Chapter 29

Xia Qingtang had no experience in this area, but when her grandmother said these words with such an expression, even she felt that it was like she was making arrangements for her funeral arrangements.

"Grandma, I heard from my cousin that your health is better than before. If you are in a good mood, maybe you can..." Xia Qingtang couldn't continue speaking. It seemed that anything she said would be inappropriate. She could only look at her grandmother's frank and calm face with slightly red eyes.

Grandma laughed, patted the back of Xia Qingtang's hand, and said softly: "Good child, I know my own body best. It's just the end of this year or the beginning of next year. I often can't sleep at night because of the pain every day, and I can't eat more and more. Don't be sad, everyone will have such a time. I have lived a good life. Grandpa Feiyang is a good man. The children I gave birth to are also good. The children's children also have a bright future, so I have no regrets. Before, I was only worried about Jinxuan. The child is persistent. If he can't find someone he really likes, he may never get married. Now Jinxuan has found his other half to go on with him, I am completely relieved. You can see that you are a good child, with clear eyes. You should live a good life with Jinxuan. He is a responsible young man. I believe you will be happy."

Xia Qingtang felt even worse. After a while, she whispered, "Don't worry, grandma. I will work hard to run our family. I promise."

Her tone was serious and her expression was solemn, and it was obvious that she was speaking from the heart.

Grandma smiled gently: "Okay, grandma believes you. We leave our Jinxuan to you."

As he was talking, he heard Tian Feiyang's loud voice coming from the bathhouse: "I feel hungry after taking a bath. Mom should have prepared dinner. Let's go back and eat..."

Grandma immediately whispered, "Don't mention what we just talked about, especially that thing, don't let anyone else know."

Xia Qingtang nodded, folded the new towel that she had just used to wipe her hair, and placed it in the basin at her feet.

The two walked outside and looked, both were very surprised. Tian Feiyang said, "Grandma, why don't you stay at home and sit here? It will be cold when the sun goes down."

"I'm wearing a lot of clothes, so I'm not cold. Your mother is cooking and your grandfather hasn't come back yet. It would be boring for me to sit there alone, so I might as well come here to wait for you and watch people coming and going. Qingtang just came out too, so let's go back and eat." Grandma smiled and was about to stand up.

Xia Qingtang hurriedly supported her, and Xie Jinxuan took her washbasin and followed them quietly.

Tian Feiyang babbled, "Grandma, we have nothing to do the day after tomorrow, why don't we take Jinxuan and Xiaoxia out to play?"

"Okay, I want to go out for a walk too." Grandma said happily, "Let's go to People's Park and then to the zoo. Jinxuan hasn't been there for several years."

"Grandma, are you feeling okay?" Xie Jinxuan asked softly.

"Yes, of course. Didn't you hear what Feiyang said? I've been in good health recently." Grandma smiled and said, "It's decided. The day after tomorrow we will go out and play together, and Feiyang will accompany us."

"I will definitely accompany them. I have already taken leave." Tian Feiyang said, "Jinxuan is newlywed this time. As their brother, I should spend time with them."

We talked all the way back to the Tian family. Old Master Tian had already returned and was sitting in the living room drinking tea slowly.

He was completely different from the serious Grandpa Xie. Grandpa Tian had a naturally smiling and amiable face, curved eyebrows, and round eyes. He was a very amiable old man, completely different from what Xia Qingtang had imagined.

He and his grandmother are not tall, but Tian Feiyang is tall, probably because he inherited his aunt's height.

"Grandpa." Xie Jinxuan walked over, hugged her grandfather, and introduced Xia Qingtang to him.

"Good boy, you look very kind and good-looking."

Xia Qingtang thanked her and continued to sit next to her grandmother.

Mr. Tian turned around and looked at Xie Jinxuan again and said, "I knew you would find the most beautiful girl. When you were a child, you only liked pretty girls. You even didn't want an ugly dough figurine."

Tian Feiyang smiled and said, "Yes, yes, that's right. Jinxuan was like this when she was a child. She wanted to draw beautiful pictures and eat beautiful apples."

