CHAPTER 310: CHAPTER 238: REVEALING THE INSIDE STORY

On the car, Zhang Guoqing began to recount how Zhao Chuan Guang mistook the eldest granddaughter of the Lin Family and how the Lin Family responded; how Mrs. Lin exposed their possessions; his mother-in-law’s naivety and her trust in the Lin Family members; the relationship between Mrs. Lin, Gu Ruyi, and Gu Mingzhu, and the Gu Family’s grievances.

He immediately started analyzing the Lin Family’s goals and Mrs. Lin’s hypocrisy. He suspected there were still some secrets from back then, making Mrs. Lin hesitant to acknowledge her father’s nephew and her own granddaughter. Understanding the Lin Family’s actions, he explained why he had to go to Beijing at the end of last year.

After speaking, silence filled the car. The behavior of the Lin Family left Mother Zhang stunned and speechless. Mr. Zhang subconsciously wanted to smoke, but found he had nothing and then remembered he didn’t bring his pipe.

After a while, Mr. Zhang sighed and said with a hint of melancholy, "The thoughts of these young ladies from big families are indeed complex. Fortunately, your mother-in-law is naive and silly, which is a good thing.

No wonder I saw Jiao Jiao’s godfather doesn’t pay much attention to Mr. Lin. I was curious why he recognized his daughter at the first meeting but never visited Jiao Jiao. Go ahead, visit at the year’s end and listen to your father-in-law. He’s a shrewd person and won’t make a mistake. Remember to discuss everything with Jiao Jiao and handle it together."

Zhang Guoqing explained, "Why did I prepare such thick gifts last time? It was to reciprocate all these years of their hospitality. Jiao Jiao’s grandma prepared a set of gold jewelry and some Jade Pendants as Ping’an’s wash ceremony gifts. We went and bought century-old ginseng and got two Wolf King’s Skins in return, just not wanting to owe any favors.

After my father-in-law found out, he told me that the interest on the money in his deposit alone is enough for the Lin Family to send parcels to Jiao Jiao every day, saying that only the Lin Family owes them, not the father and daughter owing the Lin Family.

Zuo Lin also told me that my father-in-law became successful before marrying his wife and didn’t rely on her for status. Now, apart from Mr. Lin, my father-in-law holds the highest official position in the Lin Family. This time when he goes back, they’ll all be staying in a small courtyard with a car assigned to them. So you needn’t worry, and also don’t mention it to anyone. It’s enough for us to know in our hearts."

Hearing this, Mr. Zhang stared at the back of Zhang Guoqing’s head, in a state of shock. His youngest son really has great fortune. Recalling the attitude of Secretary Li and others tonight towards him, he suddenly understood.

Reflecting on the night’s events, he suddenly uneasily asked, "Xiao Wu, is there any ulterior motive for Jiao Jiao’s godfather approaching your father-in-law? These officials are full of schemes, and people’s minds are unpredictable."

His words made Zhang Guoqing laugh heartily. He didn’t expect his honest father to start suspecting everyone. He then revealed to his father everything about Zhao Chuan Guang’s identity and family status, and his wife Huang Hui Min’s background.

Considering the future, as his father would often be interacting with the local heads in the county town, he went on to tell him about Zuo Lin and some other families in the county town, detailing their family status.

After listening, Mr. Zhang pondered and said, "No wonder you say your eldest brother’s job needs to be sought meticulously. Xiao Wu, listen to your father’s words—eat only what you can stomach. Even if your eldest brother gets a good position, it won’t make a difference; steadiness is what counts.

Listen to Jiao Jiao and resolve your eldest brother’s employment early, to prevent policies from tightening later, which would cost even more in favors. Today, with five or six cars coming and going, everyone saw it. Anyway, wanting to be low-key won’t work, you three brothers go to work, your mother and I will stay in your courtyard in the county guarding the gate. Others won’t find us."

