Chapter 58 Frontier Poets

He Dongli called Yu Xiaohan and agreed to pick her up.

During this break, Yu Xiaohan went out to wash and blow-dry her hair, then returned to style herself. She tried several outfits, but none satisfied her. She didn't even ask Xu Maosen's opinion; his back had been aching for the past few days. He came upstairs and watched her from a distance. "You seem to be taking this meal very seriously."

Yu Xiaohan didn't have time to deal with his sour words. "What's the point? I'm the child of an old family. I've been invited here to settle down. It would be unreasonable for me not to show up."

Xu Maosen propped up a corner of the chest of drawers with his hand. "You know it's none of Mr. He's business."

"Carry your body."

Xu Maosen approached with a smile. After all these years, it was this aspect of her that he loved: her sassy, ​​lively spirit. The first time he saw her, she came to Old He, heavily pregnant, to get her keys. She was about to become a mother, and she cried like a child in his arms. When another man saw her, she wiped her tears, took the keys, and walked away. After Old He died, her family repeatedly urged her to remarry and not keep the child, leaving it to the He family. Yu Xiaohan was desperate to part with her daughter. When Xu Maosen had begged her with such humiliation, she had said, "It won't be easy to be with you. As much as you're a lapdog now, you'll be just as heartless when you're done with me. I know all men are the same."

Xu Maosen's final plan was to exploit his mother's weakness. He knew that she could not abandon her daughter, so he took her daughter away with him.

For the sake of her daughter, Yu Xiaohan once said the most coquettish and flattering words to Xu Maosen: Well, I am blessed to have you.

Unexpectedly, her daughter is more fortunate than her.

"It's not time to wait for the corpse yet. Can't you take me with you for this meal?"

Yu Xiaohan frowned and blamed him, "What are you talking about? I already said they are the son and daughter-in-law of the eldest family."

"But the Zong family is treating us." Xu Maosen pointed out.

Yu Xiaohan glanced at the man beside her. She knew what he was thinking very well. Yu Xiaohan looked at Xu Maosen without saying a word for a while.

Xu Maosen walked over and stroked her face with one hand. "Xiaohan, sometimes you can't win against your life, don't you think? That kid came to our house like that, but Xixi still sided with him. And you, you have devoted your whole life to Lao He, your daughter. I know what you've been upset about all these years. In the end, Lao He, you only got half, and I only gave you half, but half and half together make a whole."

Before going out, Yu Xiaohan sat at the doorway to put on her shoes. She looked up at Xu Maosen upstairs with a nostalgic but sober expression, "You men only have eyes for the He family, the Xu family, and the Zong family. Humph, I know what you're trying to say. You think my daughter got help from you, so she should repay you as her stepfather. Don't worry, that day will come. You know better than me that Xixi can't compare to your two children. And the fact that she chose the Zu family or the Zong family isn't because she's lucky or has benefited from someone else's influence, or because she has this springboard to reach some capable man. It's because she has the ability herself. Old Xu, I was a little unhappy just now, but now that you've put it that way, I feel much better. Why? Because only by finding a boyfriend or husband like this can Xixi avoid being bullied by the Xu family in the future. Don't you consider yourself a stepfather? Then it should be clear from today that I can't be Xixi's boss, let alone her future son-in-law. He has a bad temper, and everyone knows it. He can invite or not invite people, and it's not up to me to decide who to invite."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Xiaohan's cell phone rang. She answered silently, remained silent for a long while, and then hung up. Not long after, the doorbell rang. Aunt Lu went to open the door. Outside, a cold wind was blowing, and the sky was gray. The visitor was holding a bunch of sunset coral peonies and carrying a bag.

He introduced himself and told the nanny that he had called Ms. Yu.

Aunt Lu was on holiday during the Spring Festival that year and hadn't seen Zong Chi. Hearing him talking at the door, Yu Xiaohan came over and told Aunt Lu to let him in.

