Chapter 226: Predicament of Origin

On the second day of the new year, married daughters return to their parents' home. Early in the morning, Hua Sangu, Hua Erniang, and Hua Wuniang arrived at the Hua family courtyard with their husbands and children.

Seeing Hua Dalang coming to call her again, Hua Changxi muttered, "Before, I and the other sisters weren't even qualified to sit in the main hall to accompany guests. Now, look—everything has to include me. I almost miss the old days."

Hearing this, Hua Dalang paused, a complicated look flashing in his eyes, but he didn't respond.

All the people she had to face today were relatives. Even though Hua Changxi wasn't willing, she could only steel herself and play hostess.

As they neared the main hall, seeing He Sanye and the others seated inside, Hua Changxi sighed again.

"Sigh, when will I ever be free from this kind of socializing?"

Overhearing Hua Changxi's soft muttering, Hua Dalang said bluntly, "That might be a bit difficult—unless you become a solitary person with no children, no friends, or relatives."

As he spoke, he glanced sideways at her.

"What, are you thinking of entering monastic life and cutting off all worldly ties?"

Hua Changxi: "Not exactly. I'm still happy to get along with people I like."

Hearing this, Hua Dalang frowned. "Jiu Niang, people can't simply live according to their own wishes."

Seeing that her big brother was about to lecture her again, Hua Changxi quickly said, "I know, I know."

Afraid his sister would let the conversation stall after entering the room, Hua Dalang couldn't help adding, "Jiu Niang, you live among people. When people interact, they have to prop each other up and respect each other. If you indulge only in self-admiration, your path will only get narrower."

Hua Changxi glared at him and retorted, "When have I ever indulged in self-admiration?"

Hua Dalang: "Haven't you?" He paused, his tone low. "With so many people in this family, who have you ever taken seriously?"

"Jiu Niang, as your elder brother, let me give you some advice: no matter how capable you are, there will always be things beyond your reach, and times when you need help from others."

"When you climb high, you still need to look down and pay attention to other people."

After listening to Hua Dalang's words, Hua Changxi automatically translated them in her head.

"'Jiu Niang, now that you've obtained the Divine Wood Secret Realm, it's like you've risen to the sky in one step. Since you've gained such a huge advantage, you should benefit your family and look after your clansmen. Otherwise, when trouble comes in the future, the family and clan won't care about you.'"

Thinking this way, Hua Changxi felt uncomfortable.

"Big brother, what you call 'self-admiration' is just me not acting according to your expectations and wishes. You don't have to put on a 'for your own good' look and feed me some specious high-sounding principles."

Seeing that his younger sister viewed him this way, Hua Dalang felt that all his pains had been wasted on a dog. He smiled bitterly, turned his head, and walked straight into the main hall.

Hua Changxi let out a "tsk" and muttered, "Hit the nail on the head, huh? Feeling guilty, aren't you?" After grumbling, she still entered the main hall.

In the main hall, only Old Madam Hua was seated among the women. Hua Changxi swept her gaze around and went straight to sit on the round stool behind the old lady.

This startled the old lady. Among all her granddaughters, the one she got along with least was Jiu Niang. Seeing Jiu Niang voluntarily getting close to her now, the old lady was indeed a bit unaccustomed to it.

Old Master Hua and a few sons-in-law were either talking about the family's development or the changing trends in the outside world.

Most of the news they shared was based on hearsay, making Hua Changxi want to doze off.

Old Madam Hua noticed her granddaughter's impatience and said in a low voice, "Men's talk can be boring. Listen more and you'll get used to it."

Listen more?

Hua Changxi shook her head. "I'll pass."

Old Madam Hua: "What do you mean 'pass'? Do you think just anyone gets to sit in this room?"

Hua Changxi looked at her. "Is sitting in the main hall such a great honor?"

Old Madam Hua straightened her back. "Of course it's an honor. Sitting in this room is a symbol of status." Then she gave a meaningful look.

"You, don't be impatient. Don't push away what's already in your hands."

"That goes for the Hua family, and also for the Medical Bureau where you work."

Hua Changxi didn't expect the old lady to have such insight. "Grandmother, then tell me, what does sitting in this room symbolize?"

Old Madam Hua looked at her. "It symbolizes that, from now on, in the family's external social engagements, you also have the right to speak and can influence some family decisions."

"People who interact with our family will also know who you are. If they come asking for help, they will value and consider your opinions and ideas."

Hua Changxi let out an "oh." "So that means I've been promoted to a member of the family's decision-making circle."

Old Madam Hua looked at her granddaughter. "You are blessed. I, an old woman, earned the right to sit in this room only by bearing children for the Hua family and toiling for half my life. You, my child, should cherish your blessings."

Hua Changxi laughed and said, "Grandmother, perhaps this blessing is something I don't want."

Old Madam Hua looked stunned: "This girl, I thought you were the most quick-witted one in the family, but I never expected you to be so dull."

Seeing her granddaughter still looked nonchalant, Old Madam Hua frowned: "You're not like this in the Medical Department, are you?"

Hua Changxi: "Like what?"

Old Madam Hua: "Like you look down on everything."

Hua Changxi shook her head: "No, not at all. I still really want the Divine Essence Secret Realm."

Old Madam Hua asked again: "What about dealing with people?"

Hua Changxi: "...I only worry about myself. As for others, if they match my temperament, I'll interact with them more; if not, I'll keep my distance."

Upon hearing her granddaughter's words, Old Madam Hua frowned directly and didn't speak for a long while.

"Jiu Niang, in the affairs of the world, either the east wind overwhelms the west wind, or the west wind overwhelms the east wind. It's like this at home, and even more so elsewhere."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Grandmother, that's your experience. It doesn't apply to me. I have my own path to walk."

Old Madam Hua got a headache. At that moment, she realized her ninth granddaughter was so stubborn.

Indeed, if she weren't stubborn, she wouldn't have refused discipline and gone against the family since childhood.

Old Madam Hua suddenly felt some worry. She vaguely felt that if Jiu Niang carried her way of interacting with family to the outside world, she would almost certainly stumble.

The old lady couldn't express this worry in words, so she simply said to Hua Changxi: "Jiu Niang, you should be kind to others more. Don't go against everyone in everything."

Hua Changxi found the old lady's words abrupt: "Grandmother, I am very kind to others. I won't actively cause trouble if others don't provoke me."

At this moment, Hua Wuniang entered the room carrying her child.

Looking at the adorable little child, Hua Changxi immediately beamed: "Fifth Sister, Xiao Man is already this big! Give him to me for a hug."

After Hua Wuniang held the child and greeted the elders, she stuffed the chubby, fair-skinned baby into Hua Changxi's arms.

"Xiao Man, do you remember who I am? I'm your Ninth Aunt."

He Xiaoman giggled, amused by Hua Changxi.

Seeing how much Hua Changxi liked her son, Hua Wuniang smiled: "I really couldn't tell. Jiu Niang, you actually like children."

Hua Changxi kissed the chubby baby's cheek: "Little kids are so cute, of course I like them."