Mother Zhang snickered and then said worriedly, "What are you going to do about Uncle and Little Uncle’s children? Will they ask us for help? And Xiao Wu’s big aunt, we don’t know how she’s doing now, and she married so far away we can’t even visit. This time when we gifted at Ping’an’s wash ceremony through someone, we didn’t get a return gift."

Mr. Zhang frowned and said, "Just say we don’t know even if Big Brother and Little Brother ask. Say Second Brother is organized by Xiao Bin’s father, and the eldest is helped by his brother-in-law. Xiao Wu only shares acquaintances and helped with a few good words. Beyond that, we don’t know and have no idea. If the eldest aunt or little aunt asks, say it the same way, not a word more.

As for the eldest sister, she’s in the neighboring county. I’ll personally go visit in a few days."

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing asked if he should drive him there the day after tomorrow?

Mr. Zhang hurriedly declined. Thinking it over, he said, "You can’t go; with your new clothes and driving over, your big aunt’s house would definitely cause a scene. That woman has no brain, and her daughters-in-law look pathetic. I heard from your uncle that they’ve all separated, yet the few daughters-in-law and daughters often cry poor to your big aunt for money."

Grandpa Zhang’s only daughter, Zhang Dan Ni, in Old Zhang’s family from Zhang Dayou’s generation, by rights wouldn’t marry far away. Zhang Dan Ni was born in a time of chaos, and the conditions in Zhang Family Village were poor at the time. Grandpa Zhang was capable and often went deep into the mountains to hunt, bringing back game to the provincial city, where he met Zhang Dan Ni’s father-in-law, a restaurant cook.

It’s said the other side only had one single seedling, and seeing the young man was honest, when the in-laws suggested making the families allied through marriage, he agreed without much thought.

Two years passed, the family moved back to their hometown, and Grandpa Zhang suddenly realized his daughter had married too far away, regretting his decision deeply, but it was too late; once a daughter was promised, she couldn’t turn back on her word.

The only consolation was that her parents-in-law and husband were honest people, but due to the distance to the neighboring county, even in the chaotic times that followed, they always found ways to let Zhang Dan Ni and her husband disguise themselves and return home.

Zhang Dan Ni gave birth to their third son, after which the elderly couple passed away. A few years later, after Grandpa Zhang and Grandma Zhang also passed away, she gradually stopped returning home except for major events. She had three sons and two daughters. During those difficult years for others to raise children, her family fared well thanks to her father-in-law’s early savings, and the children grew up smoothly.

After finally raising the children, when they married and started families, hard times struck. Zhang Dan Ni and her husband were honest people, but all their daughters-in-law were sharp and calculating. Both daughters chose partners based on appearance, not character and family background. Their husbands’ families were all poor, and the sons-in-law were silver-tongued, saying nice things.

After the separation, they lived with the eldest son, and the two younger daughters-in-law were always worried about their parents-in-law supporting the eldest family. The elder daughter-in-law saw the younger ones frequently coming by to beg, with the two daughters often visiting empty-handed and leaving fully laden. They started making pointed remarks and causing disturbances, with each day more tumultuous than the last.

A few years ago, the three daughters-in-law finally erupted into a fight, and even the three brothers got involved. They accidentally hit Zhang Dan Ni, who was trying to break it up, finally alarming Uncle Zhang. Uncle Zhang borrowed a cart from the village, taking a full load of Zhang family members to intervene, harshly beating the three brothers before peace was restored.

For the past two years, none of the three nephews even came for New Year’s greetings. Zhang Dan Ni only came to Zhang Guoqing’s wedding, stayed for one night, and hurried back the next morning. Mr. Zhang sighed when he thought about it, unsure how his older sister was doing. Last year, when she visited, she insisted she was fine, but he was busy and couldn’t check on her. Now, being free, he wants to visit more often. She’s the only full sister he has, and he grows more concerned the more he thinks about it.