Reborn in the 70s: Pampered by Regiment Commander
Chapter 370 - 256: Confused

Chapter 370: Chapter 256: Confused

Edited.

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At exactly two in the afternoon, Chuxia arrived at the Zhou family home as usual, and upon entering, she was stunned by the sea of people filling the living room.

Among the elders, aside from Zhou Jingping, Old Master Zhou, Old Madam Zhou, Lin Yanqiu, Second Uncle Zhou Gangping, and second aunt Liang Xiaohong, Third Uncle Zhou Shanping, and uncles Zhou Yueping and Xu Zhenghong were all present.

On the younger generation’s side, apart from Zhou Mikang and Zhou Xiangping, and those who had broken ties with the Zhou family, Zhou Aiping, and Zhou Zhongkang, Zhou Xikang, Yu Tao, Zhou Jiping, Zhou Huakang, Zhou Nanping (the daughter of Second Uncle Zhou), and Zhou Huakang were also there.

After greeting everyone, Chuxia took a seat next to Zhou Jiping.

Old Master Zhou stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "I’m not sure how long it will take to resolve this matter, but what’s certain is that the Zhou family has been abandoned. Or to put it more bluntly, the Zhou family has been used as a bargaining chip in a transaction.

Laosan and Laoer’s Wife have already been suspended. Next, it’s likely to be Laosan, and after that, suspensions and leaves of absence from school might follow one after another. Are you all prepared?"

"Grandpa, there will always be a way out when we reach the mountain. As long as dad and Xiaomi come back safe, I don’t care about anything else," Zhou Xikang was the first to express his stance.

"Dad, I’m sorry, it’s my fault for not choosing a wise wife and failing to guide my daughter properly, leading the Zhou family to this point," Third Uncle Zhou said with a look of guilt.

"Third Brother, how can you blame yourself?" Zhou Yueping, who always felt sympathy for this brother, tried to console him, "Look how well you’ve raised Xiaohua?"

"Enough, this is not the time for criticism or self-criticism," Old Master Zhou waved his hand, "I’ve gathered everyone here to prepare you mentally. The coming days might be even tougher, but we must believe that good will eventually triumph over evil!"

"Of course, dad, I’ve always believed that; wasn’t it the same last time? I believe no matter how tumultuous things get, it can’t be worse than before.

We survived those tough days, and we can definitely get through this one too," Lin Yanqiu said and looked towards Chuxia, "But the one who deserves an apology most is Chuxia. She married into our family and hasn’t gained anything but troubles instead, sigh."

"Mom, I don’t feel burdened by these troubles," Chuxia hesitated, then looked at Old Master Zhou, "Grandpa, Grandpa Wan asked me to give you a message, he said, ’No one can force Grandpa to make any decisions; just do as you wish.’

Old Master Zhou’s expression changed, he asked quickly: "Did he really say that?"

"Yes," Chuxia nodded seriously, "He said once I told you this, you would understand everything. He also mentioned that he is not coming over now because he doesn’t want to make things difficult for Grandpa."

"Good, good, good..." Old Master Zhou repeated the word ’good’ thrice, his serious expression somewhat alleviated, then sternly said, "Remember, if they tell you to suspend work or school, just do it without fussing or fighting. Gangping, Shanping, Xikang, Zhenghong, come with me to my study."

Zhou Jiping leaned towards Chuxia and whispered in her ear: "Grandpa is really biased, he doesn’t tell us anything."

Chuxia smiled and kept silent, noticing that Zhou Nanping from Second Uncle’s family was always staring at her, giving her a rather uncomfortable feeling.

"What’s wrong?" sensing Chuxia’s unease, Zhou Jiping asked.

"Nanping keeps staring at me," Chuxia revealed truthfully.

In the Zhou family, Zhou Xikang was the eldest, Zhou Jiping was the second, Zhou Mikang was the third, Zhou Xiangping was the fourth, Zhou Zhongkang was the fifth, Zhou Nanping was the sixth, Zhou Aiping was the seventh, and Zhou Huakang was the youngest, the eighth.

"Ignore her. She’s close to Zhou Aiping, so naturally, she doesn’t like you. It’s not just you; apart from Zhou Aiping, she doesn’t like anyone else. She doesn’t even get along well with Second Uncle and Second Aunt. Is this the second time you’ve met her?"

"Yes." Chuxia nodded. She had met Zhou Nanping for the first time on her wedding day, and today was their second encounter.

Zhou Nanping was plain-looking, resembling neither her second aunt, Liang Xiaohong, nor her second uncle, Zhou Gangping. Among the Zhou siblings, she was the least attractive. She was twenty-four this year but had been married for three years and currently worked at the post office.

"Grandma, I’m leaving now if there’s nothing else," Zhou Nanping stood up, only speaking to Old Madam Zhou before stepping out, not even glancing at other elders, including her own mother Liang Xiaohong.

"Wait a minute," Old Madam Zhou said.

Zhou Nanping stopped in her tracks, turning to face Old Madam Zhou: "Grandma, do you need something?"

"Are you still holding a grudge against your mother?" Old Madam Zhou asked.

Zhou Nanping’s gaze flickered, and she remained silent.