Xu Maosen upstairs finally realized who had called Xiaohan. He came in and greeted Yu Xiaohan earnestly, saying that he had only seen Xixi's text message after getting off the plane. "She didn't give me a chance to prepare. She didn't answer my calls anymore. I really had no choice but to call you. She told me to come pick you up."

Yu Xiaohan looked up at the dusty-looking person holding flowers, "She's going to surgery. It's so urgent, it's probably a car accident. Once in the operating room, it's like a battle. How could she have time to care about you? Missing this meal won't affect her."

"Yes. You are right." The person holding the flowers listened to the instruction calmly.

Aunt Lu, who was standing nearby, was completely baffled. She quickly looked at Xiaohan, who then gestured for her to take the item from the customer and calmly introduced her, "Xixi's... boyfriend."

Aunt Lu's face lit up all of a sudden. The other party volunteered to introduce himself, asking for his name. Aunt Lu nodded repeatedly, "You are Xiao Chi."

Zong Chi agreed, "Xixi often mentioned you. She said you took care of Xixi's mother for many years. We didn't come back often back then, but I must have eaten your cooking a long time ago. When I was in the affiliated high school, during the spring outing, Xixi shared the sandwiches you made with me."

Aunt Lu suddenly had a look of gossip, "Really? Xixi never said that."

"That's just the way she is. Everything ends up in her mouth. She's a natural doer."

Aunt Lu smiled with relief when she heard this. Just as she was about to help Xiaohan put the flowers in the vase, Zong Chi reminded her, "There's a blue and white porcelain vase in the bag, perfect for peonies."

Yu Xiaohan quickly pressed the issue after hearing this: "What kind of blue and white porcelain is this? I don't want antiques like this. I can't afford to pay for it if I break it, and then the relevant authorities will come to investigate. How unfair!"

Zong Chi laughed and teased her, "You're not an official and you don't approve land, so why are you always afraid of being investigated?"

Yu Xiaohan was somewhat embarrassed by his scolding and choked back, "That's right, I'm a housewife staying at home and doing my best. If I get implicated by your clan, I can't afford to lose face."

Zong Chi assured him, "Don't worry, no matter how old the antique is, since I've handed it over to you, no one will come to check on you."

Xu Maosen listened to Zong Chi finish his words before he came over to interrupt, "Why are you standing here talking? Come on, sit down, Zong Chi."

Zong Chi didn't care and was indifferent to Xu Maosen. When Aunt Lu came over to serve tea, Yu Xiaohan didn't respond to Xu Maosen's words and signaled that they were leaving. It would be bad if Dong Sheng and the others arrived early.

Zong Chi keenly sensed something, but he didn't show any expression. Instead, he nodded and asked Ms. Yu if she was ready, and if she was, they could set off.

Aunt Lu had already brewed the tea, and she happened to have some candied jujube tea at home. Traditionally, when entertaining newlyweds, they would have sweet tea made with red dates, candied jujubes, and longans, which symbolized good luck and a smooth and joyful start. Aunt Lu said to Xiaohan, "A few minutes won't be a big deal. Xinxing just arrived, so we shouldn't break the rules."

Yu Xiaohan blamed Aunt Lu for being nosy. She had also argued with Xixi on the phone and would not give him a good face. Now she was serving him tea as if he were a new son-in-law. What a wishful thinking!

Zong Chi was thinking with satisfaction that Yu Xiaohan and Xu Maosen seemed to have had a verbal fight. He didn't even follow the old-fashioned rules of his family, so how could he have known that Xu Maosen was using his existing favor to sell him, saying that Aunt Lu was right, "The candied date tea for the new son-in-law can't be skimped on."

Aunt Lu chanted at Xiaohan again, using Xixi as a talisman. "Xixi is still busy at the hospital. She's here today, and you won't serve tea?"

Yu Xiaohan muttered, "This person coming here alone, what kind of newcomer tea is this?"

Zong Chi finally understood what was said, and agreed, "It's okay. I can drink it for Xixi."

