"Yes, he's just an illegitimate child. But he's very much doted on in our family. Our family situation is both complicated and not so complicated. Our ancestors were wealthy landowners. My great - grandfather had quite a few concubines, and even my grandfather took two secondary wives. It does sound extremely absurd, but that's the current state of our family. Moreover, our family is somewhat patriarchal. Both the elders and my father prefer Tao Cheng, who is male. The fate of the girls in our family is nothing more than arranged marriages to pave the way for the family head. But I'm really not willing to have my future determined like this. So, as early as when I just graduated from primary school, I started scheming to fight for the family fortune. Since I'm relatively talented, my father now trusts me with some of the family businesses. I've secretly and openly earned quite a lot, almost half of the total. But that good - for - nothing Tao Cheng can get the other half without any effort. So, we're now at odds with each other. I want to annex his share, and he wants to drive me away."
Tao Jing let out a bitter laugh. She had never told anyone these things. People who didn't know her family situation only thought her family was rich. In fact, her big family was full of oddballs. Before she showed her abilities, her life wasn't easy. She was probably only a bit better off than the family's nannies and servants. It was Tao Cheng who truly enjoyed all the love and favor, but legally, her mother was the only recognized wife.
"What about your mom? Doesn't she help you? And his mom, doesn't she care about how useless he is?" Cheng Ruan was also quite shocked.
She had only seen such a family situation in novels or absurd TV dramas. She herself was from a European royal family, a proper princess, and had never seen such a ridiculous family relationship among her relatives.
"My mom passed away a long time ago. She was a typical victim of an arranged marriage with no choice but to marry my father. My mother had a lot of dowries at that time, but little by little, these dowries have become my father's private property. Only a small number of antiques and real - estate are left, and these will automatically be transferred to my name after I turn 18. After my father brought those mistresses home one by one, my mother was so angry that she was bedridden for years. So, after my mother passed away, I made up my mind to fight for the family fortune. I must compete with that illegitimate child and win. Even if I lose, I'll take back everything that belongs to my mother. I'd rather donate it, give it away, or burn it than let them have it."
Tao Jing usually had a relatively strong - willed personality, but she always considered others' feelings. When she was with them, she was mostly sunny and cheerful. No one had ever thought that such a sad story was hidden behind her personality.
Miaomiao and the other kids all cast slightly sympathetic looks at Tao Jing. Seeing the four little friends looking so worried for her, Tao Jing couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Why do you all look like that? I'm actually doing quite well. Since I was a child, I've shown a higher business talent than ordinary people. My father trained me at that time to assist his useless son in the future. But now, my father is increasingly realizing that his useless son is good - for - nothing, so he's gradually delegating power and transferring a lot of things to me. He understands the principle of not putting all eggs in one basket. To prevent the family from declining because of his useless son, he's given me most of the real power in business, while giving most of the shares to his son. Now, we're in a mutually - restrictive relationship. At least as long as my father is alive, neither of us can take the family fortune for ourselves. And since I've come this far, I've completely changed my fate. I hold so much real power and secrets. In the future, they won't push me into an arranged marriage. They'll probably find a man to marry into our family. I've also achieved the freedom to fall in love. Compared to my tragic fate, I feel more sympathy for my little aunt. The girls of my generation are basically not adults yet, so they don't need to think about arranged marriages so early and can still have a happy few years. But my little aunt has to get married this year. She's about to become a tool for an arranged marriage. I heard that my little aunt already had a boyfriend she was deeply in love with, but now they have to be separated forcefully."
"Your little aunt is so pitiful," Cheng Ruan sighed after hearing this.
After all, this was someone else's family matter, and they didn't want to give any comments.
Miaomiao didn't really understand these love - related things, but she did understand arranged marriages. Thinking of those big sisters in the martial arts world who had been married off due to arranged marriages and were mostly unhappy in the end, Miaomiao also felt sympathy for Tao Jing's little aunt whom she had never met.
But unexpectedly, this matter would eventually involve her own family.
After returning home for the summer vacation, Lin Yao, for the first time, didn't take Miaomiao straight home but went to the old family mansion.
As soon as they opened the door of the old mansion, the usual scene of their grandmother coming out to greet them was gone. Miaomiao only saw her eldest brother kneeling on the ground, his back straight and his face stubborn.
Grandma Lin waved cheerfully at Miaomiao, motioning her to sit beside her. The whole family was gathered together, their expressions extremely serious, which made Miaomiao feel a bit at a loss.
After Miaomiao and Lin Yao were seated, Grandma Lin slowly said, "Okay, now that all the family members are here, tell us about your matter."
"I've fallen in love with someone. She's about to be forced into an arranged marriage with someone else, so I want Uncle Si to help me marry her."
Lin Chenghui briefly explained the reason why he was kneeling here. After Grandma Lin heard this, she angrily tapped her walking stick and said, "She's someone else's fiancée! Why can't you like someone else? Why do you have to like a woman who's already engaged? Splitting up someone else's family and destroying someone else's relationship. Is this what you should do? Is this how our family has educated you?"
"No, Grandma. I haven't interfered in anyone's relationship. The woman I like has never agreed to this engagement. It's the modern era now, and baby - betrothals don't count anymore. Her parents are forcing her to marry, and they've even locked her up. We're in a free - love relationship. If anyone is interfering, it's her fiancé."
Lin Chenghui explained eagerly. Lin Yao frowned and interrupted, "Arranged marriages aren't something ordinary families do. Tell me, which family's daughter have you taken a fancy to? I'll look into it. If things are really as you said, I might consider helping you."