Chapter 533: It’s More Prestigious to Bring a Boy
Chapter 533: Chapter 533: It’s More Prestigious to Bring a Boy
"Yes." Renee Jennings said gravely. "If your parents truly start treating Harvey like their own son, it will inevitably impact your interests."
She paused for a moment before adding, "Of course, if you don’t mind, then it’s not a major issue."
"Of course I mind." Susan’s expression was stern. "If he were my own brother, I might not overthink it, but he’s my cousin’s son! What gives him the right to take a piece of what’s mine?"
[That’s right! You have to make your stance clear to your parents!]
[Sophie is getting really sad. If Susan were a boy, would her parents still be thinking about adopting a sister?]
[I can’t speak for everyone, but my parents did exactly that. When my mom was pregnant with me, they hoped for a daughter. They were so disappointed when I turned out to be a boy. When the government allowed a second child, they adopted my little sister and dote on her like the apple of their eye! So, preferring sons over daughters definitely exists, but it’s only in a minority of cases.]
"Since you do mind, you need to make your stance clear to your parents before the adoption process is finalized." Renee Jennings’s gaze flickered as she looked at Mandy. "Mandy, you said that after Susan and her mom video-chatted, her dad and mom discussed Harvey. What did they talk about?"
"MEOW~" Mandy said. "That night, after Harvey fell asleep, Mom said to Dad..."
"Old Man Zane, Susan knows that Harvey is staying with us."
Mr. Bell was reading a book. He closed it, frowning as he asked, "Why did you tell her? Weren’t we supposed to keep it a secret for now?"
"Susan video called me today and happened to hear Harvey’s voice," Mrs. Bell said, sounding wronged. "She’s my daughter—when she asked me about it, was I supposed to lie?"
"I’m not telling you to lie to her." Mr. Bell sighed. "So, what was Susan’s reaction after you told her about Harvey?"
"She’s not happy. She thinks we shouldn’t be the ones raising Harvey and asked me when her uncle is going to come and get him."
Mr. Bell fell silent after hearing this.
"Old Man Zane, what are you really thinking?" Mrs. Bell sighed. "You might not tell anyone else, but you have to be straight with me, don’t you?"
Mr. Bell took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. His gaze grew serious and resolute. "Honey, I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. As for Harvey... let’s just keep him. I’ll find an opportunity to sort things out with my younger brother."
"A-Are you sure?" Mrs. Bell’s brow furrowed, her heart still full of apprehension. "Aren’t you afraid that one day, after we’ve raised Harvey, your brother and Ben will come and ask for him back?"
Mr. Bell said in a heavy tone, "Whether they want him back in the future or not, this child is one of us Zanes."
"That may be true, but what about Susan?" Mrs. Bell looked worried. "I’m afraid she won’t agree."
"If Susan doesn’t agree, we’ll just keep it from her for now." Mr. Bell frowned. "Susan is barely home these days anyway. She has her internship at the end of the year, so she’ll definitely be focused on her work."
He paused, then added, "Besides, how do you know Susan won’t agree? Maybe she’ll be very supportive of our decision."
"Why would she be supportive?"
"She doesn’t have time to spend with us. Isn’t it a good thing to have another child in the house to keep us company? She’ll definitely think it’s a great idea."
"I don’t see it that way." Mrs. Bell’s expression was grave. "Old Man Zane, you’d better think this through carefully."
"I have thought it through," Mr. Bell said stubbornly. "Even if we don’t adopt Harvey, as his great-uncle, I have a duty to help Ben take care of him."
The audience was even more shocked after hearing all this.
[Good heavens, Susan’s dad says that and her mom doesn’t even get mad? If my husband dared to meddle in other people’s business like that, I would’ve slapped him silly!]
[Is he nuts? Since when does being a great-uncle come with that kind of obligation? I can’t even with him.]
[Honestly, Susan’s mom is a big part of the problem, too. Does she have no backbone at all? And to think she’s a teacher!]
Susan saw the live comments all criticizing her parents, but she just pursed her lips, not refuting any of it.
Because she was thinking the exact same things.
’He’s just the great-uncle, why does he need such an overblown sense of responsibility?’
Susan suddenly recalled something. "Right, I just remembered that my cousin lived with us for a few years when we were kids."
"A few years?" Renee Jennings raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why was he living with you for years?"
"Because my aunt and uncle had to go work in another city, they just left my cousin at our house." Susan recalled her childhood, frustrated with herself. "How could I have been so dense!"
"What is it?"
"It’s just... back then, my dad was already showing signs of son-preference, but I didn’t realize it. When I grew up, I was even smugly proud, thinking my parents weren’t those kinds of people."
"Like what, for example?" Renee Jennings asked.
Susan’s voice was low as she said, "When I was a kid, my dad had work gatherings that you could bring children to. But he never took me; he chose to take my cousin instead."
"He told me at the time that it would be mostly boys, so I wouldn’t have anyone to play with and we wouldn’t have anything to talk about."
Renee Jennings understood. "Because bringing a boy would make him look better?"
"Mhm." Susan hung her head, her heart aching as if stabbed by an invisible needle. "Another time, my cousin and I were going to the corner store, and my dad gave me twenty yuan, but he gave my cousin fifty."
[Damn! Your dad really has his head on backwards!]
[This is making me so mad.]
[So stingy with his own daughter, but so generous with his nephew? He’s got a screw loose.]
"I was young at the time, so while I was a little upset, I didn’t overthink it." Susan sighed softly. "It’s only looking back on it now that I realize how sad it is."
"In that case, you need to be even more firm in your position," Renee Jennings said seriously. "It would be best if you can get your mother on your side to protect your interests."
[That’s right. You absolutely cannot rely on your dad. Even if this thing with your cousin’s son doesn’t happen, your uncle and cousin will just end up scamming him out of money in the future.]
[Make a deal with your dad, get the money, and get as far away as you can!]
Susan’s eyelashes trembled when she saw that comment, a flash of shock in her eyes. "Should I cut ties with my family?"
"Susan." Renee Jennings’s voice was very soft, her tone cautious. "First, ensure your own security and secure an outcome you can live with. As for the rest... just follow your heart and make your own choice."
When it really came down to it, Renee believed Susan would have her own internal scale to weigh the situation and know what to do.
Susan looked at the beautiful, fair-skinned woman on the screen, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Okay, I get it. I’m going to calm down and think about this first. When my parents get home, I’ll have a clear talk with them."
"Good." A faint smile touched Renee Jennings’s lips and eyes. "Susan, I wish you luck."
Susan shook off her disappointment and gloom, saying with determination, "Thank you, Ms. Jennings. Wait for my good news!"