Chapter 309: Chapter 309: Unreliable Marriage Alliance

Zhao Nuanyue didn’t want to face the awkward atmosphere, so she stayed hidden in the kitchen.

Feng Wanru knew her daughter wasn’t the type to act recklessly. If she was proposing to break the engagement, she must be doing so out of dissatisfaction with the Zheng Family or Zheng Jiabin.

"Zhiqiang, don’t scold Yufen right now. Let’s first hear what she has to say," Feng Wanru urged. Ever since her husband had arranged their eldest son’s marriage with the Guo Family, the way that family had treated the Hua family made her doubt his judgment.

Her daughter’s marriage had also been arranged by him. Perhaps there was something unsuitable about this one, too.

"Hmph. A doting mother spoils the child," Hua Zhiqiang snorted, looking away.

Seeing this, Hua Yusen turned to his sister and asked, "Yufen, was Zheng Jiabin unkind to you? Or did the Zheng Family do something to upset you? Tell me. I’ll stick up for you and set things right."

"Yes, Yufen, just tell us," Hua Yulin chimed in. Perhaps his sister was right to do this.

Hua Yufen looked at her parents and then at her two older brothers. Her gaze lingered on her eldest brother, which only strengthened her resolve. "When our family was in trouble," she said, "the Zheng Family turned a blind eye and offered no help. Even when I went to beg Zheng Jiabin and his family, they couldn’t be bothered to truly help. They just fobbed me off, saying they’d ’try,’ which nearly landed the Hua family in an even more dangerous position. I’m certain that if Big Brother hadn’t fought tooth and nail to turn things around, the Zheng Family would have broken off the engagement with me anyway, even if they aren’t as shameless as the Guo Family."

"Yufen, you’re overthinking it. The Zheng Family wouldn’t do that," Hua Zhiqiang said, shaking his head. "The situation was dire. It’s understandable that they chose to stand by and do nothing. It’s excusable. At least they were better than the Guo Family. They didn’t kick us while we were down."

After hearing her father, Hua Yufen looked at him earnestly. "Dad, you’re just too bound by your word. Let’s not talk about our family for a second. If the Zheng Family had been the ones in trouble and Zheng Jiabin had come to you for help, would you have agreed to help them?"

"I would!" Hua Zhiqiang replied. "They would be your family by marriage, after all. I couldn’t let you marry into a family that was about to fall apart."

"And you said you would. That’s the difference between our Hua family and the Zheng Family. They chose to stand by and do nothing—they even just humored me," Hua Yufen said. "As for Zheng Jiabin, Father was the one who chose him. You said that a marriage alliance between our families would be a great benefit to the Hua family’s future. I didn’t dislike him back then, so I agreed. But look at it now. This so-called alliance brought the Hua family zero benefit in our time of crisis. A marriage connection like that is a bitter disappointment, and that’s why I’m breaking the engagement."

Hua Yufen’s words left Hua Zhiqiang and Feng Wanru speechless.

Hua Zhiqiang couldn’t even find an excuse to refuse his daughter. After all, her motives were for the good of the Hua family, not for her own personal gain.

"Sigh," Hua Zhiqiang lamented. "Yufen, why must you put yourself through this? The Hua family’s hardest time is already over."

With tears in her eyes, Hua Yufen shook her head. "It’s precisely because the worst is over that I must break the engagement. You might not understand how hopeless and miserable I felt the moment you were taken away. Big Brother went through so much to get the Hua family back on its feet, and it made me realize something: relying on others is like building castles in the air, a mirage. It’s too fleeting and unreal. The only way we can overcome any hardship is if we, the Hua family, are strong enough on our own. I’ve decided to break the engagement and throw myself into my work. We’re starting to build trade relations with developed countries, and I’ve decided to devote myself to international trade to do my part for our family."

"Yufen, you’re a young woman. You don’t have to work so hard," Hua Yusen said. "Your second brother, fourth brother, and I will work hard to become strong and protect you."

"That’s right, Yufen. A girl like you running all over the place... it would be too exhausting," Feng Wanru agreed, disapproving of the difficult life her daughter was choosing.

Hua Zhiqiang didn’t say anything, but he felt the same way. He also privately thought his daughter wasn’t capable of it.

Hua Yufen shook her head. "We’re in a new era now. Women can hold up half the sky, and I believe I can do a good job. Our fourth brother is out there by himself; he’s all alone and needs support. If I go, maybe I can help him. My mind is made up. I don’t want to maintain this engagement with the Zheng Family. I’m asking you, Mom and Dad, to please understand, grant me my freedom, and let me devote myself to my work."

Hearing their sister’s words, both Hua Yusen and Hua Yulin fell silent and looked toward their father.

Feng Wanru turned to Hua Zhiqiang. "Zhiqiang, say something! Make a decision."

Hua Zhiqiang looked at his wife, then at his two sons and his daughter, finding it difficult to make a decision.

’This was exactly what Zhao Nuanyue disliked about her future father-in-law’s personality. He was honest and kind, but it was mixed with a stubbornness and an infuriating indecisiveness that had cost the Hua family many opportunities.’

At that moment, Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t take it anymore. She walked out of the kitchen with several cups of hot water and placed them on the table.

"As Hua Yusen’s fiancée, I’m practically a member of the Hua Family, and I think Yufen has the right idea. A woman can only earn the respect of others when she is strong in her own right." Zhao Nuanyue looked up, her expression serious. "Whether you’re an individual or a family, it’s always better to rely on yourself and your own people."

Hua Yufen was stunned. She hadn’t expected Zhao Nuanyue to speak up for her.

Hua Yusen was thrilled to hear this. ’That’s my fiancée, always so reasonable.’ Back in Nianqiao Village, he had already witnessed Zhao Nuanyue’s hard work and diligence.

Feng Wanru didn’t object to Zhao Nuanyue’s words. Her own career had been built through her own step-by-step efforts; her promotions weren’t favors granted because of someone else’s influence.

Although Hua Zhiqiang didn’t argue with Zhao Nuanyue, he didn’t really agree with what she said.

’No matter how capable a daughter is, she still has to get married and have children in the end!’

"Yufen, do you realize what will happen?" Hua Zhiqiang said gravely. "Once you break the engagement with the Zheng Family, some men won’t dare to pursue you because they’ll be afraid of offending them. You might not be able to find a husband." He felt some things had to be spelled out clearly, lest his daughter regret an impulsive decision later.

Hua Yufen just smiled. "Dad, first of all, the Zheng Family doesn’t have enough power to run all of Jincheng City. And as for Zheng Jiabin, I am utterly disappointed in him. When my eldest brother was in trouble, he and his family only visited once. How much do you think they really value the Hua family? Is there any point in continuing an alliance like that? Besides, I’m confident that with my own abilities and charm, I’ll be able to find a kindred spirit to spend my life with."

Hua Yufen’s words once again plunged the room into silence.

Finally, Feng Wanru sighed. "Zhiqiang, let’s just agree to break it off. The Zheng Family doesn’t value the Hua family, and they clearly don’t care about Yufen. There’s truly no reason to continue this."

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