Chapter 252: Chapter 252: There’s a Reason She Can’t Get Married

In response to Lin Jianfeng’s curiosity, Jiang Moli simply said, "I don’t have much contact with Ms. Meng, we just say hello when we see each other. As for why she dislikes me, I find it quite baffling myself. You’re better off asking her directly."

The next day, Lin Jianfeng brought his parents to the Meng family’s home.

Meng Wei, heartbroken, had taken a long leave from work to rest at home.

When she saw Lin Jianfeng and his family arrive at her door, she couldn’t help but get her hopes up. ’Has Jianfeng had a change of heart? Does he want to get back together?’

But her hopes were instantly dashed to pieces when Lin Jianfeng introduced two unfamiliar women to the Meng family.

"These two are Director Xie from the sub-district office and Director Mao from the City Women’s Federation."

Mrs. Meng was the first to snap. "Jianfeng, what do you think you’re doing, bringing all these people to our home? Do you feel you haven’t hurt our Xiao Wei deeply enough?"

Meng Wei stood beside her mother, ashen-faced and looking ready to collapse.

Mrs. Lin stepped forward to back up her son. "Who hurt whom? Let’s get this straight. It was your Meng Wei who broke up with him first!"

Mrs. Meng argued on her daughter’s behalf, "When young people fight, they inevitably make irrational decisions in the heat of the moment. Jianfeng is the man in the relationship. Shouldn’t he have been more responsible and understanding?"

Mrs. Lin scoffed. "You raised your daughter to be spoiled and willful, and instead of reflecting on that, you blame my Jianfeng for not being more patient and understanding? Tsk, tsk. What an upbringing. It’s certainly been an eye-opener!"

Mrs. Meng shot back, "My Xiao Wei was raised just fine! That’s none of your concern!"

Mrs. Lin replied, "My three daughters all got married long ago. I have nothing to be concerned about."

The fact that her daughter was still unmarried at her age was a major sore point for Mrs. Meng, a deep-seated anxiety.

Mrs. Lin’s words had undoubtedly struck a raw nerve.

"You! Did you people come here today just to humiliate us? You’ve gone too far!"

Lin Jianfeng quickly interjected, "Aunt Meng, I came today to clear the air with Xiao Wei. I asked the two directors to come primarily to act as witnesses, so we can avoid any further misunderstandings in the future."

As he spoke, Lin Jianfeng turned his gaze to Meng Wei, who was standing beside her mother.

"Xiao Wei, I take some of the responsibility for things getting to this point. I wasn’t clear enough before. I decided to break up because I felt you were immature and impulsive. Being with you was just too exhausting. I want a partner who is emotionally stable."

Lin Jianfeng was still sparing Meng Wei’s feelings, not directly calling her childish and willful in addition to being impulsive.

"Aunt Meng, my breakup with Xiao Wei happened because of problems between the two of us. It has nothing to do with Manager Jiang Moli. Manager Jiang has never said a single bad word about Xiao Wei, so please stop slandering her."

Mrs. Meng sneered. "So that’s what this whole show is about. You’re putting on a brave face for Jiang Moli. What did she give you? Why are you defending her so fiercely?"

This was a truly vicious accusation.

Jiang Moli was the wife of a soldier. For her son to be caught up in rumors with a military wife—that would be tantamount to undermining a military marriage, which was a crime!

Mrs. Lin was so furious she looked ready to leap over and claw Mrs. Meng’s face off. "You old bitch! You just can’t understand plain talk, can you? You’re just asking for a fight! Like mother, like daughter! The reason your daughter is still single at her age is all on you!"

"Pah!" Mrs. Meng retorted. "You’re one to talk! Your son is no spring chicken either and still hasn’t found a wife! He’s just another old bachelor!"

Seeing that Mrs. Meng and Mrs. Lin were about to start shouting again, Lin Jianfeng quickly stepped in to stop them. After all, he hadn’t come here to argue.

