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After listening for a while outside and noticing a decrease in the noise inside, Wang Qian decided to push the door open and enter directly. She felt that watching the scene unfold was better than just hearing the argument outside. She wanted to witness just how shameless these people could be. While she didn’t have much objection to the desire for the house, it was their approach that troubled her. Couldn’t they discuss things civilly? Moreover, with the elderly present, why not consult with them? Grandpa Chen hadn’t even spoken yet, and these individuals were already causing a scene.
“Grandpa Chen, we’ve come to see you,” Wang Qian confidently entered.
As she stepped in, the commotion in the courtyard abruptly ceased. All eyes turned to the young girl entering, exuding an aura of authority despite her modest attire. Although not dressed extravagantly, her demeanor spoke volumes, radiating an unassailable presence.
“Who are you?” Old Chen’s eldest granddaughter questioned Wang Qian with a hint of displeasure.
Glancing at the young woman in front of her, Wang Qian noted her decent appearance but also sensed an indescribable air. From the look in the granddaughter’s eyes, Wang Qian felt a hint of disdain directed towards them.
With a slight smile on her face, Wang Qian replied, “Who I am is not important to you all. I simply wanted to visit your elderly grandfather. I won’t disturb you. Carry on with whatever you were doing earlier.”
Old Chen’s eldest daughter-in-law, upon seeing the group that followed, recognized Wang Xuan and couldn’t help but mutter, “Another person coming to take advantage today.”
Wang Qian didn’t pay much attention to the woman’s comment. Their paths might not cross in the future, and it was Grandpa Chen’s family matter. As an outsider, she felt it was best to respect the family’s dynamics. After all, one should respect the owner’s decisions, especially considering Grandpa Chen’s presence. She chose not to engage with the others and let them say what they wished.
Ignoring the murmurs, Wang Xuan led her sister inside, but they couldn’t find Old Chen at home.
“My grandfather isn’t here. He went out to buy groceries. What do you need from him?” a girl asked the group, inviting them to sit down. Wang Qian wasn’t in a hurry and took a seat, observing the people in front of her. She found it tiresome to engage further in conversation.
“It’s truly rude. Country folks will always carry that air of poverty wherever they go. Daughter, ignore them,” criticized the eldest daughter-in-law of Old Chen, dismissing Wang Qian and her group.
Initially reluctant to engage, Wang Qian found their remarks increasingly disrespectful.
“What’s the matter? If I don’t acknowledge you, you get all worked up? It’s true we are country folks, but even if we may seem ‘poor,’ our hearts aren’t filled with such filthy thoughts. If you dare to be disrespectful again, watch your words. Guests should be treated with basic courtesy. It’s baffling that you’ve lived this long without understanding even the most basic manners, failing to match up to us ‘country folks,'” Wang Qian retorted sharply.
Upon hearing their remarks, Wang Zhenhe also felt uncomfortable. Without giving them a chance to say more, they had already become confrontational.
Zhang Lan held her husband’s hand, urging him to remain calm. After all, the man was Old Chen’s son, and causing a scene wouldn’t be appropriate, especially with the elderly present. Children might not grasp the implications of their words, hence Zhang Lan let her daughter speak without intervening.
Children are naive, and adults should know better than to engage at their level. If they really did, Zhang Lan was almost looking forward to the drama. She knew her daughter’s sharp tongue well, and even in a fight, their side had numbers. Therefore, she was confident in their ability to handle the situation.
Old Chen’s eldest son, Chen Guochao, restrained his wife, who was itching for an altercation with the young girl. “Let it go. They did save Dad’s life after all. Let’s not go too far. Think about it a bit…”
Upon her husband’s hint, the eldest daughter-in-law, Shi Wenting, realized the situation and chose to remain silent.
The second daughter-in-law, Zhang Jiuhong, had been ready to enjoy the spectacle, but seeing the sudden silence, she couldn’t help but chuckle to herself.
Seeing Zhang Lan reminded her of her son, who had clashed with her before. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Despite her reservations, they had accepted her son. Regardless of personal feelings, she had to give her son some credit, especially since he had been admitted to university. Now, they all had to show him some respect since he was making progress in life.
“Elder sister, please don’t mind. It’s just some family matters with differing opinions…” Zhang Guochao attempted to diffuse the tension.
Zhang Lan simply nodded with a smile, “No problem. Feel free to continue your discussion. We’re here to see Uncle Chen.”
In reality, Zhang Lan had long recognized the woman before her as Chen Xu’s mother. Reflecting on how heartless she had been when her son had gone so far away, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but feel a sigh escape her. Despite her thoughts, she couldn’t bring herself to connect Chen Xu with Zhang Jiuhong. They were simply not on the same wavelength.
