Chapter 1054: Chapter 1055: Xixiang Orphan Girl 99

After the policy changes Zhang Yu continued to have more children, so shortly after the first child was born, she had two more.

Three births resulted in four children, three boys and a girl. The last set was twins of mixed sex, with their names decided based on the family names Zhang Yu and her partner had previously agreed upon.

Since Liu Dashan failed to convince Zhang Yu to have even one child take the Liu surname, he would always huff with anger whenever he saw her.

When Liu Dashan saw that Zhang Yu had two children with the surname Xiao, two with the surname Zhang, it left the old man fuming.

Liu Dashan watched the four children playing in the yard, his eyes glazed over.

Recalling how his own household was dreadfully empty, with only five adults and all being elderly, Liu Dashan felt cold inside.

Wang Pandi, sitting beside him, sniffed disdainfully at how the old man kept staring at Zhang Yu’s children.

“They don’t even acknowledge you as their grandfather, so why are you staring at the kids?”

Liu Dashan gave a cold snort, “They may not recognize me, but she can’t deny that her blood carries the Liu family lineage.”

“It’s all because of your favoritism back then; otherwise, at least two of these kids would have the Liu surname, sweetly calling me great-granddad now.”

“It’s all your fault. I was busy working and couldn’t look after the family, but what about you?”

“They’re all your sons, yet you were so biased.” Liu Dashan put all the blame on Wang Pandi.

“You kept saying how great the eldest and the third were, but now look, what a load of nonsense.” Liu Dashan was furious.

“A grandson is in jail and hasn’t even come out yet.” Liu Dashan did not even want to think about Liu Yuanchao anymore.

He completely gave up on that grandson, who had only brought disgrace to the family.

“Liu Qiang, you’re almost at retirement age, why not have Liu Jianshe come back? Staying in the countryside isn’t ideal.”

“Everyone has moved back to the city.” Liu Dashan truly couldn’t understand why despite the option to return to the city being available, neither Liu Jianshe nor Liu Li, nor even Liu Ke or Liu Yang, wanted to come back.

Liu Dashan really didn’t get what was so good over there that they all wanted to stay back.

Liu Qiang basked in the sun, enjoying his restful day, “It’s not that I didn’t ask Jianshe, he just said he doesn’t want to come back.”

“As a father, I’ve already swallowed my pride, but that stubborn kid still doesn’t want to return to the city; what can I do?”

“I can’t possibly as his father, beg him to return, right?” Liu Qiang had no intention of completely losing face in front of his long-lost son.

“And the house isn’t that big anyway; if Jianshe comes back, there would be a problem about where to live.” Liu Qiang recalled the letter from Liu Jianshe he received a few days ago.

Thinking of what Liu Jianshe wrote in the letter, Liu Qiang was furious. He knew that compared to Liu Yuanchao, the family almost ignored him.

But the fact that Liu Yuanchao was the eldest son and grandson meant that it was normal for the family to pay more attention and give him more resources.

See Liu Hong and Liu Gang; they went through the same thing. Although they complained of parental favor, they didn’t dare openly criticize it.

Liu Qiang realized that Liu Jianshe held a lot of resentment towards them, and even if he is brought to the city, he would still be full of grievances.

“I think Jianshe still harbors many grudges. In that case, it’s better to let him stay there and reflect upon things.”

Liu Dashan originally intended to scold Liu Qiang and tell him not to be at odds with the child, but when he found out what Liu Jianshe wrote in the letter.

Liu Dashan thought of Zhang Yu’s earlier accusations of his partiality, and even though years had passed, he still remembered them.

Liu Dashan didn’t want to be that old and still receive reprimands from his grandson.

Most importantly, Liu Dashan truly didn’t want to keep spending money and paving the way for him, only to get complaints in return.

“In that case, let them think it over thoroughly.” Liu Dashan felt that he couldn’t coddle Liu Jianshe.

“Unless he admits his mistakes, we absolutely won’t allow him back.” Liu Dashan fumed.

Liu Qiang agreed, “Dad, don’t worry,”

Recalling what everyone had talked about earlier, Liu Qiang said, “By the way, Dad, did you know that the Lin Family’s house was also sold?”

Liu Dashan was surprised, “The Lin Family’s house was sold?”

“Sold to whom?” Liu Dashan actually had some idea.

Liu Qiang nodded, “It’s that couple.”

Liu Qiang had long had doubts, “Dad, how do think they got so much money?”

“Don’t you remember? We had to pay quite a sum back then.” Liu Dashan sighed softly, “Their salaries are higher than yours.”

“I know, but how much is that money?” Liu Qiang thought about their own house and felt so confined.

Had he a bit more money in hand, he would have liked to buy any house for sale in the courtyard, live more comfortably, and when Liu Yuanchao came back, there would be a place for him to stay.

Indeed, Liu Qiang actually felt relieved when he received Liu Jianshe’s letter saying he didn’t want to come back.

As he grew older year by year, Liu Qiang’s longing for his eldest son increased with each passing day, and he thought of Liu Yuanchao more and more.

“Dad, what do you think if I buy a house?” Liu Qiang calculated his money and thought he could still afford one.

Upon hearing Liu Qiang’s plans to buy a house, Liu Dashan was naturally opposed. Liu Gang had already gone to another city to stay with his son a few years ago.

When Liu Dashan learned the younger son had left for another city, he knew he couldn’t rely on him anymore, and could only count on Liu Qiang.

As the years passed and his health didn’t hold up well, Liu Dashan worried about what would happen if Liu Qiang spent his money on buying a house and then there was no money available for medical expenses when he fell ill.

“Why buy a house? She barely has enough to live on, and can’t afford an apartment. To avoid being mocked for having a poor life, she might have chosen to buy a courtyard house instead.”

“Now, anyone with a bit of money buys an apartment; I’ve never seen anyone buy such a shabby house.” Liu Dashan thought Zhang Yu bought property here just for show.

Liu Dashan considered, “How about we sell this place and buy an apartment instead, what do you think?”

Buying an apartment? Liu Qiang was thrilled, “Dad, of course, I want to live in an apartment.”

“Everything would be available then: water, electricity, a bathroom in the house.” Liu Qiang also wanted to experience the convenience of having a bathroom at home.

“Great, we’ll live in the apartment then.” Liu Dashan also wanted to live in an apartment. Previously, it was mere wishful thinking as without a unit allocation and relying on his pension, living in an apartment was a dream.

Little did he expect that, at his age, he could still have the opportunity to live in an apartment, which made Liu Dashan very happy.