Unfortunately, what Huo Yang expected was not what Du Siming and Huo Ze expected. They were all people who had once prospered. Even though their family was now in decline, restoring the family's glory might be a lifelong dream for them.
Du Jiang also understood the meaning of Du Siming and Huo Ze's words at this time. He felt a little conflicted. Looking at the child opposite him who was just taller than the table, he felt distressed but also had a hint of hope.
"dad…"
"Du Jiang, I understand how important Xingle is to you, and he is also very important to me." Du Siming smiled and soothed Du Jiang's anxiety. "What the child wants is for the child to decide. I just gave him the best education when he was young. What's more, you and Huo Yang are about to start school. Don't you have time to take care of the child? Even if you go to school, someone still has to take care of the child, right? Huo Ze and I are your best candidates, not only because Huo Ze and I are the child's grandfather, but also because only we will not harm the child. I understand the principle of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude, and I also understand the principle of forcing growth. So don't worry, Huo Ze and I will specify learning goals based on the child's situation, and we will definitely not force or oppress him."
"Dad, I know. I'm not worried that you're forcing the child to grow too fast, but I have some... some concerns..."
"Feeling bad, huh?" Du Siming chuckled, put down his chopsticks and touched Huo Xingle beside him. "Even though he's just a little over five years old, children's affairs should be decided by the children themselves. What do you think?"
All eyes at the table immediately fell on Huo Xingle.
Facing several gazes, Huo Xingle was not shy and greeted them openly, nodding firmly. "I want to follow the path set by Grandpa. Grandpa has taught me a lot. Dad and Mom, you guys just go do your own things. Although I'm only five years old, I'm considered a big kid."
"Yes, you're a big kid now." Du Jiang smiled at Huo Xingle's serious expression. "Since you've decided to study with grandpa and grandpa, then you should do it well. Don't give up halfway, okay?"
Huo Xingle nodded firmly upon hearing this, "I understand. I can definitely do it."
Although Huo Xingle couldn't fully understand what the adults were saying at that moment, he could still understand the expectant look in their eyes. He nodded firmly and said, "I can do it. I'm Huo Xingle. The always shining and happy Huo Xingle."
"Okay, a real man should stick to his word," Huo Yang decided the matter with one stroke. In fact, just like Du Siming and Huo Ze said, he and Du Jiang really did not have time to take care of the child's education. Since Du Siming had already planned a path for him, why not give it a try? Even if it failed, with him and Du Jiang backing him up, there would be no trouble. What's more, the so-called inheritance of Du Siming and Huo Ze was still too far away, and it was too early for a five-year-old child to discuss his future path at this time.
With Huo Yang's affirmation, Du Siming and Huo Ze also breathed a sigh of relief. They were really afraid that this person would be stubborn and refuse to agree.
Perhaps because they had no worries, everyone changed the topic in the following time and talked about recent family matters, how to address their neighbors, and interesting things that happened along the way. It was quite heartwarming.
After dinner, Du Siming took Huo Yang directly to visit the next door, while Du Jiang began to clean up the dishes. As for Huo Xingle, the little guy had a round belly from eating too much, and was being taken by Huo Ze for a walk in the yard to digest his food.
Looking out the window at the two people, one big and one small, playing in the yard, Du Jiang's mind wandered a little and his hands slowed down.
After a while, Du Jiang turned around and continued to scrub the dishes in his hands, putting them back in piles. Du Jiang shook off the water stains on his hands, then gently wiped them clean with the towel on the wall at the door.
The slender fingertips were a little white because they had been soaked in water for too long. Looking at the snow-white fingertips, Du Jiang chuckled. After all, she was thinking about her. The freedom of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans here was far better than that of her previous life. This was an era of freedom and equality, without any hierarchy, and without discrimination between men and women. Her Xingle was born in the best era.
Since that’s the case, then let it grow freely, Du Jiang thought.
The door outside the window was slowly pushed open from the outside. Looking at Du Siming and Huo Yang, one tall and one short, of the same color, who came in, Du Jiang reached out, turned on the kitchen light and walked out.
"How's it going, Dad?"
"It's already been signed. Huo Yang just needs to go to the Real Estate Bureau tomorrow morning to handle it," Du Siming explained. "You just need to prepare your documents and go there tomorrow. Once you're done, go to Second Uncle's house."
"I understand," Du Jiang nodded in agreement, "Then I'll prepare some more gifts tomorrow."
"You don't need too much, just some canned food will be fine." Du Siming didn't plan to bring too much stuff to avoid those people having any unnecessary thoughts. "Okay, go to bed. Xingle can just stay with me and Aze tonight."
Before Du Jiang and Huo Yang could say anything, Huo Xingle jumped out first, pulling Huo Ze's hand and making a fuss, "Okay, I want to sleep with grandpa and grandpa, I want to listen to the story of Sun Wukong's havoc in heaven." The intimacy and dependence in their words made Huo Ze very happy. Without waiting for Du Jiang and the others to agree, he nodded first and said, "Okay, okay, grandpa will tell you the story of the three fights with the white bone demon again, okay?"
"Okay, okay."
The father and son were talking very enthusiastically while chatting and laughing. Du Jiang and Huo Yang couldn't get a word in. They could only watch with a smile as the father and son went into the house whispering to each other.
Du Siming, who was outside the door, touched the tip of his nose and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Aze hasn't seen Xingle for several days. I'll talk about him tonight."
"It's okay, Dad," Huo Yang said, seemingly taking it easy. "Although my uncle dotes on Xingle, he doesn't always give in to her. Jiang Jiang and I will be starting school in a few days, and then I won't be able to take care of Xingle. I'm sorry to bother you and my uncle."
"We're a family, why should we be so polite?" Du Siming breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll go back to my room first. You should also go to bed early. Don't forget to be there at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning."
After saying that, Du Siming returned to his room without caring about the two of them.
Du Jiang looked at the bedroom door that slowly closed and shook his head, "Let's go back too. It will be cold soon."
"Let's go."
The couple walked slowly towards the stairs hand in hand.
When they returned to the room, Huo Yang took out the contract and handed it over without Du Jiang asking. "Take a look at it first. The other party wants cash. I'm going to take a shower."
Looking at the black and white paper in his hand, Du Jiang nodded, browsed through it line by line, and finally his eyes fell on the amount at the end, six thousand. Du Jiang took a breath at this price, but when he saw the furniture in the brackets below, he slowly input it again. The house and the furniture, whether in terms of location or layout, although it is a bit expensive, it is worth it for the small second floor.
He endured the pain and took out the iron box containing money from the shelf, counted out six thousand and five, then put the five hundred bills aside and counted the thick stack of six thousand again.
When Huo Yang came out wiping his wet hair, Du Jiang had already counted them several times. From the initial heartache to the calmness later, it can be said that he had gone through a mental journey.
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