After packing his luggage, Chen Tiejun resignedly carried the local specialties that Chen Shuning had bought for the old man and woman to the courtyard, intending to inform them that Chen Shuning and He Chaoyang had set a wedding date.
Although they were his parents who gave him life, Chen Tiejun really wanted to say that he didn't want to go either.
Chen Tiejun never dreamed that this trip would once again lower the bar for his family's standing in his parents' eyes.
As soon as Chen Tiejun stepped through the gate of the courtyard, he heard his fourth sister-in-law's shrill voice.
"Mom, you don't know, I made a special trip to inquire about the He family that Shuning is going to marry. The old man of that family is a high-ranking official. Although he has retired now, he is still an old general whom even Chairman Mao himself highly regards."
Those children's uncles and aunts are all cadres now. Mom, how come that girl Shuning is so lucky? She can meet such a good young man even when she goes to the countryside.
My poor Shuting, she called a few days ago saying she probably won't be able to come home for Chinese New Year again this year, because they're building some kind of irrigation canal over there, and the team won't give her leave.
This time, the voice that spoke was an old, hoarse woman's voice, and she said it as if it were perfectly natural.
"What's there to be afraid of if I don't give her leave? Go and find the second son later, I'll talk to him. Aren't the people Shu Ning is looking for all high-ranking officials? Tell Shu Ning to tell her husband to find a way to get Shu Ting transferred back."
Shuting has been in poor health since childhood, and there was nothing that could be done back then. Now that the conditions are right, she'll have the child transferred back.
Grandpa Chen disagreed with the old lady's words and hurriedly stopped Wang Qingmei, who was about to get up to go find someone.
"Fourth brother's wife, don't rush to find someone. I think we should hold off on this for now. Shu Ning isn't married yet, and she probably doesn't have much say in her husband's family. Besides, the current policies are strict, and it's not something that can be done with just a few words to bring back educated youth."
Hearing this, Chen Tiejun felt somewhat relieved; his father had finally understood.
However, Chen Tiejun was clearly too happy too soon. The old man's next words made Chen Tiejun's face turn ashen with anger.
Old Master Chen continued, "Besides, you women are short-sighted. What good would it do to bring Su Ting back? Do you really want Shu Ting to live the same frugal life as us, where every penny has to be carefully calculated?"
I think instead of having the second son ask for Shuting to be transferred back, it would be better to let Shuting marry a good man like Shuning did, and settle things in one go.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Qingmei's eyes lit up, and she asked incredulously, "Dad, do you mean to let Shuting steal Shuning's man?"
Without giving the old man a chance to explain, the old lady said happily, "That's right, old man, you're so smart. Rather than letting that girl Shu Ning marry into such a good family, it would be better to let our Shu Ting marry into it."
I can see it now. That girl, Shu Ning, has been spoiled rotten by that woman, Qin Ya Lan. She's not close to us at all, unlike our Shu Ting, who is so well-behaved and sensible.
I heard that he came back in the afternoon and even gave that little brat from the eldest son's family a bag of candy.
What a waste! Such good stuff was given to some worthless little brat. It would have been better to give it to Jianhua.
And look at you, you've been back for so long, and you haven't come to see us two old folks at all. You really have no manners whatsoever.
A girl like that, if she marries into the family of such a high-ranking official, will be divorced sooner or later. It would be better to let our sensible Shuting marry into that family; she's guaranteed to keep that family completely under her thumb.
When the time comes, let the He family think of a way to have that girl Shuning repair that irrigation canal for our Shuting!
Only our Shuting is worthy of such a family. Shuning, with her spineless nature, is hardly fit to marry into one.
"Yes, yes, I'll call Shuting tomorrow and tell her to do whatever it takes to get leave and come back before Shuning's wedding."
After hearing what the old man and woman said, Wang Qingmei really wished her daughter could come back immediately and snatch Chen Shuning's man away.
To be honest, Chen Tiejun had long since given up on his parents, but he never expected that they would be so vicious.
They were both granddaughters, yet they had such vicious and despicable thoughts, actually trying to ruin their daughters' marriages.
The door was pushed open with a "bang," startling the old man who was about to speak.
Feeling a little embarrassed by what they had just said, he smiled awkwardly and greeted them, "Second brother's here. What brings you here at this hour?"
Chen Tiejun's gloomy face did not improve because of the old man's smiling face. He stood at the door without even going inside, and simply put the things in his hand on the cabinet by the door.
He said in a cold voice, "Shuning brought back some local specialties from Heilongjiang Province for you and my mother. I'm bringing them to you."
By the way, Mom, Shuning originally wanted to come and see you two, but she got caught in the rain during the autumn harvest before coming back and has had a cold ever since. She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would pass on her illness to you.
So she asked me to bring her things to you first, and she'll come to see you again when she's better.
Chen Tiejun said this so that the people in the room would know that he had heard their conversation.
To be fair, Old Master Chen still had some pride. He blushed a little after hearing Chen Jiandang's words and asked awkwardly, "How is Shuning now? Has she taken her medicine?"
"I feel much better after taking the medicine, but I don't have much energy. I've been on the train for several days and I'm tired. I fell asleep after taking the medicine."
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