The two generations of the Yi Family brought up the Fang family.
Coincidently, in the Fang family’s study, three generations—grandparent, father, and son—were also discussing this marriage proposal. To be precise, Mr. Fang was urging Fang Fei to make a quick decision.
"Grandpa, this matter can’t be rushed. Forget the Qu family; besides , they’re looking at other prospects too. I’m not so big radish for them to pick. I’ll think more about the Yi family; things aren’t as simple as you think."
Mr. Fang gave him a few hard knocks, "Of course, I know it’s not simple, but what does our family have to plot? I’m just afraid we might miss the opportunity. Do you know how long the Lin family has been eyeing the Yi family’s girl? Old Lin has been praising his eldest grandson, clearly wanting a good granddaughter-in-law."
Mr. Yi quickly intervened, affectionately patting Fang Fei’s back, "Dad, you can talk, but don’t hurt the kid. Our Xiao Fei isn’t unable to get a wife; there are plenty of girls who want to marry him."
"The one who deserves a beating most is you, you brat. If it weren’t for your indulgence, would I not have a great-grandson by now?"
Mr. Yi muttered softly, "It’s like you didn’t spoil your eldest grandson."
"What did you say? Speak up!"
Fang Fei couldn’t help but laugh, winking at his dad, and turned to Mr. Fang with a smile, "Grandpa, look at how handso your eldest grandson is. Many girls cry, begging to marry them, so what are you worried about."
Mr. Fang was amused, his mouth couldn’t help but grin widely, "Tell . What are you really hesitating about? You find the Qu family girl too petty, and I agree with you, she’s not suitable. But the Yi family’s girl is really nice. Even your grandma says she’s quite impressive."
"Xiao Fei, maybe you should discuss the reasons with your grandpa. If you really aren’t willing, then so be it. It’s essential to find a compatible partner for life."
"You brat, get out of here! Are you trying to stir trouble? I followed your advice back in the day, and it’s not like you’ve been living all that great."
"I’m doing well, with a virtuous wife and outstanding sons. But look at little brother’s family; the daughter-in-law you chose has the house in chaos every day, and what’s so good about that?"
Mr. Fang was infuriated, this rascal son only knows how to poke at his scars. He truly is a bastard!
Fang Fei shook his head with a bitter smile, knowing this father-son pair was in for another round of argunts.
He sat alone, closed his eyes. The Yi family... he didn’t quite understand why they were interested in him. Over the past two years, so many rich young n had proposed, yet the Yi family paid them no attention, and now they’re proactively discussing marriage with his grandpa. If there weren’t so reason, he wouldn’t believe it.
Fang Fei believed he wasn’t inferior to others, but when sothing unusual occurred, he always sought to understand the underlying advantages and disadvantages. Compared to the Qu family’s deceptive radish picking, the Yi family’s actions this ti made it hard for anyone to find fault.
Thinking of this, he looked at the still arguing father and son, didn’t interrupt, and quietly left the study.
Standing in the courtyard, a cold wind blew, giving Fang Fei a jolt.
Suddenly, his thoughts beca clear. Looking toward the Yi family, a hint of unusualness flashed in his eyes; he turned and went back to his bedroom.
After dinner, Fang Fei, who considered himself thoroughly familiar with Zhang Guoqing, leisurely strolled to the Zhou family.
Aunt Chen from the Zhou family saw Fang Fei and smiled, pointing towards the East Wing, leading him to the small study on the west side.
"Did Xiao Wu go out tonight?"
Aunt Chen laughed, "He ca back this afternoon and saw his little wife had gone out alone, so now the couple is probably bickering."
Fang Fei couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This henpecked nature is truly amusing, as if everyone wants to snatch his wife, just look how fond he is.
Aunt Chen knocked on the door first, "Xiao Wu, Fang Fei is here."
Zhang Guoqing had already heard the commotion, put down Zhou Jiao who was in his arms, stood up to open the door. Without waiting for a reply, he opened the door, seeing Fang Fei alone, he said with a smile, "Brother Xiao Fei, please co in."
Fang Fei teased, "Am I not disturbing the couple?"
"It’s cold outside, co in first and then we’ll talk. What brings you here today?"
Zhou Jiao saw him co in, exchanged a couple of pleasant words, made an excuse to go to the living room to see the child, leaving space for the two to discuss matters. Seeing Fang Fei co alone, he probably had important business with Zhang Guoqing, and she really felt embarrassed to eavesdrop.
Fang Fei, seeing Zhou Jiao leave, didn’t rush into the main topic. He took the tea Zhang Guoqing had brewed, had a sip, and sighed, "You really live comfortably here, give so of this tea."
Zhang Guoqing gave him a disdainful glance, "Doesn’t your workplace have plenty of tea?"
"You better believe it. Since last year, tea has beco a rarity, what with the steel manufacturing and turning tea fields into farmland, plus exporting, all I’m left with are tea scraps."
Zhang Guoqing chuckled at that. This is the kind of mutual understanding they share; otherwise, Fang Fei wouldn’t speak so openly on sensitive topics. However, regardless of who it involves, he still doesn’t like engaging in this topic.
"This is just wild tea from deep in the mountains, nothing that good. If you like it, I’ll bring so next ti."
Fang Fei laughed, "I didn’t expect to see the so-called ’tribute tea,’ I’ve always been too embarrassed to ask for it."
"Stop talking nonsense."
The "tribute tea" Fang Fei ntioned was a joke.
