When speaking of his three children, Fan Biao felt a headache coming on. "They went out early this morning and still aren't back. They're probably off playing and won't be back until lunch!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a man walked in from outside. His brows bore a slight resemblance to Fan Zehao's. He smiled and said, "Dad, I caught you bad-mouthing me again. If I can't find a wife later, it'll be all your fault!"
Hearing this, Fan Biao was so angry he wanted to take off his shoe and hit him. "You little rascal! I've introduced you to so many people, and you've rejected them all. Are you really going to blame me?"
Fan Xiaofeng shrugged, looking helpless. His eyes flickered to the silent person beside him. "The women the matchmaker introduced me to aren't as capable as my Zehao's wife. Why would I marry them then!"
To keep a pretty vase?
Wasn't that tiring!
Zhao Jiaqi was stunned. She had heard of people comparing food, clothing, power, and wealth, but never comparing wives.
She felt awkward. She was unique in this world, with no duplicates. If she were to find a wife according to her standards, it would be difficult.
She lowered her head, focusing on her nose and heart, acting like a mute.
Zehao smiled and held his wife's small, tender hand. He said to Xiaofeng, "Then you'll probably end up a bachelor."
He also felt that his mother's decision was correct, otherwise, who knew whose wife she would have been by now!
Xiaofeng also laughed. "A bachelor, so be it. It doesn't matter. As long as I have money, I can get any woman I want."
"Then go earn it! You just brag all day. Aren't you afraid your tongue will get twisted if the wind blows too hard one day!"
Disliking his lazy eldest son, Fan Biao immediately retorted.
"See, you're angry again. I want to earn money too, but I don't have the opportunity. It's like a scholar who is unrecognized, with no one to appreciate his talent. What can I do!"
With that said, if Zhao Jiaqi still didn't understand what Xiaofeng meant, she would have lived all these years in vain.
No one in the room was foolish. Fan Xiaofeng's intentions were as clear as a louse on a bald man's head.
The room fell silent. Seeing this, Fan Biao quickly smoothed things over. "This child just talks nonsense all day, wanting to do this one moment and that the next, never serious."
Fan Xiaofeng was lectured by his father again, but he was used to it. He bowed to Zhang Cuihua for the new year and returned to his room.
They sat for a while longer before getting up to leave.
After they left, Fan Biao's brows were tightly furrowed. "Grandpa, do you think Zehao and his wife can understand what Xiaofeng said!"
Fan Dongliang nodded lightly. "They aren't fools, how could they not understand. It's just that Xiaofeng is too impatient. This matter should be handled privately."
Not on the occasion of New Year's greetings today, making it seem as if he, the old man, was asking for a favor.
But then he thought, as soon as someone asks for something, it would either be asking for a favor from them or turning into a request for one.
"Alas, it's not Xiaofeng's fault. He's nineteen and has achieved nothing. His ambitions are high, but his fate is thin."
The grandfather and grandson sat in silence for a long time. Finally, Fan Dongliang spoke, "As their father, you should speak to Qiqi privately later. Don't use flowery words with her. Be direct. They know what kind of family we are!"
When Fan Biao heard his grandfather agree, he was so happy he almost cried. He quickly agreed, "Okay, okay! Tomorrow, I'll take the children and a heavy gift to visit relatives!"
Hearing this, Fan Dongliang's beard bristled with anger. He slapped Fan Biao on the back. "The second and third days of the lunar new year are for daughters-in-law and sons-in-law to visit their parents. Why are you going tomorrow!"
"Oh, right, I forgot. I was too happy!" The man in his forties sat back on the chair obediently.
With his parents alive, and the custom of returning to one's maternal home on the second day of the lunar new year, Zhang Cuihua knew this well.
On the way home, she asked the two daughters-in-law beside her, "Zhaodi, Qiqi, I've prepared your gifts for visiting your parents tomorrow. Since you're going back, stay for a couple more days. There's no rush to return. Your father and I can take care of ourselves!"
Visit their parents!
Wang Zhaodi's head hurt just thinking of her mother.
Her mother favored sons and was stingy with her possessions or money, giving them all to her son. In the end, she would either scold her or slap her.
"Mother, my mother is fine. I won't go back!" Wang Zhaodi said glumly.
Zhao Jiaqi on the other side wasn't much better. Her mother had passed away, and her father had remarried a stepmother who didn't give her a good look.
The last time she visited, things had escalated, and she had no desire to return to that so-called home.
Instead, she really wanted to visit her maternal grandmother. Her grandmother had been very good to her!
"Mother, my father doesn't miss me much, whether I'm there or not. I'd like to go to Lijia Village to see my maternal grandmother!"
Zhang Cuihua understood her. She was grown up and knew what she was doing. There was no need for her to worry. She smiled and nodded, "Go ahead. She's over sixty. Take some money for your grandmother separately!"
The next day, Fan Zehao loaded many things onto the carriage, including food, clothing, and daily necessities. Zhao Jiaqi also took out five taels of silver and put it in a separate pouch, intended for her grandmother's personal use.
The carriage slowly pulled out of the village and soon disappeared at the entrance of Nanling Village.
Lijia Village, Li Haiqing's home.
Grandmother smiled and stroked her granddaughter's small face. It had been almost a year since they last saw each other. "You've grown taller, gained some weight, and you're more radiant. Very good. It looks like your husband treats you well!"
"He treats me very well. I have no worries about food or clothing, and my mother-in-law dotes on me. Don't worry, Grandma, I'm living very well now. You don't need to worry about me anymore."
Zhao Jiaqi helped her grandmother sit down and, with a natural movement, placed the prepared pouch into her arms, smiling and winking at her.
"I earned some money last year, and we built a new house and bought land. My life is getting better and better. You don't need to sneak food to me anymore, Grandma. I'm much better off now than before I got married!"
The villages were connected, and Li Haiqing could still hear some rumors about how she was living.
For this, she was both happy and relieved.
Her unfortunate daughter could finally rest in peace.
However, Li Haiqing had also heard about her inability to bear children. Seeing that no one else was in the room, she asked, "Have you seen a doctor about your fertility issues?"
Zhao Jiaqi's expression stiffened for a moment, then she shook her head. "Not yet. I plan to see a doctor after the new year and undergo a thorough treatment!"
Li Haiqing held her hand and sighed. "You should see a doctor, but you also need to be prepared. A woman, even if she is very favored after marrying into a family, is at a disadvantage if she cannot bear children. If you truly cannot have children, persuade your husband to adopt one, and absolutely do not let him take concubines. Do you understand what your grandmother means?"