Reborn in the 70s: Pampered by Regiment Commander -
Chapter 345 - 237: Father’s Love
Chapter 345: Chapter 237: Father’s Love
The second watch arrived.
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"Afraid Grandpa Liao would feel embarrassed?" Upon hearing Old Madam Zhou’s admonishment not to go to Liao’s house, Zhou Jiping couldn’t help but roll her eyes, "Grandpa Liao’s personality should change too, no matter how much he pretends, people won’t think Liao’s and Xiao’s families are close."
"It’s been a lifetime, how can it change that easily?" Old Madam Zhou said, but couldn’t help laughing as well. Old man Liao was just like that, always keeping his distance from anyone’s troubles, but secretly, he was busy like a spinning top. His explanation was that it was better to keep a distance and think of a solution than to be caught up in trouble if he got too involved.
The problem was, just as Zhou Jiping said, even if he stayed away, the Zhou and Liao families were connected by marriage. Could people really think the Liao and Xiao families were close?
"By the way, Jiping, don’t ask casually whether Elder Wan is coming for dinner," Old Madam Zhou advised as she saw Zhou Jiping and Chuxia about to leave.
"Understood," Zhou Jiping responded, taking Chuxia by the hand and walking out the door, while also explaining to Chuxia, "Grandma doesn’t want to invite Grandpa Wan for dumplings, not because she has anything against Grandpa Wan, but because she worries it might put him in a difficult position."
Chuxia nodded in agreement, "I know."
"You know?" Zhou Jiping looked at Chuxia in surprise, "Do you really understand?"
"Mhm."
"Explain it to me in detail," Zhou Jiping somewhat disbelievingly said. How could a girl who grew up in the countryside understand such matters?
"It’s like when we were in school, there was a squad leader, a study committee member, and a cultural committee member. Maybe you’re close to the squad leader, I’m close to the study committee member, and someone else is close to the cultural committee member.
In these three groups, it’s possible that two of them are archenemies, like the squad leader and the study committee member competing academically. Thus, both groups would want to win over the cultural committee member to strengthen their own side.
Before making a choice, the cultural committee member would naturally want to keep an equitable relationship with both sides, otherwise, he might be misunderstood as having made a choice already.
Grandpa Wan represents the cultural committee member’s best friend. The Xiao family and our family respectively are friends of the squad leader and the study committee member. That’s my understanding, isn’t it right?"
Zhou Jiping couldn’t hide her admiration as she looked at Chuxia, "I’ve discovered that Laosan really has a good eye. Such a simple analogy yet you’ve analyzed the situation thoroughly. Sister-in-law, you’ve truly surprised me."
Chuxia smiled without saying a word, but she thought to herself, apparently, you think I’m naive and inexperienced. Just analyzing these recent actions one could understand; what’s there to be surprised about?
Along the way, they encountered a few people, all of whom took a wide berth, including Jiang Xue, who had specifically come to congratulate Chuxia on her marriage to Zhou Mikang, who was once Zhou Xiangping’s romantic rival.
"At times like these, you can see who is worth befriending and who isn’t..." Zhou Jiping said with a light laugh, shaking her head, "Sometimes, having such incidents isn’t bad; at least, it lets you see some people for who they really are."
"Mhm."
Seeing Chuxia nod her agreement, Zhou Jiping looked at her with a smile, "Sister-in-law, do you regret marrying Laosan?"
"No."
Well... what else could she say? She had been coerced into marrying him. Having already married, what was the point in expressing regret?
But truthfully, she had been very resistant before the wedding, but now, she had begun to accept this marriage.
The Zhou family members were all easy to get along with, without any pretensions. Even if she had married into a common family, she might not have found them as amiable.
As for love... in those times, love was a luxury. She better not think about it for now.
Zhou Jiping was delighted by Chuxia’s response and took the opportunity to apologize again for her previously poor attitude.
Chuxia helplessly interrupted her, "Second sister, I understand; you really don’t need to explain. Really."
"Alright, I won’t talk about it anymore. Watch my actions from now on," Zhou Jiping said embarrassingly with a smile, and then promised, "From now on, I will treat you just like I treat Xiangping."
"Mhm."
"Hello, Grandpa Wan." As soon as they walked in, Zhou Jiping greeted Old Master Wan first, then seeing Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan busy making dumplings, she laughed, "Uncle Lin, Auntie, are you also making dumplings?"
Zhao Yulan honestly replied, "Yes, sitting idle makes me anxious; doing something keeps me feeling better."
"Mom, Dad, you don’t need to worry about Mikang’s issue. He’s fine and even beat up Xiao Yuwen..." Chuxia then detailed to Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan the incidents of Lu Yuer and others visiting the Zhou family.
The expressions on Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe’s faces visibly relaxed. They thought the same as Chuxia: if one could still fight, that must mean nothing was seriously wrong.
However, they then worriedly asked, "Xiaomi wasn’t hurt, was he?"
"No," Zhou Jiping replied. "A classmate of mine works there, and she called too, saying Laosan was fine, not injured at all."
