Chapter 22: Fragrance

The old man had many thoughts in his heart, but apart from his displeased expression, he didn’t say much to his eldest grandson.

After the old lady entered the room and closed the door, she began to grumble to her husband.

These past few days, she had looked down on this granddaughter-in-law, but since they were from different generations, she had kept her thoughts to herself.

However, now it was different; how dare she scold her mother-in-law and take her entire salary back to her family after getting married? Is this how one lives life?

The old lady was furious! The Li family had never had a daughter-in-law who turned her back on her in-laws like this. Which family doesn’t start their own life after getting married?

The old lady had previously looked down on the eldest daughter-in-law, always thinking she was too indulgent with the children.

However, for being able to reclaim the bride price from the eldest daughter-in-law, the old lady had to give her some credit; at least she had done something tough.

As the old lady continued to grumble, the old man didn’t respond, and soon he fell asleep, which made her even more frustrated!

Li Aiguo sat in the living room all night, wondering what he would do if his grandfather didn’t help him.

He couldn’t go out, and how could he accept that?

After Li Mancang returned home, he told Wu Zhiqiu about what happened at the eldest son’s place.

“The old man and old lady shouldn’t be able to force us to give them money anymore!” Li Mancang said with a proud face.

Wu Zhiqiu gave him a thumbs-up; she noticed that Li Mancang’s expression was quite rich now, unlike before when he always wore a long face!

He must feel hopeful about life now!

Wu Zhiqiu felt the same; they could do without the children as long as she and Li Mancang could support each other through life!

Li Mancang was truly feeling optimistic now; he had a firm sense of security, and he even woke up laughing in his sleep!

The next morning, the couple didn’t make breakfast and went out to buy steamed buns and soy milk to eat at work.

As for the two people left at home, the couple chose to forget about them.

The third son and Li Fengchun got up to see the cold kitchen and the absence of their parents.

They felt completely lost; what had happened recently that their family seemed to ignore their existence, not caring about their lives at all?

The third son left for work with his head hanging low.

Li Fengchun also went to school hungry!

Wu Zhiqiu enjoyed her warm steamed buns without a trace of guilt! They were all adults; how could they starve?

At the eldest son’s house

The old man got up and asked Li Xingguo to go buy them steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk.

Yesterday, when he and the old lady were out for a walk, they saw some being sold at the family courtyard entrance.

The fried dough sticks were golden and looked delicious.

Li Xingguo was still thinking about trying to win over his grandfather, so he patiently went out to buy breakfast for the old man.

After buying breakfast, Li Xingguo wanted to eat with the old man.

“Don’t be late for work! You can’t eat with us!”

Li Xingguo awkwardly withdrew his hand that was reaching for the buns and sheepishly went to work!

The old lady saw her grandson coming downstairs and smiled, pointing at the old man, “You’re up to no good again.”

The old man snorted and took a big bite of the fried dough stick, which was delicious!

Li Xingguo bought breakfast for three, but the old man and old lady finished all of it!

At noon, they went to wait at the entrance of Li Xingguo’s workplace, and Li Xingguo brought food from the cafeteria for the old couple.

Today, the cafeteria served sauerkraut and big bones with braised meat.

The old couple ate happily; the eldest son’s workplace was indeed great, with good food and easy work!

In the evening, Wang Yue, who hadn’t appeared for a few days, returned home.

She came back to check on how things were progressing and when the two old folks would leave!

She had been staying with her colleagues, and rumors were already spreading at work!

When she entered the house, the old lady didn’t give her a good look.

Wang Yue thought it was because she hadn’t been home these past few days, and the old lady was unhappy.

However, she didn’t want to beat around the bush today.

She directly asked the old man, “Grandpa, do you support Xingguo going abroad?”

“Of course I support it! Going abroad is great! You can make a lot of money; how could I not support that!”

Wang Yue was delighted to hear this, thinking that Xingguo must have done well these past few days and convinced the old man and old lady!

“Grandpa and Grandma, what do you want to eat tonight? I’ll go buy groceries!”

“Beef dumplings, just add some green onions! And get me some pig’s head meat to go with the wine!” The old man was not polite at all.

Wang Yue was in a good mood, being able to get the money for going abroad. What did a little grocery money matter!

Wang Yue happily went out to buy groceries.

The old lady curled her lip, thinking that if you just say a few nice words, you instantly become as happy as a peacock!

Does this little sparrow still think she can compete with the old family?

When Xingguo returned, he saw his wife chatting and laughing with his grandparents.

He looked puzzled, but he was very happy that his wife had come back; it had been several days since he last saw her, and he missed her quite a bit!

The couple whispered in the kitchen.

“Xingguo, when will Mom and Dad send the money?” Wang Yue asked directly.

“What money?”

Wang Yue thought perhaps Li Aiguo was planning to surprise her and was just pretending not to know.

“What money are you talking about? Are you still trying to surprise me? I already asked Grandpa, and he said he fully supports you going abroad!” Wang Yue spoke cheerfully, as if going abroad was already settled.

Xingguo felt a bit awkward; he hadn’t had the chance to ask if his grandpa supported him, let alone about the money situation.

He could only embellish with some verbal art.

“Dad has been busy these past few days and hasn’t come over; I haven’t brought up the money with him yet!” This wasn’t entirely a lie; he really hadn’t mentioned the money to Li Mancang, and Li Mancang hadn’t refused either.

“Grandpa is already supportive! This is definitely going to happen; how could your dad not listen to your grandpa?” Wang Yue’s spirits were high, feeling that her hardships over the past few days hadn’t been in vain.

Xingguo awkwardly smiled; he wasn’t as optimistic as his wife.

Soon, the dumplings and dishes were served on the table.

The old man ate dumplings filled with meat and green onions, savoring every bite.

“The eldest daughter-in-law’s cooking is really good! These dumplings are delicious! They’re much better than what your grandma and your mother make! When we go back home for the New Year, I’ll let you cook!”

Wang Yue’s smile froze on her face; she didn’t want to spend the New Year in the kitchen cooking for this bunch of country folks!

But given the current situation, she couldn’t refuse.

She could only keep a stiff smile and say, “Alright, Grandpa, eat more!”

While eating, Wang Yue secretly glanced at the old man.

Pretending to be casual, she asked, “Grandpa, when will Mom and Dad come to see you?”

“They’re busy with work; they’ll come when they’re not busy. Besides, your grandma and I are planning to stay a bit longer; the city is really nice! The food is good, the living conditions are good; I almost don’t want to leave!”

Wang Yue almost choked on a dumpling; what kind of talk was that? How could they enjoy living here and not plan to leave? That wouldn’t do!

With a son and a daughter, how could they stay at their grandson’s house permanently?

“Grandpa, you’re joking! People say a golden nest or a silver nest can’t compare to your own doghouse; no matter how good it is outside, it’s not as comfortable as being at home!” Wang Yue said with a stiff face while serving the old man some food.

“That’s an old saying; things are different now. Xingguo’s home is also back in the countryside; you should ask him if he wants to go back or stay in the city! People strive for higher places, just like water flows downwards; you educated folks understand this better than us country bumpkins!” The old man put a few slices of sauced beef into his mouth, enjoying it!

Wang Yue gritted her teeth, taking the chance when the old man wasn’t paying attention to glare at him fiercely.

He was getting used to living in the city; once the money was in hand, she would send them back immediately!

“I saw that the roast chicken from that deli looks delicious; Aiguo, can you buy one for me when you get off work tomorrow? I’m getting older, and every meal counts; who knows, one day I might close my eyes and never open them again!” The old man continued to eat while mumbling, completely ignoring the couple’s frostbitten expressions.