As soon as he said this, several people in the hall stared at him in amazement. However, he remained calm and composed, and his words were self-consistent and convincing. "I think Xixi will have to go out and rescue people many times like this in the future. If I can't represent her, then there's no point in coming here today. On the contrary, it's the same with my family. When I'm not around, she still has to represent me."

After hearing this, Yu Xiaohan didn't say anything for a long time. Finally, he remembered what he hadn't taken, so he said he would go upstairs to get it and told Aunt Lu... to serve tea.

That morning, Zong Chi hurriedly adjourned the shareholders' meeting and rushed to the airport. He hadn't eaten a single bite on the plane. He'd originally thought He Dongli would meet him at the airport, so he'd take the opportunity to take credit and ask her to treat him to something. Instead, a text from her nearly devastated him. He rushed back from the airport without stopping, then hurried to the Xu family's house. Two bowls of candied date tea were his first meal of the day, a day he'd barely eaten. He'd expected it to be sweet, but not so sweet, it choked his throat. Eating one bowl was already tantamount to murder, and he wanted two. He stared at the bowls of stringy, sweet dates, and seriously suspected that this damn woman had taken refuge in the hospital just to avoid such things!

When Yu Xiaohan returned to the living room with her bag, she discovered that someone had already finished the first bowl, leaving it empty. She was startled and scolded Aunt Lu, "This jujube soup is so sweet, did you expect him to drink it too?"

Aunt Lu came over and took a look. She was startled and quickly explained to Xiao Chi, "Just eat one piece from each bowl as a token of your appreciation. There's no need to empty the bottom of the bowl!"

Yu Xiaohan was so angry that her face turned blue. Aunt Lu was still smiling mischievously. She blamed Aunt Lu, "What does he know? If he knows all this, there must be something fishy going on. You didn't even remind him. Really?"

Aunt Lu nodded vigorously. Zong Chi listened to Yu Xiaohan's words without feeling embarrassed at all. Instead, he retreated to advance, and with a harmless face, he asked Aunt Lu, "Why do I know there is something fishy?"

Aunt Lu explained with a smile, "Because then you're not a new son-in-law anymore. Only married men understand."

Yu Xiaohan scolded again, "Still talking nonsense. The less I'm doing something, the more you talk. It's really weird!"

Aunt Lu reminded Xiao Chi to eat the dates and not the soup, while comforting Xiao Han, "Oh, it's okay, he drank it all. It's even more joyous. Others have one grandson, and you have two."

Zong Chi heard this, but he raised his eyebrows without showing any emotion. Yu Xiaohan was waiting nearby. He quickly finished his second bowl of dates, with one left. He asked Aunt Lu for a disposable paper cup. Aunt Lu asked him what he wanted to do.

Zong Chi said: "Bring one to the owner to try, otherwise she won't know what I've been through."

Puff, the woman in the hall couldn't help but burst out laughing.

*

On the way to the restaurant, Zong Chi drove and Yu Xiaohan sat in the back seat.

The atmosphere was a bit strange and even depressing. Zong Chi finally asked, "Did you have a fight with Xu Maosen?"

The person in the back seat was silent for a while, "Don't tell Xixi, just pretend you know nothing."

"Is it because of today's banquet? Or is it related to me?"

Yu Xiaohan closed her eyes. It was hard for her to deny anything; people were just like that. Even though she still disliked Zong Chi's mother, she was simply more fortunate than she was. It wasn't about money or wealth, but about being married. If they couldn't grow old together, they weren't truly married. A tall tree attracts the wind. She was just a little sad. After all, he wasn't her biological father, so she made her calculations and estimates.

Zong Chi didn't wait for Yu Xiaohan to answer awkwardly, and thought for her, "Don't worry, this meal is for the He family, and naturally there will be a time to invite the Xu family."