The reason was that these teas were given by Zhou Jiao as tokens of love to the President and so high-ranking officials. According to insiders, a few brainiacs seed to like them, and lately, they’ve often appeared before and after their als.
The two of them chatted for a while, and then Fang Fei, after a pause, looked at Zhang Guoqing’s calm face and asked softly, "Xiao Wu, you’re close with Old Yi from the Yi Family, so why do you think their family is interested in ?"
Zhang Guoqing looked at him speechlessly, "That doesn’t sound like you. Where’s your confidence? Which part of you isn’t good enough for their daughter?"
Speaking of the Yi Family, Zhang Guoqing was filled with anger. A few days ago, that old man actually said I stole their family’s granddaughter-in-law. In the last life or this life, Zhou Jiao has been my little wife since she was a baby. What nonsense!
And saying Zhou Xiaozheng agreed with Yi Ming, what a load of crap! Unless my father-in-law is willing to give away his precious treasure so early, that’s when you really see a ghost.
Zhang Guoqing didn’t even need to ask; he could figure this out with his toes — it’s absolutely impossible.
He’s already decided that from now on, his own children would be isolated from the Yi Family. He must not let Old Yi ensnare them.
"That little girl is just that; what don’t I match? I’m just worried the Yi family has ulterior motives. I don’t want to get a wife who ties down. With their family background, there are so many young n lining up. Why would they choose ?"
Zhang Guoqing paused for a mont and asked again, "Have you already given up on the Qu Family?"
Fang Fei sneered, "I don’t believe you haven’t heard the rumors these days. Besides , Qu Wan has been seeing several n in a row. I’m not her family’s radish for her to pick as she likes."
"Brother Xiao Fei, putting aside the family background, what do you think of Yi Shumin as a girl?"
"She’s okay. When marrying a wife, this is the kind of choice you get. Where can you find a perfect match?"
Zhang Guoqing tossed a piece of fried dough at his head, "The young girl has deep feelings for you. That day, her eyes never left you. The old lady from the Yi Family spoils the kids; it’s probably their daughter who has her eyes on you."
Fang Fei looked at him sideways.
Zhang Guoqing nodded assuredly. More than anyone, he understood that the Yi Family was a good match. Although he didn’t like Old Yi’s unreasonable argunts, he had to admit that the old man treated him quite well.
"If I rember correctly, Yi Ming from the Yi Family was your old boss, right? You’ve interacted with him; what do you think of his character?"
It’s not surprising to Zhang Guoqing that he ntioned this point. The smiling fox Yi Ming, despite not appearing in Beijing for many years, still had his illustrious deeds spoken of. Mr. Fang couldn’t have not advised his grandson.
He pondered how to phrase it suitably. Regarding Yi Ming, he had his reservations. If Fang Fei beca the son-in-law, future events might beco complicated due to intertwined interests, potentially altering their friendship.
"He was in the provincial city, I was in the county. Besides a few etings, we didn’t interact much. At work, his attitude was quite good. In life, if not for eting his eldest son this ti, I wouldn’t even know how many people are in his family. Usually, when I’m with Old Yi, I’ve never heard him ntion his son."
Fang Fei suspiciously looked at him, "Didn’t your father-in-law ntion it to you in advance?"
Zhang Guoqing laughed, "My dad isn’t the kind to network like that. Why would he tell these things? Besides, he just ca back, and with his indifferent nature, he probably didn’t know Yi Ming was my superior before."
Fang Fei laughed cheerfully. Just imagining such a cold person gossiping with Zhang Guoqing felt so mismatched, so he found it agreeable.
So, Zhou Xiaozheng is too well-hidden. Who would have thought the first assignnt he gave to his son-in-law was to pay attention to Yi Ming? As soon as the father-in-law and son-in-law had ti, they discussed not only gossip in the study but also people from various circles.
A young chap like Fang Fei couldn’t fathom the depths, but if this talk was before Mr. Cheng and his son, who understood the Zhou family’s situation, they would surely laugh.
Zhang Guoqing spoke to people with tailored words, mixing truth and lies; trusting him would be peculiar. Yet Fang Fei and others believed him.
"Sigh... thinking of sharing a bed with soone, spending half of one’s salary, having soone nagging in your ear about everything, really makes not want to start a family."
Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily. At this point, he no longer intended to say more about this marriage. It seed Fang Fei had made up his mind, and he should prepare red envelopes for the wedding banquet.
Being the son-in-law of an old fox—he wondered what it would be like. He also wondered how many of her father’s positive traits Yi Shumin inherited — Zhang Guoqing looked forward to his good brother’s future.
In the dead of night, after Zhang Guoqing recounted the events to Zhou Jiao, her eyes flickered. She considered reminding Zhang Guoqing but held her tongue in the end.
Given Zhang Guoqing’s temperant, it’s unlikely he’d reveal his thoughts in front of Fang Fei. Everything carries on as before. The only pity is that as one grows, pure friendships beco rarer.
Fang Fei’s doubts, Zhou Jiao was not oblivious. The key reason Yi Ming might select Fang Fei lies in Mr. Fang’s delicate position and his father’s work at the research institute.
No wonder he’s an old fox — gaining practical benefits far outweighs forging an alliance with a prestigious family.
Thinking of this, Zhou Jiao was even more reluctant to voice her opinions, to avoid adding any ntal burden to Zhang Guoqing. The mud-legged people have their rits too; affluent families aren’t guaranteed lifelong glory.
User Comments
0 comments from readers