Xu Qinghe also felt that it was better to keep the selling of mung bean jelly a secret. Although it was now acceptable to do business, in reality, no one was actually doing it!
Two bowls of mung bean jelly, packed in a lunch box, were not of much value, but Xu Qinghe’s thoughtfulness made Xu Zhong happy.
Thinking that Xu Qinghe was still the same as before the household split, Xu Zhong’s recent despondence finally gave way to a slight smile.
Liu Sanmei, on the other hand, showed a face of disdain but still feigned concern, saying, "I know you adore the girl Nianhua, and you make her mung bean jelly whenever she wants. Wouldn’t that be at least a whole basin full each time? Whether I eat it or not isn’t important, but Jiaojiao came home today too, so I should save it for Jiaojiao to eat."
What Liu Sanmei meant was: You make a whole basin of mung bean jelly and only send over two bowls? Are you treating us like beggars?
Xu Zhong frowned, following Liu Sanmei’s train of thought. Just moments ago, he felt that Xu Qinghe was showing filial piety, but now he started to think this display of filial respect seemed fake.
Xu Qinghe’s complexion changed, and as he was not good with words, he stuttered for a long while, saying, "Dad, Mom, I..."
"This is my dad’s way of showing filial piety to my grandparents, and Dad personally made this mung bean jelly. If Xu Jiaojiao wants to eat mung bean jelly, she could ask Uncle to make it. Uncle loves his daughter so much he will definitely make it for Xu Jiaojiao."
With those words, Xu Nianhua lifted her gaze towards Liu Sanmei with a sweet smile.
She felt fortunate in her heart that she had followed along. Otherwise, her father’s good intentions might have been misunderstood!
Father showing filial piety to Grandpa is natural and right. This step-grandmother, though biased, still allowed Dad to grow up safely, so she deserved some respect as well. But what about Xu Jiaojiao?
Why should the things Dad makes be sent over eagerly?
"Dad, make a few more bowls next time, I only ate one bowl, and it wasn’t enough," Xu Nianhua coquettishly said, also indicating to Xu Zhong that there wasn’t much mung bean jelly made at home.
"Right, we didn’t make many bowls at home, just thought of offering some to Dad and Mom to taste."
Xu Qinghe had also calmed down by then, smoothly following his daughter’s words.
"You are thoughtful," Xu Zhong said, his previously displeased expression instantly turning into a beaming smile, "Elder son, come back."
Even though Xu Qinghe felt that Xu Zhong wanted him to return, without a clear statement, he just couldn’t trust it in his heart.
Now, with Xu Zhong’s words, a surge of emotion threatened to overflow from Xu Qinghe’s eyes.
Xu Nianhua’s eyes flashed with surprise, then she quickly lowered her gaze, containing her emotions, and stood by Xu Qinghe’s side. She said nothing, but she wondered what choice her father would make.
Xu Nianhua’s hand involuntarily tightened.
The room fell silent as Xu Zhong looked earnestly at Xu Qinghe. The family home had indeed felt emptier without Xu Qinghe and his family.
Liu Sanmei was anxiously watching Xu Qinghe. She had gone to see Xu Qinghe the day before and had made her intentions clear, but Xu Qinghe had still firmly rejected her. After returning, she had even complained to Xu Zhong. She never expected that Xu Zhong, without uttering a word, still wanted Xu Qinghe to come back!
Everything in the Xu Family belonged to her son, Xu Qingjiang!
"Dad, I...," Xu Qinghe could easily refuse Liu Sanmei because he knew that she wasn’t genuinely hoping for his return, and he had never felt the so-called maternal love from this stepmother. The only thing he was grateful for was that she allowed him to grow up safely.