Father Qi and the others had just arrived, and after lunch, Cheng Su asked if they wanted to go out for a walk and perhaps buy a couple of outfits for the New Year?
"My aunt already bought me new clothes!" Xiao Yun said proudly.
"Only kids get new clothes. Iâve got plenty, no need to buy more!" Father Qi replied with a smile and glanced at his younger son, who was in college and had grown. It might be a good idea to buy him a new outfit.
Qi Jianguo quickly said, "I donât need any either. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Fourth Brother Cheng often visits me at school. Every time he comes, he brings me something. When winter came, he brought me several outfits. I told him not to, even offered him money, but he wouldnât take it and just left it with me. Honestly, sister-in-law, I donât know what to say! Look, this outfit Iâm wearing is from him too."
Cheng Su was surprised. No wonder Qi Jianguo was dressed so stylishly â jeans, a black down jacket, even his glasses were new. He looked less rustic compared to when he first started college.
"Cheng Yaozu likes to have fun. If he brings you things, he definitely wonât take your money. Iâll talk to him about it later," Cheng Su said with a smile.
Itâs fine to occasionally bring something, but if it becomes a habit, she worried that Qi Jianguo might become indulgent and materialistic. After all, for a kid whoâs just entered the big city, lacking strong willpower, itâs easy to be enticed by the dazzling allure of city life!
The saying goes, it takes three years to learn good habits and three days to learn bad ones. Itâs very easy for someone to go astray. The Qi family had worked so hard to produce a college student; they couldnât let materialism ruin him.
With that in mind, Cheng Suâs tone became slightly more serious: "Jianguo, a big city is certainly glamorous, but you must resist those temptations. Right now, youâre still a student and canât earn your own money. Youâre relying on your family. So, refrain from immersing in worldly affairs unnecessarily. Use things as needed and donât be greedy or competitive with others."
Qi Jianguoâs face turned slightly red, and he straightened up in his seat.
"Remember how you crossed the single-log bridge into college amid fierce competition. Getting into college doesnât mean youâve accomplished everything. Poor conduct can still get you expelled. Being admitted to college isnât the end; earning your diploma and landing a good job is the real pay-off for your years of hard work," Cheng Su said. "Once you graduate and excel beyond others, thatâs when you truly win."
Father Qi nodded quietly and looked at his younger son: "Did you understand everything your sister-in-law said? Sheâs right; simply put, donât get carried away with pride!"
Qi Jianguo stood up: "Sister-in-law, Iâve understood all of it."
Cheng Su finally smiled and said, "Iâll talk to your Fourth Brother Cheng. Focus on your studies, make something of yourself, and working at the Cheng familyâs company in the future will be your way of giving back. Youâre studying architectural engineering, right?"
Qi Jianguo nodded.
"Not bad, the real estate market is booming, so you wonât have to worry about finding a job," Cheng Su said with a smile.
Qi Jianguo felt a bit shy.
Mother Qi, on the side, asked, "Who exactly is this Cheng family? Why are they treating Jianguo so well?"
"Mom, you might not know. Sister-in-law adopted a kinship bond with the Cheng familyâs elderly. Fourth Brother Cheng, this is affection by association!" Qi Jianguo said with a smile.
Mother Qi was taken aback: "Adopted a kinship bond?"
"Yes. Fourth Brother Cheng said their entire family really likes sister-in-law!" Qi Jianguo looked at Cheng Su with admiration.
He wasnât a fool; he knew the Cheng familyâs background, and sister-in-law had established a relationship with their elder. What a blessing that was!