The house was already packed with people, and a makeshift stove and a large pot had been set up in the yard for the banquet.
Zhou Chang'an and Zhao Chunmiao had visibly aged considerably, their hair beginning to turn gray.
Qin Hanshu felt a pang of sadness at the sight and called out, "Dad, Mom."
Zhou Chang'an and Zhao Chunmiao excitedly agreed.
Qin Hanshu then told Zhou Chi and Zhou Sheng to quickly call for help.
Zhao Chunmiao had only met Zhou Chi when he was just a month old, while Zhou Chang'an had never met either of his grandsons.
But Qin Hanshu would send photos back every year, so the two old people were quite familiar with their grandson's appearance.
Each of them held one of their grandchildren and wouldn't let go.
Zhao Chunmiao was so happy that she kissed her grandson's face several times.
Zhou Sheng was good at making people happy. He kept calling out to his grandparents and showered them with sweet words.
Zhou Chi was not used to such enthusiasm, but at Qin Hanshu's prompting, he cooperated and did not run away.
The relatives gathered around, and Zhao Chunmiao proudly boasted to them about the things Qin Hanshu usually told her in her letters.
For example, Zhou Chi loves learning so much; he always gets first place in every exam. For example, Zhou Sheng is so popular; all the boys in his kindergarten class listen to him...
Before long, Zhou Chi and Zhou Sheng became celebrities, receiving so many red envelopes that their hands were sore from accepting them.
Qin Hanshu also prepared red envelopes, and many of the children among her relatives received one each. However, she divided her red envelopes into two types: she usually gave less to the children of her relatives, but gave more to Yang Le, who was from Zhou Ruilan's family.
Although the little girl was shy, she seemed very curious about Qin Hanshu. She would always peek over at him, and when she was discovered, she would smile and turn away to hide behind her mother.
Qin Hanshu stretched out her arms and said, "Lele, come to your third aunt."
Yang Le felt embarrassed, but Zhou Ruilan pushed her over, saying, "Go and play, your third aunt isn't an outsider."
Yang Le then stood next to Qin Hanshu and whispered, "Third Aunt, you are so beautiful."
Qin Hanshu smiled and touched her cheek. "You're very pretty too. You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."
That's absolutely true.
Zhou Ruilan and Yang Guangyu were both good-looking to begin with, and Yang Le specifically picked out their best features: fair skin, big eyes, and small oval faces. Despite their young age, they gave off a bright and beautiful feeling.
She seems physically weak, her voice lacks strength, and she appears somewhat frail. I wonder if this is related to her premature birth.
Qin Hanshu asked, "What grade are you in?"
Yang Le held up three fingers, "Third grade."
Yang Le is a month younger than Zhou Chi, but Zhou Chi is almost graduating from elementary school.
Zhou Ruilan also came over and said, "Lele's grades aren't very good. No matter how hard she studies, they're always the same, just like mine back then."
Hearing this, Yang Le lowered his head in self-consciousness.
Qin Hanshu put his arm around the little girl and said, "Academic performance is only one aspect. Maybe our Lele has talents in other areas."
Zhou Ruilan said, "She has a good personality and is very well-behaved. She hasn't caused me much trouble... Sigh, I was hoping she would get into university and make me proud. I don't know if I'll ever have that chance."
Yang Le lowered his head even further.
Qin Hanshu looked at Zhou Ruilan in surprise. The Zhou Ruilan of the past was bright, generous, and open-minded; she was not the kind of person who would say such things.
Qin Hanshu looked at Yang Le. The child's timid and self-conscious appearance was probably related to Zhou Ruilan's parenting style.
Qin Hanshu said, "Look at what you're saying. What are you lacking in? Do you need your child to make you proud?"
Zhou Ruilan's expression turned somber. "Lele's older cousin got into university, and his sister-in-law is so proud of herself now..."
Qin Hanshu paused for a moment, then said, "Lanhua, adults' matters are adults' matters, there's no need to compare children to each other."
Zhou Ruilan said, "It's not that I have to compare myself to others, it's just that I can't stand his sister-in-law's arrogant attitude... Ever since her son got into university, her parents-in-law have treated her much better. She's like she could fly if she had wings!"
Since getting married, Zhou Ruilan has always been the most respected person in front of her in-laws, and she still is now, all because her brother from her maternal family is so successful.
Therefore, Zhou Ruilan did not take that sister-in-law seriously at first.
But she couldn't stop people from constantly getting close to her and trying to compete with her in everything.
Over time, Zhou Ruilan was led astray, feeling that sisters-in-law were naturally meant to compare themselves—their families, their husbands, and their children.
In the end, Zhou Ruilan discovered that, apart from her family being better than her sister-in-law's, she couldn't compare to her in terms of men and children.
Although Yang Guangyu's elder brother was taciturn, he doted on his wife and always put her first. The couple almost never argued.
As for Yang Guangyu, he's fine when things are going well, but once something happens, he always sides with outsiders, and she's suffered a lot of indignation over the years.
Speaking of children, my sister-in-law has two sons. One was admitted to university, and the other is preparing to take over the railway business.
She only had one daughter, and her grades weren't good...
Zhou Ruilan chattered on and on about her thoughts to Qin Hanshu, who frowned even more deeply.
Zhou Ruilan is being influenced by her sisters-in-law far too much!
However, ultimately, it all comes down to the man.
If Yang Guangyu could be like his older brother, Zhou Ruilan would never have become so sensitive and insecure.
Qin Hanshu asked, "I heard you've been staying at home for a long time? What are your plans for the future?"
Zhou Ruilan rubbed her toes on the ground for a while before saying, "It's comfortable living at home, I don't want to go back."
"Then..." Qin Hanshu paused, dismissing Yang Le before asking, "You want a divorce?"
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