Chapter 61

Zhang Chaoyang watched Xu Di silently pondering, his heart pounding, losing his usual composure.

He didn’t know how Comrade Xu would decide in the end. He hadn’t even mentioned his grandmother yet.

At this moment, Zhang Chaoyang felt that his family situation was truly a nuisance.

“Xu Di, Chaoyang, dinner is ready.”

Aunt Wang called out from the kitchen. They had been talking for a while, and she wondered how it was going.

“Aunt Wang, we’re coming.”

Xu Di stood up and went into the kitchen first.

“How was it? Did you talk well?”

Taking advantage of Chaoyang’s absence, Aunt Wang first gauged Xu Di’s opinion. The young girl was shy.

“Aunt Wang, Comrade Zhang himself is quite excellent, and his appearance also catches my eye.

It’s just that I’m a little worried about his family situation.”

“His family situation? His parents?”

Aunt Wang was used to separating Chaoyang from his parents and didn’t understand for a moment.

“Yes, he said his mother is quite domineering and materialistic. His brother and sister-in-law don’t get along well and always argue. His sister is a bit delicate.

Comrade Zhang said I don’t have to worry about anyone except his grandmother. They don’t have a good relationship. He doesn’t listen to his parents’ arrangements. He can make his own decisions.

Aunt Wang, is that true?”

Aunt Wang hadn’t expected Chaoyang to be so honest. He explained his family situation quite clearly.

“It’s true. Chaoyang has lived with his grandmother since he was young. I watched him grow up.

His parents didn’t care much about him. He went from disappointment to despair and no longer had any illusions about them.

Since he was a child, no one could tell him what to do except his grandmother.”

Aunt Wang was telling the truth. After Chaoyang turned ten, he could handle things big and small himself.

“Then Comrade Zhang is quite capable. When I was about ten, I was still whining to Grandma, wanting to go fishing in the river.”

Xu Di had some memories of her original self. She had been very happy growing up with her grandparents.

“Xu Di, if you have concerns about Chaoyang’s parents, then you don’t have to worry.

They didn’t raise Chaoyang, and he doesn’t have any feelings for them.

If you get married, you won’t see them a few times a year.”

Aunt Wang thought it wasn’t a big deal. In those days, housing conditions were limited, and a whole family would be crammed together, arguing and making noise all the time.

She worked at the Women’s Federation and dealt with these mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, sister-in-law battles, she had seen it all. Someone like Chaoyang was considered good.

“If we don’t see each other a few times a year, we each live our own lives, and we’re all good, then I can accept that.”

Xu Di had also thought about it for a long time. It was too difficult to find a family like Aunt Wang’s, with few people and a harmonious mother-in-law relationship.

Zhang Chaoyang’s conditions had good and bad aspects.

After comparing, the pros outweighed the cons. Xu Di felt she could consider it. Her expectations were different from others.

“Aunt Wang, Comrade Xu, I bought a few bottles of soda. What flavor do you want?”

Xu Di and Aunt Wang were talking and hadn’t noticed when Comrade Zhang Chaoyang went out.

“I want orange flavor, thank you.”

“I want orange flavor too. When you get married, I’ll be drinking.”

Zhang Chaoyang’s eyes lit up. Comrade Xu had agreed.

“Comrade Zhang, how long is your vacation this time?”

“A little over a month.”

“Then let’s establish a relationship first and try to get to know each other.

I also need to tell my family.”

Xu Di thought, she would get to know him further. If she felt comfortable with him in close contact, she could consider marriage.

“Comrade Xu, please give me your guidance in the future.”

Zhang Chaoyang was happy. He was smiling, and he felt a lot more approachable, less serious.

“Come, eat. I made several dishes.” Aunt Wang got everyone to eat. Things couldn’t be decided in one day.

“It’s been a long time since I had Aunt Wang’s cooking. I was really craving it.”

Zhang Chaoyang first served Aunt Wang and Xu Di before eating himself.

At the dinner table, the three of them chatted about the local customs of the south, and they had a pleasant conversation.

After dinner, Xu Di and Zhang Chaoyang helped Aunt Wang clean up the kitchen.

“Alright, don’t stay here huddled together. Go watch a movie.”

“Comrade Xu, can I take you to watch a movie?”

“Let’s go. I don’t know if there are any new movies.”

The two of them said goodbye to Aunt Wang and went out together.

Besides thanking Wang’s family, Zhang Chaoyang also said a serious thank you to Xu Di.

“Comrade Xu, thank you for giving me a chance, and thank you for acknowledging the military profession.”

“Comrade Zhang, you don’t have to say that. Blind dates are about finding a suitable partner for each other, walking together into another journey of life.”

Xu Di had her own thoughts. Maybe, in this life, they would just be partners. Maybe, in the process of getting to know each other, they would develop love. These were all unknowns. It was more important to live in the present.

“Comrade Xu, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

Zhang Chaoyang felt that he needed to be clear about his grandmother’s situation.

“What is it?”

Xu Di felt that this guy had a lot of stories.

“My grandmother is Grandma Qian, who you know.”

“What? Your grandmother is Grandma Qian?”

Xu Di was truly surprised. She knew Grandma Qian lived alone, with only a housekeeper assigned by the organization to take care of her.

As for why her family wasn’t with her, Grandma Qian hadn’t said, and she hadn’t asked.

But she never imagined that Zhang Chaoyang was Grandma Qian’s grandson.

“My grandmother said she didn’t know you were an adult. You looked quite young, so she didn’t think about it that way.

Later, when she knew you were eighteen, she had thoughts. She wanted you to become her granddaughter-in-law.

But she was afraid you wouldn’t want to marry a soldier or wouldn’t like me, and then it would affect your relationship.

It’s hard for her. She has a few young friends she can talk to, and she doesn’t want to lose someone to talk to because of this.”

Zhang Chaoyang explained why his grandmother had kept their relationship a secret from Xu Di.

“Grandma Qian is a good person. Although it’s a bit unexpected, knowing that Grandma Qian is your grandmother makes me feel relieved.

I still feel a bit burdened about living with a stranger.”

Xu Di was more confident about her future life. Grandma Qian was easy to get along with, at least that’s what she thought.

“Thank you. My grandmother has a long story.

Later, let’s find a place. I’ll tell you slowly.”

Zhang Chaoyang planned to tell Xu Di about the entanglement between his grandparents, so she would know.

“Alright, tell me everything. I don’t like riddles.

Once everything is clear, it will be easier for us to get along.”

“People can’t avoid conflicts when they get along. Arguments aren’t scary. If you talk about things and try to solve them, it’s fine.

The most frightening thing is not talking about things, keeping them in your heart and brooding.

That way, the problem will only get worse, and eventually, it will become uncontrollable.”

Zhang Chaoyang expressed his opinion, and Xu Di felt it resonated with her.

Many things could be easily solved if you talked about them.

They walked and talked, keeping a person’s distance between them.

The cinema was not far ahead. They planned to find a corner and talk about Grandma’s story.