Chapter 384: Clues

"Sister Chun Yan and Brother Wuzi both went to the countryside before. Sister Chun Yan got back by taking the university entrance exam through her own ability, and it was also because of attending university that she was delayed."

After having the financial support of Lou Bancheng, Zhang Ping'an hadn't paid much attention to Han Chunming's family. He didn't expect the plot to have already deviated from its original trajectory; he just didn't know if Han Chunming was still a sycophant.

"No wonder then."

Han Chunyan is one of the few sources of positive energy in the Han family. Her personality is gentle and introverted, she is not greedy for profit, she is filial, and she is a good judge of character. That line about being "all show and no substance" was the highlight of the entire show.

"Then how did she take a liking to Chen Tai?"

Han Chunyan is a top student, while Chen Tai is just a leader of thugs. Comparing the two, it is simply like heaven and earth.

"Ahem, my cousin is good-looking. He inherited my grandfather's excellent genes." Guan Xiaoguan was also choked by Zhang Ping'an's bluntness.

"Hmm? That makes sense."

Zhang Ping'an was stunned when he heard this, and then he laughed. Indeed, few people can resist Azu's appearance, especially now that he has a roguish charm. It is no wonder Han Chunyan would take a fancy to him.

This is also good. In the original show, Han Chunyan herself was an expert at managing business, and now that she has attended university, she will definitely be able to help Chen Tai in business in the future.

Ten days passed in a flash. Wang Xiaoling and the other two women returned with the children. Zhang Ping'an and his two fine sons went to pick them up at the airport.

"Children, over here."

"Daddy."

"Slow down, everyone, don't run."

The men at the airport all looked at Zhang Ping'an with envy. His two sons and three daughters were all extremely good-looking, and they imagined his wife must be very beautiful too.

"Alright, let's go home first."

Watching the children circling around Zhang Ping'an and seeing the envious gazes of the crowd, Weijun and Weidong stepped forward to hug the two little sisters, Wanyi and the other, and the others also left quickly.

"Why didn't Dad, Mom, and Master come back together?"

Zhang Ping'an didn't ask about Lou Bancheng, because he knew Lou Bancheng would never come back, and he didn't even want his villas anymore. However, there were two Siheyuan that Zhang Ping'an had taken back by holding the land deeds.

"Dad and Mom are afraid of the cold, and since Grandpa and Grandma are old, we didn't let them make the arduous journey."

"That's true."

On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the due dates for Guan Xiaoguan and Liu Shujun arrived. They had already been admitted to the Military Division Hospital and were being looked after by Zhong Yan and Ding Qiunan, so they didn't need to worry.

Within three days, the two gave birth to baby girls one after another, and Zhang Ping'an finally had grandchildren.

"Granddaughters are good, well-behaved and cute."

"It's all the same, it's all the same. I've become a great-grandfather too. Tomorrow I must go back to my hometown to tell your grandpa and grandma." Zhang Laohan was also quite excited.

"Good, let Weiping and Weibing take you back."

Zhang Ping'an didn't go to the Hospital, but received the news at home. The yam, Red Dates, and millet porridge in the thermal container, as well as the steamed egg custard, were already prepared, along with Steamed Buns and a few side dishes, meant for the people accompanying them.

"Aihua, come with me to the Hospital to deliver this porridge to them."

"Mm, okay."

"Aihua, should we send our children to Xiangjiang to study?"

"No, Wei'an and the others are still young. Let's talk about it after high school or university. Brother Ping'an, I know you are doing it for their own good, but I don't want the children to be too far away from me."

"Fine, I'll listen to you."

The three children were indeed still young; the oldest, Wei'an, was only thirteen. Zhang Ping'an had suggested this to broaden the children's horizons, but since his wife was reluctant, he wouldn't force it.

After a while, the two arrived at the Hospital. Guan Daye, Chen Tai, Liu Haiyang, Wang Junyi, as well as his own wife and mother were all there.

"Uncle Guan, A Tai, Brother Liu, Sister-in-law."

"Ping'an."

"Uncle Zhang."

"Brother."

"Xiao Ling, Mom, Aihua cooked some porridge for Xiaoguan and the others. There are also some Steamed Buns and side dishes here, you all share them."

