CHAPTER 961: CHAPTER 647: REUNION

The first watch of the night has come.

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Lin Baojuan’s family coming over made Lin Baohe the happiest.

For him, even though he had found his roots, if asked who besides his wife and daughter was the closest to his heart, it would undoubtedly be Lin Baojuan.

Thus, not long after Chuxia and Zhou Mikang left in the afternoon, he kept running to the door to look out, and now, seeing his sister’s family arriving, he rushed forward to grab his sister and brother-in-law’s hands, grinning from ear to ear.

"Second brother..." She could clearly feel her brother’s affection as Lin Baojuan softly called out, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

Chuxia then reminded, "Dad, why don’t you and Aunt and Uncle go inside, or else everyone will come out to meet you."

Lin Baohe quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, there are so many people here, it’s really lively at home."

As they walked to the middle of the yard, Zhao Yulan hurriedly came out to greet them: "Baojuan, your family finally came. Your brother couldn’t sit still all afternoon, and I said if you didn’t come over, he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight."

Once everyone entered the house and greeted each other, they all took their seats.

Taking a look around the spacious room, Lin Baojuan said, "Second brother, the house is really spacious. If it were someone else’s, all these people would have no room to squeeze in."

She was speaking the truth. Her family of three, Luo Gangshun’s family of three, Lin Baohe’s family of four, plus Old Master Zhao, Old Lady Zhao, and Lin Wenbin, made a total of thirteen people. Yet sitting in the house, it didn’t feel crowded, which would be impossible in other people’s homes.

Zhao Yulan laughed and said, "It’s all because Xiaomi planned it thoroughly. We usually entertain in the east room, so he used up one and a half times the space for it."

"Chuxia is really lucky to marry such a good son-in-law..." As she said this, she probably thought of her own daughter’s troubled marriage, and Lin Baojuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Zhao Yulan had known her for so many years and could tell what she was thinking from her expression. She immediately said, "Baojuan, I don’t think Xiaoxiang’s situation is a bad thing. A family like that doesn’t deserve our Xiaoxiang. The sooner it’s over, the better.

With Xiaoxiang’s character, she should find someone better. And I’m not just saying this— we have so many kids in the military, I can’t believe that if everyone makes an effort, we won’t find a suitable match for Xiaoxiang."

"Mom, Zhou Mikang has already promised Aunt that he will help keep an eye on Xiaoxiang’s marriage," Chuxia said, giving Zhou Mikang a nudge. He quickly added, "Mom, I have promised. I will let Zhou Hanliang handle it. He’s quite good at this sort of thing, and he’s already met Xiaoxiang."

"Alright, alright, I trust you with this matter," Zhao Yulan said with a smile to Lin Baojuan. "Xiaomi has never made an empty promise. Since he has promised, you don’t need to worry anymore, and forget about the Wang family."

Lin Baojuan couldn’t help but sigh again, "Second sister-in-law, I know. It’s not that I’m thinking about the Wang family. It’s just that they came to us so eagerly back then, and then suddenly turned their backs. Doesn’t that make those who don’t know think that Xiaoxiang is no good?"

"No, you’re overthinking it. People aren’t blind—how can they not see Xiaoxiang’s capability and obedience? Besides, even if there are rumors, don’t take them to heart. Once Xiaoxiang finds a good family, those people’s mouths will naturally be shut."

Fat Auntie continued on Zhao Yulan’s words, "Baojuan, if you take it to heart, you’re just getting stuck on a minor point. Being angry with such a family is only belittling yourself."

"I know, I know," Lin Baojuan quickly replied. "I also know it’s better to end it early with such a family, but thinking of how eager they were back then just makes me mad.

Actually, thinking deeper, I really am being foolish. I’m angry here, and they don’t care at all, happily going around matchmaking. If I keep being angry, it just seems like we care about them more than we do.

Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I no longer regret breaking it off with them..." After a slight hesitation, she looked at Zhou Mikang, "Xiao Zhou, I’m incredibly grateful for your efforts for Xiaoxiang, but you also know Xiaoxiang’s conditions. Besides being hardworking and having a good temperament, she’s not the top tier.

So, when you’re selecting suitable candidates for her, you need to consider the conditions, don’t put them in a difficult position, and don’t blame yourself."

Zhou Mikang smiled and said, "Aunt, don’t worry, I won’t make it difficult for anyone. Dajiang is doing well over there, so you can rest assured. His future prospects aren’t bad."

With Zhou Mikang’s words, it wouldn’t be just about Luan Dajiang serving two years in the army and then returning. Luan Qingshu and Lin Baojuan rubbed their hands together excitedly, not knowing what to say.

