In the afternoon, shall we send everyone back?
If it had not been for Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao’s stern reprimand just now, someone would likely have expressed dissatisfaction with these arrangements. But after what had just occurred, even if people had their own thoughts, nobody said a word.
"Grandma, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I need to discuss something with you." Zhou Mikang took Old Master Zhao, Old Lady Zhao, Lin Baohe, and Zhao Yulan aside and spoke to them in low voices, while the others looked on worriedly.
Dagang’s Grandpa waved at Chuxia: "Xia, are you alright?"
"Dagang’s Grandpa, you and Grandma have a good time, it’s fine." Chuxia said, then turned to the elders who were looking worriedly at Zhou Mikang and the others, "Eldest uncle, eldest maternal aunt, first aunt, second aunt... don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. It’s just some local customs we weren’t aware of. We had agreed to go out for fun today. This morning, it was only when Grandpa and the others started talking about it that we found out."
"What customs?" Lin Xiaohua asked sharply, "Is it just an excuse from your husband’s family so they don’t want us to stay here any longer?"
"Second aunt can think whatever she wants." Chuxia glanced at her indifferently, then pulled Luo Xiaoqiong to one side, "Xiaoqiong, I’ll explain the specifics to you later. Anyway, today, I need your help to keep an eye on things."
Luo Xiaoqiong nodded: "I understand, don’t worry."
After Zhou Hanliang took everyone away, only Zhao Yulan, her husband, and Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao were left at the ancestral home.
A few people looked at Zhou Mikang and Chuxia anxiously.
What Zhou Mikang told them was that Chuxia needed to acknowledge a high-ranking official as her godfather, and they were invited to go along because Chuxia’s grandparents were no longer around, so he was asking Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao to accompany them.
Without any reason, why would they need to acknowledge a godfather? Even as straightforward as Zhao Yulan and her husband were, they could sense that something was not right, and Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao knew it even more so.
Zhou Hanliang smiled apologetically at the four: "Grandma, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, it’s true that the Zhou family has had some trouble. I’ll explain on the way." With that, he waved to Aunt Liu.
"Third Young Master, what are your orders?" Aunt Liu asked respectfully.
"Pack everyone’s luggage in advance. There’s a van parked in the back courtyard, move everything there."
Aunt Liu agreed, although she was extremely surprised inside. Wasn’t this too impolite?
"If someone comes to forcibly take the house, don’t confront them. Just let them take it."
"Third Young Master..." Aunt Liu’s voice immediately trembled. She had been through such an event once already; how could... how could it be happening again?
"That’ll be all, hurry and pack up with Little Jing."
Little Jing was a nanny in her twenties, quiet, generally staying hidden in the kitchen, her presence almost overlooked.
"Yes!" Aunt Liu replied, then she and Little Jing went upstairs.
"Grandma, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, let’s get going." Zhou Mikang politely extended his hand, gesturing for the elders to go first.
Once on the car, the four elders sat there with tense expressions, daring not to breathe too loudly. They had overheard what Zhou Mikang had instructed the maid, and if they didn’t realize how serious the Zhou family’s problem was, it would be a life lived in vain.
"Grandma, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, let me explain this..."
After Chuxia explained the whole situation, the four elders remained silent for a long time without making a sound.
"Xiaomi, Chuxia, we leave it in your hands." After a while, Old Lady Zhao spoke.
"Grandma, don’t worry. Even if I have to go to prison, I’ll make sure to settle Chuxia’s affairs beforehand."
"Grandpa believes you, we didn’t see you wrong!"
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"Evil cannot overcome the righteous, Xiaomi, it will be alright."
"Old woman, finally you’ve said something useful."
"When have I ever said something useless?"
Zhao Yulan wrapped her arms around her daughter, silent. At such a time, any words seemed feeble. She believed in fate; perhaps, it was her daughter’s destiny. No matter what, Yulan saw the sincerity in her son-in-law’s heart. So, whether it was hardship or blessing, it was her daughter’s lot in life. Yulan didn’t want to persuade, didn’t want to interfere, and she couldn’t bring herself to say anything reassuring either.
Lin Baohe shared her sentiments, wrapping his wife and daughter tightly in his arms, with a grave expression.
Zhou Mikang caught a glimpse of them in the rearview mirror, his eyes warming.
Knowing the truth, they didn’t deny or question him; the best thing he had ever done in his life was choosing this young girl as his wife.
The car headed straight to the Jing family’s residence.
Old Master Zhou, Old Madam Zhou, and Zhou Jingping and his wife had already been waiting at the Jing family’s home.