"I’ve said my piece. Xiao Wei, I truly hope you find your happiness."

Meng Wei was mortified.

She hadn’t known that her mother had been bad-mouthing Jiang Moli to others.

Of course, she didn’t think her mother had done anything wrong.

What angered her was that Lin Jianfeng and the Lin Family hadn’t spared her any dignity. How was she supposed to face anyone after this?

"By the way, Xiao Wei, I have one last personal question for you. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Why do you have such a strong prejudice against Manager Jiang?"

The moment he asked, the expressions of every member of the Meng family changed.

Besides Mrs. Meng and Meng Wei, her older brother, sister-in-law, and nephew were also present.

Mrs. Meng immediately and rudely ordered the Lin Family to leave.

But people are contrary by nature. The more secretive the Meng family acted, the more curious the Lin Family became.

With a little digging, they soon learned about the old history between the Meng family and the Lu Family.

Mrs. Lin felt a sense of vindication. "Serves her right she can’t get married!"

Lin Jianfeng didn’t say anything so harsh aloud, but he thought to himself, ’If I were Lu Cheng, I’d also choose a poised and radiant woman like Jiang Moli for a partner.’

After the scene the Lin Family caused at the Mengs’ home, the real reason for Lin Jianfeng and Meng Wei’s breakup quickly spread throughout the official compound.

Before, whenever the other families in the compound spoke of Meng Wei, it was always with sympathy and pity.

They thought her being unmarried at her age was just a cruel twist of fate.

If they knew any suitable young men, they would eagerly try to set her up, as she was, by all accounts, quite an outstanding woman.

But after the drama with Lin Jianfeng came to light, Meng Wei’s reputation in the residential compound took a nosedive.

Everyone decided there was a reason she couldn’t get married, and no one was willing to play matchmaker for her anymore.

...

Jiang Moli spent half a month working on the screenplay for *Chasing Dreams*, and she finally completed the first draft.

Because she had made significant changes to the characters and the main storyline, Jiang Moli delivered the script to Yang Lijiong the moment it was finished.

After all, the story was based on Yang Lijiong’s life, so any artistic liberties required her approval as the person whose life it depicted.

"Does the ending have to include marriage and children?"

In response to Yang Lijiong’s question, Jiang Moli explained, "I made that change to the ending mainly as a compromise, taking into account the current social climate and public opinion. We have to take things one step at a time. First, we need to get *Chasing Dreams* seen by as many people as possible, then we can talk about other things. Besides, I slipped in a personal wish of my own..."

Yang Lijiong looked at her, her eyes filled with confusion.

Jiang Moli said earnestly, "Qiongqiong, I hope you find your own happiness. Marriage and children aren’t requirements in life, but they can be bonuses. They can be the icing on the cake."

Yang Lijiong was moved by her words and agreed to the new ending.

Jiang Moli sent the script to Lin Jianfeng.

The day after receiving the script, Lin Jianfeng came to Yi County.

Yi County was the last stop on their performance tour of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Revolutionary Area.

Since it was Jiang Moli’s first time writing a film script, there were naturally many areas for improvement. Lin Jianfeng had made detailed notes throughout and even brought her two books on screenwriting.

Their discussion about the plot went smoothly, and they reached a general consensus.

For the role of the adult female lead, Lin Jianfeng suggested that Yang Lijiong should play herself.

Yang Lijiong wasn’t opposed to the idea of acting, but as a soldier, she would need official approval from her superiors.

...

The weather grew colder by the day. In addition to her regular chores of washing and cooking, Wei Qing used every spare moment to go up the mountain and cut firewood, wanting to stock up enough for the deep winter months of the twelfth and first lunar months.

That evening, Wei Qing was hurrying down the mountain with a large bundle of firewood on her back when she ran into Wei Shan, who was returning to the village, and knocked her into a ditch.

Wei Shan was furious and yelled at her, "Wei Qing, what is wrong with you? Don’t you watch where you’re going?"

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