Chapter 533: Chapter 362: Disappointment

The second watch had arrived.

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Inside Chuxia’s family’s new house, Lin Baohe and his wife, along with Chuxia and Jing Zhe, were cleaning the vacant rooms. After letting them in, the elderly Zhang couple, claiming the need for early rest due to their old age, returned to the eastern room and said that any matters could be discussed the next day.

With no choice, the group had to clean up the vacant western rooms by themselves. The rooms were clean but cluttered with various items. Fortunately, the items were of no significance, so they slowly moved them to the corner of the wall.

Fortunately, they had the foresight to bring several quilts on the cart when they returned, which solved the problem of not having bedding to lay out.

In rural areas, houses are built with the east side considered the most prestigious, so the eastern room and the main hall are connected. The Zhang couple lived in the eastern room, and once they shut their door, one could no longer enter those three rooms.

The house had already been repossessed, and Zhou Mikang had already arranged for the possessions to be moved back. The two western rooms lacked bedding, which must definitely be in the three eastern rooms. The old couple had shut their door early on purpose.

It was only because Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan were kind-hearted. Legally speaking, they could have driven the Zhang couple out since the Lin family had long since purchased the house and the deed was in their hands. The Zhang couple were essentially living there for free.

The old couple knew this issue well, but their reason for acting this way was that they hoped Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan would do that, deepening the accusations of their ingratitude.

The couple understood all these tricks, and so did Chuxia and Jing Zhe. Therefore, at this moment, they could only let the old couple lead them by the nose.

“If only there was a phone,” Chuxia couldn’t help but lament.

“Having a phone wouldn’t matter…” Jing Zhe said helplessly, “Though it was previously decided to move back in a few days, I believe Deputy County Chief Zhang and his wife must have returned here before. Why are the old couple still behaving this way? It means he couldn’t persuade them.

At their age, he can’t be too hard on them. After all, when he invited them to stay, it was to help them. Now he can’t completely dismiss their initial assistance.

Moreover, the main issue is that they’ve misunderstood Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin. In their view, they are standing up for justice, acting on behalf of the people. Ah, I don’t know how to put it!”

“This old couple isn’t bad. It’s my father and mother’s issue,” Lin Baohe said with a deeply furrowed brow. “They just fear me doing well. If I start doing well, they definitely feel uncomfortable.”

Chuxia responded with a smile, “Dad, you can’t say that. If you’re willing to give them benefits, they’d be happy for you to do well. But if you don’t let them share in your good fortune, they’d rather see you begging.”

“You child, you’re neither big nor small. No matter what, they are still your dad’s parents,” Zhao Yulan, worried that her husband would lose face, scolded her daughter.

Luo Xiaoqiong stepped in, her face flushed, “It doesn’t take long to run here from your house. You’re too frail; you need to exercise more.” Chuxia teased her with a laugh.

“I ran back from the front of the village. My mom asked me to look for my dad, and unfortunately, he was just sending off a drunk with Xiao Shuan’s dad. I told Xiao Shuan to pass the message to my dad that once he was free, he should come here,” Luo Xiaoqiong retold everything she had heard to the others.

“And guess what? Along the way, I just happened to run into Lin Chuchun and Chuqiu. Of course, they didn’t see me; I hid behind a wall and then overheared their conversation…” Luo Xiaoqiong recounted in detail to the listeners.

“Chunni?” Chuxia tried hard to recall, “Is that the one with the melon face?”

“Pfft!” Xiaoqiong, who had been angry, couldn’t help but laugh at Chuxia’s description, “You’re too harsh. After all, that’s Lin Chuchun’s sweetheart, how can you call her melon face?”

“I’m just telling it like it is… Dad, Dad…” Seeing Lin Baohe storming out, Chuxia hurriedly said a few words to hold him back, “It’s no use going to grandma and grandpa now; they will possibly deny everything and might even create a scene with tears and snot. In the end, you would have accomplished nothing and just get angry. Dad, calm down, let’s talk this over.”

“Xiao Zhe, you guys go ahead to Fat Auntie’s place first. I’ll heat up the stove here and then join you,” Zhao Yulan was also very upset, but since these weren’t her own parents, she had to force herself to stay calm and manage the situation.

Lin Baohe was forcibly dragged by Chuxia to Fat Auntie’s house. After entering the house, Chuxia noticed that her father’s face had no signs of anger, and curiously asked, “Dad, not angry anymore?”

“I was indeed very angry, but seeing how you’ve grown stronger after spending time in the army, I calmed down,” Lin Baohe looked at his worried aunt and smiled, “Cha Xiang, I’m fine. It’s just the actions of the old couple that really infuriated me.”

Luo Xiaoqiong hurriedly reported again to Fat Auntie what she had heard.

“Those two elders, really growing more muddled as they age,” Fat Auntie couldn’t help but sigh, “Baohe, let’s not get angry. Relationships between children and parents are also about fate, and with them, it’s just not meant to be. Besides, you had already severed ties with them, and you’ve given them what was due. You don’t owe them anything. From now on, try to avoid dealing with them.

I know I’m an outsider and shouldn’t say this, but their actions are over the top. The more you endure, the more they think they can bully you. Why do you think they dare to do this? Haven’t they considered the consequences if things don’t work out?”

Lin Baohe hadn’t really thought about this. Reminded by Fat Auntie, he finally understood the old couple’s intentions and looked at his daughter tenderly, “Chuxia, rest assured, Dad won’t let them use you. Even if everyone around criticizes me for being unfilial, I accept it.”

“Dad, it’s not that serious,” Chuxia said, clinging to his arm, “You value me more than anything. I’ve always known that.”

“You two…” Fat Auntie smiled and shook her head, then turned to keep busy with cooking.

“I have to go to the county now,” Jing Zhe suddenly stood up, “I’ve been thinking, and this matter needs Deputy County Chief Zhang present. Who knows if his parents have any issues. If something happens in his absence, it would be troublesome.”

Seeing that it was almost seven o’clock, Lin Baohe interjected, “If we really need Deputy County Chief Zhang, let’s discuss it tomorrow. It’s too late now, and it’s not safe on the road. You’re already here, so there’s no rush at this moment.”

“It’s only a forty-minute drive from here to the county. I’ll just stay over there tonight, and come back early morning with Zhang Dongfang. Uncle Lin, I’m sorry for not managing this well. If I had known his parents would behave like this, I would have found someone else to buy the house. If you don’t let me handle this smoothly, it will weigh on me.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote and support it at Qidian (qidian.com). Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)