"So you like beautiful things so much." Xia Qingtang also laughed.

Xie Jinxuan immediately said, "Don't listen to them. Although I am superficial, I value the inner qualities more. Besides, everyone loves beauty. How dare you say that about me, cousin? Didn't you specifically look for your partner from the art troupe?"

Tian Feiyang's wife is from the art troupe. She is young, beautiful, and very capable. She has always liked to shine on the stage, so even after being married for several years, the couple did not dare to have children.

My aunt was extremely dissatisfied with this, and there were often unpleasant quarrels between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law. Fortunately, Tian Feiyang was more supportive of her husband's work and always said that she was young and not in a hurry to have children.

The aroma of cooking came from the kitchen. Tian Feiyang put his arm around Xie Jinxuan's shoulders and laughed, "Of course, we have to find a good-looking wife. It's our ability to find a good-looking one. Although I'm not as handsome as you, my cousin, I'm also a man. I need to find a good-looking wife to match me, right?"

"Yes, yes, you are right."

Tian Feiyang said: "Fei Yao's partner is also good-looking. I'll show you the photo later."

Grandma said, "I heard from Guoqiang that Feilong has also found a partner. Maybe he will bring him over to meet us tomorrow."

Tian Guoqiang is her second son, and Tian Feilong is Tian Guoqiang's son. Although they live in the same city, he doesn't often visit them because he is very busy with work.

Tian Feiyang said: "With Second Aunt's personality, she will definitely only look at the conditions when choosing a daughter-in-law. I'm afraid Feilong's partner won't be very good-looking."

Mr. Tian said: "If she is not pretty, then she is not pretty. As long as she has good character and a suitable personality, she is a good girl."

"That won't do. Tian Feilong has laughed at my ex-girlfriend before. If the person he finds this time is not good-looking, I will laugh at him too." Tian Feiyang curled his lips.

Mr. Tian was a little helpless: "You kid..."

Xie Jinxuan changed the subject: "By the way, I brought gifts for everyone. Grandpa just happened to be back. I'll go get them."

Before that, their luggage bags had been placed in the guest room by Tian Feiyang. Xie Jinxuan went to the guest room and soon came out with some things.

He brought two packs of good cigarettes supplied by the cigarette factory and several pieces of high-quality cloth packed in cloth bags.

Xie Jinxuan has a good friend whose whole family works in a cigarette factory, so he can always get good cigarettes supplied internally without having to go through Grandpa Xie's route.

Tian Feiyang was very happy to see the cigarettes. He smiled and said, "Grandpa, you keep one and I can share one with my dad, okay?"

"Okay, I'll take one." Mr. Tian said, "I like the taste of this cigarette. It's stronger than the one I usually smoke."

"This stuff is not easy to mail, and it's not good to bring too much. I can only bring two each time I come." Xie Jinxuan said: "Next time my cousin drives to our place, let me know in advance and I will prepare a few more for you."

"Okay, okay, it's settled." Tian Feiyang said, "Then there is definitely a chance."

As we were talking, dinner was ready. My aunt came over in a large apron and said with a smile, "It's time to eat. Feiyang, wash your hands and come over to help me serve the dishes."

"Mom, Jinxuan brought you some cloth. Look, the texture is so good. You and Weiwei can make clothes again." Tian Feiyang said.

My aunt took a look at the fabric on the coffee table and saw that it was indeed good material. She smiled and thanked me, then said, "Okay, everyone go sit at the dining table. We are going to welcome Jinxuan tonight. Do you want to open a bottle of wine and have a few drinks?"

Xie Jinxuan said, "Thank you, auntie, but all the relatives will come to eat at noon tomorrow, and we will definitely drink a lot of wine. Forget about it tonight. I want to go to bed early after dinner. Riding the train is really tiring."

"Then don't drink. Eat more bowls of rice. I cooked a lot. It's enough."

Xie Jinxuan supported her grandmother and followed Grandpa Tian to the dining table.

