Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Showing off My Son
Grandma Xia’s face was clouded with gloom, and her anger had obviously not subsided as she harrumphed and said, “Fine, this is a matter for you young people, I, an old woman, will not get involved anymore.”
This was her way of completely letting go of the matter.
Xia Lan was shocked and fell to her knees before Grandma Xia with a ‘thump’.
“Grandma, I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose, I know I have let down the Xia Family, but Brother Qing and I truly love each other!” Xia Lan sobbed, “Brother Qing said once he’s enlisted, he will take me with him to follow the troops… He will give me his salary in the future, he will show filial respect to the Xia Family…”
Give his salary to her? Show filial respect to the Xia Family? With He Qing’s selfish disposition?
Xia Chuyi shook her head.
Xia Lan would say anything to win Grandma Xia’s approval.
Although Xia Lan’s words were false, Grandma Xia took them to heart.
After some thought, Grandma Xia’s anger had dissipated, and she said, “What filial respect? Does my family need a soldier’s show of filial piety?”
Grandma Xia looked at Xia Lan with pride, “My second son was posthumously awarded the title of martyr by the military! I receive the military’s holiday gifts and consolation letters every year!”
In Grandma Xia’s words, there was a clear sense of boasting.
Grandma Xia mentioned her second son, boasting about her second son, something that Xia Chuyi had heard countless times over the years.
Once she really believed how much Grandma Xia loved her father! Only later did she learn from bits and pieces of others’ conversations that, in fact, Mr. Xia didn’t get along with Grandma Xia and Grandpa Xia at all.
To please others, Grandpa Xia and Grandma Xia nearly sold off Mr. Xia, forcing him to join the revolution at a young age.
Later, when Mr. Xia married Mother Xia, Grandpa Xia and Grandma Xia did not agree, and the Xia Family did not lift a finger to help when Mr. Xia and Mother Xia got married.
Afterwards, when the bad news arrived, it was only because of the pension that the Xia Family came to take away Mother Xia and the newborn Xia Chuyi.
Uncle Xia often said that Mr. Xia was the only good shoot from their family of bad bamboo.
Xia Chuyi made no comment about Grandma Xia’s words.
She just listened as Grandma Xia continued, “Though we don’t expect others’ filial respect, when one person enlists, it brings honor to the whole family, and if you marry He Qing, the family will still support you as it should.”
Xia Lan’s face suddenly brightened with joy.
“However…” Grandma Xia changed her tone, “About the dowry, what Chuyi gave to He Qing before, consider that your dowry. You said it yourself, the He Family agreed.”
Xia Lan’s expression froze, and she looked uneasy: “Grandma…”
“An additional dowry is not something the family can afford. Besides, could it even be better than what Chuyi already provided before?” Grandma Xia cut off Xia Lan’s objection with a single sentence.
Xia Lan bit her lip, replying with reluctant low voice, “Yes, Grandma, I understand.”
Outsmarted by her own cleverness, did she just shoot herself in the foot?
Xia Lan had originally said those things to get the family’s agreement on the marriage, but who knew Grandma Xia would be so heartless and actually say no to preparing another dowry.
Of course, Xia Chuyi felt no sympathy for Xia Lan; she had brought this on herself.
After sending Xia Lan away, Grandma Xia finally began to look at Xia Chuyi seriously.
“Chuyi, I’m not criticizing you, but you’re not young anymore, and you need to think before you speak!” Grandma Xia took on the elder’s stance, beginning to scold her.
“Yes, I understand,” Xia Chuyi, having achieved her goal for the visit, did not say more and obediently responded.
Grandma Xia gave her a look, probably curious as to why she was being so compliant.
“Well then, Grandma, I’m leaving now!” Xia Chuyi was even more obedient.
Xia Chuyi was rarely so well-behaved; Grandma Xia watched her with satisfaction, nodding her head, and waved her off.