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Chapter 21: Harmony Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

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Lauren Shaw glanced at her outfit. Since she was about to meet her in-laws for the first time, she knew she needed to dress appropriately and leave a good impression. After picking out a tasteful dress and carefully applying a soft, obedient-looking makeup, she finally stepped out with Yancy Shaw.
She couldn't shake the feeling that, through the rearview mirror, she'd glimpsed Yvonne Sung's car just as they left. But the car rounded a corner so quickly she couldn't be sure.
Sitting in his car, Yvonne Sung was fuming as he watched Lauren Shaw get into a black Audi.
Hugo Pierce, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but shake his head at the storm brewing on Yvonne Sung's face.
After so many years of friendship, Hugo Pierce knew him all too well. Deep down, Yvonne Sung already felt something for Lauren Shaw. He just refused to admit it.
Possessive and selfish as he was, of course Yvonne Sung would explode when he saw Lauren Shaw get into another man's car.
"What's the point in staring after her? She's gone," Hugo Pierce couldn't help but remind him.
They'd just eaten nearby, and after the meal, Yvonne Sung deliberately drove by again. It wasn't hard for Hugo Pierce to guess what he was thinking.
"Do you think she's trying to piss me off? First she got Shengmei Group to pull their investment, then she finds another man just to get under my skin. Hmph, these little tricks—I saw through them ages ago."
Hugo Pierce sighed. "Do you really not know what kind of person Lauren Shaw is? If you couldn't let her go, why did you hurt her in the first place?"
He especially hated people who took relationships for granted but pretended to be deeply attached once they were over. Yvonne Sung was the one who did the hurting. Back then, he'd never even tried to make it up to her, and now he sits there blaming her for everything.
Yvonne Sung said nothing further. Hugo Pierce felt like they weren't even speaking the same language anymore.
In the end, there was only one word for it: Deserved.
The black Audi made its way down the highway, eventually arriving in the suburbs.
Now Lauren Shaw understood why Yancy Shaw didn't live with his parents—his workplace was too far away, nearly an hour's drive.
"This area is a bit out of the way. After I started college, I barely came back," Yancy Shaw explained.
The car stopped in front of a house. As soon as the housekeeper recognized their car, he hurriedly opened the gate.
Lauren Shaw couldn't help but marvel at the building in front of her. "Your family home is huge."
She used to think her own family's villa was large, but Yancy Shaw's was even bigger and more impressive.
After getting out, the housekeeper took their things and respectfully greeted, "Third Young Master."
Lauren Shaw stared in surprise. She'd always thought Yancy Shaw was just an ordinary doctor, with retired parents. She had never imagined he was actually from a wealthy family. No wonder he always seemed so composed and elegant.
Not far away, a middle-aged couple, both impeccably dressed, approached them.
"Mom, Dad," Yancy Shaw called out.
The woman came over and playfully punched him on the shoulder. "You brat, you still remember to visit us? Do you know how long it's been since you last came home?"
Yancy Shaw tightened his grip on Lauren Shaw's hand.
"This is Lauren Shaw, my wife," he introduced her to Mrs. Chen.
Only then did Mrs. Chen notice Lauren Shaw properly—a gentle and pleasant woman, beautiful and refined, the kind of daughter-in-law one could like at a glance.
"Shengsheng, these are my parents," he said softly to her.
"Mom, Dad," Lauren Shaw greeted politely.
The couple responded with warm smiles. Mrs. Chen, in particular, couldn't help sizing Lauren Shaw up, growing more and more pleased the longer she looked.
"Shengsheng, right? Welcome to our family."
Then she shot a glare at Yancy Shaw and muttered, "You rascal, you got married and didn't even tell us! Grown some wings, have you?"
Mr. Shen invited everyone inside.
Mrs. Chen took Lauren Shaw by the hand. "Come, let's talk inside."
Their attitude was such a pleasant surprise to Lauren Shaw. She had never expected Yancy Shaw’s parents to be so easygoing.
Seated in the living room, the couple examined her carefully, occasionally casting reproachful looks at Yancy Shaw.
Mrs. Chen's gaze fell to the diamond ring on Lauren Shaw's hand, and her smile deepened.
"Yancheng, really… You got married without telling us and made Shengsheng suffer in silence. If you hadn't called to say you were bringing your wife home for dinner an hour ago, we wouldn't have known a thing."
"Mom, Dad, we only got our marriage certificate a few days ago. Sorry, we really didn't have time to tell you yet," Yancy Shaw explained.
The couple showed no displeasure over their lightning-speed marriage.
Mrs. Chen trusted that her son wasn't one for impulsive decisions. After all, he’d never brought a woman home before, despite her constant attempts to arrange blind dates for him. To avoid those, he’d even stopped coming home.
If he chose to marry so quickly, he must have his reasons. Yancy Shaw had never given them reason to worry.
Worried their questioning might make Lauren Shaw uncomfortable, Yancy Shaw grew tense. But his parents, aware of everything, tactfully said nothing.
Mrs. Chen had the staff bring dinner to the table. Throughout the meal, Yancy Shaw was especially attentive, serving Lauren Shaw every chance he got.
Mr. Shen watched his son fuss over her and couldn't help but be surprised; he'd never seen this side before.
Mrs. Chen's eyes widened, too.
Breaking the silence at the table, she asked, "Shengsheng, how did you and Yancheng meet?"
She was truly curious—what kind of woman could turn her son, usually so indifferent toward women, into such a considerate husband?
Thinking back to their first meeting, Lauren Shaw felt a bit awkward about the details involving Yvonne Sung, so she started her story from their encounter at the hospital.
After she finished, Mrs. Chen asked who proposed marriage first.
Before Lauren Shaw could answer, Yancy Shaw jumped in: "I did."
The couple were stunned. Their son had always been so straightforward, but they'd half-expected their new daughter-in-law to be the one who took the initiative. Turns out, he'd had designs on marriage all along.
Mr. Shen nodded in satisfaction. That was just like him.
"Shengsheng, what do you do for a living?" Mrs. Chen continued, making easy conversation to help Lauren Shaw feel at ease.
"I'm a fashion designer. After graduating from university, I opened my own studio," Lauren Shaw replied.
Mrs. Chen eyed her dress. She'd been captivated by it from the moment they met. "Did you design that dress yourself?"
Lauren Shaw nodded.
Mrs. Chen's gaze held even more admiration now.
Everything between Lauren Shaw and her new in-laws was harmonious, nothing at all like the disasters she'd worried about. Only now did she realize that Yancy Shaw’s steady calm came from a family of parents who were loving and sensible—unlike the tangled mother-in-law dramas she'd been bracing for, there was nothing for her to worry about at all.