Free Web NovelChapter 1097: Chapter 970: Understood?
As the last hint of dusk was gently drawn away, night fell silently upon the earth once more, and a bus swayed to a stop, from which a young couple alighted.
Walking down the path to the courtyard, the elderly waving their fans and the playful toddlers teased Xi Zi and his partner good-naturedly.
Returning to the familiar setting, unlike the shy and nervous Gong Xiaoya, Xi Zi strolled along, greeting people and exchanging pleasantries, only to enter Zhang Guoqing’s courtyard where laughter echoed from the living room.
Listening to the sounds, Xi Zi smiled and reminded, "Tomorrow is the weekend, everyone must have come to keep my grandparents company."
"Your family is so warm."
"You’ll be part of it soon, and have the siblings you dreamt of. You haven’t met my uncle’s three younger brothers, they’re even better looking and well-behaved."
"I’ve seen photos..."
"Shh, let’s go in first." Xi Zi quickened his pace into the living room, seeing the whole family gathered around the elders, and laughed, "I’m not late, am I?"
Mother Zhang was the first to wave her hand, "Xiao Ya, come sit by your grandmother. How come you’re back so late, did you catch a bus? Have you eaten?"
Gong Xiaoya greeted everyone while shaking her head to Mother Zhang, "We ate before getting on the bus, Grandma, you don’t need to fuss. Grandpa, I brought you some wine, want to have a drink with the uncles?"
Mr. Zhang glanced at her, smiling, "Next time don’t bring gifts. Are your parents doing well?"
"They’re doing fine, my parents asked me to send their regards to you."
"Good, let them come visit when they have time."
Xi Zi patted Zhang Ziwen’s shoulder, "What were you all talking about so lively just now?"
Zhang Ziwen shifted deeper on the bench, making room for him to sit down, "Nothing much, just listening to Grandpa tell tales and jokes. How’s the atmosphere in the provincial city lately?"
Xi Zi shook his head, "I rarely go out from the factory, doesn’t feel much different."
Zhang Ziwen gave him a disapproving glance. So many major events have happened recently, even the newspapers have been covering them for days, how could he not pay attention.
In these times of turmoil, one wrong move could lead to trouble, especially when his uncle is caught in the middle of it.
Zhang Ziwen opened his mouth but closed it again, feeling some things weren’t his place to say, lest he’d seem presumptuous advising a college student.
"What’s going on?"
Zhang Ziwen looked at the elders chatting away in front of them, shaking his head, "Heading back tomorrow night?"
"Leaving tomorrow afternoon, it’s inconvenient to send her off too late."
Who was she referring to? Zhang Ziwen nodded knowingly. After all, without a marriage certificate, staying under one roof isn’t right, that’s why Grandpa’s house has many rooms.
"What about your partner?"
"On duty at the unit tonight."
Xi Zi glanced at Gong Xiaoya chatting with Mother Zhang and others, nudged Zhang Ziwen lightly, and whispered, "Let’s go to the restroom together."
Zhang Ziwen laughed and glanced sideways at him. After all these years, he still couldn’t shake this flimsy excuse.
Up front, though Mr. Zhang was listening to his son and son-in-law chat, most of his attention was on the eldest grandson. Especially since he had recently agreed on something with his eldest son, tonight was an opportunity to discuss it while he was back.
Seeing the cousins leave one after another, his gaze flickered to his courteous eldest son-in-law, silently reflecting that fools really do have their blessings.
Compared to Gong Xiaoya, he preferred the eldest granddaughter-in-law Mao Minghui.
Both families having roots in the county, that child also worked with the eldest grandson, and with such a surname, it suited Old Zhang’s family’s generation. What a pity...
This Gong girl isn’t bad, straightforward and generous, but lacks cunning. While this is good for a mother-in-law, not so much for the future children.
With the Ping An Brothers as a contrast, Mr. Zhang increasingly felt that choosing a daughter-in-law is crucial, like his younger son said about genetic inheritance.
But what can be done?
If the child is fond of her, let him marry her. He doesn’t believe his grandson hasn’t considered this, but he can’t understand why the boy wouldn’t choose a prettier girl from a respectable family.
If Mother Zhang heard this, she’d certainly say it’s because he always emphasized being filial to their parents, so her poor grandson would consider his unreliable mother.
Then Mr. Zhang glanced at the eldest daughter-in-law, who was holding her soon-to-be daughter-in-law and laughing brightly, shaking his head inwardly. So be it, family harmony brings prosperity.
After chatting for a while, Mr. Zhang waved for the children to go home early to rest, and himself motioned to call out the eldest grandson, hands behind his back, strolling outside.
Xi Zi quickly followed.
Grandfather and grandson walked along the community, avoiding pedestrians, slowly heading towards the main road.
"Grandpa?"
Mr. Zhang, contemplating how to speak, was interrupted and smiled, "Why are you calling, just walk with me, your little wife is in good hands with your grandma, don’t worry."
Xi Zi scratched his head, "Hehe, that’s not what I meant. Grandpa, whatever you want to say, just say it, I’m your real grandson, not an outsider."
"Oh come now, because you’re my real grandson, some things are hard to say. Time flies, you’re about to start a family."
Xi Zi pondered his words carefully, then asked, "Grandpa, have I done something wrong, let me know and I’ll change."
Mr. Zhang shook his head, "Just a few months until the wedding, have you and your dad discussed things?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Zi understood, he laughed, "Discuss what? My dad says listen to you, I’ll listen to my dad, in the end, it’ll be your decision."
"What do the Gong Family say?"
Xi Zi paused, "They always want to see their daughter married lavishly."
Mr. Zhang let out an "oh" and fell silent.
Xi Zi, feeling the tension, quickly added, "But Xiao Ya listens to me. I mentioned that Ziwen and they aren’t planning a grand wedding, she also thought simpler is better."
Mr. Zhang shook his head inwardly. Look at him, not even wed yet and starting to please the woman’s side. This thick-skinned trait is just like his second uncle, who once spoke so highly of his wife.
Since this silly boy said so, seeing the sky getting dark, Mr. Zhang decided not to beat around the bush, "Then keep it simple, too extravagant attracts attention."
"Alright, I’ll listen to you."
Mr. Zhang gave him an amused glance, "Then think carefully during this time, write a plan for me to review, and then let’s sit down with your dad for a good discussion."
"Grandpa, you mean I’m the one to arrange it?"
"Of course, you’re grown up, can’t handle your own wedding? I’m not asking for manpower, just for you to put pen to paper."
Upon hearing this, Xi Zi was momentarily stunned. Didn’t this mean he had to decide whether it’s good or bad? He seemed to understand what it entailed, his grandfather was getting more cunning.
Seeing him smile, Mr. Zhang said, "Got it?"
"Hehe, a little."
"Grandfather teaches you a trick, think of yourself as your uncle. In today’s situation, how would he handle things, then you’ll be right."
"Hahaha... I’d rather ask Ping’an, if my uncle were to marry my aunt now, he’d definitely love making a big fuss."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhang.
That’s just because he’s the grandson; if it were his son, he’d have kicked him already. Laughing at his uncle? If he had learned just a fraction of his younger son’s skills, he’d be set for life.
Sigh... Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, how much they comprehend from his words depends on their fortune.
