Reborn in the 70s: Pampered by Regiment Commander -
Chapter 310 - 219 A Member of the Zhou Family
Chapter 310: Chapter 219 A Member of the Zhou Family
Zhou Mikang closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the chair, not knowing whether he was asleep or just deep in thought. Glancing at him, Chuxia quietly curled her lips and turned her gaze out the window.
"I’ll treat you as an equal, so don’t worry," he said suddenly, startling Chuxia. She turned around and met his narrow eyes, which were filled with earnestness.
Clearly, he had been contemplating what she had said before.
"Since I chose you to be my wife, and since it was your independent nature that caught my eye, I naturally have to accept some of the unique ideas you propose.
But remember, talk to me if there’s a problem, and don’t throw little tantrums or make me guess what you’re thinking. That’s what I hate most."
"Mhm." Chuxia’s heart, which had been warmed by his words, suddenly chilled completely. She nodded indifferently and said nothing more.
Zhou Mikang’s brow furrowed, "Are you unhappy?"
"No." Chuxia shook her head. "I understand what to do now, don’t worry."
Zhou Mikang moved his lips but said nothing more. He wasn’t much of a talker to begin with, and he didn’t understand the hearts of girls very well. At this moment, he found Chuxia’s displeasure a bit baffling. As they were about to arrive home, he didn’t want to make her any angrier, so he chose to remain silent.
Driver Xiao Wang sighed internally. Oh my, what’s gone wrong again? Was that entire drive just a waste? Was there any point in him driving so slowly? They were almost at the Zhou Family’s old house now. He really had no other options...
Chuxia followed Zhou Mikang into the hall. Zhou Xiangping approached them enthusiastically, linking arms with her, "Third sister-in-law, you must be tired, right?"
"Not tired, thank you, fourth sister," Chuxia replied politely. After greeting the elders, she sat down beside Lin Yanqiu with Zhou Xiangping.
There was a slight tension in the air of the hall. Chuxia snuck a glance at the time; it was just six o’clock on the dot. Dinner at the Zhou family was usually around six-thirty, so their late arrival probably wasn’t the cause.
Thinking carefully, she couldn’t recall doing anything that would upset anyone.
That’s right, Old Master Zhou had received a phone call and left in a hurry, not even bringing Dagang’s Grandpa and Dagang’s Grandma back with him. Maybe something happened to the Zhou family?
She had only been married into the family for three days; did she really count as a member of the Zhou family or not? Should she take the initiative to leave, or wait a bit longer? As she was hesitating, she heard Old Madam Zhou say, "Chuxia, you can go back to your room."
"Yes!" Chuxia felt relieved, said goodbye to everyone, and walked towards the stairs, Zhou Mikang stood up, silently following behind her.
"Xiaomi, you stay," ordered Old Madam Zhou.
"What is it?" Zhou Mikang grabbed Chuxia’s hand and turned back, impatience flickering in his eyes as he looked at Old Madam Zhou.
"Let Chuxia go upstairs to rest. You stay, we’re having a meeting," Old Madam Zhou repeated.
Chuxia is my wife, and she is part of the Zhou family. Whatever I can be involved in, she should too."
"This matter is not suitable for her to be involved in."
"If Grandma dislikes it, I can move out with Chuxia." After a pause, Zhou Mikang continued, "We’ll move out tomorrow."
"You... where will you move to? The ancestral home? That’s still Zhou Family property, not yours!" Old Madam Zhou felt a throbbing pain in her head as the day’s chaotic events had worn out her patience completely.
"Xie Mingyue!" Old Master Zhou called out, looking towards Zhou Mikang, "Xiaomi, have Chuxia go upstairs to rest. It’s not that we don’t consider her part of the family, but we don’t want these troubles to distress her as well.
After all, you have just gotten married. If it weren’t a matter concerning your future, we wouldn’t have planned to tell you, but now..." Old Master Zhou sighed heavily and smiled warmly at Chuxia. "Chuxia, don’t take your grandma’s words to heart. She’s upset and not speaking the truth."
"Grandpa, I understand," Chuxia said, smiling awkwardly as she tried to pull her hand away from Zhou Mikang’s grip. "I’m tired and want to go upstairs to rest for a bit."
