Chapter 427: 294: What Is Family Affection?

Words : 1886 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Chapter 427: Chapter 294: What Is Family Affection? My dears, I finally revived myself tonight. I advise everyone never to eat anything that has been left out for more than a day. It’s so easy to get a stomachache now... ————————————————————– “Xia, we’re going back now. You should come to visit Grandpa Wan often and treat him as if he were your own grandfather,” Zhao Yulan earnestly instructed her daughter. “Mom, I will...” Chuxia looked eagerly at Zhao Yulan, full of anticipation, “I wish you and Dad could stay until the New Year.” “You child...” Zhao Yulan reached out to pat her daughter’s head, “Xia, make your way in the world. When you can stand tall and say, ‘Dad, Mom, I can support you now,’ your father and I will stay and not leave.” Lin Baohe also looked up with a grin, “Xia, your mother and I are looking forward to you supporting us in our old age. Dare you promise that?” “Just looking at you two, I know you don’t trust me...” Chuxia pouted, “You think I’m not willing to bet with you? Do you dare agree that if I have the capability within five years, you’ll have to live with me long-term thereafter and can only visit your hometown during holidays? Deal or no deal?” “Absolutely, Mom’s been looking forward to that day,” Zhao Yulan’s face lit up with joy, “If that day comes, your dad and I would be willing to die happy.” Chuxia was exasperated, still distrusted by them! Fine, no more talk, she’d show her determination through actions. The affairs of the Zhou family were nearly settled, and everyone had returned to work these past few days; she would go back to the hospital tomorrow. But when it was time for her parents to leave, she would definitely take leave from her teacher to accompany them. Work was very important, her future all the more so, but wasn’t it all for her parents in the end? Only after seeing them return home and everything settled could she rest easy and surge forward! Sister-in-law Yin, listening to the family’s banter, had a faint smile on her lips. “Why are you smiling?” Chuxia curiously asked. Having spent so much time with Sister-in-law Yin, Chuxia had come to know her life story, and she felt an instinctive respect and pity for her. Sister-in-law Yin used to be a middle school teacher in city A, suffered a lot after being denounced, and her husband, also a teacher, couldn’t bear the torment and committed suicide. Without children, once vindicated, she found herself utterly alone. Her husband’s family naturally wouldn’t take her back. Her own had an older brother and a younger brother, both married. With cramped living conditions at home, she could only squeeze in a room with her parents. It was okay for a short while, but after a time, the cold words and obstructions made it impossible for her to stay, and she requested her organization arrange a job with accommodation. Elder Wan needed someone to stay with him long-term in city A; she was assigned to him. Initially, Elder Wan and she also faced cold words; after all, Elder Wan was a widower, and she was a widow – perhaps those who arranged her job had certain motives in mind. Elder Wan had discussed this with her, offering to arrange a respectable job for her, but she chose to stay by his side. She said, leaving would mean she had something to hide. For such a person who dared to adhere to her principles, Chuxia was very respectful. Sister-in-law Yin also grew fond of Chuxia. Elder Wan suggested that regardless of whether Chuxia planned to go to university, studying more was always right. As a teacher, Sister-in-law Yin voluntarily took on the task of tutoring Chuxia. Which teacher wouldn’t like a student who loved to learn and learned quickly? Sister-in-law Yin forbade Chuxia from calling her ‘Teacher’, and Chuxia felt embarrassed to keep calling her “Sister Yin”, so she often addressed her as “you.” “Seeing you three together, I truly feel happy from the bottom of my heart,” Sister-in-law Yin beamed at Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe, “Elder Wan really yearns for kinship. If possible, he really hopes you two could stay more often. That’s probably his deepest wish.” Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe just smiled goofily and made no reply. Knowing she couldn’t persuade them, Sister-in-law Yin sighed helplessly, “You’re just like me before. Sometimes, this kind of persistence really doesn’t mean anything. I know I’m being nosy, but I’d regret it if I didn’t speak up.” Just last night, Elder Wan ran down to the hall in the middle of the night to mess around with matchboxes. I wake easily, so I followed him down. He just sent me back to sleep, saying he was just restless and wanted to be alone for a while. He’s been like this before, usually after talking on the phone with his daughter, staying up half the night in his study. So, you understand what I mean. Although I have no right to interfere, I really hope you seriously consider my suggestion,” she concluded. The room fell into a prolonged silence. Chuxia knew her parents needed time to think and did not rush them. Meanwhile, she felt a bitter sweetness inside. There