Zhang Shouyi quickly handed Liu Changhe a glass of water. "Grandpa, are you alright?"

Liu Changhe took the cup, tilted his head back, and downed the water in one gulp. His cough felt a little better. He wanted to lecture him, that a man should stand up for himself and not let a woman ride on his neck, but he stopped himself. No, that woman was one of his own.

"Grandma, although you've been holed up in your hometown, I know you're aware of what's going on outside."

You should know about Zhou Shixiong's situation, but I've found someone to treat his health, and he should be able to live another ten years without any problem."

Are you content to be subservient to others?

"Hehe, what's there to be resentful about? It's all the same. I think he's more useful in being alive. We'll do whatever's best for the country. Don't worry, I'm not ignorant, and I'm not blinded by self-interest."

The old lady nodded inwardly; it was truly admirable that he could consider the bigger picture like that. Reaching this position at such a young age was no fluke.

"Yes, that's the right way to think. The big picture is important, and everyone will see your contributions."

"Heh, none of that matters. As long as I have a clear conscience, that's enough." Zhang Shouyi sneered inwardly. Consider the bigger picture? If it weren't for his own needs, why would he have gone to such lengths to find a doctor for him?

"Grandma, Grandpa, my feelings for Hongmei are genuine, and there's absolutely nothing else involved. Please believe me and give me a chance."

The old lady sighed. "What can we do now? You two will have to deal with it yourselves. We're old and don't have the energy to manage you anymore. But it's true that you stole my great-granddaughter-in-law."

"Grandma, I don't admit to that. Let's assume that Liu Jingze was here at this time, and Hongmei still chose me. Do you believe me?"

"Oh! Why?"

"I can't judge others, but I can say something fair and responsible: although Zhang Hongmei has no feelings for me now, at least she doesn't dislike me. She will consider this suggestion, but anyone else wouldn't even consider it."

The old lady closed her eyes and recalled Zhang Hongmei's every move, which was indeed just as Zhang Shouyi had described.

"Alright, let's talk about this later. There are still a few years, and who knows what might happen."

Zhang Shouyi chuckled inwardly. A few years? Even if it were a few more years, it would still be the same. Heh, once it's in my hands, can it run away? In that case, I might as well find a block of tofu and smash my head against it.

I'm quite satisfied with the result this time; at least it wasn't as upsetting as I imagined. Heh. This is exactly the effect I wanted. What do other people's disdain matter? I think being afraid of my wife is the best thing.

The old lady changed the subject. "Zhang family boy. Didn't Gu Chuanming do anything about it?" Her tone unconsciously carried a hint of reproach.

"Grandma, this is what Old Master Gu discovered. Zhou Shixiong had mentioned this before, but I brushed it off by saying that Hongmei was my betrothed since childhood. I didn't expect him to persist. It was Old Master Gu's friend who reminded him."

We originally wanted to exchange some of our influence for it; Mr. Gu and I had already discussed it, but Hongmei disagreed. In the end, we used this method to solve the problem once and for all.

After listening, the old lady pondered. This was definitely the girl's idea. What she feared most was owing favors to others, especially when it came to matters of interest.

I know this girl somewhat; she doesn't owe anyone such a huge favor. She might be willing to give up her own interests without hesitation, but she wouldn't touch other people's.

"You're all in such a hurry, perhaps this is just a spur-of-the-moment idea from Zhou Shixiong?"

"Hehe, Grandma, do you think there's any possibility of that? Would he just have a sudden whim?"

After we got our marriage certificate, Mr. Gu accompanied us to see him. I don't need to describe it, but you can probably guess his expression. In the end, he not only admitted it, but also gave Hongmei a dowry.

It's not that I'm overthinking, but it depends on who's handling this. His condition makes me even more uneasy. But with me looking after Hongmei, nothing will happen; not a single accident will occur.

Liu Changhe grumbled from the side, "That's how a man should protect his woman. You don't need to make promises or ask for credit."

"Yes," Zhang Shouyi replied to Liu Changhe with good temper. As long as they were happy and didn't obstruct the matter, anything was fine.

Hongmei is a sentimental girl. If everyone objects, she will consider it carefully, so she is willing to humble herself even if it means being subservient.

At this point, the two elderly people were speechless. What could they do? Ultimately, it boils down to them protecting their own child. They even promised to listen to their child's opinion in a few years; there was really no way to make things difficult for them anymore.

The two elderly people had nothing more to say, but Hu Aifen was not satisfied. She sat under the eaves by the door of the house and heard what was being said inside, but she just couldn't understand it.

One's own destiny is also acceptable; isn't marriage simply eliminating other people's thoughts?

After hearing no sound from inside for a while, he got up and went in.

“Dad, Grandma, I’ve heard all sorts of rumors outside. Since that’s the case, Jingze can do it too. Besides, Jingze has feelings for Hongmei, so we can feel more at ease.”

Zhang Shouyi remained seated with a smile, not standing up to refute. Here, as long as the old lady was appeased, no one else was a problem.

The two elderly people looked at their daughter-in-law standing in the middle of the room, and they felt the same way. But Hongmei was unwilling; a forced marriage is never sweet. Zhang Shouyi was right when he said that if someone else had suggested it, Zhang Hongmei wouldn't have agreed to this solution.

“Jingze’s mother, they are all still young. Let’s talk about this later. Hongmei is going abroad soon, so let’s put this matter aside for now,” the old lady advised her granddaughter-in-law.

Hu Aifen wasn't some clueless rural woman; she knew her words were meaningless, but she wouldn't give up without making a final effort for her son.

She stood there with her head down, not listening to the old lady for the first time.

Instead, they stubbornly and persistently expressed their dissatisfaction and resistance.

Liu Changhe was at a loss for words. This was his daughter-in-law, Jingze was his grandson, and most importantly, Hongmei was loved by the whole family. He sincerely hoped that Hongmei and Jingze could become a family. However, this depended on the girl's willingness. She had made it clear that she had no other feelings for his grandson. In such matters, if there wasn't mutual affection, it would lead to a resentful couple.

But she couldn't offer any advice to her daughter-in-law. She was fighting for her son's sake.

The old lady spoke up, "Aifen, you can talk to Hongmei when you have time. All the decisions are up to her."