"No way!" Zhou Mikang stated decisively. "Regardless of the reason for today’s family meeting, since it’s a Zhou family meeting, you must attend!" Looking at the elders, he continued, "This is the first family meeting since Chuxia married into the Zhou family. If you don’t let her attend, then I won’t either."
Chuxia felt overwhelmed. She didn’t want to attend—truly. If they didn’t want her to know, why insist on dragging her into it?
In the few days since she married into the family, she could tell that the Zhou family members really didn’t treat her as an outsider. Even Old Madam Zhou, although not very fond of her, always protected her in front of others.
Since they were so adamant about her not participating, there must be a good reason. Furthermore, both Old Master Zhou and Zhou Jingping and Lin Yanqiu had tacitly agreed with Old Madam Zhou’s suggestion, which made it even clearer!
Why be so stubborn at a time like this... Suddenly, she recalled the conversation she had had with him on the way there.
"I don’t like it when you treat me like a child. I am now your wife, the person who is going to be by your side for life. If you only see me as a child, our relationship lacks equality, and that kind of marriage—is that what you want?"
"I will treat you as an equal, don’t worry."
Clearly, he was giving her equality and fighting for it on her behalf. Oh no, that’s not what she meant. Regarding Zhou family affairs, she didn’t necessarily have to be on an equal footing...
Bridging the gap through communication and adjustment between different backgrounds and eras is truly difficult. It seems she must remember to tell him her thoughts directly in the future, instead of hinting with roundabout principles. He is someone who takes things so seriously; beating around the bush will only backfire on her...
Right now, Chuxia’s feelings were a mix of pain and joy. On one hand, she felt awkward and resentful, and on the other, deeply touched. Regardless, he had listened to her words. Although he had been willful on their ride and ignored her, he truly took her words to heart and respected her.
By insisting on this in front of the entire family, he clearly showed that her place in his heart was significant, that their marriage wasn’t just for show. This was, in effect, telling everyone that to disrespect her was to disrespect him.
Given his position in the Zhou family, could she possibly strut around in the Zhou household in the future? Bah! Bah! Bah! Chuxia silently loathed her own thoughts. When comparing hearts, had she shown him the same respect?
She would get upset with him for being inconsiderate, considering their marriage loveless and deciding to just be courteous with him in the future...
The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt. While pondering how to excuse herself without causing him to lose face and still give the Zhou elders a way out, she heard Lin Yanqiu speak up: "Mom, Chuxia is now a daughter-in-law of the Zhou family, part of us. It would be good for her to know about this issue."
Old Madam Zhou then turned her gaze to Chuxia: "Listen well, if you attend the Zhou family meeting, you and Mikang’s marriage won’t allow for even the slightest retreat on your part."
When had she ever wanted to retreat? Oh, right, how could Old Madam Zhou not see that she was still a virgin? In Old Madam Zhou’s mind, she was probably leaving herself a way out.
Considering everyone’s attitude, she had the foreboding that the Zhou family must be facing some serious problem. Although she could not be considered a paragon of virtue, Zhou Mikang had not treated her poorly. How could she do anything to dishonor him at a time like this?
She looked up at Zhou Mikang: "I am willing to join you at the family meeting." This was her clear way of telling him, whatever the issue, she was ready to share the burden!
Zhou Mikang pulled her without a word and seated her to the left of Zhou Jingping and Lin Yanqiu, while Zhou Xikang and Yu Tao sat to their right. Zhou Jiping and Zhou Xiangping had moved two seats back when they arrived.
Sitting behind them were Second Uncle Zhou and his family, followed by Third Uncle Zhou and Zhou Huakang. Next to them were Xu Zhenghong and Zhou Yueping.
The unpleasantness with Zhou Mikang on the way had made her inattentive when entering the house. Now, seeing the seating arrangement, she knew the Zhou family must be dealing with no small matter.
The housekeepers, at some point, had all retreated to their respective rooms, leaving only Zhou family members in the grand hall. Chuxia’s heart involuntarily clenched; this show of force was indeed a bit intimidating.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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