Unexpectedly met with a soft response, Zhang Jiuhong felt a bit displeased. However, considering the weight this family held in her Father-in-law, Chen and his son’s hearts, she chose not to confront them as aggressively as Shi Wenting had done.
“Young sister, I’ve wanted to thank you for a long time. My son owes a lot to your care. Without it, I don’t know if Chen Xu would have been able to get into university,” expressed Zhang Jiuhong gratefully.
Still smiling, Zhang Lan replied, “Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. I also like Chen Xu. He’s not only sensible but also understanding. You’re truly blessed to have a son like him.”
Unspoken by Zhang Lan was the thought of how they would treat Chen Xu in the future. If they continued as they had before, Chen Xu wouldn’t be someone to be trifled with. Despite his young age, he had already taken charge of looking after his grandmother and even went to help his grandfather without being asked. This showed that he was a thoughtful and independent child.
According to her daughter, Chen Xu had been saving the money he earned for himself, not giving it to his parents but keeping it to spend with his grandfather. Such a filial child. If his parents didn’t realize their mistakes, they might end up losing him.
Thinking of her own son, Zhang Jiuhong wasn’t indifferent either. After all, he was her flesh and blood. Despite Chen Xu being a good child, she believed she was in the right. If her son had put in so much effort, she felt entitled to the house. As a mother, she couldn’t let her son suffer such a loss without fighting for what she believed was rightfully his.
Zhang Jiuhong sighed as she looked at Zhang Lan, “Sister, it’s not that we were unreasonable or unfilial. The circumstances back then were challenging, and we felt helpless. It’s too late to say anything now…”
Zhang Lan and her group felt that Zhang Jiuhong might not be irredeemable. However, as they weren’t very familiar with her, there were certain things they couldn’t address in front of so many people. They decided to wait for Chen Xu to return and have him communicate with his parents, hoping for a possible breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Wang Qian glanced at Old Chen’s third son and his wife, noticing their exchanged glances. Despite observing them, she couldn’t decipher their thoughts.
Just as they were seated, Chen Xu returned with Old Chen from grocery shopping. Seeing the duo sweating and exhausted, Mingyuan and Wang Xuan hurried over to help with the bags.
“Zhenhe? Haha, you’re here! Let me guess, Qianqian and Mingyuan got into university too, right? Otherwise, Lan wouldn’t have come,” Old Chen exclaimed joyfully, still holding groceries.
Shi Wenting’s gaze flickered as she looked at Zhang Lan and the others. They had gotten into university? She was surprised that these rural folks had managed to secure university placements. It made her regret her earlier confrontation, especially with the young girl. She started to rethink things, noting the girl’s cunning demeanor at such a young age. If she managed to attract an official’s child in the future, she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about what might unfold.
Seeing Old Chen, Shi Wenting quickly put on a pleasing smile, “Dad, why are you out buying groceries in this scorching heat? Look at how hot you are. You should go rest inside.”
Chen Minghai was puzzled by his eldest daughter-in-law’s behavior that day. Her overly pleasant smile was somewhat unnerving.
“No, Wenting, I can manage on my own. It’s good exercise. I’m not that tired,” Old Chen replied.
Hastily, Old Chen led Mingyuan and the others to the kitchen to put away the groceries, eager to sit down and have a proper conversation with Wang Zhenhe and the rest.
“Eldest son, why don’t you all head back today? You’ve seen the situation. Let’s discuss anything further another time. Today, we have special guests. Come back another day,” Old Chen suggested, effectively dismissing them. He wasn’t opposed to his sons meeting with Wang Zhenhe and his group, but he knew their intentions all too well—money and property. Since Zhang Lan and her family had made the effort to visit, he didn’t want these individuals, solely focused on financial gain, to spoil the pleasant atmosphere.
“Mom, why don’t you all head back too? Go do whatever you need to do, but don’t linger around here,” Chen Xu urged Zhang Jiuhong and Chen Guoqiang to leave the courtyard. Seeing the second family depart, following the second son’s lead, the two brothers exchanged a glance and then left with their wives.
“Zhenhe, you must have had a good laugh today. Did those three troublemakers start arguing in the courtyard again?” Old Chen inquired. He could already picture it—once they left, the three brothers would likely engage in a heated argument, each convinced of their own righteousness, without considering his opinion or showing any concern for him.
Seeing Old Chen’s troubled expression, Wang Qian suggested, “Grandpa Chen, why not let them settle it with a fight? Whoever wins, they get what they want. That way, they won’t keep bothering you with their constant bickering, causing you headaches.”
Old. Chen chuckled helplessly, “Dear, that joke of yours is a bit too much. They are all my sons, and it pains me to see any of them hurt. Despite their differences, they were raised by my wife and me together. I only wish for their well-being. I can’t bear to see my sons at odds with each other. That’s something I absolutely cannot allow.”