should have at least written me a letter."

"But I didn’t receive a single word! Even if foreign countries don’t have traditional matchmaking ceremonies, they should have at least informed the bride’s parents."

"But Mrs. Chen said nothing. At first, I thought it was because Germany is so far away and perhaps inconvenient, so I didn’t think much of it. But now I see what’s really going on—she has a problem with my little sister!"

"If that’s the case, then just call off the wedding. My sister—Han Xiaorui’s sister—won’t have any trouble finding a husband, and she won’t have any trouble raising a child on her own."

Hearing her sister’s words, Han Xiaoqing’s eyes reddened. "Sister..."

"Sister, please don’t be angry," Chen Wenxuan said, growing anxious. They were so close to getting married, and now this complication had arisen.

"What are you crying for? There’s nothing to cry about." Han Xiaorui wiped away her sister’s tears and turned to Chen Wenxuan. "My sister came to Germany to study because of you. She worked so hard just to be with you, and this is how you treat her?"

Han Xiaorui was usually all smiles and very kind.

She rarely lost her temper with anyone, especially not with Chen Wenxuan.

Han Xiaorui had always considered him her sister’s boyfriend, future husband, and therefore part of her own family.

She was a person with a strong sense of family, and her affection for her sister extended to him as well.

Sweat beaded on Chen Wenxuan’s anxious forehead. "Sister, I’ve already told my parents that we won’t be staying in Germany—we’re going back. They weren’t thrilled, but they said they’d respect our wishes."

"As for that Aunt Liu... her daughter confessed her feelings to me once, and I told her I already had a girlfriend. Even after Xiao Jing arrived in Germany, her daughter wouldn’t give up, so I had to chew her out."

"I made her daughter cry, and they’ve held a grudge ever since. Sister, don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to my parents. I will absolutely make things right for Xiao Jing."

Han Xiaoqing was stunned. "That happened? How come I never knew?"

"I didn’t want you to misunderstand or get upset. I just wanted to create a peaceful and quiet space for you to study, so I didn’t tell you," Chen Wenxuan replied with an awkward smile.

Han Xiaoqing was dumbfounded. She reached out and twisted Chen Wenxuan’s ear. "Are you an idiot? Even if you didn’t tell me, why would you still eat the things Aunt Liu brought over? Weren’t you afraid she’d poison you?"

Han Xiaorui’s face darkened, and her expression as she looked at Chen Wenxuan grew even more disapproving.

"Xiao Jing, I think you need to be more careful about this marriage. I used to think that someone with a high IQ would have a high EQ to match. I was wrong. A person like this... you let your guard down, and the next thing you know, you’ve fallen into a trap and can’t even figure out why."

Han Xiaoqing thought for a moment. "Sister, I think you’re right. I thought I had considered everything, but now I realize I don’t know Chen Wenxuan well enough, and I definitely don’t know his family well enough."

Chen Wenxuan was sweating bullets. "Sister, I really do love Xiao Jing. I promise I’ll protect her."

With a dark expression, Han Xiaorui crossed her arms and stared coldly at Chen Wenxuan. "You’re in no position to talk to me. Get your parents. An eldest sister is like a mother, and right now, I am Xiao Jing’s guardian. If I hadn’t come, I would have never known how much my sister has been wronged here."

Han Xiaoqing ducked her head. "Sister, we usually live apart. It hasn’t been that bad."

"Be quiet! This isn’t your place to speak!" Han Xiaorui snapped, every inch the strict head of the family.

Before, she hadn’t wanted to pull rank. She figured that as long as her sister and Chen Wenxuan were in love, everything else could be worked out.

But now it seemed that too many people were taking her and her sister’s good nature for granted.

If Chen Wenxuan couldn’t step up this time, Han Xiaorui would never let her sister marry him.

’Does she think a pregnancy will scare me off?’

’I managed to get a divorce while raising two kids. A baby that hasn’t even been born is nothing.’

’If she doesn’t want to terminate it, she can give birth, and the baby will take the Han surname.’

Chen Wenxuan’s face went pale. At a complete loss, he turned to Granny Cai. "Sister Cai... I’m truly devoted to Xiao Jing."

Granny Cai shook her head and sighed. "If you weren’t devoted to Xiao Jing, she wouldn’t be here, and neither would I, Xiao Rui, or any of the rest of us."

"In this matter, it wasn’t just you who was neglectful of Xiao Jing; your parents also slighted the bride’s family. This is your responsibility. If you don’t handle this properly, your marriage will undoubtedly face obstacles."

Chen Wenxuan took a few deep breaths and went to call his father.

He was on a business trip in Belgium and wouldn’t be back until that evening.

He then called his mother. Mrs. Chen, who had just gotten into her car, was a little surprised to receive his call.

"Aunt Liu just returned, and I was about to head over to your place. Tell Sister Xiao Jing to wait; I’m on my way."

Mrs. Chen rubbed her temples. She was already feeling a bit displeased.

Han Xiaoqing was beautiful and very independent.

Most importantly, Han Xiaoqing was completely unimpressed by the Chen family’s immense wealth.

Mrs. Chen’s attempts to use money to persuade Han Xiaoqing to stay in Germany had been utterly useless.

’Her head is filled with nonsense about building the nation. She’s been thoroughly brainwashed.’

’There are a billion people back home. Does the country really need these two to build it?’

After being separated from her son for so many years, Mrs. Chen didn’t want to be apart from him again, which was why she had indulged Aunt Liu’s actions.

Even with the wedding, she had been passive, only doing things when pushed and taking no initiative herself.

Han Xiaoqing had sensed this but had chosen to endure it.

But now, Han Xiaoqing’s sister looked ready to cause a major scene.

Quickly, Mrs. Chen formulated a plan for what to say. She wasn’t worried.

An hour later, Mrs. Chen arrived at her son’s home.

Chen Wenxuan hurried to greet her. "Mom, about my wedding with Xiao Jing... did you not say anything to Sister Xiao Jing?"

Being questioned by her son made Mrs. Chen a little uncomfortable. "Wenxuan, marriage is a matter between the two of you. Your thoughts and decisions are what matter most. I respect that."

Han Xiaorui smiled. "Since it’s a matter between the two of them, my sister has decided not to have a wedding. After all, she has no family here to speak of."

"We came all this way, only for the red ’double happiness’ decorations we put up to be torn down by someone Mrs. Chen sent over. We had to cut out new ones and hang them up all over again. Since the parents don’t need to be involved, we won’t be inviting you or Mr. Chen."

Mrs. Chen sucked in a sharp breath. "Sister Xiao Jing, I’ve already made all the arrangements. It wouldn’t be right to change everything at the last minute, would it?"

Han Xiaorui sneered. ’Such a double standard.’

’They aren’t even married yet, and she’s already trying to control my sister.’

’In her dreams!’

"Besides, my sister doesn’t like Western-style weddings. And like you said, it’s a matter between the two of them, and you respect their decisions. So why are you interfering now?"