"Chenggui, you have a son now, a son!" In just a moment, Mother Xia started wiping her tears again, sobbing, "The lineage of our second branch won’t be cut off!"
"What exactly is going on?" Grandpa Xia asked with a stern face, turning to Grandma Xia.
For the head of the family, being so clueless about the situation was utterly unacceptable.
Grandma Xia knew she couldn’t hide it any longer, so she leaned in and whispered a few words into Grandpa Xia’s ear.
Grandpa Xia’s face underwent a dramatic change.
He clenched his jaws, grinding his teeth for a while before saying, "Well, it’s settled then, let’s proceed as decided! Elder branch, quickly go and invite the production team leader and the village chief over!"
Uncle Xia was still in shock at this moment. Pointing at Xia Chengzong, he asked, "You’re going to be adopted?"
His expression was more one of disbelief than of reluctance.
"Uh-huh," Xia Chengzong nodded affirmatively, not wanting to waste any extra words.
"You unfilial son..." Uncle Xia cursed outright.
"Aunt Xia, mind your language!" Xia Chuyi was the first to retort.
Her gaze was icy as she stared down Uncle Xia, questioning, "Aunt Xia, Xia Chengzong is about to be adopted into our second branch. If he’s an unfilial son, then what does that make my dad—Comrade Xia Chenggui, a national martyr?"
That was quite the accusation.
Uncle Xia found himself at a loss for words.
"I, I didn’t mean it..."
Village folks, too accustomed to cursing as a habit.
Grinding his teeth, Uncle Xia said unwillingly, "Chengzong is already so grown-up and has a bad temper. He won’t bond well if adopted into the second branch!"
"It would be better to adopt the third one, Chengjia is obedient and young. He will definitely get along well with your mother!"
Uncle Xia was unaware of the full story and was still trying to haggle.
Unlike Grandpa Xia, Grandma Xia, and Aunt Xia, who favored Xia Chengzu the most, Uncle Xia’s favorite was his own sweet-talking, younger son Xia Chengjia, who was close to him.
The initial plan was to have Xia Chengjia adopted by the second branch.
So if someone had to be adopted anyway, it might as well be the third one, as he was close to him and the elder branch, securing advantages for the elder branch.
Xia Chengzong looked at his father, who didn’t even attempt to hide his scheming, and a mocking expression appeared on his face.
See, this was his father.
Xia Chuyi was disgusted by Uncle Xia’s demeanor.
Xia Chengzong wouldn’t bond well? Xia Chengjia would? At the age of thirteen or fourteen and already in middle school, they would bond well?
Such a pathetic excuse she didn’t even have the energy to criticize.
She couldn’t be bothered with Uncle Xia, instead, her gaze shifted to Grandpa Xia and Grandma Xia, as she calmly stated, "The adoption is our second branch’s decision, with no room for discussion."
"If you delay any further, the consequences... you understand."
At these words, Grandma Xia finally stopped sitting by impassively, shouting urgently, "You!"
Grandpa Xia also turned pale, turning to berate Uncle Xia sharply, "What are you still standing here for? I told you to invite the production team leader and the village chief!"
"What, can’t you hear me when I call you?" Grandpa Xia roared with fury.
Uncle Xia’s face stiffened, he moved his lips, trying to argue.
Grandpa Xia raised his hand as if to teach him a lesson, which made him dash outside hastily, calling out, "Yes, yes, I’m going to call them!"
After Uncle Xia left, the courtyard fell silent for a moment.
In this silence, Mother Xia’s cries became distinctly audible.
While crying, she murmured, "Chenggui, I’ve waited, and at last I’ve waited!"
"I’ve endured so many years just to see your lineage continue!"
Mother Xia was alluding to something else in her words, but everyone present did not know the truth and thought she was referring to the adoption.