might be people in the world who dislike the warmth of a family, but Elder Wan was certainly not one of them. Before, it was the fear of implicating others that kept people away from him; now, it was the sensitivity of his status that prevented him from approaching others freely. For her family, it was just serendipity. In life, there are always so many helplessnesses, especially in this era, perhaps because she hadn’t encountered situations of this nature before. “We will come back,” after a long while, Zhao Yulan spoke softly, “We will also treat Elder Wan as our own father and show our filial piety, but now is not the time.” “Sister Yin, you are like our own sister to us.” Though Lin Baohe’s statement came out of nowhere, Sister-in-law Yin, who had spent much time with them, understood and felt a slight sourness in her nose. Despite living at the lowest tiers of society, this couple possessed the noblest of characters! No wonder Elder Wan was so concerned about their affairs, even abandoning the principles he had always adhered to. She had been puzzled before, but now she understood. When it came to judging people, Elder Wan indeed had a keen eye! Feeling both regret and pride, Chuxia sighed helplessly, “You see how stubborn my parents are, don’t you? Once they make up their minds, not eight oxen, no, not even ten could pull them back.” “Child, is that how you should talk about your own parents?” Zhao Yulan pointed at her daughter with a mix of exasperation and amusement, “It’s not like we want to make you lose face.” Chuxia pouted in protest. “I don’t think you staying would make me lose face. I could help you with making matchboxes when I’m free.” “If you help, would your in-laws just stand by and watch?” Lin Baohe also patted his daughter’s head, “You’re married now, yet you still act like a child. Such a silly girl.” “If I’m so silly, how can you feel confident leaving me here on my own?” Mr. and Mrs. Xia: “...” Right then, the door to the study opened, and a girl in her twenties, tall and with delicate features, walked out first. She looked solemnly around at everyone, her gaze settling on Chuxia’s face for five seconds before she walked to the door without looking sideways. Watching the girl near the doorway, Chuxia jumped up. “Wait a minute.” “You have no right to speak to me,” the girl glanced at Chuxia indifferently, opened the door, and walked out. “Chuxia, never mind her,” Elder Wan’s voice came from the study, sounding rather upset. The group then signaled Chuxia with their eyes. “Grandpa...” Chuxia entered the study, closed the door behind her, sat opposite the old man, “That’s your biological granddaughter, right?” “Yes,” the old man nodded. “They say children are a parent’s debts. Perhaps Grandpa owed them too much in his last life. This life, it seems, I can’t repay it all, haha...” After hesitating for a moment, Chuxia asked, “Do you mind us staying here?” “No,” Elder Wan shook his head, “Child, don’t overthink it.” “Grandpa, you know, my own grandparents don’t like me. I’ve never felt their affection since I was little. Now, I see you as my own grandfather, so I hope you can talk to me about anything. Even if I can’t help solve it, you’ll at least have someone to share your thoughts with, right? As for the Zhou family, don’t worry. I know what should be said to them and what shouldn’t. I’m not a gossiper; you have to trust me.” “You...” Elder Wan affectionately tapped Chuxia, his face a mix of annoyance and amusement, “When have I ever been wary of what you might say to the Zhou family? At this stage, Grandpa is already tied up with the Zhou family. Do you think I can still escape? It hurts me to hear you say such things, child.” Chuxia then playfully moved behind Elder Wan and began to massage his shoulders, trying to please him, “It’s my fault for speaking carelessly. Don’t take it to heart, Grandpa. You know what I mean, I know that.” “Yanyan’s visit this time was to pave the way because her mother wants me to return to Capital City. Her mother couldn’t personally say it, so she sent her,” Elder Wan sighed lightly, “Chuxia, what do you think real kinship is?” “Like the relationship I have with my parents,” she replied. “Would you use your parents?” “No!” “Yes, but they want to use me. When I had nothing, they kept their distance. When I helped my friend, they mocked me as a fool. When my friend succeeded, they finally saw him and thought of me, their father and grandfather. Have they ever thought of how I feel? I crave kinship, but not the kind that uses me. Never mind, you might not understand some of these things. The actions they take now, asking me to abandon my friends for them, truly disappoint me.” “Grandpa, I’m a bit confused,” Chuxia scratched her head. “I don’t think I’m dumb, but I’m confused by what you’re saying. I know you and Elder Long are friends. Are they asking you to stop being friends with Elder Long? What are they after? Or... are they trying to make you betray Elder Long’s interests to benefit themselves?” (To be continued. If you like this book, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)

Chapter 427: 294: What Is Family Affection?

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