The Crazy Mother-in-law

The girl possessed a head of jet-black, lustrous long hair that cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, with slightly curled ends that shimmered softly in the sunlight. Her skin was fair and delicate, seemingly so tender that it might break at a touch, with a natural blush on her cheeks resembling the first bloom of peach blossoms. Her eyes were large and bright, with a gaze that seemed to captivate souls, and her long, thick eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly with every blink. Her nose was high-bridged, and her lips were as red as cherries, revealing a row of neat, white teeth when she smiled, exuding a charm that intertwined innocence with allure. The boy, on the other hand, was tall and straight, with a slender build, broad shoulders, and a narrow waist. He wore a simple white shirt that appeared exceptionally clean and sharp. His facial features were exquisite and three-dimensional, with eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like stars, a high nose bridge, and the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, carrying a faint smile. His skin was a healthy wheat color, exuding a sunny aura. His temperament was as gentle as jade, and his every move carried an air of unflustered grace, as if everything was under his control. His deep and tender eyes seemed to see through people's hearts, yet they also made one want to draw closer. The girl's mother was a beauty whose charm had withstood the test of time, as if the years had left few marks on her face. Her skin remained firm and smooth, with a mature feminine charm between her brows. Her eyes were very similar to the girl's, but with an added sharpness and depth, as if they could see through people's hearts. Her nose was high-bridged, her lips were brightly colored, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned with a faint smile that carried a hint of chill. Her figure was well-maintained, with graceful curves, and she wore a dark long dress that appeared noble and mysterious. Yet, beneath this beautiful exterior, there was a faint hint of malevolence, as if her beauty was a disguise, concealing the darkness within her heart. When the girl brought the boy before her mother, full of anticipation to ask for her consent to their marriage, the mother's gaze lingered on the boy, not shifting away for a long time. A complex light flashed in her eyes, a mix of appreciation and possessiveness. She scrutinized the boy carefully, as if evaluating a precious treasure. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, while she secretly plotted how to claim the boy for herself. The mother gently stroked her long hair and slowly spoke, "My daughter, you are still young, and marriage is not a matter to be taken lightly. Although this boy is excellent, he may not be suitable for you." Her voice was soft and low, but it carried a tone of undeniable authority. Her gaze never left the boy, and a glimmer of greed and desire flashed in her eyes. She thought to herself that such an outstanding boy would be even better if he could become her own companion. Her fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the chair as she began to scheme how to pique the boy's interest in her, even resorting to some means to snatch him away from her daughter. The girl, unaware of her mother's thoughts, still looked at her mother with hopeful anticipation, wishing for her consent. However, the mother had already made up her mind; no matter what, she would not let this boy leave easily. This woman was named Shen Hua, the helm of Nanhua Group, a name that could send shivers through the entire business world. Her beauty and skills were equally outstanding, and outsiders respectfully called her President Shen, but she knew that she was merely a woman pushed by fate to where she was today. She had once been a happy wife and a gentle mother. Her husband—the man who had promised to protect her for a lifetime—had suddenly passed away from illness when she was thirty, leaving abruptly and without warning. That day, Shen Hua stood in the hospital room, watching the heart line on the monitor flatline, her mind buzzing as if the whole world had collapsed. Outsiders said she was calm, not even shedding a tear, but only she knew that at that moment, her soul had been torn away, leaving behind a body that moved mechanically, signing papers, handling the aftermath, comforting relatives and friends... and then, propping up this huge family business.