Yu Xiaohan had smashed his eye open the last time, and he hadn't mentioned it since then, showing proper courtesy to a younger generation. The car was quiet before Yu Xiaohan spoke quietly, "I heard from Xixi that you meant well to help Dongsheng's child. I know, but people are greedy. There are always cases of people being ungrateful and then resentful. It's not uncommon for people to get involved and be unable to shake off their grievances."

After hearing this, Zong Chi agreed, "But Xixi said she was the one who named the child, and I was soft-hearted for a moment, so I thought it would be good to make her happy."

“…”

"That day, you told me that she dreamed of having my child. I went home and felt awful for a long time. She's been with me for so many years, always arrogant and utterly speechless because of me. But I know what she wants and what she wants. What she dreamed of was her emergency escape. She treated her brother's child with such care, I can't imagine how she would cry if she really lost her own child."

"How much can you cry? You'll only cry for a few days and then you won't be able to get up. Are you really going to die for you? Humph, women are just not as cruel as men. There are many mothers who died with their children in this world. How many fathers have you seen crying their hearts out?"

Zong Chi didn't dare to respond to Yu Xiaohan's words.

After a while, Yu Xiaohan asked again: "Did you ask your parents to help with this matter of Xinchao?"

Zong Chi hummed.

Yu Xiaohan was still in a bad mood, and then said, "Didn't you say the other day that you wanted to separate from your parents? Why did you change your mind?"

"No. We've definitely been apart, but you're right, their relationship definitely depends on me. She's been pissed off by my mom, so it's only natural for her to ask her to do something for her. My mom donated a scholarship to No. 1 Middle School in our names, saying it's to provide for our future child. If he doesn't get in, we'll have to use this socially significant quota."

Yu Xiaohan said in a tone of disdain, "It must be your genes that held Xixi back. She argued so fiercely with you back then. I'd rather say Xu Maosen bought her in, but I don't agree. She was a student at the time, and Xu Maosen helped smooth things over for her. Her school selection scores are obvious to all. Even now, when he meets your teacher Zhu, he always praises Xixi. One year, when Teacher Zhu found out Xixi was dating you, his face was like a ginseng fruit falling into Zhu Bajie's mouth. Taste it for yourself!"

Zong Chi nodded in satisfaction. He shamelessly said, "Then I can live forever. Ginseng fruit, eh?"

Yu Xiaohan snorted and said sarcastically that Xixi had lacked fatherly love since she was a child, with no one to coax or tease her, so she would fall for some people's doting.

Zong Chi immediately identified with the situation and said without hesitation, "As long as she is happy and comfortable, I am willing to tease and coax her like this for the rest of her life."

*

Yu Xiaohan had seen Dong Sheng and his wife when they got married. So many years had passed, and even though she hadn't changed much, she looked a little older.

He Dongsheng recognized her at a glance and still called her Second Aunt in the same tone as before.

Chen Yuan called out for someone, and Yu Xiaohan started chatting with a smile. The host party was late after all, so she introduced them to Dong Sheng and the others, "Zong Chi, Xixi's boyfriend. You've met him once, so you still remember him, right?"

Dong Sheng nodded, shook hands with Zong Chi and said, "It's hard not to have an impression."

Without waiting for Zong Chi to speak, Yu Xiaohan began to explain, "Xixi had an urgent surgery and couldn't come. Xiaochi rushed back today and had just landed. He also went around to pick me up. I said I came on my own, so alas, that's why I'm late."

Chen Yuan comforted her second aunt, "The hospital's affairs are the most important. It's only natural that we can't have this meal. Second aunt, please don't say that. Dongsheng and I didn't come here today just to eat, but to thank Xixi and Mr. Zong."

Just as she said this, Chen Yuan dragged out He Xinchao, who had been hiding behind, and asked him to call for help.

The boy, about seven or eight years old, had a delicate face, red lips and white teeth, but was very shy. He only called her "Second Aunt" in a timid manner, but refused to call her "Uncle." He had a strong sense of order and social justice, "Auntie hasn't married him yet."

