The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 154. Is it important to be well-matched in social and economic status? 3 (Third Update)

Chapter 154: 154. Is it important to be well-matched in social and economic status? 3 (Third Update)

Fang Chengzhi had gone to the countryside as a youth during the era when many city kids did the same as ’educated youths.’ During that period, young men and women, spending days and nights together, thus, it was not unusual for romances to blossom. Many of these educated youths found "true love" and got married; however, upon returning to the city, more often than not, they divorced. But why?

It was not that the love faded, but rather the differences in lifestyle habits and ideologies were too vast. After the passion subsided, love was often replaced by the mundane aspects of life such as firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Coexisting day-to-day meant that the merging and clashing of lifestyle habits took up a major portion of married life. The varying experiences and living environments from childhood resulted in different habits and philosophies. During the course of adjustment, conflicts were inevitable, and when these conflicts became irresolvable, arguments erupted. Once might be reconcilable, twice could still be manageable, but what about three, five, ten times? Even the strongest of affections could not withstand incessant quarreling, leading many to reach their breaking point.

Fang Chengzhi had witnessed all this with his own eyes; he did not want his precious daughter to take a wrong turn.

Matching families in social and economic status might seem somewhat feudal and rigid, but it was not without reason. Two people with similar living standards encountered fewer frictions when living together, especially with the situation his family was facing now—Tongtong’s circumstances were far better than the other party’s.

"Tongtong, Daddy has seen many cases of trivial frictions and disputes leading to irreconcilable differences and ultimately divorce. You are Daddy’s daughter, and he does not want you to take a detour."

Fang Chengzhi spoke with solemn concern, and Fang Tong remained silent, then looking at Daddy, she said, "Daddy, I admit there is some truth in what you say, but we can talk through conflicts. We just need to sit down and communicate properly, what problems can’t be solved?"

"Tongtong, do you think your mom and dad would harm you? Mom doesn’t necessarily want the other family to be wealthy. Even if their family’s circumstances were just slightly better, so that the gap with our family was not too large, Mom would not object. But given their family’s current situation, Mom does not agree."

Fang Tong was agitated, "Mom, you haven’t even met him. How can you so easily disapprove of someone? That’s not fair to him."

"Fair? What is fair? Tongtong, have we protected you too well over these years that you’ve become so naive? There is no such thing as fairness in this world. If he could buy his own house in Beijing right now, Mom would have no objections."

"Mom, that’s looking down on the poor and favoring the rich," Fang Tong’s face turned ugly as she shouted at Fu Fanghua. She felt estranged from such a mother, "Daddy, look at Mom, how could she be like this?"

Fang Chengzhi, observing his daughter’s displeasure and his wife’s indignation, adopted a serious expression, "Tongtong, you can’t speak to your mother like that. Apart from the rightness of Mom’s words, your attitude alone is problematic. Is this how you speak to your elders?"

Fang Tong’s face stiffened, realizing that she had indeed gone too far. Her mother had always cherished her, yet she had yelled at her. With this in mind, her heart was filled with remorse, and she lowered her head to apologize, "Mom, I’m sorry."

Fu Fanghua was upset, but it was her daughter after all. She sighed, "Tongtong, don’t blame your mom for being unreasonable. Mom and Dad have always indulged you in everything, but this matter concerns your future happiness. Mom cannot allow you to act recklessly. Be good, listen to Mom, find time to talk things over with that boy, and then meet your Uncle Li’s son. If you don’t like Uncle Li’s son, that’s fine; Mom knows many of her colleagues’ children, including a few very decent ones..."

"Mom, stop it," Fang Tong interrupted Fu Fanghua’s words, "I won’t break up with him. I love him, and he loves me too. After I graduate, we’re going to get married."

"Nonsense!" Fu Fanghua scolded angrily, looking at her obstinate daughter, "Fang Tong, I’ve said no and that means no. If you want to marry him, fine, but you’re no longer a daughter of the Fang Family."

Fang Tong couldn’t believe what she was hearing, looking at Fu Fanghua. Fang Chengzhi quickly stood up to calm his furious wife, "Our daughter is still young; if we speak to her kindly, she will understand."

"Kindly? Haven’t I spoken to her kindly? But does she listen? All she talks about is getting married. Have you even asked if the other party wants to marry you? Have they accepted you? Have your mom and I agreed?"

Fang Tong had always been a well-behaved child, especially after her father was transferred to work in Lin City a few years ago. More often than not, it was just the two of them, mother and daughter, depending on each other for company. They shared a strong bond; Fang Tong was always her mother’s sweet little cotton jacket. Fu Fanghua cherished Fang Tong more than anyone else, and it would have taken a lot to push her to say what she did today.

Looking at her daughter’s incredulous pale face, Fu Fanghua felt a twinge of regret deep inside for speaking too harshly, but in the end, she did not speak up.

Fang Chengzhi patted his wife’s hand and walked over to his daughter, "Tongtong, your mom was just angry when she said those harsh words, but it doesn’t mean she was completely wrong. Maybe that boy is truly excellent, and perhaps in a few years, he will be able to buy a house in Beijing on his own, but for now, that’s impossible. If you decide to be with him, then the early years of your marriage will require saving to buy a house, and life won’t be nearly as carefree as it is now. Take yourself for example."

Fang Chengzhi carefully analyzed the pros and cons with his daughter, "You’re the only child of your mom and me. Our family’s life may not be luxurious, but it’s more than sufficient. You’ve never experienced hardship or worried about money from a young age. Whenever you wanted to buy something, you never had to think about the cost; your mom and I would always buy it for you. But if you’re planning to be with that boy, you won’t have any of that. You’ll need to earn your own money to support yourself, and because you are saving for a house, you’ll have to resist the temptation of things you like. When others are traveling and dining out during holidays, you’ll need to tighten your belts. Have you thought about all this?"

Fang Tong was silent; she had not thought about these things. She considered living with Ding Minghui and that they would not be able to afford a house, that they might rent somewhere to live, but she hadn’t considered what her father mentioned.

"You’re the only child of your mom and dad; everything we have is for you. You might say that when you get married, our family will buy the house—and your mom and I won’t mind, our family can afford it. But would his family agree? Even if they did, what would the boy think? People will call him a ’Phoenix Man.’ He might not mind at first, but what about after some time? Tongtong, people’s hearts can change."