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Back to the Eighties: A Beloved Marriage
Of course, without Zhao Yamei, Grandma Zhao still had to talk to Zhao Guoqing and He Yun: "The County Government has work to do, and you all aren't helping out. Don't you think about your own brothers?"
He Yun was truly at a loss for words with Grandma Zhao, not wanting to say a single word more. She simply turned her head and looked elsewhere.
Seeing He Yun's reaction made it clear that she didn't want to get involved. To be honest, Zhao Guoqing also didn't want to reason with Grandma Zhao. It wasn't that he was unfilial; it was just that he knew very well that Grandma Zhao was someone who couldn't be reasoned with.
So even though Grandma Zhao was his biological mother, Zhao Guoqing usually kept his distance from her.
However, the current situation was obvious; Zhao Guoqing couldn't avoid it and had no choice but to face her directly.
"Mother, our family doesn't have anyone who can do woodworking..." Little did he expect that as soon as Zhao Guoqing spoke, he was interrupted by Grandma Zhao. "Who doesn't have anyone? Your elder brother's two sons have been busy helping Qi Zheng lately, haven't they? Those two brothers work harder at Qi Family than you, their own uncle, could ever imagine. And now, as soon as something good comes up, you all just push it away without even asking about our own family." From Grandma Zhao's words, it seemed like she was genuinely considering the two brothers, Zhao Zhenqi.
At least that's how it sounded to Zhao Guoqing and He Yun. Before they could think too much about it, Grandma Zhao's true intentions quickly became clear: "Besides, who hasn't gone from not knowing to knowing? Did Qi Zheng know woodworking from birth? Your fourth brother didn't know before; can't he learn right away now? It's just making a few tables and chairs. Can’t that stump your fourth brother? He's so smart; he picks up everything quickly in college..."
Well, after hearing Grandma Zhao's subsequent remarks, Zhao Guoqing had already understood her true purpose.
In the end, Grandma Zhao was still thinking about the fourth family's interests. All those earlier mentions of Zhao Zhenqi were merely to use them as stepping stones for Zhao Guofu's family.
Zhao Guoqing's relationship with Zhao Guofu's family was nowhere near as close as with his elder brother Zhao Guoqiang's family.
Not to mention that this matter was something Grandma Zhao originally thought was unfair; there was no way Zhao Guoqing would help. "Mother, they are from the County Government. Do you really think your son is some big official whose word can change the government's decision? If I really had such ability, I wouldn't need your instructions; I would have long since secured all the benefits for our family." As a cultured person, Zhao Guoqing spoke quite skillfully.
With this statement, regardless of whether things succeeded or failed, at least Grandma Zhao's backlash wasn't very strong.
Of course, Grandma Zhao was not someone who would easily give up. However, compared to her earlier assertiveness, Grandma Zhao's momentum had clearly weakened.
Looking at Zhao Guoqing with a face full of suspicion, Grandma Zhao couldn't help but lower her voice, "Is everything you said true? Is there really no room for change in this matter? Isn't Yamei's in-law family quite powerful? Yamei's father-in-law is even an official..."
Although Zhao Guoqing was her biological son, Grandma Zhao seemed to be less close to him compared to Zhao Guofu. The trust between them had subtly developed cracks.
This kind of thing might not be apparent on the surface, but when it came to a critical moment, it would immediately become evident.
Thus, there were Grandma Zhao's repeated inquiries and the undeniable doubt in her eyes and on her face.
"Mom, let's do it this way! If our fourth son is capable, He Yun's maternal family wants him to help, and all the benefits go to He Yun's maternal family. Are you willing to do that?" Zhao Guoqing gestured towards He Yun beside him as he made this analogy.
Grandma Zhao frowned at the thought.
He Yun's maternal family? What did that have to do with her? Why should she...
Just as this thought emerged, Grandma Zhao quickly dismissed it.
"Wait a minute! Qi Zheng is also our Zhao family's son-in-law and belongs to Yamei's maternal family. Why haven't we seen the Sun family refusing?" Grandma Zhao insisted on Qi Zheng, determined to pull this significant benefit into their own family.
In Grandma Zhao's view, since this matter could be entrusted to Qi Zheng, it could certainly be entrusted to someone else. Compared to Qi Zheng, Zhao Guofu had a closer relationship with Zhao Yamei, didn't he?
After all, he was an uncle; good things should definitely go to Zhao Guofu first. As for Qi Zheng? Just a cousin; he had to take a back seat.
