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Although Wang Qian had concerns due to stories from past lives about such family dynamics causing issues, she hoped that this era would be better. She didn’t want her cousin to be unhappy. With caution, she advised, “Aunt, it’s best to inquire thoroughly about the character of the suitor and his mother before finalizing the engagement. Understanding them well is crucial.”
She couldn’t say much more; perhaps this family was different after all.
Zhang Hua smiled and patted her young niece, finding her quite adorable. Despite her young age, the child cared about her cousin’s marriage. “Don’t worry, I will make sure to gather all the necessary information.”
After the meal, everyone dispersed. Upon returning home, they found Wang Minggui eagerly waiting at the door, holding a package, shivering in the cold wind but refusing to move.
Seeing them arrive, the child cried out with a hint of sadness, “Third Aunt, why did you take so long? I’ve been waiting for ages, and I’m freezing.”
Feeling sorry for the child, Zhang Lan embraced him, “Minggui, why didn’t you go back home? It’s so cold. Hurry inside to warm up.”
Once inside and placed on the kang, Wang Minggui stopped crying. He then handed over the package, saying, “Third Aunt, my mom asked me to give this to my older siblings.”
Seeing the child looking so distressed, the siblings couldn’t bear it. Wang Zhenhe quickly brought hot water to clean him up and tucked him snugly into bed.
Wang Qian climbed onto the kang, pinching the child’s cheeks, and said with a smile, “Little brother, aren’t you a bit silly? Why didn’t you go to the neighbors’ place to wait instead of staying out in the cold?”
Feeling unjustly treated, Wang Minggui sniffled, his eyes wide. “Sis, I don’t know them. Besides, they have a dog, and I’m afraid it might bite me.”
Amused, Wang Qian hugged her young cousin, warming up together on the kang. “Little brother, how about having dinner at our place tonight? We’ve got seafood, something you probably haven’t tried before. Let your mom know when you go back.”
Before Wang Qian could finish, Wang Minggui proposed a new idea, “Sis, can I sleep over with my older brothers tonight? I’ve never slept with them before.”
Smiling, Zhang Lan nodded, “Sure, just let your mom know you won’t be coming home to sleep tonight.”
Internally, she couldn’t help but feel that the child seemed a bit lonely. It was evident he needed more company. If he had a younger sibling to keep him company, perhaps he wouldn’t feel the need to come over to their place to play.
At this point, Zhang Lan was unsure whether family planning was beneficial or detrimental. While having fewer children meant lower expenses and potentially higher living standards, having just one child could lead to a sense of loneliness, as evident from her young nephew’s situation.
With children in the house, Mingyuan and the others enjoyed playing with their young cousin, even taking the opportunity to teach him a few words. Zhang Lan instructed the four siblings to play with Minggui while she and Wang Zhenhe prepared dinner, using some ingredients brought back from her parents’ home, perfect for a meal for the little nephew.
Having enjoyed rich meals during the New Year, Zhang Lan opted for a light dinner, using ingredients sourced from Wang Qian’s supplies.
As dinner neared completion, Zhang Lan asked Mingyuan to bring some seafood over to enjoy with the children before they returned home.
Meanwhile, Ma Fenqing had already sent some gifts over, regardless of their value, as it was a gesture of goodwill. She understood the intentions behind the gifts and reciprocated kindness, ensuring that the debts left by Wang Zhenguo didn’t burden the family.
Excited to hear that Mingyuan brought seafood for him, Wang Minggui couldn’t contain his gratitude. “Thank you, Third Aunt. When I have something delicious in the future, I’ll save some for you too.”
Whether he could keep his promise or not was yet to be seen, but his sincere intention was appreciated by everyone. Wang Minggui’s thoughtful nature contrasted sharply with Wang Zhenguo’s personality, a sentiment shared by everyone in the household.
“Remember to tell your mom, Minggui, to come back early with your second brother. Third Aunt is waiting for you to have dinner, and I’ve prepared plenty of delicious dishes for you tonight,” Zhang Lan instructed warmly.
As soon as Wang Minggui heard about the delicious food, his eyes lit up, happily following Mingyuan out the door.
Sighing, Zhang Lan remarked, “Zhenhe, sometimes I feel like Minggui wasn’t raised by Wang Zhenguo. To have a child like him, I wonder if we struck some good luck in a past life. He’s far more capable than his father in many aspects.”
Agreeing, Wang Zhenhe nodded with a smile. “Indeed, I feel like this child reflects our family’s values. He’s mature for his age. However, it must be tough for Ma Fenqing and her son.”
He sighed heavily, troubled by the thought that the elderly in the family caused the mother and son to separate, a truly regrettable situation.
Upon Mingyuan’s return with his younger brother, Wang Qian, noticing his expression, quietly inquired, “Brother, didt you see your younger uncle?”
