Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

When Song Qiang was called out, his chopsticks froze in mid-air, and his face instantly turned red.

He put down his chopsticks, looked down and touched the sandalwood beaded string on his wrist, rubbing the largest spacer bead hard with his thumb.

"Third Aunt, I admit I was wrong." Song Qiang's voice was dry. "I was really wrong."

Song Qiang turned his head and glanced at Song Yulu sitting opposite him.

"I shouldn't have had that obsession with having a son." Song Qiang clenched his sandalwood bracelet, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. "It ruined Yang Liu and this family. Even Yu Lu was used by that bastard Cai Youde to talk about this and use it as an excuse to humiliate people in the Cai family."

He became more and more frustrated as he spoke.

The action of playing with the prayer beads stopped.

"I promise I will never pursue a son again. Six daughters are enough for me."

Song Xianglan snorted and threw the peeled shrimp meat into the bowl.

"So you don't want to pursue him anymore?" Song Xianglan saw right through him. "You know better than anyone that you can't win him over. You're just saying this because you feel you'll have regrets."

But Song Qiang, remember this: don't force things that aren't meant to be.

In this life, God won't let you get everything you want. The important thing is to live each day wisely.

That's why Song Xianglan said that.

It was all because that fortune teller said he was destined to have seven daughters.

Song Qiang was speechless after being rebuked and silently put the bracelet back on his wrist.

I picked up an abalone.

Yang Liu didn't dare to say a word; she felt great when everyone was cursing Song Qiang.

But she also favored boys over girls back then.

Halfway through the meal, Da Bao finished the last bite of rice in his bowl, stood up, and took the empty bowl to the kitchen.

"Grandma," Da Bao asked Song Xianglan as he came out, "when are you going back to Qingyang?"

Song Xianglan took a tissue to wipe her mouth, glancing at Zhou Fang and Congying out of the corner of her eye. "Once your father and Aunt Congying go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to register their marriage, I'll buy a ticket and go back."

Shen Huijun deftly placed the peeled shrimp meat into Song Xianglan's bowl.

"This matter should be done sooner rather than later. I consulted the almanac before I came. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, with no taboos. I think you two should go and get your marriage certificate first thing tomorrow morning."

Cong Ying coughed twice and waved his hands repeatedly.

"This... tomorrow? That's too soon."

"What's so quick about it?" Shen Huijun laughed. "It's just getting a marriage certificate. Why don't you two just go back to Xiaoquan Village at the end of the year and have your wedding? Liu Yukun and Sheng Ruzhi's wedding is also set for the end of the year. If you two couples have your wedding together in your hometown, it'll be lively and the whole village can share in the joy."

Cong Ying stood there, stunned.

She glanced at Zhou Fang subconsciously.

"This isn't a good idea," Cong Ying hesitated. "We have many relatives in Xiaoquan Village. Zhou Fang is, after all,... a second marriage."

A big, extravagant wedding would only invite ridicule. We plan to just get a marriage certificate and have a family meal together.

The main reason is that I feel she and Anxi Yang are from the same place, and I'm afraid people will gossip and it will affect Da Bao and Er Bao.

Song Xianglan's face immediately darkened.

"What's wrong with that? He's getting married for the second time, and you're getting married for the first time. You've already been at a disadvantage, so why should you suffer again when it comes to the wedding? Women shouldn't be so understanding."

Cong Ying bit her lip.

They didn't say a word.

In her previous relationship, she was also very understanding, always backing down. People thought she was asking for too much.

Song Xianglan said sternly, "A woman only gets married once in her life. What kind of behavior is this, sneaking around like this? There must be a grand ceremony, and it has to be the grandest one."

Zhou Fang, who had been silent, grabbed Cong Ying's wrist with his other hand.

Cong Ying turned to look at him.

Zhou Fang smiled, then naturally intertwined his fingers with hers, holding her hand tightly.

"Godmother is right," Zhou Fang said calmly and confidently. "Not only should we have a wedding, but we should have a grand one. I now have the ability to give you a wedding unlike any other."

Cong Ying's ears turned bright red.

Everyone at the table burst out laughing.

"It must be a grand affair."

……

Early the next morning.

The main entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Zhou Fang and Cong Ying stood on the steps, each holding a bright red marriage certificate in their hands.

Da Bao and Er Bao specially took half a day off.

The two of them, each carrying a large bouquet of red roses, ran up the steps, panting.

"Grandma, take this." Da Bao stuffed the flowers directly into Song Xianglan's arms.

Song Xianglan wore a dark red velvet cheongsam today, and her hair was styled in a slicked-back updo. She glanced down at the flowers in her arms, then at Zhou Fang and Cong Ying beside her.

