CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 153: THE PRETEND DEAF OLD LADY

He was too embarrassed to say that the old lady couldn’t hear a thing, but she sure could talk. Every time she saw him, she nagged about getting married like it was a life or death matter. His mother had been running herself ragged over his marriage these days.

——

Upon arriving at the General Mansion, Xu Shu first took Song Wei and others to meet his parents.

Outstanding students garner attention wherever they go, and Song Wei was no exception. The Great General Xu Guangfu had long heard about his skipping grades in the entrance exam.

Finally meeting him in person now, the Great General showed appreciation and praised Song Wei several times, saying he was young and promising, and would surely pass the provincial exam in one go.

In response to others’ compliments, Song Wei always maintained a calm and composed demeanor. After exchanging a few polite words, he proactively proposed to visit the old lady.

Xu Shu’s mother, Mrs. Xu, personally led them to the old lady’s residence in the backyard.

The old lady was just being served medicine by the servants. Seeing Xu Shu enter, followed by a pretty girl, her eyes lit up, "Grandson, is this the granddaughter-in-law?"

Mrs. Xu was embarrassed and quickly explained, "Old lady, you misunderstood, this isn’t the granddaughter-in-law. She’s a guest in our home, a friend of Shu’s."

The old lady shouted to her daughter-in-law, "What did you say? I can’t hear."

Mrs. Xu sighed, "Oh dear, when it comes to crucial moments, your hearing sure is sharp."

Turning to Song Fang, she apologized, "Miss Song, our old lady is getting on in years, her hearing is poor, and she’s a bit muddled. Just treat her as making a joke, don’t take it to heart."

Mrs. Xu hadn’t finished speaking when the old lady’s cane smacked her leg, and she panted, "What’s this? Are you cursing me for being muddled?"

Mrs. Xu: "..."

Wasn’t she supposed to be hard of hearing?

At this moment, the old lady was full of energy, directing Xu Shu to come forward and kowtow to her, and to bring the granddaughter-in-law with him.

Xu Shu knelt in front of her and explained, "Grandma, the granddaughter-in-law isn’t married in yet!"

The old lady dug her ears, "What are you saying? Speak up."

Xu Shu: "..."

He shouldn’t have let Song Fang into this room.

Seeing the old lady looking so enthusiastic, Mrs. Xu could only turn her gaze to Song Fang and quietly say, "Miss Song, you might as well join Shu in this charade, make our old lady happy, do me a favor, once we’re out of this room, things will go back to normal, is that okay with you?"

Song Fang didn’t rush to speak but first looked at Song Wei.

Song Wei said, "You’re already eighteen, some matters don’t need my input, you can make your own decisions."

Song Fang nodded, slowly walked up to the old lady, and knelt down next to Xu Shu.

The old lady’s face lit up with wrinkles, praising her grandson’s good taste, "Oh, the more you look, the more they resemble a couple."

Upon saying this, she turned to look at her daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Xu chimed in, "They’ll soon be a couple, of course, they’ll have some resemblance."

"I like hearing that," the old lady said cheerfully.

Mrs. Xu thought well, if it’s something you don’t like, your ears automatically shut it out and can’t hear.

Wen Wan found the old lady of the Xu family amusing, with her vitality, she’d probably live another ten to twenty years, not at all like someone nearing the end.

For the sake of a granddaughter-in-law, the old lady could really put on a show, especially with those ears.

The old lady looked at Xu Shu again and asked, "When will you have a chubby baby?"

Xu Shu couldn’t answer and looked at his mother.

Mrs. Xu smoothed things over, "Look at you worrying so much, Shu hasn’t even married her yet!"

Seeing the old lady’s expression, she probably "couldn’t hear" again, leaving Mrs. Xu feeling exhausted.

Xu Shu had a cousin who had liked him since childhood, and as she grew up, she became even more determined to marry him and serve him.

Initially, both she and the General thought the young girl was nice, and marrying within the family was fine, but as soon as the girl appeared in front of the old lady, she was rejected. The old lady was adamant, saying the girl looked displeasing.

The old lady never said what was displeasing, and as a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t ask and had to go along with the elder’s wishes.

Now it’s come to this, a guest visiting their home, hearing the old lady was ill, kindly came to have a look, and with that one look, she was deemed pleasing by the old lady, who then feigned deafness and ignorance to pair the two together.

Mrs. Xu really didn’t know what to say.

In their family, because the General was from a humble background, they didn’t put much stock in social status. If the girl really shared mutual affections with Shu, it wouldn’t be bad to propose marriage and bring her home, but the key is, that’s not the case!

If Shu really liked her, he would have said something long ago, would he have waited till now?

Moreover, whether this girl was promised to someone else or had a love interest was completely unknown to them. They couldn’t do something that unreliable, could they?

Before long, a servant came to announce the meal.

Mrs. Xu promptly instructed Xu Shu to take Song Fang and the others out to eat.

She didn’t hurry to leave, planning to stay and feed the old lady.

The old lady was in exceptionally good spirits today, praising the girl after a few bites, saying that she seemed sensible and practical at first glance.

Mrs. Xu didn’t respond.

The old lady urged her again, to hurry and arrange the marriage, stating that if she could see a great-grandchild born before her time, she would pass peacefully.

Mrs. Xu replied, "You’re in good health, always talking about those inauspicious words, isn’t it uncomfortable?"

The old lady mused while munching on her food, "I’ve lived a long life, eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice, how could I not have a sense for people? That grandchild’s cousin, spoiled and pampered, might end up having others serve her instead if she marries in!"

Mrs. Xu thought but you can’t just randomly pair people up after seeing them once!

"Xiao Fang is quite good," the old lady added, "She seems like a child who has endured hardships, the child of a poor family shoulders responsibilities early. The eldest grandson isn’t mature, ought to find someone mature to manage the household."

Mrs. Xu: "You’re right about everything."