Chapter 1014: No, I have to go back

This weekend, the old lady called Shen Tao to her home again.

She prepared a table full of dishes that Taotao loved. When it comes to favoritism, eyes cannot lie.

Don't look at how the old lady is now very friendly to Shen Ci and Shen Xing; the look of heartfelt doting she gives Taotao is something they have never received.

However, Shen Ci never cared about these things anyway. The only thing she hoped for was that her mother could be happy.

The old lady had been behaving herself lately. Except for the little schemes she had for her younger son Shen Chengcheng's job a few days ago, she hadn't caused any more trouble.

Ever since Shen Ci agreed to help arrange things for Shen Chengcheng, the old lady had become visibly diligent, serving Shen Jingjing during her pregnancy even more attentively and meticulously than a professional confinement nanny.

It was precisely because of this that Wen Shuyi was able to free herself and go back to live in her own home peacefully for a period of time.

"Taotao, try these ribs, I stewed them especially for you. They are all lean ribs, not a bit of fat." The old lady picked up a piece of stewed, soft, and rotten rib, carefully placed it in Shen Tao's bowl, the rarity in her eyes overflowing, and she persuaded him softly: "Don't go back today, okay? It's the weekend. Grandma is leaving soon, why don't you stay at your aunt's for two days and keep Grandma company?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingjing also looked at Taotao and said: "If you can stay, then stay. There are many rooms in the house, you can live in whichever one you want."

Taotao lowered his eyes and blinked, but his heart was thinking of his mother.

On weekdays, the school checks the dorms, and he didn't apply for off-campus living, so he could only live in the dormitory.

He could only go back to live for a day or two on weekends when there were no classes. Every time those one or two days came, it was the happiest time for him and his mother.

"Grandma, I have to go back to the dorm, I have classes tomorrow morning." Shen Tao said in a low voice.

"Classes on the weekend?"

Shen Tao nodded: "Elective courses."

Shen Ci could naturally see Taotao's thoughts, so she helped him out: "Grandma, if Taotao has classes tomorrow, even if he stays, he has to leave early tomorrow morning. It's better to let him live at school; he can sleep a little longer in the morning."

The old lady was a bit disappointed, but she knew her grandson was in a good university and couldn't let his studies be delayed.

But she changed the subject and couldn't help but say: "Then come stay at home during the winter break, okay? Your dad misses you too."

Shen Tao paused in his eating. He was full of anger at the thought of his father, but he couldn't bear to strike the old lady, so he could only say tactfully: "We'll see when the time comes. I'll go back during the New Year."

Zheng Hong's hometown was also in Longyang, so she would definitely have to go back during the New Year.

Shen Jingjing listened to the old lady's words and couldn't help but put down her chopsticks and look at her, saying softly: "Mom, it's rare for you to come here once. You've just gotten used to it, why not stay for a while longer and spend the New Year with me?"

She genuinely wanted to keep the old lady. She couldn't remember how many years ago it was since she last spent the New Year with her.

But the old lady didn't even think about it and waved her hand immediately, her eyes widening slightly, her tone carrying subconscious resistance: "That won't do, I must go back for the New Year."

"If I don't go back, Chengcheng will have to spend it alone with your eldest brother and sister-in-law's family. That won't do."

She was ultimately thinking of her son. Even though her relationship with her daughter had eased, the deep-rooted ideas of decades had long been carved into her bones.

Shen Jingjing knew it like the back of her hand. No matter how successful or filial she was, there was ultimately a ceiling to her status in the old lady's heart; and that ceiling would never exceed the floor of her brother and younger brother in the old lady's heart.

Fortunately, she had long been aware of this and never asked for more. She was already satisfied with the peaceful way of getting along, so she didn't feel sad, just smiled lightly and didn't persuade her anymore.

Jiang Yuanliang spoke at the right time, saying to the old lady: "Mom, Jingjing's belly is big now, so we won't go back this year. Next year, we will take the children back to Longyang to spend the New Year with you."

"I know, I understand." The old lady was instantly happy: "Then come back next year, it will be lively at home."

Jiang Yuanliang smiled gently, but under the table, he gently held Shen Jingjing's hand and patted it soothingly.

Shen Ci ate without a word, not expressing any opinion on the content of the conversation. As a result, the old lady took the initiative to look at her and spoke: "Aci..."

As soon as she opened her mouth, a smile piled up on her face.

Shen Ci raised her eyes lightly. Seeing the old lady's expression, she knew there was something she wanted to ask of her.

Sure enough, the old lady said slowly: "Grandma wants to take some of that white wine we drank at the hotel back. Your eldest uncle likes it very much and has mentioned it several times, but he's too embarrassed to ask you for it."

"Which wine?" Shen Ci didn't remember for a moment and asked with a frown.

The old lady hurriedly gestured: "It's... it's the one where the bottle looks like a gourd, and it's golden. The one that looks especially exquisite..."

"Oh, I know." Shen Ci remembered. Her face had no extra expression, and she didn't shirk, agreeing readily: "Alright, then I'll mail a case to Eldest Uncle later. You don't have to take it yourself. That thing is heavy and fragile, and there's no guarantee with checked luggage. If it breaks, it would be a pity."

She secretly muttered in her heart: She sure knows how to pick. The wine the old lady mentioned was a special edition Wuliangye, nearly a dollar a bottle, even more precious than ordinary Moutai.

"And the job you arranged for your younger uncle." The old lady didn't forget the most important thing and reminded Shen Ci repeatedly: "You can't find anyone else. He agreed that he would come once your cemetery is built."

Shen Ci nodded again: "Grandma, don't worry. I will leave a quota for Younger Uncle for the tomb-guarding job, but others have to be recruited too. This work isn't something one person can do alone."

When the old lady heard that others had to be recruited, she instantly had an idea: "Then, then I'll go back and help you ask around? There are many relatives in the hometown. Isn't it a pity to give such a high salary to outsiders?"

When Shen Jingjing heard the old lady's words, she hurriedly stopped her: "Mom, don't go around spreading it. Let's just quietly arrange it for Chengcheng alone. If you want to take care of others, can we even handle it? By then, all those distant relatives will come knocking on the door. I'll say the ugly words first: Aci can't handle that."

Shen Ci also said: "My mom is right. This isn't a family business, nor is it a poverty alleviation agency. If it weren't for you asking, Grandma, I wouldn't even consider Younger Uncle."

When the old lady heard this, she curled her lips in embarrassment: "Fine, I didn't think that it's all the same whoever does the work..."

Shen Ci and her mother looked at each other, both sighing speechlessly.

Fortunately, the old lady didn't nag anymore.

Before long, Shen Yingying's family also arrived. As soon as she entered the door, Shen Yingying hurriedly greeted Shen Ci: "Aci, Gao Zhan is here, waiting for you outside." ===== CHAPTER 1015 =====