Chapter 59 Niu Hulu - The Fake Child

"Dad, why are you calling me all of a sudden? Is something wrong?"

Chen Fangmin's tone was full of surprise. She didn't talk much with her father and rarely called him.

Why did you suddenly call today?

Chen Wai cut to the chase, "I'm asking you, what are your plans for Weiwei starting junior high school, and how will you resolve her household registration issue?"

Chen Fangmin harbored resentment when this matter was brought up.

“Dad, I haven’t even said anything to you yet. Xiaowei is being unreasonable and making a fuss, and you’re going to let her get away with it too? She’s going to be in sixth grade so soon, the house back home isn’t even finished, and we haven’t even gotten her household registration sorted out yet…”

Grandpa Chen frowned and interrupted her, extracting the key information.

"So, you and Xiao Shen mean to send her back to her hometown to live with relatives and attend school, instead of keeping her with you two?"

Chen Fangmin said helplessly, "Otherwise what? Dad, I also have Xiaowen and Xiaowu with me. They have to go to school and attend extracurricular tutoring classes, which costs a lot of money. Where would I get the money to bring Weiwei to study with me?"

Even though he had vaguely guessed the couple's plans beforehand, hearing them from Chen Fangmin's mouth still made Grandpa Chen feel sorry for Shen Xuewei.

He sighed silently and stated his thoughts frankly.

"Since it's inconvenient for you to take her with you, then let Weiwei continue studying here. It's inconvenient for you to register her household registration there, so let Weiwei register here with me. Amin, do you have any objections?"

Chen Fangmin on the other end of the phone paused, pondering for a long time.

She has no objection to having Shen Xuewei's household registration at her parents' house so that she can continue to live with her parents and study there.

She married far away many years ago and has hardly ever returned home since.

If Shen Xuewei could stay with her parents, it would be the same as her being with them, and she would feel less guilty towards them.

Moreover, since Shen Xuewei has always stayed at her parents' home, her parents naturally take care of her study expenses.

The money saved can be used to enroll Xiaowu in two more tutoring classes and buy him some new clothes.

However, whether or not Shen Xuewei can be registered in the Chen family's household registration is not something she can decide; ultimately, it is up to the Shen family to make the decision.

If she secretly agrees, she'll definitely have a fight with her later.

She hesitated, "Dad, let's discuss this when Jia Ying comes home tonight..."

Grandpa Chen nodded, "Okay, when he gets back, the two of you can discuss it. After you've discussed it, have him call me and tell me in person."

He had already made up his mind; there was no way he would let Shen's father find a reason to refuse.

Shen Xuewei, who had been secretly listening to the phone call, breathed a brief sigh of relief after hearing their conversation.

It seems that her mother has no objections.

As for her father... Shen Xuewei felt that her father might not agree.

Sure enough, after the Chen family finished dinner that evening, her father called.

Grandma Xi went to answer the phone, and when she heard that it was for Grandpa Chen, she handed the phone to him.

Grandpa Chen had just said "hello" when Shen's father's voice came from the other end of the phone.

“Dad, Amin has already told me what you talked about with her today. It’s fine for the child to stay with you for school, but the household registration has to be transferred to my area.”

Grandpa Chen knew he couldn't be easily persuaded, so he didn't get angry. Instead, he asked in return:

“You said the household registration has to be transferred to your area, so when will it be done? She’s going to start junior high next year.”

"...We're also trying to pull some strings about this. Xiaowei was born in violation of the one-child policy, and it costs a lot of money to register her household registration. We're still trying to find connections, so it probably won't be quick. Otherwise, we could let Xiaowei repeat the sixth grade for another year."

“No,” Grandpa Chen refused decisively.

Weiwei is a precocious child. She didn't want to study for another year of third grade back then, so naturally she wouldn't agree to study for another year of sixth grade now.

The child is precocious and has a strong sense of self-esteem.

If a child's grades are good but they are forced to repeat a grade for no apparent reason, what will happen to their self-esteem?

"Since you're short of money for household registration, then let Weiwei's household registration be under the Chen family's household registration. The child is smart and has good grades. You are a father, after all. Don't ruin the child's future."

When Mr. Shen heard that he didn't have to pay, he was briefly pleased, but he quickly refused.

If his household registration is registered with the Chen family, does that mean he's still a member of the Shen family?

If other people find out, they'll think he can't afford to raise his child, and that would be so embarrassing!

He did not agree, but politely declined.

Grandpa Chen was naturally unwilling to accept this, and the two even started arguing over the phone about Shen Xuewei's household registration.

Shen Xuewei sat to the side, looking up at her grandfather Chen, who was arguing vehemently and getting red in the face. Her eyes widened, making her already large almond-shaped eyes appear even larger.

The two argued until the very end, and Chen Fangmin also persuaded Shen's father to agree.

When Shen's father saw that Chen Fangmin, as his wife, was biased towards her father, he was furious.

With the phone still in his hand, Shen's father couldn't scold anyone in front of his maternal grandfather.

However, under the persuasion of the two, he gradually lost his footing and finally said, "Dad, it's all just us adults talking. Why don't we ask Xiaowei for her opinion? After all, this is a big deal for her."

Should we let Shen Xuewei decide?

Grandpa Chen's expression immediately settled down. "Alright, then no one is allowed to say anything. We'll just listen to Weiwei's opinion. Whatever she says goes."

He gave Shen Xuewei a look, signaling her to step forward, and shoved the phone receiver into her hand.

"Come on, Weiwei, tell your dad yourself."

Shen Xuewei held the phone receiver, her expression unreadable.

Is her father really that kind-hearted as to let her make her own decision?

"Hello, Dad."

Upon hearing her voice, Mr. Shen showed a hint of affection.

"It's Xiaowei. Did you hear what your father and grandfather were saying? I know you're a good girl and you won't make things difficult for me."

“What do you think? Dad knows you're unhappy about leaving your grandparents' house to study, but you need to understand Dad. Once Dad earns enough money, I'll definitely bring you to live with me…”

Shen's father was fully confident in dealing with Shen Xuewei.

Shen Xuewei was an obedient and sensible child from a young age, and she never disobeyed him.

As for the time he sent her to the Chen family, it was probably because she felt wronged that she threw a tantrum at him.

But kids get angry quickly and lose it quickly. It's been almost three years, so they've probably forgotten about it long ago.

If he says a few kind words to the child, the child's heart will probably come back.

Shen Xuewei held the receiver without saying a word, letting her father say sweet words to coax the child on the phone.

After he spoke kindly for several minutes, he smiled confidently and then asked, "...Xiaowei, did you hear what Daddy said to you just now? Do you want to listen to Daddy or Grandpa?"

Shen Xuewei gave a sarcastic smirk and uttered only four words.

"Listen to Grandpa."

If she were a real child, she might actually have been fooled by her father.

But now, she is a fake child.

Her father's long, rambling speech sounded like nothing at all to her.