"You women just share it among yourselves. Uncle Guan, A Tai, Brother, come home with me to eat."

They were all grown men, and it would be inconvenient for them to stay here. Having the women and the two sons here was enough.

"Brother, I won't go. There are still people waiting outside."

"That's fine, Uncle Guan, A Tai."

Zhang Ping'an knew that Liu Haiyang's home wasn't far from here, and he would probably have to go back to announce the good news in a while.

"Brother Ping'an, should I stay and help out too?"

"Aihua, there are enough of us women here. Why don't you come tomorrow morning to take our place?"

"That's fine, Mom."

The four of them walked out of the Hospital. Just as they got into the car, Guan Daye spoke up.

"Ping'an, just take us back directly. Chunming and Chun Yan are both waiting at my house."

"Oh? Haha, that's good."

Zhang Ping'an didn't force it. He knew that Chen Tai and Han Chunyan were likely in the ambiguous phase, and Guan Daye was also trying his best to create time for them.

After all, the two had only known each other for two or three months before getting engaged, so they had to get familiar with each other as soon as possible.

"A Tai, congratulations," Zhang Ping'an said as he was about to get out of the car.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

Chen Tai was uncharacteristically shy; there was no trace of the appearance of one of the three giants of the Jinghai underworld.

"Hehe."

After returning home, the children all crowded around, clamoring to see their little niece.

"In two days, wait for your eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law to come back. Now hurry up and eat, wash up, and go to bed."

"Brother-in-law, did you see the granddaughter?"

"I didn't go in. Let's wait until the month of confinement is over. Tomorrow, you and Aihua go to relieve Xiao Ling and Mom and the others."

"Mm, alright."

"Dad, may I go see my sister-in-law too?" Wanqiu asked.

"Fine."

Zhang Ping'an naturally would not stop Zhang Wanqiu from wanting to help out; as for the other few girls, they were still too young, and it was unclear who would be taking care of whom if they went.

Early the next morning, Zhang Ping'an took food along with Lou Xiaoe, Li Aihua, and his daughter Wanqiu to the Hospital, while Zhong Mingzhu stayed home to look after the children.

Three days later, Xiaoguan and the others all returned, and with the end of the year approaching, Zhang Ping'an brought a basket of red eggs back to the old residence to deliver them to Lao Jia, Lao Yi, Lao Liu, Lao Yan, and He.

"Ping'an, grandson or granddaughter?"

"Two granddaughters."

"Granddaughters are good, well-behaved and cute; with your family's looks, they must be beauties in the making."

"Hahaha."

Finally, Zhang Ping'an went to his younger brother's small courtyard.

"Brother."

"Uncle."

"Mm, come over and spend the New Year together at the end of the year."

"No, Brother, we won't go over; someone needs to be at these two houses."

"Mm... that's fine too." Zhang Ping'an did not insist, though he realized that, without him noticing, his younger brother was already thirty years old this year.

Early the next morning, Zhang Ping'an and Li Aihua went to his father-in-law's house, and on the twenty-eighth, they went to the Zhong Family, where he unexpectedly found Xu Baisheng there as well.

However, the atmosphere in the Zhong Family was off; Zhang Ping'an looked toward Xu Baisheng, who also shook his head slightly, evidently not knowing what was going on either.

Zhong Mingzhu went into the inner room, where Zhong Yan was also present, though her expression was not very good.

"What's wrong, Eldest Sister?"

"Mingzhu, you're here. It's nothing, just some troublesome matters at the Hospital; let's not talk about it."

"Did you encounter some thorny medical case?"

"No, it's a matter regarding the patients."

"Alright, let's discuss this after the New Year; Baisheng and Ping'an are still waiting outside."

Zhong Dingbang's expression was likewise unpleasant, carrying a sense of frustration that someone had failed to live up to expectations.

After a simple lunch at the Zhong Family, Zhang Ping'an's family returned to the Siheyuan.

Zhang Ping'an did not ask what had happened, but he had vaguely overheard their conversation; he guessed that it was likely an issue with Zheng Zhiming that had erupted, or perhaps it had spread, otherwise Zhong Yan and Zhong Laotou would not have looked so grim.