The child's innocent words made everyone in the box laugh.

Yu Xiaohan teased Zong Chi, "Even children know this."

Zong Chi took off his windbreaker and handed it to the waiter. He waved to the child, motioning him to come over and correcting the child's sense of justice. "Oh, if your aunt doesn't marry me, then your schooling will be invalid. When your aunt comes, you have to tell her so."

He Xinchao's eyes suddenly lit up, for he had understood a bug: it turned out the culprit wasn't his aunt, but this man. He was much younger than his father, a good deal taller, and his arrogance was as high as the roof.

He Xinchao quickly choked his uncle, "Aunt didn't come because she probably didn't want to marry you."

Zong Chi laughed heartily, playing with his head with one hand. Finally, he raised his chin and carefully looked at He Dongli's only nephew, saying, "The products of the He family are indeed extraordinary. Well, this temper, to be honest, really reminds me of his aunt when she was in school."

Chen Yuan was a bit worldly-wise after all, and echoed Zong Chi's words, "Then I'll have to borrow Mr. Zong's advice. Ah Li is the most promising child in the He family. I hope our Xinchao can also inherit his aunt's legacy."

"Inheritance," Zong Chi smiled proudly but humbly after hearing this, "Stop it, she was complaining a few days ago about why she had to study medicine." As Zong Chi said this, he stroked He Xinchao's hair again.

He Xinchao was a little annoyed by this arrogant man, whose laugh was as grand as a frontier poet. So he turned his head away, acting like a childish brat who couldn't even talk about ice. "What's wrong with complaining? Everyone complains. I even complained about how much homework I had."

Zong Chi's hand was pushed away by the child, but he was very refreshed. This kid was very compatible with his temperament. Perhaps it was because of the magic of the name, he loved the whole family. In just a moment, He Xinchao had said a few words on his aunt's behalf. For this reason, Zong Chi felt that his help was not in vain.

He was the host, and immediately invited the guests to take their seats. When he pulled out a chair for Yu Xiaohan, He Dongsheng first witnessed the so-called gentleman's character in a very concrete way: artificial and flattering. The couple politely asked when Xixi would arrive and whether they should wait a little longer.

Zong Chi said, "Let's not wait for her. She's not on time, let's eat first."

He had already prepared the menu, and when the hot appetizers were served, he asked the waiter to review it with Yu Xiaohan. Yu Xiaohan nodded and said, "That's all." Between dishes, Chen Yuan gave Yu Xiaohan a silk scarf and some local specialties.

In addition, there were some food brought to Ah Li. He Dongsheng said that he had visited Ah Li after the college entrance examination that year and brought her some food. It was summer and most of it had gone bad, but Ah Li insisted on eating it. "Shen Mingchong snatched it from her mouth. It's been more than ten years since then..."

He Dongsheng paused before he could finish his words, remembering something. He blamed himself for taking advantage of others. He was so caught up in his son's affairs that he didn't dare to seek revenge for the blow he had taken from his good brother.

Chen Yuan didn't know about the past incident and couldn't help but be curious, "Did Old Shen come with you back then?"

He Dongsheng thought, that's right, it was Old Shen who pushed him to come. Old Shen came here for Ah Li, too. What a pity, how could a clumsy person like him compete with the quarrelsome and aggressive young master? Shen Mingchong said he got drunk and said something he shouldn't have said to Ah Li, but was then punched by Zong Chi who suddenly appeared. That day, Ah Li was forced into the car by that young master.

It was a long time later when He Dongsheng knew about this. He did not take sides just because he was a good brother. Instead, he advised Shen Mingchong that Ah Li had suffered enough. It was her own will to choose who to marry. How did you know that she did not like the other person? Even if she did not like the other person, what did it have to do with you? You cannot treat my sister as the one who takes care of everything and even cover for her and make concessions at critical moments. Please do not provoke her.

