Power and Wealth

Chapter 1654

In the courtyard.

Fang Wenping came in.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

"Auntie, please don't..." Fang Shuiling was pulling her from behind.

"What do you mean, 'don't'? What do you mean?" Fang Wenping said coldly, "Do you know what you're doing, dating that boy, Xie Ran? Do you want to disgrace our Fang family's reputation completely? It's unbelievable. With so many good men out there, why did you choose him? Have you forgotten how the Xie family treated us? Your grandfather was oppressed by them for nearly ten years. Your father's last transfer almost fell through because of them. And yet, you have the nerve to date someone from their family? You reckless girl, I feel like slapping you. Is that so?"

Fang Shuiling's eyes reddened. "Auntie..."

Fang Wenping sternly asked, "Are you two dating or not?"

"The grudges between our elders have nothing to do with us," Fang Shuiling tacitly admitted.

"How can it have nothing to do with you?" Fang Wenping pointed at her. "You want to infuriate your auntie, don't you?"

But Fang Shuiling didn't want to argue with her aunt. She knew that even though her aunt had a bad temper and often caused trouble for the family, she was still family. It was obvious that her aunt was looking out for her interests. Plus, her aunt had always been exceptionally kind to her since childhood. Perhaps it was because Fang Wenping had no children, so she treated Fang Shuiling like her own daughter, which upset Fang Shuiling even more. Fang Shuiling understood why her aunt was so angry.

Fang Wenping gritted her teeth. "If I hadn't noticed something off about you recently and had someone follow you, I wouldn't have known about this huge thing."

Fang Shuiling was surprised. "You had someone follow me?"

Fang Wenping said, "Auntie did it for your good."

"How could you..." Fang Shuiling's tears almost fell. "I'm an adult. I have the right to choose my life partner."

At this point, it became clear why Fang Wenping was called "Fang's family’s version of Dong Xuebing" by Xie Ran. They would have tried to reason with her and appeal to her emotions if it were someone else, but Fang Wenping didn't. Instead, she looked coldly at Fang Shuiling and said, "You have the right to choose, but you can't pass my test. If you can't, then it's a no."

Fang Shuiling retorted, "You're being unreasonable."

Fang Wenping remained unmoved. "When did I ever reason with you? You should know your aunt's temper. If I say it's a no, it's a no."

Xie Ran didn't intend to let Fang Shuiling bear the pressure alone. He immediately walked up. "Aunt Fang."

Fang Wenping glanced at him disdainfully. "Who's your aunt? Don't be so familiar with me. I don't know you. Don't try to get close to me."

Xie Hao couldn't stand it anymore. "Hey, why are you so rude? This isn't your house."

Fang Wenping looked at Xie Hao and said sharply, "I don't care whose house this is. I'm being this assertive because you took my little Shuiling. Do you still have the nerve to talk back to me? You, Xie Hao, remember to use 'you' when you speak to me in the future. Don't act so familiar with me. Even if your father were here, he wouldn't dare talk to me like this."

Xie Hao was furious and stood up abruptly.

But Xie Ran didn't want to conflict with Fang Wenping. He quickly restrained Xie Hao and remained calm as he said to Fang Wenping, "Aunt Fang, please calm down."

Fang Wenping smiled sarcastically. "I can't calm down. If you want me to calm down in the future, keep your distance from my little Shuiling. Don't ever let me catch you plotting anything bad. Are you eating tiger's gall? How dare you to have designs on my niece? You both are being sneaky. Your parents and family don't know about this, right?"

Xie Ran was speechless.

Seeing this, Xie Jing interjected, "My brother and Fang Shuiling are in a relationship. It's modern times, after all. You..."

Fang Wenping interrupted, "You're Xie Jing, right? I remember seeing you when you were young. Alright, you've grown up. You don't even respect me, your elder. Your temper has grown, too. Still in a relationship? Let me tell you, no matter what era it is, whoever Shuiling marries must pass my test. As for your brother wanting to marry Shuiling, it's a dream. Bullying our Fang family, thinking we're easy to deceive? Have you even bothered to find out who I am?"

Hearing her use seniority to pressure them and speak so harshly, Xie Jing was also angered.

Fang Shuiling hurriedly pulled her aunt, "Auntie, why are you bringing your grudges onto me? It's not fair. Xian treats me very well. You don't even understand him. He's not deceiving me as you think. Please don't interfere. You don't need to worry about my affairs."

Fang Wenping seemed surprised by Fang Shuiling's response, and her face darkened. "What has he told you to make you talk to your aunt like this?"

Fang Shuiling retorted stubbornly, "You're being unreasonable."

Fang Wenping asserted, "I have my reasons. I don't need to explain to anyone. What you need to do now is come back with me. From now on, stay away from the Xie family."

Fang Shuiling refused, sitting down firmly, "I'm not leaving."

But Fang Wenping forcibly pulled her up, "Come with me and stop embarrassing yourself."

"I'm not going," Fang Shuiling insisted. "I want to marry Xie Ran, and no one can stop me."

Xie Ran said, "Aunt Fang, I know there are some grievances and conflicts between our families, but that doesn't prove anything. My relationship with Shuiling is..."

Fang Wenping didn't even bother to look at him. "Stop talking nonsense. I don't care whether you and Shuiling are in a relationship. If you want to propose marriage, let your father come and talk to me. But I can tell you, even if your parents agree, even if your family agrees, if you can't pass my test, it's all in vain."

The argument escalated.

Or rather, Fang Wenping was arguing with Xie Ran, Xie Jing, and Fang Shuiling. This legendary woman was indeed legendary. She had a sharp tongue and held her seniority firmly. Xie Ran and the others couldn't outwit her; Fang Wenping shut down all their arguments.

After one minute... five minutes... Dong Xuebing couldn't bear it anymore. Even though Fang Wenping was a great beauty, he started getting angry.

What's wrong with the Fang family?

What's wrong with the beautiful widow?

What's wrong with the leader of the Discipline Inspection Commission?

She even dared to ask us to find out about her identity.

Why didn't she inquire about who Dong Xuebing was?

Coming to my house to act arrogantly, to lecture my brothers and sisters, I've given you face, haven't I? Do you think you're the only one with a bad temper?