Their dining table is also an octagonal table, and the stools they use are long benches. The paint on them is already mottled and peeling, but every corner is wiped clean, which shows that they have been used for many years and that they are a family that cherishes their belongings.

My aunt and Tian Feiyang brought the food together, including fried spinach, fried kelp shreds, and scrambled eggs with carrots. In the middle was a tin pot filled with stewed fish pieces, a handful of bean sprouts and a lot of tofu, which smelled delicious.

Xie Jinxuan said: "Qingtang, you must eat more of this fish stew. This is my aunt's specialty. I have never eaten a better fish stew than this."

"Jinxuan is still so talkative." The aunt smiled and filled a bowl of white rice for Xia Qingtang, then said, "You really should eat more. This fish was given to us by someone else. It was killed this afternoon. It is very fresh and must be delicious."

After everyone had a bowl of white rice, Mr. Tian said, "Okay, let's eat."

"It's time to eat." Tian Feiyang had probably been hungry for a long time. He picked up the clean chopsticks and picked up some scrambled eggs for his grandparents. Then he quickly scooped a spoonful of the fish stew soup, picked up a lot of kelp shreds and put them in the bowl, and then quickly ate the rice.

"It's really ridiculous that you eat so hastily even when there are guests." The aunt patted her son but didn't say anything else.

Xia Qingtang tasted the fish stew and found it very delicious. She said, "It's really delicious. I didn't expect fish stew to be so delicious. I can almost swallow my tongue."

"If you like it, eat more. I will make a fish stew for lunch tomorrow. We have two fish at home, kept in the pond." The aunt was very happy and quickly picked up some fish pieces for Xia Qingtang.

This is how people who cook are. If their cooking skills are recognized, they will hope that others will eat more.

Xie Jinxuan picked up a large piece of fish meat from the belly of the fish, removed the big bones, and then put the fish meat into her grandmother's bowl.

Grandma looked at him and smiled kindly: "Just pick it up for Qingtang, don't worry about me."

Xie Jinxuan nodded, and he picked up a piece of fish meat under the fish head for Xia Qingtang, and then scooped several pieces of tofu and put them in her bowl.

“These tofu are especially delicious.”

Xia Qingtang tasted it and found it was delicious. The old tofu had been stewed into a honeycomb shape and had absorbed the broth from the stewed fish. It was very delicious and went well with rice.

She finished the blue-rimmed bowl of rice without realizing it, and still felt unsatisfied.

When grandma saw that she had finished eating, she quickly said, "Give Qingtang another bowl of rice."

Xia Qingtang quickly stood up: "I'll serve it myself."

Because Tian Feiyang was already eating his third bowl of rice, Xia Qingtang had no shame in adding more rice. Besides, the Tian family had no shortage of food or money, so it was not unusual for her to eat a few more bites.

Xia Qingtang served another large bowl of white rice and continued to eat with the bean sprouts and tofu in the stewed fish. The fried kelp shreds were also very delicious, with just the right amount of spiciness, making it a very good dish to go with rice.

The whole family ate happily, even grandma ate a few more mouthfuls of rice than usual. However, she still ate relatively little. She put down her chopsticks early and sat there, watching others eat with a smile.

Tian Feiyang said: "Sure enough, after seeing Jinxuan, grandma's appetite has improved. If grandma eats like this every meal in the future, her health will get better."

Grandma smiled and said, "Yes, when I feel better, my appetite improves, so I just want to eat more."

"Mom, tell me what you want to eat and I'll make it for you. It'll be fine as long as you want it." said my aunt.

"Okay, I'll tell you what I want to eat." Grandma said with a smile.

Old Master Tian looked at his wife with a complicated and worried look. Xia Qingtang seemed to understand the meaning of that look, but Old Master Tian said nothing and she didn't speak either.

After dinner, Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang helped their aunt to clear the dishes. Later, they wanted to help wash the dishes, but were kicked out.

