During dinner, none of the third branch's family came, and the old man remained silent. I guess he knew something.
After dinner, the young couple went back to the house and were about to close the door when they saw the old man walking towards them with a cane. Shen Qingli and Meng Xiao hurriedly took two steps forward to greet him.
"Qingli, I roughly know what happened today. I don't blame you. Just think of it as Grandpa's sake and don't take it to heart. She doesn't have a problem with you, she has a problem with me. She's dissatisfied with everything and wants to say something to everyone she sees."
"Grandpa, why does she... Third Aunt have a problem with you?" Shen Qingli helped the old man into the house and let him sit on the chair.
I feel puzzled. How could he have any grievances against the old man when we haven't seen each other for a whole year?
The old man had some brown spots on his cheekbones, gray hair on his temples, and an old face. A hint of sadness flashed in his cloudy eyes.
"Alas! Your Third Uncle has written several times before, hoping that the family can help transfer their family back to Beijing. The children are all grown up, and your Third Aunt may not be very demanding in any way, but she has high standards. She wants all three children to find partners in Beijing.
Your third uncle has been in another province for many years. I mean, don't worry, just wait! Even if the family doesn't help, he will definitely be able to be transferred back to take up his post within the next two years. The couple thinks I am perfunctorily deceiving them.
Every word in last month's letter implied that I favored your father and your second uncle. But being sent abroad was his own choice!"
As Mr. Meng spoke, his eyes turned red. In front of his grandchildren, he turned his head and pressed the corners of his eyes. Now that he had opened the mouth, he didn't hide anything.
"During the conscription this year, they wanted to use their family connections, following the path of Xiao and Cheng, to send Hao to the army. However, the child had been spoiled since childhood and couldn't stand any hardship. The next day, he cried and shouted that he wanted to be discharged and go home. He was lawless and even scolded the platoon leader and beat the squad leader. He claimed that his grandfather was a general and that his whole family were officials. Because of this, the family was almost investigated.
But your third aunt still wants the family to help him solve this problem and then arrange a position for Brother Hao in the army.
She felt that Meng Cheng and Meng Xiao both relied on their families, but they both grew up step by step from being a small soldier. Brother Xiao faced life and death several times, and I signed the critical illness notice several times!
Cheng Ge'er, let alone how dangerous the border at sea is! Neither of them relied on their families. Your father has made it to where he is today step by step. Your second uncle didn't go into politics, but he accepted his mediocrity. Even if he was just a transport captain, he was happy with the status quo. Only your third uncle and aunt and their family felt that everyone owed them!
Xiaoge'er's mother has some money and property, and your third aunt thinks that it was left to her by your grandmother before she passed away. They have long been feeling unbalanced about all these things.
So they either don't come home for the New Year, or when they do, the house is always in chaos."
At this point, the old man choked up a little, with tears in his eyes, "I don't know how many more years my old bones can hold on. As long as I am here, the Meng family will be here. If I am gone, this family will be broken up!
When I was young, I was only concerned with serving my country, but I didn’t educate my own children well! I failed!
For the first time, Meng Xiao felt that his grandfather, who used to be tall and omnipotent, suddenly seemed to have aged a lot. His voice was no longer full of energy. He was no longer tall, but had become frail, and his back had become bent and slightly hunched. He was now much taller than him.
The injuries he suffered in the war when he was young made his body far less strong than that of old men of the same age.
"Grandpa, don't talk nonsense! You still have to wait to hold your great-grandson next year, right? Don't you want to hear your great-grandson call you great-grandfather? We should have a good attitude. You are only 73 years old this year. You should think about your good health. Let's be on par with centenarians!"
When parents are alive, life has a destination; when parents are gone, life only has a way back. Grandpa, your well-being is our greatest blessing."
Shen Qingli did not express any opinion about the third family. She had never noticed that the old man was so miserable and had so many worries!
She was speechless. How could there be such a person? It was true that two different people could sleep in the same bed. The three families were all weird!
She only comforted the old man and did not make any comments on the third wife's behavior. After all, he was the old man's biological son, and it was not her turn as an outsider granddaughter-in-law to complain to his biological father. After all, blood is thicker than water and they are a family.
She was very clear about this point, and if anyone should say it, it should be Meng Xiao.
Mentioning his great-grandson, the old man's expression softened slightly. "Qingli, you are a great contributor to our family. When your grandmother was young, she was the most beautiful military doctor in our army. Even when she was pregnant, she followed us to fight and traveled back and forth. She cried in pain for several months after her pregnancy. Your pregnancy is even more difficult. Usually, we let Meng Xiao do all the work and everything else. You can do whatever you want, ah!"
"Grandpa, you are so biased. Am I still your grandson?" Meng Xiao shouted exaggeratedly, pretending to be sad.
He didn't know how to make the old man happy, so he could only use this stupid method.
"Your wife is pregnant, so what if you do more work? Don't look at me because I'm old. How dare you bully your wife and ask her to do some work? Do you believe that I can still beat you up even though I'm old?"
The old man glared and yelled at Meng Xiao. Meng Xiao was happy to hear his grandfather yelling at him.
It was better this way. Grandpa just now was like an old man, lifeless and exhausted. It made him feel uncomfortable.
When Meng Xiao sent the old man back to his room, he said to him before leaving:
"Grandpa, one generation should not ask about the affairs of two generations. Third Uncle is already in his 60s and cannot always be confused and not understand life. You should just enjoy your old age, play with your grandchildren and enjoy the happiness of family life. Don't worry about so many things! It's too tiring to worry too much.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
