Chapter 211 - 208: The Zhou’s Home

Chapter 211: Chapter 208: The Zhou’s Home

Seeing Li Xiu’s faint, silent smile, Grandma Li instantly understood. The kids in the family who were away at school must have written to tell him. The siblings were all so close, and the younger ones were fiercely protective of their big brother.

"Grandma, we have to head back tomorrow," Li Xiu said with a sigh, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "The next time we’ll be back is for the grave-sweeping during the New Year." This white-haired grandmother before him had protected him for two lifetimes.

"Alright. Drive slowly on the road and be safe," Grandma Li said with a smile. "If you miss me, write me a letter. Your younger siblings are all happy to read them to me and help me write back." ’I’ll be just fine! I still have to look after this home for my eldest grandson!’

"Okay, Grandma. But when you’re at home, don’t be reluctant to eat well or spend money. That money is for you to spend, so who are you saving it for? Besides," Li Xiu said, a little displeased, "no one would dare take it!" Grandma Li had been saving all the money he sent her, unwilling to spend it. He’d like to see who would dare touch the money he gave his grandmother out of respect.

Looking at Li Xiu, exasperated, Grandma Li shook her head gently. "I knew you were behind this. Fine, fine. It’s a gift from my wonderful grandson, so I’ll spend it when I should. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of my health!"

Grandma Li understood that as long as she was alive, this place would be his roots. If she were gone, her eldest grandson would be a guest when he returned. She knew this, and so did her grandson. It was a shame that her most promising and filial grandson was stuck with such an unreliable pair of parents. ’It’s my fault,’ she thought, ’I didn’t raise my second son right!’

As soon as the sun rose, Li Xiu got up and carefully prepared breakfast. He and Zhou Lian ate with Grandma Li, then finally drove away under her reluctant gaze.

They were far from the village before Zhou Lian finally spoke up. "Is it okay that we didn’t visit the old residence?"

Li Xiu, focused on driving, let out a sneer. "Bao’er, don’t worry about them," he said softly. "They’re just reaping what they sow. Can they really blame fate?"

Hearing the strange tone in his voice, Zhou Lian grew curious. ’Is there something I don’t know about?’ she wondered. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Jin Chen, have they been causing trouble again?"

"Mhm. I didn’t want you to know about this messy business, but since you asked, I might as well tell you. In the past few years, Li Man and Li Yi got married one after the other. My dear mother went to make a scene with Grandma, but Li Guo and Li Bo happened to be there. The two younger brothers shut her down right away. After I found out, I had Li Bao take a letter to the old residence when he went home for the New Year. I estimate my mother will behave herself for the rest of her life now."

Seeing Li Xiu speak so nonchalantly, Zhou Lian knew his heart had grown completely cold toward the old residence. If Li Xiu decided to be ruthless, not a single person in that house would dare to act up. Even in her past life, after her mother-in-law passed away, none of her brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law dared to make a fuss in front of Li Xiu, let alone in this life.

When Zhou Lian remained silent, Li Xiu said softly, "Bao’er, I don’t think we’ll be able to leave this morning."

"Why?" Zhou Lian, still lost in thought, asked reflexively, not noticing that Li Xiu had changed the subject.

"Today, I bet your big sister and third sister and the others will all be at your parents’ house. Your father and mother are coming back to the Capital City with us; there’s no way they wouldn’t tell your sisters," Li Xiu said gently.

Zhou Lian thought about it. ’That’s true.’ Besides, she rarely came back, so her older sister and younger sisters would definitely want to see her. Her parents would have certainly told them. She looked at Li Xiu, a bit conflicted. "Jin Chen, so should we stay another day, or leave this afternoon?"

"Let’s stay another day. Your parents are getting older; it’s not good for them to travel at night. It’s a perfect chance for you and your sisters to get together tonight. It’s been a few years since you’ve all seen each other. Bao’er, don’t worry, I’ve got it all planned out," Li Xiu said softly. He had already budgeted five days for the trip. His dear Bao’er had always been very close with her sisters, and this was a good opportunity for them to catch up.

"Okay. Thank you, Jin Chen," Zhou Lian said, thanking him in a slightly coquettish way.

Li Xiu raised an eyebrow at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smirk. In a sickeningly sweet voice, he said, "Bao’er, if you want to thank me, you should use the right name. Call me ’hubby’. I’m your hubby!"

Zhou Lian shuddered and rubbed her arms. "Li Jincheng, just talk normally!" ’Good grief, a grown man using such a cloying voice with her was giving her goosebumps all over.’

Seeing her reaction, Li Xiu slammed on the brakes and burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that Zhou Lian grew furious from embarrassment. He pulled her over, held her in his arms, and showered her with kisses until she was breathless, only then gently letting her go.

After her heart rate calmed down, Zhou Lian shot him an annoyed glare. "You rogue. Let’s get going."

"Call me ’hubby’ and I’ll go!"

"I won’t!"

"Aww, Bao’er, just say it once! Come on!"

"If you don’t start driving, I’m going to get angry!"

...

Teasing Zhou Lian the whole way, they soon arrived at Zhou Family Village. As they entered the courtyard gate, it was just as expected: the entire Zhou family had gathered. The house and the yard were packed with people. There was Brother Zhou’s family of six; the second and third brothers’ families of four each; Zhou Lan’s family of four; Zhou Xiang’s family of four; Zhou Cui’s family of three; and the couple, Zhou Ying. It was nearly thirty people. With the addition of Zhou Lian and Li Xiu, everyone in the Zhou family was present today, except for Nuonuo and Yanyan.

After they greeted everyone, Li Xiu took a large thermos from the car and handed it to Zhou Lian, telling her to go chat with her sisters. After watching her enter the inner room, Li Xiu finally sat down to exchange pleasantries with his brothers-in-law. Mrs. Zhou watched this scene, shook her head without a word, and led her three daughters-in-law and granddaughter to the kitchen to prepare lunch. With almost everyone here today, they had a lot of work to do!

"Looks like you two won’t be able to leave today. You should stay another night," Brother Zhou said softly, watching Li Xiu, who looked so effortlessly refined even just sitting and drinking tea.

Li Xiu looked at Brother Zhou and smiled. "I know, Brother. My in-laws are getting on in years, so they can’t travel at night. We’ll leave early tomorrow morning while it’s still cool. By the way, Brother, is Huaitai’s stuff all packed? Don’t pack too much. No need to bring clothes or blankets. Just bring his books. He’ll have to get new things once he’s in the Capital City anyway, so bringing them would be useless."

"Not even clothes? Is that okay?" Brother Zhou asked, hesitating.

Li Xiu glanced at the others and said softly, "Brother, don’t worry about the money. I’ll keep a tab of what Huaitai spends, and he can pay me back himself later. The clothes from home... they aren’t suitable for the Capital City. Don’t worry, Bao’er and I will take good care of Huaitai. Besides, my in-laws will be there too, won’t they?"

Brother Zhou shook his head and said, "That’s not what I mean. I’m just afraid you’ll..."

"Brother, let’s not go there," Li Xiu cut in before Brother Zhou could finish. "Huaitai is Bao’er’s own nephew, after all. Saying certain things would just make us seem like strangers." ’It’s enough that he understands in his heart,’ Li Xiu thought. ’It’s enough that he knows how good my Bao’er is. There’s no need to say it out loud.’