CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 54 I WOO MY OWN WIFE

Zheng Xianghong didn’t think calculating, shrewd women were undesirable, instead, she believed such women were good at managing the household budget. But when it came to scheming individuals, Xianghong thought of Lin Xuebi, who was always plotting and scheming and had frequently targeted Xianghong’s family with her malicious tricks, making Xianghong particularly repulsed.

Moreover, whether the reason behind Teacher Wang’s divorce was as Gao Yongfang had described was still uncertain. Besides, they were influential people beyond their reach, so perhaps it was best to avoid such a relationship.

"Anyway, you’re grown up now and have your own opinions, so I’ll say no more," Zheng Xianghong said, not planning to interfere in her son’s marital affairs or push anyone onto him.

Gao Jiaxing stood up and said, "You all stay home, I’m going to wait for Dad at the village entrance."

Upon hearing this, Xianghong also complained about her youngest daughter being troublesome. It was already dark and she worried whether her husband could see the road on his way back home. Xianghong wanted to say more, but Jiaxing had already left.

Around seven in the evening, Jiaxing finally saw Guoqiang driving the ox cart back home.

"Dad," Jiaxing called out.

Hearing his son’s voice, Guoqiang quickly said, "Jiaxing, what are you doing here? Get on the cart."

"I’m waiting for you. Next time, if my third sister causes trouble again, don’t indulge her," Jiaxing said as he got onto the cart next to Guoqiang.

"Ah, your third sister really is outrageous," Guoqiang expressed his complaints about his youngest daughter, "I took them back to town, and when we arrived at your third sister’s place, not only did she refuse to let me in, but she didn’t offer me water or even say a word before closing her door on me. I don’t see the point in raising such a daughter."

Jiaxing, used to this by now, responded, "I haven’t even entered her house myself. Dad, you and mom are just too kind to her. If you ignored her, she wouldn’t continue this behavior."

"Your mom always says I favor boys over girls, but girls belonging to others after marriage is something to think about. Look, your third sister is a prime example. Before you were born, I was very good to her, never shorted her food, and even paid for her education. Think about how few girls in the village got that chance," Guoqiang said, tired and thirsty from driving the cart in the dark, thirsty, and upset that his daughter didn’t offer him water after he returned.

"First sister and second sister are good," Jiaxing remarked.

"Your first and second sisters married too far away. Your mom was stubborn about it at the time. Fortunately, both of your brothers-in-law are honest men."

"It’s all because of grandma. Look at who she found for my sisters. My sisters weren’t lacking suitors. She was willing to sell off her granddaughters for dowries. What kind of men are those families? One had just lost his wife and wanted to remarry, and the other was a lifelong bachelor and a drunk, turning obnoxious when drunk. How could my sisters marry such men?"

Hearing his son complaining about his mother, Guoqiang felt embarrassed, "Your grandma had a tough life. When we were young, and the enemy soldiers invaded, it was your grandma who hid us all over, while your grandfather was off fighting the war. If it weren’t for your grandma being strong, you wouldn’t have your father or your uncles. Back then, your grandma was the heroine of our village resisting the Japanese invasion. It was only after your eldest uncle and second uncle died in battle that she changed."

"It seems like she’s cursed my mom," Jiaxing muttered resentfully.

"There’s nothing I can do about your grandma being superstitious. Besides, she’s old now, so let’s just be more tolerant." Guoqiang felt a connection to Old Lady Gao, but she kept insisting that Zheng Xianghong was an *"unlucky star,"* causing trouble for Xianghong, and Guoqiang felt helpless about that.

"If she’s not good to my mom, don’t expect me to be filial in the future."

As soon as Jiaxing finished speaking, Guoqiang said, "Jiaxing, that’s where you’re wrong. She is your grandma; she treats you well, and you should be filial to her."

"She’s your mom, you be filial. As for me, I’ll take care of my own mom. And how does she treat me well? She genuinely cares for my two cousins; my big brother and I are just afterthoughts for her, occasionally getting half a sweet potato when she remembers. It’s the same now; she still treats us like children," Jiaxing said, unable to feel affection for Old Lady Gao.

The youngest son and grandson were their grandparents’ dearest.

Jiaxing’s uncle, Gao Guofu, and eldest cousin, Gao Jianmin, were truly the apples of Old Lady Gao’s eye.

With Lin Xuebi having two sons, Old Lady Gao’s affection was more inclined towards Guofu and the two eldest grandsons, barely extending to Jiazhi and Jiaxing.

Since he was young, Jiaxing had often heard Old Lady Gao scolding Zheng Xianghong, cursing her to death. Hearing it so often had made him harbor strong feelings of dislike toward Old Lady Gao, and anytime Jiaxing showed dissent to her words, she would accuse Xianghong of corrupting her grandson.

Eventually, Jiaxing had learned to avoid confronting Old Lady Gao to prevent his mother from suffering.

"Sigh, the matters of the older generation are none of your concern," Guoqiang said.

"I just can’t stand seeing grandma hit my mom," Jiaxing replied, noticing Guoqiang looked a bit sad, then added, "Dad, don’t worry. You’re my dad, no matter what, I’ll still be filial to you."

"You sly kid, don’t think I don’t know you’re just flattering me. If I really were mean to your mom, would you still say that?" Guoqiang was amused by Jiaxing’s words and was very pleased to hear them.

"Of course, you’re my dad, and besides, my dad is the best," Jiaxing’s words deepened the smile on Guoqiang’s face.

The father and son quickly arrived at the ox shed in their ox cart, unloaded it, and led the ox back to the shed. After feeding it water and hay, they headed home.

"You should study hard, and I’ll find you a good wife later," Guoqiang patted Jiaxing’s shoulder.

Jiaxing shook his head, "I want to find her myself."

"Who do you have in mind?" Guoqiang asked.

"I haven’t set my sights on anyone, but I will find my wife myself," Jiaxing said.

"Alright, you find her yourself," Guoqiang agreed.

Zheng Xianghong, who was waiting at the door for the father and son, immediately said, "You’re just spoiling him. Look what you’ve made him into; no girl will like this attitude."

Guoqiang immediately disagreed, "My son is handsome and tall, can hunt and study, and is skilled in farming and chores. How could he possibly not find a wife? Plenty of girls would like him."

Zheng Xianghong looked silently at Guoqiang, saying nothing further.

The family entered the house, and when Jiazhi came out after his bath, he called out, "Dad’s back."

Guoqiang responded and asked, "That Teacher Wang, do you like her?"

"No," Jiazhi replied.

Guoqiang nodded, "That’s fine. There are plenty of nice girls in the production team and the village. Those unmarried educated youth aren’t bad either; you might want to take a look."