CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 084: YET ANOTHER TEST OF HUMAN NATURE [EXTRA CHAPTER AT 240 VOTES]

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Liu Guilan calmed her emotions before slowly revealing her purpose:

"Shanni, my great-niece, I won’t go on about my gratitude. Those are just empty words. Truth be told, I’m just a miserable old lady whose only remaining blood relative in this world is your Sister Chen. You nobly saved her and her child’s life, which is tantamount to saving mine. You are my root now!"

As she said this, even the usually silent Feng Chunling couldn’t help but feel deeply moved, her eyes reddening. She comforted her mother-in-law by gently patting her back, feeling a wave of bitterness in her heart.

"Liu Auntie..." Zhang Shanni saw the pain on her face as she recalled past events, as well as Feng Chunling’s similarly troubled expression, and hurriedly tried to interrupt what she was about to say next.

However, Liu Guilan shook her head to indicate it was fine and, with Zhang Shanni’s interruption, managed to gather herself somewhat before continuing:

"I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish to forge a good bond with you. My daughter and grandson’s current fortunes are all thanks to your blessing. I’d like to recognize you as my goddaughter. Do you think I’m worthy of you?"

"What!" Zhang Shanni stared with shocked eyes. This old lady sure knew how to speak! She said, "Do you think I’m worthy of you?"

Damn it, anyone with clear eyes knows that aside from her husband Xie Jingchen, she, Zhang Shanni, is just a rootless duckweed!

Moreover, when these esteemed guests arrived, they all made their backgrounds clear. If it were ten years ago, these people might have been shunned and scorned, but now seven or eight years have passed, followed by economic development that will elevate the national living standards to new heights.

Now, the father and son of the Li Family, one a grain station director and the other a supply and marketing cooperative head, appear quite well-off. Even the lifestyle of this old lady seems far from simple – judging by her clothing and accessories, her living conditions are even better than those of the Li father and son!

Zhang Shanni shook her head, not because she wasn’t willing, but because she had to show such a gesture. Only when others earnestly request something is it truly out of gratitude and kinship. If she agreed immediately, then her status wouldn’t be valued. Therefore, before anyone else could speak, she seriously said:

"Aunt Liu, when I saved Sister Chen, it was out of my own willingness, just as Brother Li said, one should be sincere and can’t simply climb your family’s ranks because of this. If I did, I would be criticized behind my back!"

"Who would dare!" These words were said in unison by both the father and son of the Li family and Aunt Liu and her daughter-in-law.

Clearly, agreeing to make Zhang Shanni a goddaughter was something they had already discussed.

This was also a consideration for Liu Guilan. Without knowledge of the Xie Family’s situation, she would not have made such a decision, or it might not have been as resolute as it is now.

We must talk about Liu Guilan’s husband’s family, the Chen family.

Mr. Chen used to be a university teacher in the local provincial city, and his family was one of scholarly prestige.

Feng Chunling’s parents were also educated people. She is rather pitiable, as she lost both of her parents one after the other. Her background meant she could only marry someone of similar standing, which is why Feng Chunling’s affection for her late husband was just as strong. They were kindred spirits who shared the same pains and supported each other through them.

She protected her husband’s only sister as if she were her own, especially since she gave birth to three children in a row and was in poor health. It was her little aunt who helped care for her sons. Her feelings for her little aunt weren’t much different from those for her own mother-in-law.

Now, whether it’s Mr. Chen or her late husband, Qingyun Town is their root for Liu Guilan and Feng Chunling. The men they loved the most are buried here, and they couldn’t bear to leave their relative Chen Xiufang. They thought of leveraging Zhang Shanni’s husband, Xie Jingchen, a promising young man, to enter the local notable clans.

Regardless of the era or place, every locale has its local influential families. Qingyun Town isn’t far from Qingshan Team – a bullock cart ride is just over half an hour on muddy roads. Once there are buses, it will be even nearer.

Due to internal strife, many scholars retreated to their ancestral lands, and within Qingshan Team, only the Xie and Zhou families could be counted as true scholarly families.

Although Xie Tiesheng was not a direct descendant, he was part of the collateral family, and the current status of his household could be considered one of the top three emerging families within the Xie Clan.

Another point to consider is Zhang Shanni’s situation; she has no family of her own.

Li Baojia took an interest in Zhang Shanni for precisely this background – only because she lacked family support would she truly consider them kin and get close to the Chen and Li families!

The last point, and also because Zhang Shanni truly did save Chen Xiufang and her child, is the very reason they recognized her.

Zhang Shanni looked back in surprise at the four who had spoken out, even Father Xie in the background furrowed his brows but ultimately said nothing.

Zhou Xiuhua, however, seemed to want to say something, but noticing Third Son’s signaling to her, she remained silent.

In her opinion, if Third Son’s wife could have such godparents, it would be mutually beneficial, so she didn’t understand what the father and son duo were so concerned about!

Xie Jingchen saw Li Jianfeng glance at him; the other three had strong resolve and didn’t falter under his gaze, continuing to expectantly look towards his young wife.

"Shanni, my great-niece, please don’t worry about this. If someone dares to speak ill of you for trying to climb the social ladder, I’ll be the first to not let them off! I sincerely want to recognize you as my goddaughter. Will you please fulfill this old lady’s wish?"

Liu Guilan’s face was pleading but inside, she secretly praised the young girl’s resolve. If the young girl had previously shown hesitation, now, in the face of their firmness, she clearly displayed a refusal—

Indeed, Zhang Shanni’s next words were an outright rejection:

"Aunt Liu, I truly cannot accept this. If you really think highly of me, we can interact as relatives. There’s no need to establish a godparent relationship. True kinship is seen over time through people’s hearts, don’t you agree?"

Xie Jingchen, upon hearing his young wife’s words, had a cold expression but soon relaxed back into a smile, the corners of his mouth revealing his satisfaction with what his young wife had said!

"But..." Liu Guilan was not yet willing to give up, and was about to say something more—