My Wife Is a Superstar (Ning Tan)

Chapter 1020

Chapter 1020 A Chat With Grandpa

While Lu Jingyuan may be indifferent toward Nan Xing, her attitude was far from a green light for her children to treat him disrespectfully.

After all, she had her own set of rules for her children. Paramount among them was courtesy.

Hence, she promptly chastised Lu Yunbing, “You shouldn't speak to Mr. Nan in that manner.” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Nan Xing was surprised to hear Lu Jingyuan defending him. He widened his eyes in disbelief and said, “It's all right... Kids will be kids...”

Lu Jingyuan knew that he must have misunderstood her intention and swiftly added, “A child needs to understand the significance of manners, irrespective of how distasteful the company might be.”

Nan Xing was flabbergasted.

Distasteful? Who? Me? Do I look ugly? Or do I lack money, status, or social standing? Have I displayed deplorable morals or a vulgar demeanor? How am I... distasteful?

Nan Xing felt utterly humiliated and yearned for an escape. There was even a fleeting notion of death to prove his innocence.

However, Lu Jingyuan then said, “Since Mr. Nan seemingly has a lot of free time and enjoys sending children to school, let's have him drop you guys off. I suppose that would make him very happy.”

She had agreed to Nan Xing's request, but her words dripped with sarcasm.

Fine, I'll pity you and let you send them.

Leaving Lu Yunbing and Lu Yunxue behind, Lu Jingyuan drove off to work.

Lu Yunbing had intended to stand by her mother's side and confront Nan Xing. What's going on? Why did Mommy leave on her own? I'll have to give in since she's not here.

After all, she was a child and couldn't possibly walk to school herself.

Sulkily, she climbed into Nan Xing's car and turned to gaze out the window, determined to ignore the man.

In contrast with her sister, Lu Yunxue seemed to thoroughly enjoy conversing with Nan Xing.

“Mr. Nan, why do you like to send us to school?” Lu Yunxue asked.

“Because I enjoy you and your sister's company,” Nan Xing replied warmly.

However, Lu Yunbing was skeptical. What a hypocrite! Do you think I'm oblivious to why you're trying to curry our favor?

In an icy tone, she muttered derisively, “As if.”

Befuddled, Lu Yunxue asked, “Yunbing, what do you mean by that?”

Lu Yunbing rolled her eyes at Lu Yunxue and said, “Come on. Do you really believe that cr*ppy reason?”

“Cr*ppy reason? What do you mean?” Lu Yunxue was still confounded.

Lu Yunbing was rendered speechless by her sister's gullible nature and refused to say anything more.

It was pointless trying to cast pearls before a swine. Furthermore, there were two of them right now.

Naturally, Nan Xing had clearly understood Lu Yunbing's barb, but he chose to play ignorant.

Appeasing children was easier said than done.

While Lu Yunxue was amenable, Lu Yunbing was quite a challenge.

Nan Xing sighed, reminding himself that perseverance was key in this long journey.

That evening, at Commoner Residence.

Nan Chen rarely returned home at this hour, let alone by himself.

Hence, Nan Zhengde instructed the housekeeper to bring the tea set to the garden pavilion, where they could sip their tea while enjoying the sunset view.

It was late into autumn, bringing a chill in its wake. Nan Chen fetched a blanket from the house to keep his grandfather warm.

Even though they were out to enjoy the sunset view, in reality, Commoner Residence sat amidst the bustling city, offering only reflections of the setting sun on the surrounding high-rises.

Nan Zhengde grumbled, “I want to move. I want to live where I can truly see the sunset.”

To his surprise, Nan Chen agreed. “Where do you want to move, Grandpa? I'll arrange it.”

“You know I'm just venting, and yet you're indulging me?” Nan Zhengde was displeased.

“I don't believe it's just idle talk. You're still young, Grandpa. You can still go out and explore,” Nan Chen replied earnestly.

Nan Zhengde cast a quizzical look at his grandson. “You're being unusually agreeable today. Do you need a favor?”

Nan Chen made no attempts to deny it and said, “Indeed, I do need your counsel, Grandpa.”

“Is it about the company? What problem have you run into again?”

Instead of answering his grandfather's question, Nan Chen posed another question. “Do you think having a traditional two-parent family is important for a child's development?”

Nan Zhengde was stumped. What is he asking?

“What are you trying to say?” he asked.

“I just need your advice, Grandpa,” Nan Chen replied seriously.

“Of course it is. A complete and happy two-parent family is important to shape a child's character and overall development,” Nan Zhengde said.

“I agree,” Nan Chen muttered. “Actually, this question was posed to me by Dabao. He's always asking why Ning Ran and I are not married. I told him it didn't matter, but he insisted that it did. He craves the sense of security that a complete family provides. I was overcome with guilt when he asked me that question, so I promised him that I would give him a complete family.”

Nan Zhengde finally had an inkling of what Nan Chen was trying to say.

“Are you implying that if you and Ning Ran are not married, the child will grow up in a broken family?” Nan Zhengde asked.

Again, Nan Chen did not answer directly. “I've just been pondering this question, and I think Dabao is right. Ning Ran gave birth to the babies alone and endured a lot of hardship abroad. I've always felt indebted to her. Now that she's back with our children, I believe I have an obligation to provide them with a complete family.”

Nan Zhengde took a sip of tea. “We've discussed this issue before.”

Nan Chen nodded. “Yes, but we never reached a conclusion.”

“I told you before that Ning Ran could marry into the Nan family, but she would have to leave the entertainment industry and pursue further studies. It's not that I disrespect her profession, but her identity as an actress doesn't suit the wife of Nanshi Corporation's CEO. Once you're married, she will have to accompany you to various social events. Where would she find the time if she didn't quit her

job? Moreover, the fact that she's been maligned online for her involvement in that industry is unacceptable for the Nan family. My stance is clear. If she wants to marry into our family, she has to quit the entertainment industry and give up on her acting career. She has to focus on her family life and be a good wife by taking good care of you and your children.”

Nan Zhengde was not being a rigid traditionalist, per se. Nan Chen knew that his grandfather's words had an unarguable logic behind them.

His request was, by all means, not unreasonable. Many a starlet had taken the matrimonial step into high society, and quite a few had indeed gracefully exited their professional circles afterward.

Marrying into high society was a fast track to a comfortable life, an opportunity to leave behind a life of harried scramble. It was a life coveted by many.

Why would a woman subject herself to a life of hardships when she could luxuriously bask in the glory of marrying into a rich and reputable family?

Hence, Nan Chen thought Nan Zhengde's request was well within reason and made with Ning Ran's best interests at heart.

He was certain that Nan Zhengde didn't intend to put Ning Ran in a difficult position.

Nan Chen pondered for a moment before he finally said, “I understand, Grandpa.”

“I understand your motives too. Proposing to Ning Ran at a globally broadcasted awards ceremony. I couldn't help but wonder that it was nothing but an attempt to create an unalterable reality if you're resorting to making such a spectacle. I never contemplated intervening in your decision, but your approach, I must confess, does not entirely resonate with me. We are a family. Any thoughts you harbor can be discussed with me. I am no stick in the mud. I am open to reason. Yet, you have

proposed out of the blue and tried to compel me into an agreement. That pains me,” Nan Zhengde said.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Nan Zhengde was well aware of what Nan Chen had been doing.

It was not that he didn't understand his grandson's intentions. Nan Zhengde just chose to remain silent.

Now that Nan Chen was here, it was time to discuss the matter seriously.