"Do you really think only Zhou Aiping has your best interests at heart, and everyone else is out to get you?"

"No, Grandma cares for me, I know that."

"You child..." Old Madam Zhou sighed deeply and waved her over, "Come here, sit by Grandma."

After hesitating, Zhou Nanping returned and sat beside Old Madam Zhou, her head bowed and her hands twisted together.

Old Madam Zhou then placed her hand on hers and patted gently, "Child, I don’t know who you take after, why are you so stubborn? Tell me, does Fang Tao and his family treat you well?"

"Yes."

"Really well?"

Zhou Nanping hesitated for a moment but still nodded in agreement.

"What is good and what is not good?" After a long silence, Old Madam Zhou finally said, "Never mind, Grandma won’t persuade you anymore. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, this is your home."

"Hmm."

"Don’t let pride get in the way, when it’s time to come home, come home. Remember, the main door of the house is always open for you."

Zhou Nanping quickly glanced at Old Madam Zhou, then lowered her head again, making it impossible to see her expression.

"You might be thinking, since Grandma is so forgiving, why am I not as forgiving towards Aiping, right?"

Zhou Nanping remained silent as an answer.

"She and you are different, never mind..." Old Madam Zhou waved her hand, "What Grandma wants to say, that’s all..." she said, waving Chuxia over, "Come here."

Chuxia could only walk over to the elderly lady.

"Laowu, this is your third sister-in-law," Old Madam Zhou said.

"Third sister-in-law," Zhou Nanping said quietly, head still bowed.

"You are a child of the Zhou family; where are your manners?"

Zhou Nanping stood up and faced Chuxia evenly, "Third sister-in-law."

Chuxia quickly responded, "Sister Five." Then, looking confusedly at Old Madam Zhou, her expression was so innocent that it made everyone else smirk.

Old Madam Zhou also couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh, "Silly child, take your sister Five to find your second sister to play."

"Oh," Chuxia mumbled, turning around towards Zhou Jiping. Walking a few steps, she felt something was amiss. Turning back, she realized Zhou Nanping hadn’t moved, so she walked back, took her by the hand, and practically dragged her to Zhou Jiping’s side, staring expectantly at Zhou Jiping. She didn’t understand Old Madam Zhou’s intentions. Did Old Madam Zhou mean for her to improve her relationship with Zhou Nanping? But why choose this moment? Moreover, Old Madam Zhou’s enigmatic conversation left her utterly confused.

Standing there with a snow-white petite face, her large, alluring eyes filled with helplessness, Zhou Jiping’s heart melted unexpectedly. She smiled, stood up, grabbed Chuxia, and pulled Zhou Nanping, "Let’s go upstairs."

What were they going to discuss privately? Chuxia felt uncertain and glanced back at Lin Yanqiu, who was smiling and gestured at her. Old Madam Zhou then teasingly said, "Xiaomi’s wife, do you think this old woman is trying to harm you?"

"No, no, no," Chuxia quickly turned her head, following Zhou Jiping and Zhou Nanping into the room.

"Mom, do you think this will work?" As the three disappeared, Lin Yanqiu looked somewhat worriedly at Old Madam Zhou.

"Whether it works or not, we have to try," sighed Old Madam Zhou. "Nanping is different from Aiping; she was fostered in another family from a young age, harboring resentment towards this home and her parents.

Swayed negatively by Aiping, she indeed believed that everyone in this house is scheming, wanting to take advantage of her.

Marrying that kind of man, she really hadn’t understood whether she was angry with us or devaluing herself," she looked at the silent Liang Xiaohong and continued, "Chuxia is naive, kind, and sometimes a bit clever. Letting Nanping get close to her may help Nanping let go of her grudges."

After Zhou Jiping took Chuxia and Zhou Nanping into the room, she almost immediately pushed Zhou Nanping onto the couch, looking at her sharply before saying, "Do you still think that your third sister-in-law married your third brother just to benefit from the Zhou family?"

"..."

"If she were really such a person, would she still be here now? What has Zhou Aiping been doing as the Zhou family faces these issues? Do you still think everything Zhou Aiping said was true?"

"..."

"Zhou Nanping, why are you afraid to speak your true feelings? I think, since you were willing to come up here, it means you’re doubting your own beliefs; otherwise, even if I dragged you, you wouldn’t have come, right?"

"So you want me to plead with Aiping to spare the Zhou family?" Zhou Nanping’s eyes bore a mocking look, "Who else but me could do such a thing?"

"You’re making too much of Zhou Aiping and the Xiao family..." sighed Zhou Jiping, looking at her earnestly, "Tell me what you think of your third sister-in-law—since we’re up here, let’s have a chat, shall we?"

Why ask about my impression? A whole bunch of question marks raced through Chuxia’s mind.

"Fool!"

It took Chuxia a moment to realize the word ’fool’ referred to her assessment of herself. Is she a fool? In what way?

"You’re the fool!" Chuxia retorted sharply, "How am I foolish?"

"Asking that just proves you’re a fool!" Zhou Nanping said.

"Your saying that shows you’re a fool too!"

"You..."

"What about me?" Chuxia pouted, "I’m better at knowing who genuinely cares for me and who doesn’t!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and support with recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)