Zhao Yulan stood up: "Perfect timing, let’s eat. You men should have a drink, consider it a celebration for how all our families are getting better and better."

During dinner, Luo Xiaoqiong naturally sat next to Chuxia. While everyone was engrossed in their conversations, she leaned her head towards Chuxia and whispered, "After you left, I went for a walk and ran into Lin Chuchun. He asked me to tell you not to pay any attention to your grandparents and Chuqiu no matter how pitiful they act; they want to use you."

Chuxia nodded: "I would have done that even without any reminders. I always repay kindness with gratitude and remember resentments against me."

"I guess they’ll come over tonight. Considering they’ve held out this long, I think they’re already showing great patience. My mom went out visiting this afternoon too and heard from people in the village that your grandparents aren’t speaking ill of you anymore. Instead, they praise you to everyone."

"Oh, changing their strategy?" Chuxia shook her head with amusement. "They’ve gotten clever, praising us to the skies so that when they need our help and we refuse, they can act pitiful and gain sympathy.

If I’m not mistaken, they’re hoping to make my parents unable to stay in the village, and then they’ll figure out a way to occupy our house."

"If they’re still thinking that way now, they must have their heads kicked by a donkey. Who you married, they aren’t unaware. Do they really think you’re as easy to bully as before?"

"They won’t understand this logic. They feel if my parents don’t come back and the house is empty, they can openly live there. Even if someone tries to drive them out, they can shamelessly claim it’s their second son’s house.

Xiaoqiong, that’s just how those people are. It’s not that I’m intentionally thinking badly of them; it’s their code of conduct. They’ve never left Dalin Village in their lives. In their eyes, my dad is synonymous with incompetence. No matter whom my father encounters or what he becomes, in their eyes, he’s still the same pushover dad they can manipulate."

"Sigh," Luo Xiaoqiong sighed, "Uncle Baohe had it really tough before. Actually, they really don’t understand Uncle Baohe. If they were willing to be decent, given Uncle Baohe’s character, how could he truly sever ties with them?"

"Hearts differ. They’ve been dominant over my father for their entire lives. Have them soften, they won’t be willing. It’s not that they can’t soften; it’s just that they want my dad to immediately obey them whenever they do. If he doesn’t listen, they believe he’s at fault, and they’ll go for the ’cry, make a fuss, and threaten suicide’ act against him."

Recalling the last incident, Luo Xiaoqiong nodded: "True, whenever being soft doesn’t yield results, they immediately turn hard again. However, I think they might stay soft for a longer time this go-round."

"I believe so. Since they’ve hit a snag before, they’ll likely persist longer this time, but don’t worry. If my dad doesn’t agree to their terms before leaving, they’ll still kick up a fuss.

This might even be beneficial—it’ll help my father give up on them entirely, and I won’t have to worry about him falling for their tricks again. People tend to forget over time; the good and the bad, the feelings fade.

My father’s feelings towards them have also faded. Once deeply hurt, over time, that chill has gradually lessened, replaced by a longing for the bit of warmth from the past.

Although he never mentions it in front of me, I can tell from his occasional words. That’s why I’ve always been worried about him getting close to them again.

Actually, I wouldn’t mind if they really changed for the better and he got closer to them. After all, it’s the previous generation’s grievances, and we as the younger generation shouldn’t interfere much, as long as my dad’s happy.

The problem is that they always approach my dad with motives and schemes, which I naturally dislike. But thinking about it now, I feel pretty silly too. My dad isn’t clueless. When they approach with objectives and schemes, how could he not know?"

Luo Xiaoqiong nodded affirmatively: "Your Uncle Baohe isn’t clueless at all; he just doesn’t want to argue with others. But what I like most about Uncle Baohe is that as soon as it involves you, he becomes a different person, on par with Commander Zhou."

Chuxia laughed happily. Indeed, her dad could be quite cool at times.

The two chatted and ate, occasionally saying a few words to others. Before they knew it, it was nine o’clock, which, in the countryside, truly counts as a late dinner time.

After clearing the dishes, Zhao Yulan quickly served hawthorn tea to help everyone digest, especially Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao; being older, eating too much before bed can be very uncomfortable for them in the morning.

It wasn’t until ten o’clock that they all finally called it a night. Luo Gangshun’s family went back to sleep, while Chuxia’s large family slept on two kang beds, men on one and women on the other, creating one big communal bed.

This was the liveliest night Chuxia had slept since coming to this era. Five women on one kang bed chatted until past one in the morning before drifting off one by one. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)