Mingyuan whispered back, “He wasn’t home. My aunt mentioned he went out to play cards and hasn’t returned yet. But seeing our grandmother makes me uneasy. It’s our mother’s way of showing respect to our grandfather’s family. The way she acts, it makes me feel nauseous.”
Wang Qian could easily envision Zhu Qiyu’s expression. She anticipated that the troublemakers from their family would return in the next couple of days, causing a stir. While the grandmother might not see the items sent, withholding them from the aunt would certainly not sit well. It seemed like their mother had taken this into consideration.
Seeing the tantalizing spread of food on the table, the child couldn’t resist indulging, with others also helping peel meat for him. By bedtime, his little belly was pleasantly full.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, both Zhang Weiguo’s letter and Gao Zhenhua’s telegram arrived. Xiaobai, on an errand to the office, saw Wang Zhenhe’s telegram and quickly had it delivered to prevent any delay in his affairs, even on such a festive day. However, since Wang Zhenhe and his family were out, the telegram was left with the neighbors.
The telegram set a time and place for Wang Zhenhe to meet in the capital city, while Zhang Weiguo’s letter left Zhang Lan feeling concerned.
“Zhenhe, Weiguo mentioned that Bai, the nurse, faces opposition from her mother regarding their relationship. They are having a dispute with their family elders. What should we do about this situation?” Zhang Lan expressed her worries as the elder sibling, feeling frustrated with the initial complications in her brother’s marriage. Weiguo was getting older and couldn’t afford prolonged delays; the longer it took, the harder it would be for him to find a suitable partner.
After reading the contents of the letter, Wang Zhenhe and the children also found the situation concerning. Tentatively, Wang Zhenhe suggested, “Perhaps I should go to the capital early to meet with Bai’s parents. Maybe I can persuade them?”
While Wang Zhenhe wanted to try his best, Wang Qian disagreed slightly. If the old lady had objected after thorough investigation, sending their father might not be effective in convincing them.
“Father, focus on your immediate tasks first. As for dealing with this elderly lady, let me think about how to handle the situation. It’s quite tricky, but for the lifelong happiness of our younger uncle, your daughter will find a solution,” Wang Qian reassured her father, emphasizing the importance of her brother’s well-being.
Thinking her daughter had a plan, Zhang Lan inquired, but Wang Qian shook her head. “It’s challenging, Mom. Some women are hard to persuade. If we’re not fully prepared, we shouldn’t meet her. Let me think about it some more.”
Later that evening, in their private space, Wang Zhenhe and his wife were busy with their tasks. Meanwhile, Wang Qian lay in bed contemplating how to handle Zhang Weiguo’s situation. She pondered why a mother wouldn’t want her daughter to marry such an outstanding man like Zhang Weiguo.
Considering all her modern sensibilities, Wang Qian had a hunch about the elderly lady’s thought process. She sifted through the criteria for selecting a son-in-law, realizing the true intentions of the old lady. She retrieved a jewelry box buried in the ground, selecting a pearl necklace and a gold bracelet before re-burying the box.
From a distance, Zhang Lan noticed her daughter beginning to handle her precious items and nudged her husband, “Zhenhe, look, our daughter seems to be tinkering with her treasures again. She’s always fond of those old things, almost turning into the queen of antiques.”
Wang Zhenhe chuckled, “It’s rare for that child to have a passion for something. Let her be. Maybe she’s preparing something for your brother’s wedding. Those treasures of our daughter might actually appreciate in value in the future. She doesn’t let us touch them usually. It’s quite something for this child.”
The couple continued their work, paying no mind to what Wang Qian was up to as she packed away the jewelry in a box.
Wang Qian planned to contact Zhang Weiguo to discuss when they could switch shifts, making it easier for her to handle certain matters. Some tasks required her younger uncle to deal with personally, especially when facing his future mother-in-law, requiring tact and strategy.
Anticipating Zhang Weiguo’s eagerness to bring his bride home, Wang Qian believed he would agree with her plan. She was secretly looking forward to facing the future mother-in-law sooner rather than later. Resolving this quickly would not only benefit her uncle but also ensure he could marry his bride promptly.
The couple busied themselves in their private space, while Zhang Lan went next door to wake up her young nephew, ensuring he went to the bathroom before bed. With the child having consumed plenty of juice in the evening, she was concerned about potential nighttime accidents.
Groggily, Wang Minggui was lifted and prompted to use the bathroom, where he relieved himself, feeling reassured by the familiar voice of his Third Aunt.
Though not fully awake, he recognized that he was in his Third Aunt’s care and responded, “Done.”
Zhang Lan tenderly tucked the little one back into bed, gently stroking his forehead before quietly returning to her room.