Hearing this, Chiang Songhai’s guard immediately went up as if it were a conditioned reflex.
He also understood the purpose of Chiang Songtao’s conversation with him this time.
Chiang Songhai glanced at Chiang Xiao and couldn’t help but smile wryly to himself.
It seemed that expecting his elder brother to have a chat with him without any ulterior motive was simply impossible.
He immediately started preparing the tea, "Elder brother, have some tea, have some tea. Actually, all these are your family issues; you don’t have to tell me everything."
Chiang Xiao almost burst into laughter.
For her grandfather to say such a thing was a huge progress indeed!
Now she was genuinely curious and wanted to continue listening.
After all, she had nothing else to do. She might as well treat it as gossip!
Chiang Songtao was so angered by Chiang Laoer’s words that he felt a pain in his chest.
What do you mean by these are your family issues?
Chiang Laoer used to love hearing him talk about ’our family’, and now he’s actively distancing himself?
He could hardly believe it.
"Laoer, what you said, we two brothers— is there a distinction between your family and my family? Aren’t we all one family? You are Baohe’s close uncle, and his lifetime matter; shouldn’t you discuss it and give it some thought?" Chiang Songtao put on a stern face, "Besides, who else can I turn to for discussion?"
"I don’t really have any opinion either," Chiang Songhai added.
Chiang Songtao said, "Alright then, let’s do this: I’ll speak, and after you listen, just give a hand of help, no need to say much else."
"Elder brother, I really have no special abilities," Chiang Songhai said with a wry smile.
Chiang Xiao was truly enlightened at this point, seeing how her grandfather could now fend off each and every point and not just follow Chiang Songtao’s words. He had stopped taking an active interest in Old Chiang Family matters and didn’t seem to want to hear what the issue was. Not bad at all!
She simply propped her chin in her hand and continued to listen invisibly.
Chiang Songtao also clearly felt the change in Chiang Songhai and was beginning to lose his composure, his tone becoming noticeably stiffer.
"Baohe wants to buy that old house in town, and the wedding banquet has to be a big occasion. We need to set up six tables at the town’s restaurant, plus the bride’s dowry. All in all, with sundries included, the marriage is going to need about three thousand yuan."
Chiang Songtao, without further ado, continued, "The family has already spent quite a bit of money because of his injury, and Yuequn is going to college, which will also cost a lot. Fortunately, Baoguo is doing well now and can bring some money home, so we are only about two thousand three hundred yuan short. Laoer, you are Baohe’s uncle, and he’s getting married. You’ll have to give a wedding gift, right? You name a figure first, tell me how much you can give for the gift money."
Chiang Songhai and Chiang Xiao exchanged a look.
Chiang Songhai’s eyes showed helplessness, while Chiang Xiao appeared amused.
Is there such a thing as coming to your door and forcing you to give a wedding gift? Making you name a price directly?
What if one doesn’t want to give it?
Well, that’s exactly what they don’t want to do!
Chiang Songhai coughed and continued with the tea preparation, not picking up Chiang Songtao’s cue.
Chiang Songtao turned to Chiang Xiao, "Little, how about this: you can also offer your opinion. Say, how much gift money should be given?"
Chiang Xiao held up a single finger.
Chiang Songtao’s face darkened, "One hundred? Little, he’s your close uncle. There’s no overnight feud between family members, right? I know you’re a bit resentful towards your uncle, but Baohe has never had bad intentions for you. Being strict with you was in hopes you’d learn properly, and now look how successful you are. In addition, your uncle is now disabled. As a good child, you should show some compassion and not hold past grievances against him."