"They're for them, why are you giving them to me?" Song Xianglan pushed the flowers forward.

"The officiant is the most important person at a wedding." Zhou Fang pulled Cong Ying closer to her side. "Da Bao and Er Bao specially went to the florist to pick these flowers out. Take a bouquet to share in the joy."

Song Xianglan rolled her eyes. "I'm an old man, can I still bring good luck? I don't want to marry an old man."

Cong Ying blushed and smiled, "Find someone younger."

Song Xianglan: "Anyone ten years younger than me is old, and anyone younger would be a sin. I'd rather enjoy happiness on my own."

Erbao stepped forward and hugged Song Xianglan.

"Grandma looks most beautiful in a cheongsam; it goes perfectly with flowers."

Song Xianglan glared at Erbao; this kid's tongue was as sharp as if he'd been trained in a beehive.

"Look at the camera, move closer to the center," the photographer called out from below the steps.

Song Xianglan stood with her back straight, between Zhou Fang and Cong Ying, with Da Bao and Er Bao on either side. Her attire and demeanor perfectly embodied that of an old lady who held sway in a large family.

With a "click," the image froze.

After taking the photo.

Song Xianglan stuffed the flowers in her hand into Cong Ying's arms.

"Alright. You two take a few more photos, then we'll go find a restaurant to celebrate." Song Xianglan waved her hand. "I need to go check out the clothing store."

"Godmother, aren't you coming to dinner?" Cong Ying asked, accepting the flowers.

"Why should an old woman like me get involved in this?" Song Xianglan turned and left without hesitation.

……

Zhang Shuting sat behind the counter checking the bills.

Song Yulu pushed over several sets of keys and a stack of receipts.

"Sister Shuting, we plan to sell the apartment that Cai Youde and I lived in through an agent at the lowest price." Song Yulu flattened the receipt. "My visa to Hong Kong is being processed. I'll go to Hong Kong to study the language first, and I'll send the completed design drawings back to you."

Zhang Shuting carefully put the receipts into the drawer.

"Are you really determined to leave? If you go abroad and become a great designer with a bright future, our company won't be able to keep you."

"Shuting was teasing me. It's not as easy as you think. I just went out to learn a skill. No matter how well I learn it, I'll always be one of the company's designers."

Zhang Shuting's eyes were full of joy. "I've been waiting for you to say that."

The curtain was lifted.

Song Xianglan walked in.

"Aunt Song, please sit down. I have another bowl of sweet soup here." Zhang Shuting brought out a bowl of pandan taro sweet soup.

Song Xianglan took a bite and said, "Delicious."

Song Yulu still had a worried look on her face. "Third Aunt, I often buy sweet soup from this shop, and their grass jelly is also delicious."

"Jade Dew. When you're traveling, don't be stingy with money. If you have money, spend it if you need to, and you can earn more when you come back."

Song Yulu nodded.

"I've thought it through. I'll sell the house in the new town first, and then buy a new house in a big city after I make some money."

"Investing in real estate is the safest bet."

Song Xianglan took a sip of sweet soup. "These days, if you have spare cash, nothing beats investing in real estate and antiques. But the antique business is murky; if you don't know anything about it, you can easily make a mistake."

If you come across any items from China in Hong Kong or Milan, remember to buy them. If you don't know what they are, call Song Tingting. She knows a lot about these things; our country's antiques shouldn't be left abroad.

Song Yulu responded.

Pick up the winter clothing sketch on the table.

"The current winter clothing styles are no good." Song Xianglan pointed to the blueprints. "The fabric of the cotton-padded jackets is too stiff, making people look bulky. Make a few woolen coats, with a more structured and tailored cut."

Upon hearing this, Song Yulu casually picked up a pencil.

She quickly sketched a few lines on the paper.

"Make two versions. One mid-length and one long. The colors don't need to be too flashy."

"What color should we use?" Zhang Shuting leaned closer to look.

"Khaki, navy blue, and off-white," Song Yulu said without looking up. "Find the best wool blends for the fabric."

"Okay. These three will sell well." Zhang Shuting slammed her hand on the table and made the decision.

Song Yulu put down her pencil and turned to look at Song Xianglan. "Third Aunt, did Brother Zhou and Sister Congying get their marriage certificate?"

"I just finished this morning." Song Xianglan leaned back in her chair.

"Didn't Sister-in-law Huijun go with her?" Song Yulu asked.

"She went to see her classmates," Song Xianglan said with a slight smile. "One of her classmates from Xincheng University stayed on to teach, and another one works here. Last night she even mentioned the messy things that happened in Anjia to me."