Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2506 - 2442: Adoption Certificate

~3 minute read · 660 words
Previously on Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s...
The meal begins awkwardly as Nian Che encourages everyone to eat, but Chiang Xiao snaps at his nickname for her, threatening to throw hot soup, which darkens his mood and prompts a cryptic remark about her temper that leaves her suspicious of his knowledge about her parents. While the starving Old Nian and Nian Tang devour the food, revealing their prior mistreatment, Nian Mutong questions why Nian Che is only now claiming her as his daughter for a supposed family reunion, feeling puzzled and unsettled by his timing and the presence of Meng Xinian and Chiang Xiao. Meng Xinian demands his mother's letter, and Nian Che surprisingly hands it over for verification.

Meng Xinian spread out the faintly yellowed sheet of letter paper.

Chiang Xiao leaned in closer to peek at it as well.

Just three words appeared on the page.

Adoption letter.

A sudden jolt of surprise hit her.

What's the meaning behind this adoption letter?

As she scanned further, the details emerged: Nian Cheng had feared that Nian Che, as a man, might struggle to raise a daughter; he carried guilt toward him too. Thus, he offered to take her in as his own child, vowing a generous dowry upon her reaching marriageable age. He further consented to a single condition: at the wedding, his son would lift her from the bridal sedan in the role of a brother.

Chiang Xiao let out a sharp intake of breath, stunned.

Nian Che’s daughter—could that be anyone but Nian Mutong?

Was this scheme crafted to provoke Meng Xinian and complicate his life?

Perfectly aware that his mother had probably perished due to this man's schemes years ago, and now he aimed to supply a dowry for Nian Mutong? Even to escort her from the sedan as her brother?

Did he assume Meng Xinian would ignore Meng Chaojun's words but always follow his mother's directives?

Quickly, she seized Meng Xinian’s hand, worried he might explode in fury.

Yet Meng Xinian held a icy demeanor, his presence chilling, with no other visible signs of inner turmoil.

He stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the adoption letter.

Nian Che observed him, then grinned and remarked, "From any angle, this reflects Chenger’s kind heart. She’s concerned you might end up too isolated later on, so she’s providing you with an adopted sister. In this way, you siblings can care for and rely on one another."

Nian Mutong gazed at him in a daze, then shifted her look to Meng Xinian.

Events kept piling up, leaving her utterly bewildered.

Did this letter somehow concern her?

However, Meng Xinian’s current state unnerved her a bit.

This talk of adoption and siblings—could she just refuse?

Moreover, she was no longer a child; why force her into this?

No one answered Nian Che’s statement.

He pressed on, "Tongtong, I’ve located a highly suitable boyfriend for you."

"Uncle, I don’t want him!" Nian Mutong jumped in alarm and blurted out.

She’d never even encountered this fellow; how could he become her boyfriend?

"Hmm? How did you address me?"

"Dad... Dad." Nian Mutong stammered the correction.

Her mind still reeled. Why hide the truth until this moment?

"Now that you accept me as your father, it’s traditional for parents to set up marriages, with matchmakers handling the details. Unions are arranged by the elders in the family. Why reject it? The groom has excellent qualities; you’d gain nothing but benefit from wedding him."

"Which man? I haven’t laid eyes on him—why must I wed him?"

"Tomorrow, I’ll set up a meeting between you. But let me inform you: your wedding date is already selected—August 26 this year. What are your thoughts on that?"

Nian Che’s declaration caused Chiang Xiao’s heart to pound.

Her own wedding with Meng Xinian fell on August 27, but Nian Che had picked August 26 for Nian Mutong?

If this didn’t aim to nauseate everyone involved, no one would buy it.

"Dad, I refuse—I don’t wish to marry. Regardless of who he is, I won’t marry!"

"You refuse marriage? Fine, if you can persuade your brother and sister-in-law to join my wedding, to share in my joyous wine, then we’ll revisit your nuptials." Nian Che gave a faint smile.

"Wha—what? You’re wedding someone too?"

Nian Mutong stood completely dumbfounded.

But hadn’t he claimed he was already wed?

"What of my mother? Didn’t you wed her?"

"She passed away shortly after your birth, which is why Chenger showed such compassion in adopting you."