"Mom, Qi Zheng is different." Although she was his biological mother, Zhao Guoqing couldn't muster any admiration or respect for her. On the contrary, what he wanted most at that moment was to shake off Grandma Zhao's entanglement: "Qi Zheng's reputation has already spread in the county. Not only the County Government but even our school knows about Qi Zheng's name. But what about our fourth brother? Mom, you know that fourth brother has never been good at woodworking; he probably can't even tell the quality of wood. How could he possibly become a woodworking expert overnight?"
When it came to skills, Zhao Guoqing would rather believe that his elder brother Zhao Guoqiang could start from scratch and steadily take every step. He firmly did not believe that Zhao Guofu had the perseverance and ability for that.
As brothers, Zhao Guofu's cunning and deceitfulness were thoroughly understood by Zhao Guoqing, leaving no room for concealment.
No matter how capable Zhao Guofu was, Zhao Guoqing found it hard to believe. Even imagining it was difficult.
Therefore, no matter how persuasive Grandma Zhao was, Zhao Guoqing would not back down or compromise.
"What? Qi Zheng is already that impressive?" Grandma Zhao was aware of Qi Zheng's financial success. It was precisely because she knew that she felt envious and came up with such an idea.
Hearing it confirmed directly from Zhao Guoqing, it was clear that Qi Zheng was indeed making a lot of money and had gained a reputation in the county...
Grandma Zhao couldn't help but shift her thoughts.
If only she had known earlier, she should have let Ying'er marry into the Qi Family. That way, all the money from the Qi Family would belong to them.
Grandma Zhao was quite thick-skinned and utterly oblivious. Even at this point, she was still fixated on the wealth of her granddaughter's in-law family.
She never considered that her own family also had daughters-in-law. If Xu Mei, He Yun, and Chen Cui's maternal families were eyeing the Zhao Family's wealth, what business would she have in it now?
Of course, with Grandma Zhao's selfishness, she couldn't think of so much. In her mind, there was only herself; she was typically self-centered and never paid attention to others' thoughts.
Regarding whether Qi Zheng was impressive or not, Zhao Guoqing nodded without any hesitation and gave a definitive answer.
Zhao Guoqing also didn't expect such a significant change in Qi Zheng after a year.
He still remembered when Zhao Jin got married; everyone secretly discussed how the marriage to the Qi Family wasn't good and that Zhao Jin would surely suffer after marrying into the Qi Family.
But in reality? The Qi Family was really quite good.
Having heard from He Yun about Zhao Jin's treatment in the Qi Family, Zhao Guoqing had a very positive impression of the Qi Family.
Later, hearing that Qi Zheng was doing better and better, Zhao Guoqing genuinely felt happy for him.
This was different from Grandma Zhao's thoughts. In Zhao Guoqing's view, only if Qi Zheng succeeded could Zhao Jin have a better life.
On the contrary, the idea that Qi Zheng's money should belong to the Zhao Family was something only someone like Grandma Zhao could come up with.
"Mother, we are here to celebrate at the Qi Family today. The Qi Family has welcomed two Fat Babies, which is a joyful occasion. We should join in the happiness and celebrate together. Let's not think too much about anything else," Zhao Guoqing said with a sigh, seeing that Grandma Zhao was unwilling to let it go.
"Whose?" Grandma Zhao suddenly raised her voice, looking displeased at Zhao Guoqing. "You all know that the marriage in the Qi Family was originally meant for Ying'er. It was just an accident that allowed Zhao Jin to take advantage of it. Now that Ying'er is not doing well in the Wu Family, it is only right to switch the two marriages back. They should return to their original positions; that is only fair."
It was fortunate that Grandma Zhao dared to say such things. Zhao Guoqing's expression changed immediately as he gasped. He Yun couldn't help but snort coldly, looking at Grandma Zhao in disbelief and exclaimed, "Mother, are you mistaken? What do you mean by switching back? Qi Zheng has already had two sons with them; how can you ask them to switch? Moreover, this is not something you can just decide; it also depends on whether those children agree!"
He Yun truly looked down on Grandma Zhao. It wasn't because of her background but rather her shameless attitude focused solely on profit.
It had always been like this. Over the years, Grandma Zhao seemed never to have changed. She remained as shameless as ever, lacking any sense of reason or understanding of shame and morality.
