Zhixia was lost in thought in her room, while Old Master and Old Madam were wearing worried looks on their faces in the courtyard.
"I told Zhixia to give her dad another chance for my sake, and though she agreed, I still feel uneasy about it - in the end we have wronged the child," said Old Madam with a tinge of regret, also resenting herself for mentioning those things.
Old Master sighed, also feeling bad inside.
It was already annoying enough that their son and daughter-in-law were muddleheaded and wouldn't listen to advice, but their granddaughter's excessive thoughtfulness made one's heart ache even more - they were really caught in a dilemma.
"What's said is said, don't think too much about it. Children have their own blessings, let them deal with their own father-daughter issues themselves. Whether the outcome is good or bad, others can't be blamed for it. We're old now, let's not get too involved. Zhixia is a child one feels for already, so don't bring up anything that puts her in a difficult position," said Old Master.
When noon approached and An Jingzhi and Zhou Nan were still unable to see Zhixia at home, they realized she wouldn't be going over there, so they came over here instead.
Sure enough, Zhou Nan's wife was busy cooking in the kitchen when they arrived.
Zhixia had also finished packing her things and came out. Zhou Nan's face was pale and lifeless. An Jingzhi said she had been sick with a high fever last night, which had just subsided before they came over.
He said this for Zhixia to hear, but their issues no longer stirred the slightest ripple in her heart.
Zhixia called Wen Qing to take him out to the yard to play.
Seeing Zhixia's indifferent expression when she heard Zhou Nan was sick, as well as her cheerful back view, Zhou Nan suddenly felt as if she had lost something.
No, she should say she never had it to begin with.
Old Madam watched her expression from the side and reminded her, "Feelings are mutual. Even the best rapport cannot withstand erosion. Some people aren't temperamental, they're just waiting - waiting until disappointment accumulates enough that there are no lingering feelings left."
An Jingzhi knew what Old Madam meant. He helplessly reminded her from the side, "Mom, Zhou Nan is still sick, she already feels bad."
"Alas!" Old Madam sighed. "Forget it, forget it, I won't interfere anymore either, you husband and wife can do as you please."
She suddenly felt somewhat relieved that Zhixia was perceptive, otherwise with such muddled parents, who knows what would have become of her.
She also regretted speaking those words in the room earlier - she shouldn't have said them. Looking closely at her son and daughter-in-law, they really weren't worth Zhixia investing real feelings into.
It was better this way, with nothing in her heart so she wouldn't get hurt. It was just a pity for the child.
An Jingzhi looked at Pei Jing, who was pondering beside him, and thought it still felt strange that the man who had always called him brother had suddenly become his son-in-law.
"Pei Jing, you also understand Zhixia's background. These past days, it was us who were indecisive and hurt Zhixia's feelings. Since she has married you, it must have been fate. Zhixia still feels somewhat reluctant, so if you get the chance, you should advise her more. Her mother and I don't intend to neglect her, and will definitely make up for it in the future." An Jingzhi took out the envelope he had prepared and handed it to Pei Jing. "This is her dowry from us. The child was upset with us these past couple days and refused to accept it, so please keep it for her."
Pei Jing had grown up under An Jingzhi's oversight. Back when Pei Jing was in school, it was An Jingzhi who had personally brought him out into the world, so he had always respected him greatly.
But at this moment, he seemed to understand why Zhixia was willing to abandon the good life here and follow him to join the army instead.
At the same time, the compassion he already held for Zhixia also increased.
His gaze turned to the courtyard. Zhixia had just helped Wen Qing change into the colorful sweater she knitted. The bright color delighted the little guy and sent him running wildly around the yard.
Pei Jing's eyes darkened as he said, "Since she is unwilling to accept it, we should respect her choice. What's more, some things can't be compensated for with only money. Dad has been teaching and nurturing people for so many years, so he should understand what the word sincerity means."
An Jingzhi's fingers tightened around the envelope, turning white at the joints. It seemed he hadn't expected Pei Jing to not give him face like this.
At the same time, he truly hadn't imagined there would come a day when he held money in his hand that he couldn't give away.
Zhou Nan supported An Jingzhi's arm and smiled bitterly. "What Xiao Jing said makes sense. It was our mistake for neglecting Zhixia and hurting her. Mom and Dad were right that Zhixia has been well taken care of by Grandma here, and we really can't think of how to make up for the child. We just wanted to give her more pocket money to show our feelings, and since she'll be going with the army, she won't be by our side often in the future either, so we just wanted to do our part."
No matter how sensibly they explained themselves, Pei Jing still could not accept the money on Zhixia's behalf.
Old Master saw the two of them embarrassing themselves and angrily harrumphed before getting up and leaving.
When noon arrived, everyone else got off work and came over here as well, since they knew Zhixia was leaving in the afternoon. Even An Zhi Xian, who normally didn't come home for lunch, deliberately returned.
As soon as Liu Ling came in, she saw her son wearing a watermelon red sweater with a complex knitting technique that was clearly visible. On the chest was an adorably silly looking kitten, and even the two pockets were thoughtfully made.
"Oh my, who knit this nice looking sweater? It must have taken a lot of effort!"
Wen Qing excitedly pointed to the kitty on his chest to show Liu Ling. "Kitty is cute, auntie gave..."
"Zhixia knit it? What skillful hands." Liu Ling generously praised her, feeling that blood ties really were a wondrous thing.
Wen Qing was already two, and had called that woman auntie countless times, yet had never received the slightest good from her. Instead, she would secretly bully the child. As expected, those not of your own blood don't cherish you.
This blood-related young auntie was different. Although she hadn't been back long, the innate delight she showed toward Wen Qing was clearly genuine. Liu Ling could tell.
Knitting a sweater for Wen Qing now, Liu Ling wasn't resentful over such a petty thing. She was purely happy that her son was well-liked.
All mothers were like this - those good to their children, even if they suffered a little loss themselves, would feel sweet inside.
This harmonious scene finally improved Old Madam's mood somewhat.
An Zhi Ren and An Zhi Xian sat next to Pei Jing, exchanging glances.
Their nephew had suddenly become their elder brother-in-law, which gave them a kind of rousing feeling of joy. They wanted to poke some fun, but didn't dare due to his usual sternness.
Pei Jing held a newspaper from the table, but wasn't actually reading it. Instead, he was paying attention to the two people beside him.
Seeing them monkeying around with their eyes, Pei Jing raised the corners of his lips but didn't respond.
An Zhi Ren suddenly spoke up. "Fourth brother still doesn't know little sister is married right? He protected her like the apple of his eye when he was home. If he knew about this, who knows if he'd violate discipline and sneak back?"
"You're right, that's not impossible," said An Zhi Xian. He suddenly asked Pei Jing, "Brother-in-law, what do you think?"
Pei Jing looked at the two, who wanted to take a jab but didn't dare, and said, "Then we won't tell him."
An Zhi Xian was rendered speechless for a moment and rubbed his nose sheepishly.
Pei Jing put down the newspaper and went out to the courtyard. An Zhi Ren scornfully looked at his brother and said, "Look at you, still called him brother-in-law? He is one, after all. Would he dare object?"
An Zhi Xian glanced at him. "You make it sound so easy, how come you don't call him that?"
An Zhi Ren was instantly silenced.