Without waiting for He Dongsheng to say anything, Zong Chi, who was sitting at the main seat, raised his wine glass slightly, as a toast to Dongsheng. Without waiting for the other party to put it to his lips, he drank it first as a toast. As the spicy and domineering wine rolled on the tip of his tongue, he suddenly said, "I heard from Ah Li that Shen Mingchong got married a long time ago and has a daughter, right?"

He Dongsheng nodded.

The next second, the young master said something shocking, "Then you don't really like your sister. No matter how many local specialties you bring and how reluctant you are to let her eat them, it's useless to snatch them away ten thousand times."

The words frightened Yu Xiaohan into silence. Someone, having put down their wine glass, used a serving chopstick to pick up a plain-looking tofu ball and offered it to Yu Xiaohan, gesturing for her to try it. It was cooked in rich broth, a Kung Fu dish. The tofu, when opened, revealed a delicious bird's nest hidden within.

After three rounds of drinks, He Dongsheng asked his son to thank his uncle with a cup of tea instead of wine. He Xinchao had been sitting by the tea table by the window, looking at the bare rockery in the courtyard. He really didn't like such a banquet for adults. Even without him saying it, Zong Chi could see the clue from his two eyebrows that were almost raised upside down.

Originally, he wanted to give up such courtesy, but tonight He Dongsheng said something he didn't want to hear and it was obvious that he was still on good terms with the other party. Zong Chi couldn't help but feel malicious and wanted the son to pay for the father's debt.

So, someone sitting in the upper seat quietly moved his position and turned towards He Xinchao, who had been feeling awkward, sending a signal that he was very happy that the child came to toast him with a glass of wine, and that he could very well bear it.

He Xinchao looked at his mother for help, but his mother responded unconditionally to his father's request. Chinese family education teaches children not to be timid, as if being outgoing and showing off is a great ability.

Zong Chi actually disagrees. Most of the noisy extroverts are not innate, but rather are imposed on their children by their parents.

At this moment, although Zong Chi had drunk a lot of alcohol, he was very sober. He was sober because he didn't like children accompanying their parents to social events. His evil intention was to just think that if the child came to him, he would save him.

Just like back then, he just wanted He Dongli to come to him, and he wouldn't do anything to her.

*

When He Dongli rushed to the box, he saw He Xinchao holding the teacup awkwardly, as if he was about to sacrifice himself heroically...

She subconsciously called out, "Xinchao?"

Everyone in the box looked up at the person at the door. He Xinchao felt as if he had been pardoned at that moment. He looked at the young woman wearing blue jeans, a striped shirt, and a black tweed suit jacket, and immediately understood as if he had silently read the answer. She was the aunt in the photo at home.

He Dongli arrived in a hurry, and the exquisite makeup she had put on at noon was completely gone. Now she had some occupational diseases that she hadn't had time to take off. She asked Xin Chao with concern and inquiries, "What are you...doing?"

He Xinchao looked at this incredibly beautiful aunt, whose voice was even more incredibly sweet. He instantly understood that she was his savior, so he stammered with a hint of grievance, "Dad asked me to toast this border guard. No, he was blackmailing me with the school quota, saying that if I didn't call him uncle, I wouldn't be able to go to school. I have to toast this person..."

The frontier poet laughed out loud again. He said to the latecomer, "Hey, your nephew is a real guy. Let me tell you."

He Dongli came between them, took Xinchao's teacup, and told him to return to his seat. She then turned her head to look at Zongchi, who had drunk quite a bit of wine. She knew he wouldn't want a child to entertain him, but he had a bad taste and would definitely play tricks on people, such as if Xinchao really refused to call her uncle. She couldn't say anything to him in front of everyone, so she only gently blamed him, "If you scare a child, he'll take it seriously."

Zong Chi drank and stayed in the warm room, feeling warm all over. He grabbed her icy hands and handed her a paper cup that had been sitting next to him.

He Dongli was puzzled, "What?"

"Candied dates. You have to eat them."

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The author has something to say: There is no tomorrow~