Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Daughters and Nephews
Finally, after Grandma Xia finished speaking, with a “bang,” Uncle Xia threw the teacup in his hand forcefully to the ground, shattering it and causing pieces to scatter everywhere.
“You!” Startled, Grandma Xia stepped back, and Xia Chengzu also quickly ducked away.
Uncle Xia snorted coldly and asked, “Grandmother-in-law, please clarify, what exactly do you mean? I’m a layman, uneducated, and I can’t understand.”
Uncle Xia’s gaze was aggressive and accusing.
In front of her superiors, Grandma Xia dared to be so arrogant, she paused for a moment before struggling to say, “I—I just think, my son sacrificed himself for the country and left no children. Shouldn’t the state benefits then go to his nephew? After all, he’s a male of our bloodline…”
“Sir, am I right in what I’m saying?” Grandma Xia turned and tried to cozy up to Huo Shiqian once more.
Since ancient times, daughters could not carry on the family legacy, and Grandma Xia believed she was not in the wrong.
Besides, with the support of a military commander, what could Uncle Xia dare to do?
Huo Shiqian remained silent, slightly turning his head, fingers tapping on the desktop, his gaze deep and heavy.
Xiao Wang immediately received the cue, smiling as he stepped in to separate Grandma Xia, speaking gently, “Old madam, are you really Comrade Xia Chenggui’s mother?”
Not being addressed directly by Huo Shiqian made Grandma Xia feel disappointed, but since Xiao Wang was also a representative of the military, she looked up and smiled saying, “Yes, I am the mother of the martyr Xia Chenggui, his own mother!”
Xiao Wang smiled and said, “Oh, and this comrade here, is she Xia Chenggui’s daughter, his own daughter?”
He purposely mimicked Grandma Xia’s manner of speaking, which made her frown and say, “So what if she is? Such an unfilial daughter!”
Not wanting to talk more about Xia Chuyi, Grandma Xia pulled Xia Chengzu to the front, craning her neck towards Huo Shiqian, “Sir, this is Xia Chenggui’s nephew, his own nephew!”
The pride on her face was evident.
“Sir, hello, I am Xia Chengzu.” Despite Xia Chengzu’s usual swagger at home, in the presence of such an important figure, he actually felt intimidated.
Seeing Xia Chengzu introduce himself, Zhang Xiaoling also found an opportunity to chime in, “Sir, hello, I am Zhang Xiaoling, Xia Chengzu’s colleague. I work at the county coal plant. The factory specifically sent me to receive you…”
Her voice was so soft that it seemed almost dripping with sweetness, and the smile on her face was more radiant than flowers.
Huo Shiqian cast a cursory glance at Xia Chengzu, his fingers continuing to tap on the table.
As for Zhang Xiaoling, he didn’t even spare her a glance.
Receiving a look from Huo Shiqian, Xia Chengzu immediately became so excited that his voice rose an octave.
“Yes, sir, I am Xia Chengzu, Xia Chenggui’s own nephew, his martyr uncle’s own nephew!”
Xia Chengzu was filled with pride, just like Grandma Xia when mentioning Xia Chenggui. There was not a hint of sorrow, respect, or yearning—only boastfulness.
Huo Shiqian still did not utter a word, his fingers tapping on the tabletop.
Xiao Wang continued to stand in between them, carrying out his superior’s instructions, “Old madam, you believe that the caring conditions for Comrade Xia Chenggui’s children should all be transferred to Xia Chengzu, right?”
Although Grandma Xia had never thought much of Xiao Wang, hearing this she was pleased to entertain him, “Right, that’s exactly what I mean! Chengzu is Chenggui’s own nephew and rightly deserves his uncle’s care.”
Grandma Xia said this without a trace of embarrassment, while the people in the room, led by Uncle Xia, were already seething with anger.
Uncle Xia looked towards Huo Shiqian.
Then he looked at Xiao Wang, who was smiling ever so warmly.
Surely, they wouldn’t side with that old woman from the Xia family, would they?