Chapter 706: Paying New Year's Respects to Qian Niang

Actually, what I really wanted to tell Xiao Long is,

Life cannot always be thinking of perishing together like jade and stone; instead, one should think of blending in with the dust.

I have already said enough to Xiao Long; I hope he can understand my heart.

Understand my meaning.

Who doesn't want their life to go smoothly,

but life always has setbacks,

and hardships.

Including Fang Rui, it's the same; she was born into such a family, and receiving abnormal treatment is normal.

Because her parents did not accumulate blessings for her, what they left her is debt, which she needs to repay.

That is fate, very helpless.

If she and Xiao Long, after experiencing these things, can still be together.

That would show that she and Xiao Long truly have affinity; if they cannot be together,

No one can help her.

After I finished speaking, I stood up,

"Xiao Long, stand up, go back and take a good bath, shave your face.

No matter how big the matter, don't keep it in your heart; as a man, you must face it.

Looking at your appearance, how will Tian Shi think? They think you are not suited for this job.

Come, shake hands; I still have to go back to Niushiling this afternoon to visit your grandmother.

Xiao Long stretched out his hand,

We grandfather and grandson shook hands,

Xiao Long squeezed out a smile.

I then walked over and waved at Xiao Long.

I left the tea room.

I believe Xiao Long should be able to get over this matter.

I drove to a mall and bought clothes and gifts for Qian Niang.

Also for Ru Meng, Xiao Shitou, Qiao Jie and others, I bought gifts as well.

My heart has already flown to Niushiling.

I want to see them sooner.

Loaded the car full of gifts.

I drove toward Niushiling.

Soon I arrived at Qian Niang's home in Niushiling.

Qian Niang, upon hearing I had come, hurried out of the room,

"Er Hai, you're finally back."

"Mother, happy New Year, I came to pay my respects." I hurriedly kowtowed to Qian Niang.

Qian Niang pulled me up,

"Er Hai, sigh, it's good that you're back. Ru Meng, Xiao Shitou, your father has returned."

Qian Niang finished speaking and shouted into the room.

"Dad, you're here." Xiao Shitou came out of the room.

I looked at Xiao Shitou,

"Xiao Shitou, go, get the gifts from the car."

Xiao Shitou took the key and then went to get the gifts.

I followed Qian Niang into the room.

The room was warm.

An earthen stove was burning.

Ru Meng was playing on a tablet; seeing me enter the room, she glanced at me,

"Dad, you're here."

Then she lowered her head and continued playing on the tablet.

Seeing Ru Meng play on the tablet, I felt a bit angry.

If a child becomes addicted to the internet, it's over; no one acknowledges them.

I wanted to say a few words to Ru Meng,

Qian Niang had already noticed my change in expression,

"Alright, Er Hai, just came home, don't upset everyone who's unhappy. This tablet was bought for Ru Meng by Xiao Long. She's just started playing." Qian Niang explained.

"Mother, Ru Meng is in high school now; she can't always play on the computer. How did she do on this semester's exams?" I asked Ru Meng.

Ru Meng, without raising her head, replied: "Just passable."

"What does 'just passable' mean? What's the total score, and what rank could it get?" I asked Ru Meng while sitting on the sofa.

"Dad, you're so old-fashioned; nowadays they don't rank or release scores. Don't ask me, I don't know either." Ru Meng said impatiently.

Xiao Shitou just brought the gifts into the room,

I took over a coat,

"Mother, try this on; it's the coat I bought for you."

"You're wasting money again; I really don't need more clothes. Look at my wardrobe full of clothes I haven't even worn. Why did you buy me another?" Qian Niang said.

I stood up and draped my overcoat over Qian Niang,

"Mom, this is this year's most popular style for the elderly, not bad. Xiao Shitou, Ru Meng, see if Grandma's wearing it fits."

The two kids sized up Qian Niang at the same time,

"Dad, your taste is pretty good; Grandma looks younger in it." Ru Meng laughed.

"Pretty good, Grandma, walk two steps so I can have a look." Xiao Shitou said while looking.

At this point, Qian Niang felt embarrassed to be looked at by them,

"Alright, oh well, as long as it fits. Your dad just wastes money. I'm this age, yet I'm wearing this color of clothing."

"Mom, this color is pretty. Qiao Jie, how come she's not here with you?" I asked.

"Qiao Jie, well, the village organized some activity, I'm not sure what, Qiao Jie went over to help." Qian Niang said.

I nodded,

"Xiao Shitou, what time do you start work?"

Xiao Shitou said: "Dad, we start work on the seventh day of the new year."

"Tomorrow, I want to drive Ru Meng to the city hospital to check on Mom."

"Good. I've been busy these days and haven't had time to visit your mother."

"I don't know how your mother's health is recovering." I sighed.

"I heard from Brother Little Dragon that it's much better than before. He can eat on his own now."

"The specialists in Sijiucheng have been effective." Xiao Shitou said.

"Being able to eat on his own is good. Sigh, actually I want to thank Fang Rui. Your mother's recovery is thanks to his good care." I said.

As soon as Qian Niang heard me mention Fang Rui, her expression changed instantly.

Then she whispered to me,

"Er Hai, come over and talk in this room."

I knew Qian Niang definitely wanted to ask about Xiao Long.

So I followed Qian Niang to her bedroom.

Upon reaching the bedroom, I sat on the bed.

Qian Niang looked at me and asked directly,

"Er Hai, did Xiao Long look for you?"

I nodded,

"Yes, we just met."

"What did he say?" Qian Niang asked.

"He didn't say anything." I didn't want to tell Qian Niang what Xiao Long had told me, fearing it would upset her.

Qian Niang shook her head,

"Even if you don't say it, I know. Is Xiao Long planning to sever ties with Li Ming?"

I neither nodded nor shook my head,

but silently took out a cigarette from my pocket.

Qian Niang sighed,

then tears came down,

"Er Hai, Mom, what wrong have we done? How could we have such a bastard son? Li Ming doesn't understand anything."

"Mom, I can't even say anything about him."

"Xiao Long, I can't say anything about him either."

"You tell me, if they sever their father-son relationship, how am I supposed to live?"

"How can I still have the face to loiter in Niushiling?"

"Sigh, Li Ming is over forty and still not the least bit responsible."

"As for Xiao Long's love life, he asks too much. When children grow up, mothers lose control—that's an old saying."

"Why doesn't he understand?"

"If he didn't ask, maybe their feelings would stay as they are. The more he asks, the more it backfires."

"This Xiao Long kid is single‑minded; he loves no one but Fang Rui."

"Xiao Long said harsh words; if Li Ming asks about him again, they will completely cut ties."

"Mom, it's hard being in the middle."

"On this side is the son, on that side is the grandson."

"Whoever says it, both right and wrong."

"Even if I say it, it's useless. Li Ming won't listen and just turns away with a frown."

"Seeing Xiao Long in pain, Mom's heart aches too."

"At this age, Mom's life has no meaning at all."

Listening to Qian Niang's nagging,

I remained silent.

I smoked without speaking.

After a long while, I let out a long sigh and said,

"Mom, I've already advised Xiao Long about his situation. I can't let him go to extremes."

"Let him cool off."

"Once the father‑son bond is broken, it can't be repaired."

I cannot speak on Li Ming's side.

I hope Li Ming can just stay out of it; that would be best.

I never expected that the two of them would actually be at loggerheads.

Xiao Long has already agreed; for now we will not involve Li Ming in this matter.

He and Fang Rui have feelings between them; they can also set it aside for now.

Xiao Long is easy to persuade; it's just Li Ming—I have no way.