Xu Qinghu was immediately embarrassed and explained, "Big brother, that’s a really harsh way to put it. When have I ever sold out Nianhua?"
"About that matter..." Xu Qinghu paused, then continued, "I was thinking of Nianhua too. Since Nianhua didn’t like it, that matter fell through, so, big brother, you’ve been angry for so long, it’s time to let it go."
"Xu Qinghu, you’re about to ruin Nianhua’s life, and yet you say it’s for her own good. Do you think I’m a fool?"
Xu Qinghe saw that she showed no sign of repentance and felt even more disheartened. He rejected the idea outright, saying, "As for the matter with Fu Song, our ability is limited, we can’t help."
Having said that, Xu Qinghe left without looking back, ignoring Xu Qinghu, who was shouting behind him.
Xu Qinghu chased him all the way to the courtyard entrance, watching Xu Qinghe’s retreating figure with a heart full of hate.
Xu Qinghu could only turn to Xu Zhong for help.
Xu Zhong’s face was dark as he said unhappily, "Don’t you know how much Qinghe dotes on his daughter? You know that, don’t you? And yet you still meddle with the Yue Family’s affairs?"
Xu Zhong was well aware of Xu Qinghe’s stubborn temperament; in the village, nobody doted on their daughter more than he did.
Xu Qinghu meant well when she tried to set up Nianhua with a match, but the candidate was simply unreliable. Not to mention others, even he, as a grandfather, couldn’t stand it.
"Old Xu, Qinghu meant well, but it turned out badly, though her heart was in the right place," Liu Sanmei consoled, while giving Xu Qinghu meaningful looks, comforting, "They are siblings; Qinghe is just angry. He’ll get over it. In the future, they’re still blood relatives, like bones attached to tendons."
Xu Zhong’s face was stern, while Xu Qinghu also put on a remorseful facade along with Liu Sanmei’s words.
After a long while, Xu Zhong finally said, "This Fu Song business, it’s all because you spoil him. Last time, I scolded him severely, told him not to lay a hand on anyone, but what about you? Someone just has to say a few words, and you’re bamboozled."
On his way back to the old house, Xu Qinghe didn’t notice Xu Qinghu catching up and let out a sigh of relief, as driving people away was not his forte.
"How did it go, did you talk to mom and dad?" Ji Ying saw his return with a troubled look and asked with concern.
"I did, and they should be coming."
As Xu Qinghe thought this, he added a reminder, saying, "Xu Qinghu came back, but I didn’t invite her for the meal."
"She’s not welcome at home," Ji Ying said, changing the subject, "And how about Xu Qingjiang and his family..."
"They weren’t there."
Xu Qinghe gave a wry smile, not wanting to bring up Xu Qinghu again, saying, "Their whole family must have gone back to the Zhao Family."
He was just taking this opportunity to invite his parents for a meal, wasn’t he?
The things Zhao Juxiang had said during the New Year still made him uncomfortable.
Ji Ying’s family was busy; today, Xu Nianji took Zhou He back to her mother’s home, and she gave away a lot of things, specially instructing Xu Nianji to take good care of Zhou He.
Nianhua accompanied Nian’an to the county to pay a New Year’s visit to Du Chang.
As Du Chang was Nian’an’s mentor, Nian’an naturally could not miss it.
"Second brother, should we buy some more items?" Nianhua, looking at the gifts in her hands, felt that they should buy something more.
Alcohol, canned goods, snacks, cakes—these were the high standards for gifts nowadays.
"Little sister, this is enough. If we bring any more, master might not accept it," Nian’an felt it was sufficient. The master didn’t care about material things; he believed that as long as he learned the medical skills well and mastered what the master taught, his master would be happy.
Moreover, there was a long road ahead. It wasn’t about how much you brought now; it was filial piety that would stand the test of time.