"Tian Feiyang, come in and wash the dishes! Jinxuan and the others are the guests, why are you hiding there and being lazy?" My aunt yelled outside.

Xia Qingtang quite likes this aunt. She is tall and straightforward. She can't hide things in her heart and everything is written on her face. Such a person is easier to get along with.

"I know, I know. Put it down. I'll wash it right away." Tian Feiyang walked in a little helplessly, but then washed the dishes obediently.

In the living room, Grandpa Tian and grandma were chatting slowly with Xie Jinxuan and the others. The aunt refilled their water and brought them melon seeds, peanuts, candied dates, and a small plate of washed green dates. She asked Xia Qingtang to eat more.

"Thank you, aunt." Xia Qingtang thanked her and picked up a green date and tasted it. It was not very sweet, but very crisp and tasted good, so he ate several in one go.

Regardless of whether it is sweet or not, having fruit to eat is a luxury and there is really nothing to complain about.

Grandma kept looking at her with a smile on her face, and asked her about her work and her parents' family, and how they got together.

While on the train, she and Xie Jinxuan had already discussed that they could briefly talk about her parents' family matters. After all, some things cannot be kept secret and will be known in the future. It would actually be more appropriate for them to talk about it themselves now.

So, Xia Qingtang said, "Jinxuan and I met again at the steel mill. I was old enough to find a partner, so I asked an aunt to introduce me to someone. Jinxuan was introduced to me. We felt that we were suitable for each other, so we got together. However, my parents didn't know that I was looking for a partner, and I kept my marriage a secret from my family."

Grandma asked, "Why is that? Is it because you have a bad relationship with your family?"

"There was a special situation. At that time, there was a gay man who wanted to date me. My mother was very satisfied, but I didn't like him, so I rejected him. But then some things happened, and it's quite complicated to explain. I registered for marriage with Jinxuan without telling my family. So my parents are still angry now, but I still think that getting married is the right thing to do." Xia Qingtang said simply.

My aunt was very surprised: "You look so weak, but you actually have such a positive idea! You kept your marriage a secret from your family. You are lucky to have met our Jinxuan. If you were cheated by a bad man, you would have cried."

"The guy my mother likes is a bad man. He has been investigated by his company recently because of his unclear relationship with several female comrades and some financial problems."

"Is it so serious? Wouldn't you be locked up if you make a mistake? It's a good thing you didn't listen to your mother." My aunt said in surprise.

"Yes, I still believe in my own judgment. Because my mother doesn't really care whether I live a good life or not, she just wants more dowry for my brother to get married. That's why I acted first and asked for their approval later, and told them after I got married. No matter who I choose, it's my own choice." Xia Qingtang said.

Grandma nodded and said, "You're right. When it comes to marriage, it's up to you to decide. The person your parents find for you may not be really good to you. What's more, if your family favors boys over girls, you should never listen to your parents."

My aunt laughed and said, "Are there really parents who only like their sons? Look at me, I treat my eldest daughter better."

"Too many." Tian Feiyang, who had just finished washing the dishes, came over. He shook the water droplets on his hands and said, "In our compound, the Luo family has three daughters who are all pretty, so they all got a lot of betrothal gifts, which all went to the youngest son of the Luo family. This kind of thing is very common. Take the third girl from the Luo family for example. She graduated from high school and has a good temperament. She wanted to get away with it by joining the production team, but she didn't succeed. She stayed in the countryside for more than a year and was called back by her mother to get married. She was such a young girl, and she married Lao Zhao, who could be her father! Who wouldn't laugh at this? But Lao Zhao is the head of the group and has the ability. He gave 300 yuan in betrothal gifts and bought a new watch for Lao Luo's son. The third girl had to get married even if she didn't want to."

The eldest aunt then said, "It's true. This kind of thing happened in our compound. It's a good thing Qingtang didn't listen to her parents. Otherwise, who wouldn't feel sad to see a grown girl marrying an old man?"

Mr. Tian said, "Jinxuan, Qingtang chose you so firmly even though he broke up with his family. You are a man, and you must treat her well in this life. Do you remember that?"

