78 The Problem of Education 2 (1/2)

”Actually, I agree with mother.” This answer shocked everyone in the room, especially Mrs. Lin who was dead certain that Xiu Ling would not side with her. While the two were busy making sense of what was happening, Xiu Ling continued, ”If mother thinks this will be good for Lin Xi's future, then I am all for it.”

Xiu Ling only wanted what was best for Lin Xi and since they said education was the best solution to a better life then the more, the better, right? Xiu Ling wanted to fit in as many education as she could into Lin Xi's life if it meant that he would have a life of ease and leisure in the future.

This was why she agreed with Mrs. Lin. She understood this would mean packing Lin Xi's schedule with studious activities but as her mother-in-law had said, ”It is all for his own good.”

In a way, the reason why Xiu Ling agreed to the suggestion was similar to why Lin Kang disagreed to it. She only wanted what she didn't have in her childhood for her son. The lack of access to an elite education meant that she did not have the means to build herself up and Xiu Ling believed this was why she was deprived of so many choices and chances later in her grown-up life.

Xiu Ling did not blame her mother but she wondered if she had the similar head start as Lin Kang when she was young, would she end up in the state that she found herself in that day. Trapped in a loveless marriage bound by contract and her son as the hostage.

Perhaps yes or perhaps no. Either way, Xiu Ling wanted to give Lin Xi the luxury of choice in the future because that was something that she did not have in her life. Since he was born with the privilege, why not own it?

After finding an unexpected ally in Xiu Ling, Mrs. Lin recovered and quickly rallied to her cause, ”See, even Xiu Ling agrees with me. Lin Kang, you have to listen to us, we, mothers know what is best for our sons.”

Sometimes the biggest rivalry could be solved by having the same opinion on something. In any case, after gaining the support from Xiu Ling, Mrs. Lin's impression of her daughter-in-law improved ever so slightly. 'Perhaps the girl has more sense than I thought.'

”Xiu Ling, why don't you come over and sit beside me? We can look through these choices of classes together.” This was the first time Mrs. Lin extended the olive branch towards Xiu Ling. The latter accepted it. After all, who would want to come home to a house filled with fighting day in and day out. Xiu Ling preferred a peaceful co-existence with Mrs. Lin if possible.

Of course, the pair of mother and daughter-in-law's relationship did not have a 180 degree turn overnight. This was not magic… but at least it was a start.

Lin Kang did not expect that his wife would side with his mother and this put him in an awkward position. With the influence he had in the Lin household, he could have easily overruled the decision put forth by the two women but for a reason that he could not understand, he found it difficult to deny Xiu Ling's wishes.

This was a question that he left to ponder on later because he needed to solve the matters at hand first.

Since Lin Kang could neither deny Xiu Ling her wishes nor could he just go along with their decision, the only thing the man could do was to settle for a compromise.