Chapter 1712 - 1651: The Comparison Group in the Group Favorite Novel 81

Xiao Yuan drove Xiao Daguang and the other two to the city that very day.

He had previously informed Xiao Feng, so after arriving, he went to Xiao Feng’s house for a while. Xiao Yuan had also arranged for someone to tidy up the two-bedroom school district apartment he had bought in the city.

After having a meal at Xiao Feng’s house, the two brothers took the old couple to see the apartment. Zhang Xiaoyu found time to purchase anything the home needed.

They first settled the old couple in, knowing there would be plenty of time to discuss the shop opening later. Xiao Yuan left them some money. Seeing Xiao Daguang and Zhong Liumei quite happy, he then drove back.

Xiao Yuan got back just in time for dinner.

Anning had prepared the meal, and he took on the task of looking after the kids. He helped serve the children their meal and only talked with Anning about the city matters after they were done eating.

Anning nodded as she listened, "Sending them away is good; saves trouble later on."

Isn’t that true? If it weren’t for fearing Xiao Lei would cause a scene again, Xiao Yuan wouldn’t have hurried to send the old couple away.

Having worked hard all day, Xiao Yuan was famished. He quickly ate something and said, "Spending a little money to send them away is worth buying peace. If they stayed in town, who knows what messy things would happen down the line."

Just as Xiao Yuan had predicted, before long, Xiao Lei and Bai Yumei registered their marriage.

He wanted to hold a wedding, but the two elders had already left, so Xiao Lei sought out Xiao Yuan, who directly replied, "If you want to hold it, then hold it; no one’s stopping you."

But Xiao Lei had no money, so he wanted to ask Xiao Yuan for some.

Xiao Yuan laughed and asked, "Am I getting married or are you? If you have the ability, marry; if not, just let it be."

What else could Xiao Lei do?

With no other solution, he had to postpone the wedding.

Meanwhile, on the Bai family’s side, Bai Yucong and Gao Nana’s matters were settled too, and the Bai family’s old couple were joyfully preparing their wedding. This was hard for the proud Bai Yumei to accept.

Bai Yumei felt embarrassed, and many people ridiculed her, saying all sorts of things. Bai Yumei was strong-willed and couldn’t bear living in the town.

Later, as she saw Xiao Lei’s shady friends constantly seeking him out, she was even less pleased.

Bai Yumei didn’t get angry but managed to convince Xiao Lei to take her and their daughter out to work elsewhere.

Once Xiao Lei left, it was a relief for both Xiao Feng and Xiao Yuan.

With the Xiao family’s matters settled, two months later, Pei Laoshi and Liu Dalian returned with large bags in hand.

Once inside, the old couple immediately looked for Si Qi and Si Ya, having missed them terribly while away despite everything else being fine.

Seeing the two kids frightened the old couple.

When they left, the kids were chubby, like those in New Year prints, but after just a few months, they had lost weight and seemed less lively than before. Seeing them, the kids didn’t rush toward them but politely greeted them and sat properly on the side.

Liu Dalian put down the bag, took out the chocolates and snacks, and piled them on the table.

Si Qi clearly wanted to eat but remained still: "Grandma, I don’t eat chocolate."

Si Ya also didn’t take any snacks, covering her mouth while her eyes darted around, but still restrained herself.

Liu Dalian’s tears started to fall.

"What kind of sin is this? I’ve been gone only a few days, and your parents take care of you like this..."

Anning happened to return, and upon entering immediately heard this, and asked with a smile: "What about me? I’m their real mom, not a stepmom, how could I mistreat them?"

Liu Dalian pointed at the two kids: "Look, look what you’ve raised them into, they’re so skinny now..."

Anning was almost tempted to roll her eyes: "Where are they skinny? Look where they’re skinny? The kids were too fat before; I took them to the hospital, and the doctor said they should lose weight. Besides, I haven’t deprived them of anything, they have milk, eggs, and meat every day, plus vegetables and fruits, they’re well-nourished."