"Grandpa, not only in this life, but if I can meet Qingtang again in the next life, I will always treat her well." Across several people, Xie Jinxuan looked gently at Xia Qingtang who was sitting at the end. The two of them met eyes and couldn't help but smile at each other.

Grandma noticed their gazes and smiled with relief.

The Tian family has a relatively regular schedule, and grandma is in poor health and needs to go to bed early, so before eight o'clock in the evening, everyone finished chatting and went back to their rooms to wash up and go to bed.

Xie Jinxuan accompanied Xia Qingtang in brushing their teeth, and then the two returned to the guest room on the second floor together.

The Tian family has two bedrooms on the first floor, one large and one small, and three bedrooms upstairs, so there is no need to worry about crowding when relatives come.

Although it is a guest room, it still has a double bed, a large wardrobe with a mirror and a semi-new desk. There are light blue curtains on the windows and a row of wooden nails at the door for hanging clothes and bags, making it very convenient to live in.

Xia Qingtang sat down at the desk, then took out the envelope that her grandmother had stuffed into her pocket and placed it on the table.

Thinking of the envelope her grandmother had given her, she took it out from her trouser pocket as well, and then opened the thinner envelope first.

"Grandma gave me a hundred yuan." Xia Qingtang was surprised.

This was her three months' salary, but it was just what her grandmother called pocket money.

"When you go out to play, she must want you to buy more things." Xie Jinxuan said: "Since it's given to you, just keep it and buy whatever you want."

Xia Qingtang nodded and opened the bulging envelope given to her by her grandmother.

"Oh my God!" Xia Qingtang growled.

"What's wrong?" Xie Jinxuan hurried over.

"Look at this." She poured the contents of the envelope onto the table and showed it to Xie Jinxuan.

The envelope contained a stack of cash and a pair of heavy gold bracelets, which felt heavy in the hands.

"Did your grandma give it to you?" Xie Jinxuan asked.

"Yes, she gave it to me secretly, and asked me not to tell your aunt."

"You definitely can't let them know. These are gold jewelry. They were brought as dowry by my grandmother when she got married. When my mother got married, my grandmother prepared some for her. According to the rules, the rest should be divided between my aunt and my second aunt. Especially my aunt, because they live together, most of it should be given to her. However, my grandmother loves me more, so she told me before that she would leave a pair of the largest gold bracelets for my daughter-in-law." Xie Jinxuan said, "Grandma gave it to you, so you should keep it well. If you need money urgently in the future, gold is a good thing."

Xia Qingtang sighed slightly and said, "This is really too valuable. This pair of gold bracelets costs a lot of money. How can I accept it?"

"If I give it to you, it's yours." Xie Jinxuan said, "Why should I be embarrassed? If you don't accept it, grandma will leave it to someone else, so it's better to give it to us, right?"

"That's true." Xia Qingtang couldn't help laughing, and then began to count the money.

The money was all in denominations of 100 yuan each. When I counted them, there were actually twelve of them, which was another huge sum of money.

"Twelve thousand!" Xia Qingtang lowered his voice and asked, "Isn't that a bit too much?"

Xie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment and didn't say anything. After a while, she whispered, "Grandma is making arrangements for her funeral."

Xia Qingtang was so shocked that he was speechless.

"I know grandma has saved some money. She gave us so much now. She must have felt that she didn't have long to live, so she wanted to give me the money she left for me while she is still alive..." Xie Jinxuan lowered her head and her voice began to choke.

Xia Qingtang quickly held his big hand, and seeing that he still had his head down, she hugged him around the waist and gently patted his back, hoping to make him feel better.

After a long while, Xie Jinxuan probably recovered and whispered, "Thank you, I'm fine now."

“I don’t know how to comfort people.”

"You hugging me is the best comfort." Xie Jinxuan said: "In fact, I am prepared in my heart, and my mother is also prepared. We know what disease grandma has, and we also know that it is a matter of time, but I still feel sad in my heart."