If she were in Grandma Zhao's position, she would have made sure that Zhao Jin married into the Qi Family without causing such controversy. Either she would compensate Zhao Jin generously and help improve conditions for the Qi Family or keep her distance and stop trying to make her presence felt at the Qi Family, which only caused discomfort for everyone.
But what did Grandma Zhao do? Not only did she come to the Qi Family, but she also wanted to disrupt Zhao Jin and Qi Zheng's good life while trying to bring back Zhao Ying'er?
To put it bluntly, just because Zhao Ying'er was not doing well in the Wu Family had nothing to do with Zhao Jin and Qi Zheng! It wasn't as if Zhao Jin and Qi Zheng forced Zhao Ying'er to marry into the Wu Family!
It was clear that it was Zhao Ying'er and Grandma Zhao who were attracted by the Wu Family's wealth and schemed behind the scenes to forcibly change the fates of both Zhao Jin and Zhao Ying'er.
Even if Zhao Ying'er were suffering in the Wu Family or even died there, Grandma Zhao and others had no right to cause trouble at the Qi Family. Let alone wanting to switch back Zhao Jin and Zhao Ying'er.
He Yun's tone was quite rude, filled with disapproval and questioning.
Grandma Zhao immediately became displeased, glaring fiercely at He Yun: "Shut up! This is none of your business! I'm talking to Guoqing!"
Grandma Zhao's dissatisfaction with He Yun was not new. For a long time, she believed she had been very patient with He Yun.
However, He Yun showed no signs of restraint and instead became even more aggressive. At this moment, He Yun, who was of a lower generation, actually dared to confront her in such a disrespectful manner?
It was truly outrageous, completely intolerable.
It had been a long time since Grandma Zhao had seen He Yun. Suddenly provoked, she immediately let out all her grievances, her pent-up anger surging forth in an instant.
But Grandma Zhao clearly forgot that He Yun had never been one to take things lying down, nor was she someone who could be easily manipulated.
With Grandma Zhao's attitude on display, He Yun indeed stopped interjecting. However, at the same time, He Yun did not remain in place.
Ignoring Grandma Zhao entirely, He Yun turned to glare at Zhao Guoqing: "What are you still standing there for? Didn't you hear your mother telling me to leave?"
Between He Yun and Grandma Zhao, Zhao Guoqing always chose He Yun. This was also the reason why, no matter how much Grandma Zhao stirred up trouble, his relationship with He Yun remained strong and their marriage and family continued to thrive.
This moment was no different. Despite Grandma Zhao's grim expression, Zhao Guoqing nodded and took He Yun's hand, turning to Grandma Zhao and saying: "Mother, He Yun and I are going to greet the Qi Family. It's rare for us to come here."
In other words, Zhao Guoqing had no intention of staying to entertain her; he would let Grandma Zhao make a fuss on her own. After all, if they didn't cooperate, Grandma Zhao wouldn't be able to create any real trouble.
Was now the time to be busy greeting the Qi Family? Clearly, it should have been about how to bring back Zhao Jin and Zhao Ying'er.
Grinding her teeth, Grandma Zhao couldn't help but mentally scold Zhao Guoqing.
Zhao Guoqing was good in every way except that he was too afraid of his wife. If it weren't for how formidable He Yun was and how lacking Zhao Guoqing was in backbone, Grandma Zhao would have moved to the county long ago.
With good days ahead, who would want to stay in Willow Leaf Village?
It is clear that among the three sons, Zhao Guoqing is the most cultured and successful, and Grandma Zhao should have moved to the city to enjoy a better life.
However, Grandma Zhao still lives with Zhao Guofu's family, which makes her feel wronged.
Zhao Guoqing, on the other hand, does not care how Grandma Zhao feels. When he married He Yun, he promised to treat her well.
If Grandma Zhao were a responsible and caring mother-in-law, Zhao Guoqing would certainly treat her fairly. But as everyone knows, Grandma Zhao has never been easy to get along with.
In such a situation, if Zhao Guoqing continued to favor Grandma Zhao, it would be obvious that he would not be able to maintain his own family's happiness.
Therefore, Zhao Guoqing is very clear and thorough in his thoughts. No matter what happens, he will stand by He Yun's side.
Seeing that Zhao Guoqing really left with He Yun, Grandma Zhao stomped her foot and followed them without a second thought.
Alright then, this is a good opportunity for her to find out more about the Qijia Family. Once she understands the Qijia Family's stance, the opinions of others will no longer matter.
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