The New Year’s Eve dinner was relatively peaceful, as Old Mr. i didn’t bring up the matter of the calligraphy and paintings.
Even i Shuping and i Shuqing didn’t say much; the n only talked about matters in the army for the next year.
Chen Haichang was still as nonchalant as ever, but he didn’t cause any trouble for Old Mr. i today; he only nitpicked a little over the food.
If it wasn’t that this dish was too salty, then that dish was too bland. Interestingly, the dishes he picked on were all made by Xie Lingzhi.
Xie Lingzhi didn’t seem too happy, and when i Shuping saw Chen Haichang picking on his wife, he spoke up.
This made Xie Lingzhi’s face brighten a bit.
Chen Haichang wasn’t completely tactless, so he said a few words and then clamd up. He sat on the side, sipping his drink and idly listening to i Family’s elder sons and Han Yijunzi talking about matters in the army.
Chen Haichang suddenly glanced at i Langchi, who was kindly helping Ye Qing with more food, and let out a mocking snort of laughter.
About the matter between him and Ye Qing, Chen Haichang had no interest. What intrigued him most was i Langchi’s business. Like Han Yi, he was very curious.
"I heard the third nephew has been doing business recently, what exactly is the business?"
"No match for Third Uncle’s business, not worth ntioning." i Langchi glanced at Chen Haichang and smiled.
"My business is not respectable, just buying so feminine fabrics, quite inferior compared to other industries. Wouldn’t you say so, third nephew?"
Everyone present was curious about what business i Langchi was doing, even i Shuping was curious. A while ago, his son took quite a bit of money from the family, but they didn’t know exactly what he was doing, he just said it was business.
"As long as it makes money, it’s good business. I can’t compare to Third Uncle, mine is just small-scale tinkering, with no experience the first ti, I’m afraid you’ll all laugh at if I ntion it. Today is a good day, let’s not ruin the mood over my issues. Maybe after the New Year, if my business shows results, I’ll share it with everyone, right Grandma." i Langchi knew how to find soone to back him up.
Old Mrs. i always doted on i Langchi, and upon hearing her grandson ask her, she of course didn’t want to embarrass him, so she said, "Alright, alright, Xiao Chi wants to give us a surprise, so let’s not ask too much. The whole family is here today, let’s have a good al."
With Old Mrs. i speaking up, others didn’t pursue it further.
Instead, Junzi and Han Yi started drinking, and seeing this rare mont, i Shuping also had a drink or two with Han Yi.
This son wasn’t close to him; since being recognized, they no longer fought every ti they t, and occasionally managed to have a calm conversation.
Today’s rare opportunity was truly a chance to connect emotionally.
Drinking was a must for Chen Haichang, as he drank alcohol like it was water. Seeing a few people start drinking, he picked up his glass and joined in.
Seeing i Shuping and Han Yi drinking, seemingly harmonious like a father and son, made i Langchi feel a bit uneasy.
He picked up his glass and joined in too; he couldn’t let Han Yi steal the spotlight tonight.
The originally silent family al turned lively as the n started drinking.
One after another, they competed in drinking, making quite a lively scene. Especially i Langchi and Han Yi, secretly competing, trying hard to drink with i Shuping. Setting everything aside, looking back, this was the atmosphere a family should have.
The n of the i Family, competing in drinking at this mont, were actually quite harmonious.
Old Mr. i sat nearby, looking at his sons and grandsons being so happy and harmonious, he felt very moved.
Suddenly, he regretted using Han Yi as a front. After all, they’re all his grandsons, and one shouldn’t be too heartless, or it will co back to haunt them.
If Chen Haichang could ease up a little with him, perhaps the i Family would look different again.
Perhaps he should calmly have a chat with Chen Haichang, and maybe there would still be a chance. A person about to go to the grave, admitting a mistake to one’s son isn’t a disgrace. As long as the family is well, nothing is better.
Although he had suspicions about Chen Haichang regarding the calligraphy and paintings, he had never actually investigated him.
After this illness, he suddenly realized that when people grow old, certain external things aren’t that important. At this age, the most important thing is family.
If it was indeed his doing, he had thought it over and wouldn’t hold him responsible, as long as the family is happy. The calligraphy could be in anyone’s hands.
These things, although painful when lost, aren’t indispensable. Life went on as usual with them, and without them, they would still live as before.
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