"That's for sure. Even though I just met my grandmother, I still miss her so much. I really hope she can live a long life."

"There's nothing we can do. No one can escape birth, aging, sickness and death..." Xie Jinxuan took a deep breath and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about this. We should cheer up and spend the next few days with grandma. If this is the last time we meet, then I hope we are both happy."

"Okay." Xia Qingtang patted his back again, "We are all happy."

After that, they both went to bed.

Although in an unfamiliar place, Xia Qingtang slept deeply because of the fatigue accumulated from taking the train. He woke up at 6:30 the next morning and felt relaxed all over.

Xie Jinxuan was no longer in the bedroom. She rolled over on the bed for a few times, slowly got up, and then opened the curtains.

The weather looks gloomy, as if it is going to rain.

Xia Qingtang put on her clothes, took out the comb she brought with her to comb her hair, then walked out of the guest room and went to the bathroom downstairs to wash up.

Xie Jinxuan and her grandmother were sitting in the living room, they were talking in low voices. There was also some movement in the kitchen, probably her aunt was cooking.

Xia Qingtang went to the bathroom to wash up and then went to the living room. When her grandmother saw her, she immediately smiled brightly: "Why don't you sleep a little longer? Feiyang is still sleeping. Your grandfather went out to exercise. We will have breakfast when he comes back."

"I've had a good sleep." Xia Qingtang walked over and sat down. Seeing that there was no one else here, he whispered in his grandmother's ear, "Thank you for the things you gave me."

Grandma smiled and said, "You're welcome. Just keep it. That style is too old-fashioned. When times change, you can melt it down and make yourself some nice jewelry."

Xia Qingtang was very surprised: "Times have changed?"

"Yes, I talked to your grandpa about this. It can't go on like this forever. Times will definitely change. You girls still have to dress up beautifully in the future." Grandma said, "When everyone dresses up, you have to dress up too and outdo them."

Xie Jinxuan said: "Our Qingtang looks best even without any makeup."

"Wouldn't it be better if we dressed up?" Grandma said, "When we were young, we had to dress up. We all wore earrings, bracelets, and silver necklaces with longevity locks. We wore bright clothes, and that was what we called beautiful. You are so pitiful now. Every day you wear either blue, gray, or green. You all look so shabby. No one dared to use rouge, and you never saw jewelry."

Xia Qingtang said: "In the future, it will definitely be like what grandma said, everyone will dress up in colorful colors."

In fact, in just a few years, young people in big cities will become trendy and there will be more entertainment activities. Just for these reasons, life will be quite hopeful.

I just don't know if my grandma will have the chance to see it again...

Thinking of this, Xia Qingtang's heart began to feel heavy, but her grandmother was still so peaceful and happy. She smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I will definitely wear colorful clothes and shoes in the future. When the time comes, I will also wear colorful clothes to go out and play, and wear my gold earrings. I haven't worn them for many years."

"Okay, I'll go out and play with grandma then." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile.

Neither he nor his grandmother deliberately mentioned her physical condition, but the look in their eyes showed it clearly, and everyone knew it in their hearts.

After Mr. Tian came back from his walk, everyone started to have breakfast.

Breakfast was wontons made by my aunt, filled with eggs, leeks and shrimp skins. The soup was made from kelp. The wontons and soup were fragrant. Xia Qingtang ate a big bowl and felt warm all over.

Xie Jinxuan said: "We are here to play for a few days. Thank you for your hard work, aunt, for making such delicious meals for us every meal."

"We still have to eat even if you don't come. It's just cooking, why is it so hard? I'm not busy at work, I just come home to cook every day." The aunt smiled and said, "But you all have to help me in the morning. Feiyang's wife hasn't come back yet. I'm afraid it's too late for me to cook so many dishes by myself."

Xia Qingtang said, "Aunt, I can cook. Let me help you."

"That's great. Thank you for your help. We'll start picking vegetables later. Some things need to be prepared in advance, otherwise it will be too late." As my aunt said this, she hurriedly collected the bowls and took them over to wash.

