Chapter 512

It's not much; I only bought gifts worth over ten thousand yuan.

Yang Qing grinned smugly, holding big bags of high-end gifts, which had proudly become his capital, waiting with a smile for Chu Lingxi's praise.

Chu Lingxi, who never knew how to talk back to people.

Today, for some reason, he chuckled and said, 'It's really not much; my husband just waved his hand and allocated five million yuan in poverty-relief funds—what's a gift worth over ten thousand?'

"「……！！！」" No.

Isn't the sister-in-law supposed to be sweet and naive? When did she learn to talk back? Yang Qing felt completely bewildered, a black line appearing on his forehead as he sized up Chu Lingxi.

He muttered puzzledly, 'Sister-in-law, are you missing a brain? You always bring up the pot that shouldn't be opened.'

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Dongfan slapped him on the back of the head: 'How dare you talk to the sister-in-law like that!' Yang Qing shrank his neck, then instantly acted as if nothing happened, stepping forward and saying, 'Only the sister-in-law is allowed to be clueless, but not me? What nonsense! The young master can't be bothered with you—I'm going to coax the grandfather.'

In this military compound where dragons coil and tigers crouch, many people observe the rules, but few dare to act recklessly.

Yang Qing is like a loach that has slipped into Coiled Dragon Valley—smooth and slippery—he truly thinks of himself as a relative of the Dragon Grandpa, and his specialty is being shameless and thick-skinned.

Chu Lingxi couldn't help laughing at him: 'Teacher Xu is so gentle and polite; marrying him could be considered a poverty-relief effort, right? This guy is really lucky.'

'It's not that I'm fortunate; my wife is the most beautiful.'

Whenever Lin Dongfan held Chu Lingxi's hand, he felt a sense of having come home; if he had to point out a regret, it would be that after so many years of marriage, they had never once argued.

Other families have small arguments every three days and big ones every five days, with constant internal strife.

But in his family, this sweet and naive wife can't even bring herself to argue; no matter what happens, she remains perpetually carefree and never overthinks.

When happy.

She will nuzzle into his arms like a boneless little kitten, saying, 'Honey, want to have a little meeting?'

When unhappy.

She also snuggles into his embrace like a boneless little kitten, saying, 'Honey, I heard holding meetings can cure all ills—want to give it a try? I can unlock new positions.'

How could you argue with such a boneless little kitten?

Whenever her charming little dimple appears, whether it's a three-part smile or a seven-part silly grin, Lin Dongfan can't resist and falls for her in an instant.

Lin Dongfan took her hand as they walked and asked, 'Honey, what do you think—is Yang Qing stupid or not?'

'He's definitely not stupid.'

Chu Lingxi watched Yang Qing walking ahead.

After thinking, she added with a smile: 'During the New Year period, many people will come to visit the grandfather, all of them high-ranking officials. If he comes to our house now and then shamelessly calls out "Grandfather," what will those officials think? Should we look up to him more in the future? He's quite clever.'

'Since he wants to cling to a powerful patron, go tell the grandfather later to let him stay a few more days at our place.'

Lin Dongfan climbed up the ladder.

He also told Chu Lingxi, 'The grandfather's temper is as changeable as the weather; whether he stays overnight is something no one can decide—only you can make it happen.'

'Got it, I'll talk to him later.'

Chu Lingxi gave a knowing smile, without a hint of hesitation, as if she had long anticipated that Lin Dongfan had brought Yang Qing over to introduce him to high-level circles and help him expand his political resources.

Tonight is New Year's Eve.

Apart from the busy Lin Zhenhua, who didn't come home due to work, everyone else was at home, including the unlicensed uncle, Comrade Liang Jingzhong.

Yang Qing is also quite savvy.

The first thing upon entering was to pay respects to the grandfather, then greet Aunt Lin Yuzhi, Aunt Xie Yunxin, and Liang Jingzhong.

But his manner of address remained quite conservative.

He addressed them as grandfather, General Lin, Minister Xie, and Secretary Liang.

Lin Dongfan added, 'What's with calling General Lin and Minister Xie? We're all family—just call them Aunt and Auntie, and also Uncle.'

'Alright, you're the boss; you decide.'

Yang Qing tried to straighten up and greet everyone properly, but seeing the subtle expressions of the bigwigs—who merely smiled without speaking—he felt a bit uneasy again, daring not to forcefully claim kinship.

Just at this awkward moment.

Chu Lingxi suddenly stepped forward to support the grandfather, saying, 'Grandfather, let me help you out to catch some sun.'

'The sun's about to set—where are you going to sunbathe? You haven't even conceived a third child yet, and you're acting foolish.' The grandfather was hoping for a third-generation great-grandson.

