Chapter Forty-Five: On the Grace of Parents

Yan Xue was so shocked by what she heard that she nearly couldn't close her mouth.

People cannot remain innocent and naïve forever; sooner or later, everyone must understand the meaning of life and death. Yet such matters should be explained gently and appropriately by family members, not by a stranger who suddenly throws such a cruel concept at a child barely three or four years old.

No wonder the family was furious at Deng Chun’s actions; if it had been her own child, Yan Xue doubted she could have kept her temper either.

“The main point is, after everything became so tense, most people would at least apologize properly, try to soothe the child or something. We were all desperately apologizing and comforting the child, but she—she just stood there with a baffled look, asking why we were bothering to comfort the child, why we were angry, insisting that children shouldn’t be treated as children, that they have the right to know the truth.

Because of this, our family absolutely forbade Wen Rui from having any further contact with Deng Chun,” Wen Rui’s father sighed. “We’re not the kind of rigid parents who insist on controlling our child’s choices. If it were someone normal—personality, appearance, whatever—we could let Wen Rui follow his heart. But Deng Chun, she’s just not acceptable!

I know, as an elder, I shouldn’t speak harshly about a young woman, but I truly think Deng Chun may have some mental issues. I’m genuinely afraid something might go wrong if she ever became part of our family!”

After speaking with Wen Rui’s father, Yan Xue was at a loss for words. If what he said was true, then Deng Chun was indeed problematic.

First, refusing to break up and repeatedly harassing her boyfriend’s mother with different phone numbers—that alone was abnormal behavior. It wasn’t just about being unwilling to let go, or unable to move on; it didn’t even necessarily reflect how deep her feelings for Wen Rui were. It was a kind of pathological obsession.

Ordinary people, faced with such a situation, would first determine whether their partner had stopped loving them or was forced to retreat due to family opposition, then communicate and resolve things together. Whether to give up, persist, try to win support—these are matters for the couple to discuss and decide together. It’s never right to bypass your partner and target their family directly.

Deng Chun’s actions were less about salvaging her relationship with Wen Rui and more about stubbornly pursuing a “no breakup” outcome, perhaps even as a form of retaliation against Wen Rui’s mother for blocking their relationship.

As for the unpleasant incident at the dinner table, Yan Xue was even more speechless.

Her earlier presumptuousness in preventing a pregnant woman from eating properly, and saying uncomfortable things, might be explained as low emotional intelligence. But telling a child that everyone would die one day went beyond that—it was, as Wen Rui’s father said, a sign of real issues with her thinking and personality.

Now that Deng Chun’s request to comfort Wen Rui’s parents had been clearly refused, Yan Xue walked back, silently wondering how Deng Chun would react.

She was also curious—why had Wen Rui chosen such a girl after breaking up with Wu Beibei?

As soon as Yan Xue returned to the office, Deng Chun immediately stood up from her chair. Clearly, she hadn’t been in any mood to talk with Kang Ge; she’d been waiting anxiously for the outcome of Yan Xue’s call.

“Well? Can you give me the address now? Can I go over right away?” she asked urgently.

Yan Xue shook her head. “I’m sorry, Wen Rui’s parents appreciate your kindness, but given the circumstances, they really aren’t in a position to receive visitors.”

“They’re not unable to receive guests—they just don’t want to see me, plain and simple.” Deng Chun’s urgent expression faded, replaced by cold indifference, her gaze tinged with sarcasm. “I never thought they’d be so unreasonable. It’s really disappointing! Honestly, I wanted to visit them out of concern for Wen Rui and our past relationship. Otherwise, why would I put myself through this? Do you think I don’t know their attitude?”

“Well, since you already expected this, try to understand them. After all, in situations like this, the parents suffer the most,” Yan Xue said, deliberately adopting a sympathetic tone toward Wen Rui’s parents, knowing full well the strained relationship between Deng Chun and them.

Deng Chun was instantly displeased. “How do you know they’re the ones suffering most? Isn’t it possible that I am?”

“Comparing it like that… probably isn’t very appropriate,” Kang Ge interjected with a laugh, echoing Yan Xue’s tone. “Wen Rui’s parents have toiled and sacrificed for him all these years. As for you, as his girlfriend, you just enjoyed a romantic relationship. That really isn’t comparable.”

“Why can’t it be compared? Your view is wrong!” Deng Chun grew even more agitated. Her face, normally pale, didn’t flush like others when angry; instead, it took on a livid, gray hue. “I thought you were all close to my age—we’re all young, our thinking should be progressive, not so old-fashioned! I never expected you to spout this ‘parents’ gratitude’ nonsense. It’s really disappointing!”

“So… what’s wrong with believing parents deserve gratitude? Isn’t it normal? They gave birth to us, raised us—if that’s not kindness, what is it, enmity?” Kang Ge replied with a cheerful smile.

“Whether it’s kindness depends on what they actually do! Giving birth and raising a child isn’t kindness—it’s their duty! After all, having a child is their own choice, and they’re responsible for it!” Deng Chun’s voice rose with her emotion, though she seemed unaware. “But lovers aren’t like that! Lovers are strangers, brought together by love—every bit of effort should be mutually appreciated! Do you understand?

Do you know how Wen Rui’s parents treat him? Do you know how much I’ve done for Wen Rui? Do you know Wen Rui’s feelings for his parents and for me? You know nothing, so stop making wild guesses and drawing conclusions!”