Many relatives are coming at noon today, so we have to prepare in advance.

Xie Jinxuan held Xia Qingtang's hand: "Can I help you?"

"You stay and talk to grandma. I'm a good cook, trust me." After saying that, Xia Qingtang followed her to the kitchen.

My aunt is a very efficient worker. She washed the dishes and pots herself and asked Xia Qingtang to pick the vegetables first.

After she finished washing the dishes, she quickly caught a fish, cut it, washed it, marinated it with white wine and ginger slices, and left it there for later use.

Xia Qingtang and her aunt washed the vegetables for lunch and placed them there, and then Tian Feiyang's lover returned home.

Tian Feiyang had just got up. When he saw his wife coming back, he pestered her to make him some milk powder and some biscuits.

His wife was indeed a beauty, with a slender figure, an oval face, big eyes, and was very thin and fair-skinned, with two short braids. She had the appearance common among the mainstays of art troupes, and her temperament was completely different from that of ordinary people.

The eldest aunt came out with Xia Qingtang, with a gloomy face: "Oh, you are willing to come back? What time is it? Don't you know that we are having a dinner party today? When you went back before, I told you to come back early to help with cooking, but you came back after we finished all the things we had to do. Besides, Qingtang is a guest, and in order to help me, I asked the guest to pick and wash the vegetables! Tell me yourself, are you behaving properly?"

Tian Feiyang immediately said, "Mom, isn't it still early? It's only half past nine, why are you in such a hurry to cook?"

"Early? What do you mean early? If you don't cook, you don't know how difficult it is. You have to cook so many dishes, and the fish and meat have to be stewed in advance. If you don't start cooking in advance, when the guests come, they will be left with nothing to eat." The aunt-in-law said rudely, "If you want to feel sorry for your wife, you should get up early to help me instead of just saying this kind of thing!"

Mr. Tian said, "That's right, Feiyang. Housework is not just your mother's job. If you knew that we were going to entertain guests today, you should have gotten up earlier to help your mother. You care about your wife, but why don't you care about your mother?"

Tian Feiyang blushed immediately: "Mom, you know I like to sleep, just call me and I will get up to help you, right?"

"I didn't scream? Ask Jinxuan, I banged on the door outside your room for several minutes, and you were snoring loudly inside, could I wake you up if I screamed?" My aunt snorted.

"I'm wrong. Leave the rest to me. Mom, you go and have a rest. I'll make lunch." Tian Feiyang's wife immediately said, "I was supposed to come back earlier, but something happened, so I was delayed. Mom, I'm so sorry."

"Can you serve the food you cook to guests? Don't you know your own level? If we rely on you to cook, then no one would eat!" After saying that, my aunt turned around and went back to the kitchen.

Tian Feiyang's wife smiled, and Tian Feiyang said, "It's okay, we'll go help mom later."

"Well, I know, I was wrong today."

Xie Jinxuan then stood up and said, "Cousin's wife."

"Jinxuan, this is your lover, right? She's so pretty." His lover walked up to Xia Qingtang and stretched out a hand, "My name is Peng Wei, and I'm Tian Feiyang's lover."

"Hello, cousin, my name is Xia Qingtang." Xia Qingtang shook hands with her and found that her hands were very delicate and smooth, and she also smelled of osmanthus perfume.

"Thank you for your hard work today. You are a guest, but you still have to help with things. I won't talk to you for now. Feiyang and I will go to the kitchen." After Peng Wei finished speaking, she pulled Tian Feiyang over.

Xia Qingtang then sat on the sofa, and her grandmother whispered, "You and Jinxuan's mother won't quarrel, right?"

"My mother-in-law treats me very well, and there is Aunt Six to do the housework at home, so there is nothing to argue about." Xia Qingtang said honestly: "Jinxuan and I will move out and live on our own in the future, so there will be no friction."

"Yes, if there is someone at home who specializes in housework, it will be less likely to quarrel. It is also right not to live together. Seeing each other less will make us more intimate. I heard from Jinxuan that these are all your ideas. Although you are young, you do have your own ideas and opinions."

