Reborn in the 70s: Pampered by Regiment Commander
Chapter 234 - 180 Good Son-in-law

Chapter 234: Chapter 180 Good Son-in-law

The second watch arrived.

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As the car was about to reach the fork in the road between Dalin Village and Xiaolin Village, Lin Baohe suddenly sat up, "Xiao Zhou, let’s turn west and go see Chuxia’s maternal grandparents first."

Zhou Mikang responded, turned on the right indicator, and the car slowly turned onto the road leading to Xiaolin Village.

"Your grandma and grandpa have been having trouble with their knee joints, so your mom bought some ointments for them at the hospital, along with some of their favorite snacks," Lin Baohe explained.

"I was originally worried that Dad would be exhausted from the long car ride and thought about visiting Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow morning, but if Dad can persist, going now is just as good."

With a sigh, Lin Baohe decided to voice his true thoughts, "Xiao Zhou, I’m not going to beat around the bush with you. You bought a whole bunch of stuff, and your mother and I can’t keep it all to ourselves, but if Dagang’s Grandma and Grandpa find out that we’re bringing things to Chuxia’s maternal grandparents, they might curse us out at our doorstep every day. Better to avoid the trouble and get it over with by delivering it now."

When Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan got into the jeep, they saw that the back was packed with rice, flour, oil, pastries, snacks, and the like. It was clear whom the items were meant for. They didn’t play dumb and asked straight up.

Before Zhou Mikang could answer, their precious daughter took command, saying that she and Zhou Mikang had traded their food coupons for the items specifically because they were worried that her parents wouldn’t want to spend money after returning to their hometown, so they prepared everything in advance.

With their daughter insisting that she wouldn’t be able to focus on training and studying if they didn’t accept... what other option did they have but to take them?

Ever since Lin Baohe mentioned going to Xiaolin Village first, Zhao Yulan had kept her head down. Now, lifting her head, her eyes were red, "Dad..."

Lin Baohe just laughed and patted her hand, "What’s there to fuss about? In front of your son-in-law, you’re crying and all; aren’t you embarrassed?"

"Who’s crying?" Zhao Yulan glared with her eyes, and her tears immediately disappeared, "Besides, a son-in-law is also a child. If I can cry in front of my daughter, why can’t I cry in front of my son-in-law?"

Lin Baohe quickly pleaded for mercy, "I was wrong. Go ahead and cry."

"Of course, it was your fault!"

Watching his future mother-in-law who wouldn’t let go once she had the upper hand, Zhou Mikang now knew where Chuxia’s personality came from!

When the car stopped at the doorway of Chuxia’s maternal grandparents’ house, it attracted a crowd of onlookers who ran over to watch the commotion, "Yulan? Is that really Yulan?" An old lady from the neighboring house blinked her eyes several times before recognizing the person coming out of the car, her surprised tone even changing pitch.

Zhao Yulan hastened to explain, "Baohe isn’t feeling well, so the leaders from the military base sent us back." While speaking, she gave Zhou Mikang an apologetic smile.

The couple had already decided before returning that, apart from a few close relatives, they would keep the news of Chuxia’s engagement a secret. After all, Chuxia had only joined the military a month ago, and revealing the engagement too soon could lead to all sorts of rumors.

According to local customs, it wasn’t right to keep Chuxia’s engagement from her grandparents. Even if Old Master Lin and Old Lady Lin angrily claimed they were cutting ties with Lin Baohe, who would take it seriously?

So, adhering to the principle that less fuss is better, the couple had already notified Zhao Yushan and his wife. Apart from Chuxia’s maternal grandparents and Luo Gangshun’s family, and Dagang’s Grandpa, they decided not to tell anyone else.

At the time, though, they hadn’t expected Zhou Mikang to be the one driving them back. On the way, they thought about telling him, but each time they opened their mouths, they were too embarrassed to say it.

They remembered their daughter once mentioned it, and their future son-in-law had immediately got upset, questioning whether he wasn’t good enough.

What if they told him and he questioned them the same way? Alright, they had an ostrich mentality, thinking it’s better to hide for as long as they could. After all, he was a smart man; once they hinted at it, he would surely understand and empathize...

Zhou Mikang’s mouth twitched slightly, but he didn’t argue. Internally, though, he chuckled, wondering if they would still feel the same after seeing the house.

He hadn’t told them about building the house because he was worried they would object. So, he decided to act first and report later; now the house was half-built, and there was no way for them to stop it.

He understood Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan’s worries and their reluctance, but marrying Chuxia meant ensuring that her parents could live a better life from then on—it was non-negotiable. They couldn’t let some troublesome relatives hinder their parents from improving their living standards.

He didn’t need to persuade them much—just saying, "If you live well, Chuxia can focus on her studies and training" would be enough for them to take care of everything.

He had noticed that whenever it involved Chuxia, her parents would turn from sickly cats into fierce tigers immediately!

The onlookers, upon hearing Zhao Yulan’s explanation, showed looks of sudden realization. They had been puzzled why Chuxia’s parents were so eager to visit her after only one month in the military—it seemed exaggerated!