Chu Lingxi replied with a grin, 'The third child is on the way; I'll help you out to enjoy the sunset.'

She firmly escorted the grandfather into the courtyard.

The grandfather wasn't stupid either.

Seeing no one around, he asked, 'Silly girl, is it that good-for-nothing Dongfan who's done you wrong? If so, tell the grandfather, and he'll help you teach him a lesson—he'll overturn the heavens for you!'

'No, Grandfather.'

Chu Lingxi continually linked arms with the grandfather, smiling all the while.

The grandfather wondered, 'Why did you pull me out here?'

'To watch the sunset,' Chu Lingxi laughed.

The grandfather looked up at the sky and said, 'You wish—snow's coming soon, where's any sunset? Don't pretend I'm senile; speak plainly.'

Chu Lingxi said, 'I told you not to get angry.'

'Let it out quickly.'

The grandfather, being short-tempered, blurted out, 'You're planning to give the Lin family a third child—how could I be angry with you? Even if you wanted the stars in the sky, I'd pluck them down for you.'

'I've already said it—Yang Qing wants to stay a few days and call you grandfather; can you nod in approval?'

After Chu Lingxi finished speaking, the grandfather's face showed some hesitation.

The grandfather wondered, 'Everyone in the household knows you're usually the most obedient—what's going on today? Is it that Dongfan kid who's got you speaking for him?'

'Grandfather, this is my own idea; nobody's prompting me,' Chu Lingxi said.

The grandfather grew more confused: 'Your idea? That's really strange. Don't you know how many people want to call me grandfather? You're such a silly girl.'

I know, many people want to hug your thigh.

Since you know that, why are you still acting stupid? I just nod casually, and others can climb up the ladder; is there such a cheap deal in the world?

Grandpa, the officialdom is like a battlefield; it's not a place for lone combat. Dongfan needs some trustworthy comrades to avoid falling into a helpless, isolated situation later.

Who taught you these words?

Nobody taught me; I came up with it myself.

You came up with it yourself?

Well, when Dongfan first arrived in Haishan, he was helpless and alone. Back then I thought, if Haishan also had someone like Yang Qing to help him, how great that would be.

Shaxixi, your current behavior makes me very unaccustomed.

Grandpa, are you angry? You just said you weren't angry.

Not angry, it's just that your intelligence suddenly jumped online, making me very unaccustomed. I feel like I can't even resist aging; my brain can't keep up with your pace.

Haha, are you praising me?

Don't get conceited; hurry up and conceive triplets—one pregnancy makes you stupid for three years. Besides, Shaxixi is more to my taste; chatting with Shaxixi is pressure-free.

Fine, tonight I'll meet with Dongfan to study the triplet issue.

Help me back to the room.

Grandpa, did you agree to what we just talked about?

I've already said that even if you wanted the stars in the sky, I'd pick them for you. It's just acknowledging a grandson; you say how to do it, and Grandpa will do it.

Haha, I knew it; Grandpa dotes on me the most.

You are the Lin Family's great contributor; if I don't dote on you, who would I dote on? The best thing Dongfan that kid ever did right was marrying you.

Chatting away, the two had already entered the hall.

Lin Yuzhi and Xie Yuxin were bored idle, teasing Liang Jingzhong's white sideburns without even dyeing them. Yang Qing obviously couldn't get a word in, sitting awkwardly to the side.

Lin Dongfan was arranging the restaurant; the reunion dinner was already set on the table, just waiting for the old master to take his seat.

The old master entered and said, 'Xiao Yang, since you've come, just settle in and feel at home. Treat this as your own home, don't stand on ceremony.'

Hearing that, Lin Yuzhi, Xie Yuxin, and Liang Jingzhong all looked over in surprise.

They obviously didn't expect the old master to keep someone.

Flattered and startled, Yang Qing also felt a bit surprised, quickly rose and replied, 'Thank you, old master; I'll follow your arrangements.'

As one family, we don't speak of two families; take your seats, let's begin the feast.

The old master, a military man, is straightforward and blunt, disliking pretense. Once he accepts Yang Qing, he drops the act; at this moment he truly treats Yang Qing as one of his own.

At this point, Liang Jingzhong and the others also understood the old master's attitude.

Liang Jingzhong laughed and patted Yang Qing's shoulder: 'From now on, work hard and don't bring shame to the Lin Family.'

Hmm, thank you, Secretary Liang, for your guidance.

Before this, Yang Qing had once imagined the happy scene of a toad with mange leaping onto the Moon Palace to become a golden toad, feeling that there was no situation he couldn't handle.

Now, this moment truly descends upon reality.

His little heart was still thumping with excitement, feeling just like a dream. Following this pace of the ancestral grave emitting green smoke, is a vice hall even worth mentioning? A vice department is also possible!