Xia Qingtang felt very ashamed. This was an opinion she had only gained after living for two lifetimes. There was really nothing much to say.

Xie Jinxuan said: "Qingtang is different from others. She has a good temper. Don't worry, grandma. She will definitely not quarrel with my mother."

In the kitchen, perhaps Tian Feiyang had already coaxed his aunt, and after a while, his aunt's laughter was heard from there.

"We're back together again." Grandma smiled and shook her head, "They're all children."

As they were talking, the eldest uncle Tian Guohao also came back. He was not very tall and had a very friendly look. His features were very similar to those of Xie Jinxuan's mother, and it was obvious at first glance that they were siblings.

After ten o'clock, the guests arrived. Tian Feiyang came out of the kitchen and started to make tea and give melon seeds to everyone.

Xie Jinxuan introduced them to Xia Qingtang one by one: "This is my second uncle, my second aunt, this is my cousin Feilong, this is my eldest uncle, my eldest aunt, my eldest uncle, and this is my eldest cousin. And this one I haven't seen before, she should be cousin Feilong's girlfriend, right?"

There were eight guests in total, plus the people from the Tian family, so we had to prepare two tables of food for lunch. No wonder my aunt was angry before.

My second uncle Tian Guoqiang is a little taller than my eldest uncle. He looks more delicate and has fair skin. I heard that he was very popular when he was young, so he married the only daughter of a big leader.

My second aunt has an ordinary appearance, dark skin, and is not tall, but she has been pampered since she was a child. Although she is older now, she still looks pampered and dresses very elegantly, the standard outfit of a female cadre.

She has only one son and one daughter. Her daughter is working in the countryside, and her son Tian Feilong works in her father's former unit.

As for Tian Feilong's girlfriend, she was indeed as Tian Feiyang guessed. She was not very good-looking, just an ordinary-looking girl, skinny, but she was dressed very elegantly, wearing a navy blue cadre uniform with a very good quality shirt underneath. The shirt collar was snow-white, and she wore a pair of trousers of the same color that were ironed straight. She wore a pair of new black leather shoes on her feet that were polished to a shine. She also carried a black leather bag, which showed that she was in very good condition.

As for my eldest uncle and others, they were much more casually dressed, not as particular as my second uncle's family. There was a patch on my eldest cousin's yellow plaid jacket, and although it was mended very carefully, it was still visible.

Tian Feilong glanced at Xia Qingtang beside Xie Jinxuan, then looked at his girlfriend, his face turned a little ugly, he said: "This is my girlfriend, her name is Chen Hongyu, she works in the Municipal Labor Union, her father is in the CPPCC."

Tian Feiyang immediately laughed out loud: "Feilong, Comrade Xiao Chen is indeed a good comrade. He is so outstanding that he deserves to be the one you can find. No wonder you mocked me before, saying that I couldn't find an outstanding partner."

His words were clearly a mockery of Tian Feilong for only considering the family conditions when choosing a partner, and Tian Feilong's face immediately turned dark.

The second aunt said, "Of course, with Feilong's conditions, we must find someone of equal status. The female comrade's conditions are better, so she is more suitable. Jinxuan's is not very good. I heard that your partner is an ordinary worker? Your family is full of workers too? I'm not saying, why don't your parents help you to check? For a family like yours, you must find someone similar there. I remember that your grandfather's colleagues have granddaughters and granddaughters of the right age. With your character and appearance, you can be a live-in son-in-law in the central government. I really don't know what your family was thinking. They actually found such a person for you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people's expressions became awkward. Xie Jinxuan's smile instantly disappeared and her face became serious.

Tian Feiyang stood behind his second aunt and made faces at everyone. His look of disgust was obvious and it seemed like he was about to roll his eyes in the next second.

And Xia Qingtang finally understood the meaning of Tian Feiyang's words yesterday. It turned out that there were indeed relatives here who were difficult to get along with.