"That’s good, that’s good..." Suddenly realizing this might cause issues for Old Master Wan, Zhao Yulan glanced anxiously at Old Master Wan, "Uncle Wan, you..."
"I’m fine." Old Master Wan waved his hand, "If you ask me, they didn’t beat him hard enough. Those who dare to target our Xiao Chuxia should be beaten until they crawl back."
"Uncle Wan, I feel the same way." Lin Baohe felt he had found a kindred spirit. Initially hesitant around Elder Wan, but upon hearing his words, he put down the rolling pin he had been holding and rushed over to Old Master Wan, excitedly saying, "After this blows over, could I perhaps give him a beating myself?"
"Dad..." Chuxia was speechless, not knowing what to say to her father.
Lin Baohe also felt he had been a bit presumptuous, his hand wiping on his apron, his face full of embarrassment: "Hehe... Uncle Wan, maybe I... I won’t beat him."
"No worries, beat him." Old Master Wan gestured for him to sit beside him, slapping a big palm on his back, "You are a good father, Baohe, truly a good father. I’m not as good as you!"
"Uncle Wan..." Lin Baohe was at a loss for words being praised like that.
Old Master Wan continued, "Seeing how you protect Chuxia like this makes me realize, Yuqiong is right to hate me. When have I ever protected her like this?
I was always absorbed in my work, barely even laid eyes on her, let alone protected her. Later, when she severed ties with me, I couldn’t blame her.
I never brought her any benefits, only thinking she should share hardships with me, how could that be possible? Baohe, thank you, for helping me realize where I went wrong."
Clearly, the Yuqiong he mentioned must be his daughter.
But how many fathers out there are like Lin Baohe?
She asked herself, if she were Old Master Wan’s daughter, would she abandon him under those circumstances? Live her own life? Deny him if no benefit was involved?
Given the education she received since childhood, she could never do such a thing. But, does this indirectly show that Old Master Wan neglected educating his daughter?
Lin Baohe, overwhelmed by what Old Master Wan said, turned his pleading eyes to his daughter.
"Grandpa, don’t blame yourself. If you feel sorry for Aunt Yuqiong, why not contact her more now, share your thoughts with her?" As Chuxia spoke, she sat beside Old Master Wan and made a move on his chessboard, grinning, "You see? Isn’t it much clearer this way?"
Old Master Wan stared at the chessboard for a long time before bursting into laughter and patting his knee, "Indeed, the participant is confused. I’ve been pondering this for a long time without finding a solution. Little girl, alright, I’m truly glad to call you my granddaughter!"
Zhao Yulan said with a smile, "She’s just making random moves, don’t praise her too much."
Lin Baohe was not pleased and retorted against his wife: "That’s not random at all. Our daughter definitely knows her stuff; that’s why she made that move."
"Alright, alright, your daughter knows, you..." Zhao Yulan smiled helplessly, "Uncle Wan, Jiping, our family head is just like this, anything to do with his daughter can do no wrong."
"Younger sister is really lucky." Zhou Jiping said enviously, "My dad never protected us like this..." Turning to Old Master Wan, "Grandpa Wan, don’t be too hard on yourself, finding a father like Uncle Lin is rare in this world. You said you couldn’t manage to care for Aunt Yuqiong, but has my father ever had time for us?
I was five years old and can barely remember what my father looks like. Every time he came home, it was midnight, and he would leave before dawn. We siblings were all raised by my mother and my grandparents."
"Hmm, I may have overcompensated, but fathers like Baohe are indeed rare," Old Master Wan sighed deeply, "But as Chuxia said, realizing it now and mending it is not too late.
If I do something now and my daughter doesn’t accept it, it only means that our father-daughter bond is weak, and that’s just how this life will be."
This topic was somewhat heavy, and Zhou Jiping didn’t know how to continue comforting him, so she stood up to leave, "Grandpa Wan, I still need to visit Grandpa Liao. My sister is confined at his house, probably going crazy by now. I’ll go and update her on the situation here."
"Go on, go on..." Old Master Wan said with a resigned laugh, "Old Liao has that kind of temperament. He’s a good person, just been a bit too worried these last few days; don’t hold it against him, he’s got a case of once bitten, twice shy."
Zhou Jiping nodded, "I know, my grandma told me he’s a good person." Seeing Chuxia stand up, she quickly pressed her down, "You don’t need to come with me. Stay here and keep Uncle Lin and Auntie Zhao company. Have dinner here tonight."
After hesitating for a moment, Chuxia nodded, "Alright."
Watching Zhou Jiping leave, Old Master Wan let out a long sigh, looking at Chuxia: "The Zhou family is not bad, you married into a good husband’s family."
Chuxia nodded, "I know, Grandpa, I’m content."
"Uncle Wan, is the Zhou family in need of money right now?" Lin Baohe suddenly asked.
Old Master Wan shook his head, "It’s not a matter of money."(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) by casting recommendation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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