Zhao Aiguo took a bite of piping hot mutton offal and said, "Erni, you're 20 now. You should have your own ideas. We've known about that person's character for a long time. If you're willing to gamble your whole life and be abandoned by everyone for an uncertain outcome, then go for it. Dani was young and immature back then, which is why we interfered more."
Wei Erni felt uneasy after hearing Zhao Aiguo's words and said softly, "I understand."
Seeing Wei Erni's downcast and silent expression, Zhao Aiguo sighed and chuckled, saying, "Sister, do you feel uncomfortable that we went to such lengths to talk about Sister Guan Dani back then, but now she's completely silent with you?"
Wei Erni looked up at Zhao Aiguo, her eyes red. Zhao Aiguo ate as he spoke, "Sister Dani was young when she first came to the city. You're over 20 now, and Grandma was so angry. You still don't know how to repent. Who will care about your messy affairs? No matter how deep our relationship is, can it be as deep as Grandma's relationship with you? I didn't want to say this, but you understand the道理 (principles/reasons). It's like you know that when you go to the mountains to pick mushrooms, why can't you choose the ones that are good-looking, brightly colored, and have no insects or rodent bites?"
Wei Erni looked up and asked, "Is it poisonous? Can we still eat it?"
Zhao Aiguo nodded. "People are the same. Alright, you should think about it carefully. Our family almost got ripped off by him before, so don't get involved again. We outsiders can only offer advice! Hurry up and drink your soup! It'll get cold and you won't be able to drink it."
After the two of them finished eating and felt warm all over, Wei Erni left. Zhao Aiguo went ice skating and came home penniless, his pockets were emptier than his face.
When Zhao Dahu noticed, he handed him two five-yuan notes and said, "What kind of man doesn't have a single penny in his pocket? Take it!"
Zhao Aiguo smiled and took the five yuan, saying, "Five yuan is enough, thank you, Dad!" Anyway, he'd be going to work tomorrow, so he'd just have lunch in the cafeteria and make sure he had enough food coupons.
Then, an unexpected guest arrived that day: the middle-aged couple whom Zhao Aiguo had helped retrieve their wallet. Once inside the main room, they were introduced to each other, and it turned out that the man was the newly appointed secretary of the municipal party committee, and the woman was the deputy director of the foreign trade bureau.
Upon entering the house, Secretary Li shook Zhao's father's hand and said, "I'm so sorry, I was busy with work before the New Year and only managed to find time to visit you now. You're a very brave young man."
Secretary Li's wife, Li Meie, also smiled and said, "Thank you so much!" Li Meiyu put the gifts on the table and stood aside with a smile.
Zhao Aiguo brought over cups of tea for each person, and the couple seemed to like it very much. After chatting for a while, the family left. Wei Shuqing smiled and said, "This Party Secretary is quite polite, coming all the way here just for this."
Looking at Wei Shuqing, Zhao Dahu thought to himself that it was better to be simple-minded; the Wei family really weren't very bright. Then he looked at Zhao Aiguo, who was quite perceptive about others' affairs, but when it came to himself, he was just as clueless as the Wei family—they were even personally coming to find him a son-in-law.
The Zhao family members weren't stupid; they understood what the other party meant. Seeing the mother and son still examining the gifts, they exclaimed, "This is bird's nest! My goodness! Abalone? What's this? Grandpa, why have you never brought me these home before?"
Such a precious item, and they'd really let the chef prepare it so carelessly? This fool doesn't have a brain! They exchanged a glance and decided to leave this to Zhao Dahu. If they liked it, they should get along well; if not, they should make it clear as soon as possible.
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