"I, I..." Liu Dalian was so angry she was breathless, and after a long pause said: "I can’t argue with you, I just feel for the kids."

Pei Laoshi was shrinking to the side, clearly caring for the kids but saying nothing.

Later, at dinner, the old couple watched the kids sitting properly eating their meal, saw them wash their little bowls themselves after eating, then hand in hand play with blocks, and before bedtime, took out their little pajamas for adults to help change, then hugged storybooks ready for a lesson, waiting for a story to be told, and soon fell asleep. Seeing all this, truthfully, the old couple’s feelings were mixed.

They knew the children had been well-raised, but seeing such young ones being so well-behaved, they truly felt sorry for them.

Once the two kids were asleep, Anning had a long talk with the old couple.

"Dad, Mom, Xiao Yuan and I are in our twenties now, and we already have quite a bit of industry, not just our local food factories, but also the contracted land and pigs and chickens. Xiao Yuan also has an investment company outside, you know how much money that entails? Plus, we’re still young and can work for decades more. Unless something unforeseen happens, Si Qi and Si Ya are our only kids in this lifetime, and with all this industry, who else would it belong to? You know, if the kids aren’t well educated, how will they inherit the business in the future?"

Her words truly left the old couple speechless.

Pei Laoshi opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything.

Liu Dalian wiped her tears without saying more.

Anning continued: "Do you think I don’t care for my own kids? But even if I do, I have no choice. If I don’t guide them well from a young age, and they stray, it’ll be a disaster. Dad, Mom, let’s not talk about how much money we have. You know kids born from Xiao Yuan and me can’t be dumb, right? From young, Si Qi and Si Ya have shown intelligence; the smarter they are, the better they need guidance; intelligent kids are more prone to mistakes, and serious ones."

Liu Dalian angrily replied: "How can you say such things? Are my grandkids like that?"

But deep down, Liu Dalian knew Anning was right.

And who doesn’t want children to be well-mannered? Seeing the big positive change in the kids, what could Liu Dalian do? Would she really prefer the kids return to their unruly past selves?

Unable to do anything else, the old couple eventually accepted Anning’s education methods and didn’t spoil the grandchildren anymore, following the path Anning set.

In a blink, two or three years passed, and all was well with the Pei family.

Pei Anyi also got married a year ago, marrying Zhou Zhen. When Pei Anyi and Zhou Zhen got married, Chu Kaifeng almost caused a commotion, but was later stopped by Zhou Zhen’s people, preventing a spectacle.

Anning and Xiao Yuan moved to the county when the kids started kindergarten, frequently going to factories in the town. With a car, and the county not far from the town, it wasn’t too inconvenient.

And that year, Yang Baozhu returned.

She was quite impressive when she came back to the village.

Driving a small sedan, she walked into the house arm-in-arm with an old man.

Then, Sun Jinhua burst into boasting everywhere, saying Yang Baozhu found a good son-in-law. She said the old man was capable, owned a large company, and gave a bride price of one hundred thousand just to marry Yang Baozhu.

Village folks didn’t say anything in front of Sun Jinhua, but behind her back, they cursed Sun Jinhua and Yang Baozhu for having no shame, a girl marrying such an old man whose age was almost as old as Yang Laoer, and for them to boast about it, truly shameless.

The Yang family’s situation wasn’t doing great before Yang Baozhu returned.

Yang Baolin and Yang Baoshan were too old without finding wives, Yang Baoshan banked on his good looks and later found a wife who wouldn’t live at home after marriage, moving to his wife’s family area. Yang Baolin was already past marriageable age.

Sun Jinhua bragged about the bride price for a few days and later spent heavily to find a bride for Yang Baolin.

This bride was young, pretty, and seemed clever, but had one downside: she was mute.

Even so, Sun Jinhua was quite happy.

But villagers cursed her privately for being heartless, marrying off her daughter to an old geezer, and using the money to find her son a bride, truly shameless.