So it turned out they were unwell and had gone for a checkup. They probably thought it was serious at the time, and now that they had found out it was nothing, they dared to tell. Yes, that must be it!

In just this short time, the onlookers had completely concluded the situation.

You can’t blame them for overthinking. In rural areas, there’s a custom of keeping serious illness secret, as sick people try their best to hide it, fearing others might gossip and shorten their lifespan.

With Chuxia being in the military for only a month and Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan so eagerly making the trip, along with Zhao Yulan and Li Aiyuan joining them, how could people not speculate?

Actually, as soon as Zhao Yushan and his wife returned, people had asked about the matter. Their response was that the sister and brother-in-law had never been apart from their daughter and were worried, so they went to have a look. Coincidentally, they also wanted to bring their son some things, so they went together.

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell the story was fake. Zhao Qiliang had just visited his in-laws; what could he possibly have needed to send that would require both parents to travel such a long distance?

Well, now the explanation makes sense! This is the real truth! ——Alright, so the truth was concocted by everyone’s imagination like that.

It was then recognized that Zhou Mikang was the leader who had visited Zhao Yuanbao’s house last time, and this made Zhao Yulan’s words even more credible.

When getting out of the car, Zhou Mikang had deliberately covered the front windshield so that it couldn’t be seen inside after they left. It’s better not to stir up trouble needlessly. He did not want to make things difficult for Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe.

Some changes need to be gradual, and he must give them time, as well as play by their rules. After all, it’s them who live here, not him.

"Are the older brother and sister-in-law not at home?" Zhao Yulan couldn’t help but mumble to herself as she pushed open the door, wondering why they hadn’t heard the commotion outside.

"Aunt?" Zhao Qihui came out of the house and was surprised and overjoyed to see Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe. But when she saw Zhou Mikang, her smile quickly faded.

She still harbored resentment for Zhou Mikang’s previous rejection of her wish to join the army, even though she already knew that he was going to be her brother-in-law. She still didn’t want to pay him any attention.

"Where are the older brother and sister-in-law?" asked Zhao Yulan.

"My dad and mom went to your village. Didn’t you run into them?"

"We haven’t been back yet," said Zhao Yulan while walking toward the house. "With the weather like this, why are the old couple not inside?"

Zhao Qihui then lowered her voice, "Grandpa and grandma were so anxious, and with the recent bad weather, their old ailments flared up. They only stopped their medication today."

"Dad, Mom..." Zhao Yulan’s eyes immediately reddened as she looked at the elderly couple seated on the kang.

"Dad, Mom..." Lin Baohe also looked full of guilt.

"Grandpa and grandma, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault for making you worry," Zhou Mikang quickly apologized to the old master and the old lady.

"Little commander..." The old lady didn’t look at anyone else, focusing only on Zhou Mikang and holding his hand with a beaming smile, looking him up and down, "Mm, good, very good..."

The old master moved forward and took hold of his other hand, nodding repeatedly.

Seeing this, Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe were left speechless. Dad, Mom, no matter how satisfied you are, can you be a little more discreet, please?

"Little commander, you really have good eyes," praised Old Lady Zhao, raising her thumb. "My granddaughter is not for just anyone, but now that I’ve seen you, I feel relieved."

Zhou Mikang promptly responded, "Thank you, grandma!"

"Hm?" The old master was displeased.

Zhou Mikang quickly added, "Thank you, grandpa!"

Old Master Zhao nodded happily, then turned to Zhao Yulan, instructing, "You and Qihui, go cook. We need to have a good chat!"

Just then, the sound of a door opening came from outside; Zhao Qihui glanced out and said, "My dad and mom are back." She hurried out to greet them, followed by Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe. Seeing Zhou Mikang also heading out, the old master and old lady each grabbed his arm, insisting, "Never mind them, let’s talk."

The sight that greeted Zhao Yushan and his wife upon entering the house was the old master and old lady holding onto Zhou Mikang’s arms as if kidnapping him, lavishly praising Chuxia and recklessly glossing over details...

"Hello, uncle, auntie," Zhou Mikang greeted quickly.

Zhao Yushan reflexively extended his hand, then realized that with the old master and old lady gripping Zhou Mikang’s arms, he had no chance to shake hands with him, so he awkwardly scratched his head and said, "Xiao Zhou, I’m sorry to trouble you with coming here personally. It’s really, really appreciated."

"He’s Chuxia’s fiancé; it’s right for him to bring the little aunt and uncle back," Zhao Qihui muttered discontentedly and quickly slipped out before she could be scolded.

"This child..." Zhao Yushan looked apologetically at Zhou Mikang, "We’ve spoiled her rotten. Please don’t take it personally."

Old Master Zhao glared at him, "Get out!"

"Dad, what’s wrong?" Zhao Yushan was bewildered; he didn’t remember offending the old master, so where was this anger coming from?

The old master snorted, "Do you think you’re treating my grandson-in-law like family? Speaking so formally and evasively. Take those manners outside. In this house, cut out the nonsense!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)