The second watch has arrived.
Before even entering, Chuxia heard the sounds of laughter and lively conversations coming from inside, prompting her to express her surprise, "Why is it so lively today?"
"Zhou Zhongkang is back with Mei Xiaofeng."
"Really?" Chuxia grinned at him pleasingly, "Thanks, haha."
Zhou Mikang glared at her, "Don’t beat around the bush with me."
"If you didn’t bring it up, it’s naturally because you don’t want my parents to feel burdened. I’m genuinely grateful to you, there’s no need to feel embarrassed." Chuxia said spiritedly as she waved her hand and pushed the door open to go inside.
"Who’s embarrassed, who needs your thanks," Zhou Mikang muttered under his breath, following his petite wife inside.
"Third Brother, Third..., you’re back?" When Zhou Zhongkang saw Chuxia and Zhou Mikang coming in, he hurriedly greeted them, but although he clearly called out "Third Brother," the "third sister-in-law" part only made it as far as "third..." The word "sister-in-law" got stuck in his throat and he mumbled it unclearly.
"Hello Third Brother, hello third sister-in-law," Mei Xiaofeng was much bolder than Zhou Zhongkang; she was acquainted with Zhou Mikang but this was the first time meeting him after the wedding, and their statuses were somewhat different now, so she was a little reserved.
"Have a seat." Zhou Mikang nodded to them and pulled Chuxia to sit next to Old Madam Zhou, "Grandma, when I’m not at home, you have to take the lead to protect Chuxia for me, don’t let certain people be disrespectful to her."
Chuxia had just finished greeting everyone when she heard him say this and felt somewhat uncomfortable. Clearly, he was picking a fight with Zhou Zhongkang.
Mei Xiaofeng tugged Zhou Zhongkang’s sleeve and blinked rapidly at him, signaling for him to quickly rectify his earlier mistake.
Zhou Zhongkang wasn’t one to easily compromise. He turned his head away, pretending not to see her signals and fiddled with Zhou Huakang, "Shall we go to school together tomorrow?"
"Sure," replied Zhou Huakang, standing up and slipping away; he didn’t want to be Zhou Zhongkang’s scapegoat and certainly didn’t have a favorable impression of his fifth brother.
Zhou Huakang had heard the "third sister-in-law" that had been stuck in Zhou Zhongkang’s throat earlier, and with Third Brother’s temperament, it would be a surprise if he was going to let that slide.
Old Madam Zhou knew Zhou Mikang was asking her to be just to Chuxia and said with a smile, patting him, "Don’t worry. Whether you’re here or not, Chuxia won’t be wronged." She looked towards Zhou Zhongkang and Mei Xiaofeng, "Zhongkang, Xiaofeng, your third brother won’t be home when you officially host the wedding, so now let’s replace wine with tea and toast to your third brother and third sister-in-law.
During this time, your third brother has suffered a lot for this family, and your third sister-in-law has also made great efforts to protect this home. Take this chance to properly thank them."
"No need to thank me," Chuxia quickly scooted aside, but Zhou Mikang pulled her back, "Why shouldn’t they thank you? If not for Elder Wan, could the Zhou family still be what it is today? The biggest contributor to this family is you, understand?" He stood up, looked around expressionlessly, "I’ll speak plainly, if anyone dares to bully Chuxia while I’m not home, don’t blame me for being ruthless when I get back.
Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, if Chuxia suffers any grievance, the first thing I’ll do when I return is take her away from the Zhou family. You all better handle this!"
Chuxia kept tugging at him, but how could she manage to stop such a stubborn man? In the end, he pulled her to stand beside him, forcing everyone to take a stand.
"Heh heh..." Old Master Zhou laughed, "Young man, making threats now? With your temperament, do you think we’d dare to treat your wife poorly? Rest assured.
You’re just angry because Zhongkang didn’t show a good attitude just now. Zhou Zhongkang, stand up and properly express your stance to your third brother.
And explain clearly why you mumbled and didn’t call out ’third sister-in-law.’ If you can’t explain yourself, you’re no longer welcome at the Zhou family’s doorstep.
Whether the Mei family agrees or not that you’re their son-in-law is their business, and it has nothing to do with us. Handle it yourself."
"Yes, that makes sense," Old Madam Zhou smiled in agreement, "I might’ve been a bit subtle just now, but I meant the same as your Grandpa."
Lin Yanqiu and Zhou Jingping exchanged glances, speaking on behalf of the couple: "Chuxia is our daughter-in-law, we cherish her too much to mistreat her! As for her eldest brother and sister-in-law, they definitely can’t bully her either. And if anyone else dares to, we promise, we’ll be the first to jump into action."
With the eldest brother and sister-in-law expressing their stance, how could Zhou Gangping not follow suit for the trouble caused by his son? He quickly made a statement on behalf of himself and his wife, then glared viciously at his son: "Zhou Zhongkang, apologize right now! Otherwise, we no longer have a son like you!"