"This person, I found her unbearable even when she was young, always putting on airs, and now at this age, sheâs still the same. No awareness at all. Let me tell you, her eldest sonâs current situation is all because of her actions back then. The eldest of the Mei Family is soft-hearted, when he was young, he listened to everything his mom said. Whatever his mom said, thatâs what it was. But the second son had more of his own opinions, he had a clear mind and if something didnât seem right to him, it wouldnât matter if his mom opposed it. Including when the second son found someone he liked and decided to get married. He decided those things on his own. At that time, Old Mrs. Mei also opposed, but couldnât overcome the second sonâs strong will, and later, the second son, for the sake of his own household, directly moved to S City. Years went by without him coming back. Itâs because the second son was disobedient. So the Mei couple held quite a grudge against him, and their emotions slowly faded, not as close anymore."
"Thereâs no way everyone can be treated equally. Itâs good that theyâre not close to our family. Without that mean old woman, Liang Qianâs family of three is actually living quite well," Liang Hongmei was actually happy for Liang Qian. She also thought Old Mrs. Mei was a difficult person to please.
"Exactly, with more sons, itâs impossible to treat them all the same. To be honest, between your two families, your dad and I couldnât treat you perfectly either. Xiao Lu, you have to be more considerate. Your dad and I always wanted to treat both sons equally, but sometimes there was always a slight difference. Your elder brother and sister-in-law suffered in the past, so your dad and I always wanted to make it up to them."
"Mom, what are you talking about? Am I the kind to hold grudges? Besides, before my brother and sister-in-law returned, we practically had all your love. If more goes to my sister-in-law now, naturally we donât mind." Back when they first got married, there was fierce competition between the two families of brothers and sisters-in-law. Now, theyâre older and have long since passed that stage. They look at the bigger picture now.
Actually, itâs not about favoritism or not. The elder familyâs well-off, wanting nothing, and sometimes they even help us out quite a bit.
Of course, itâs not directly to us. My elder brother and sister-in-law mostly give to the old folks. Now that the old folks are staying at their place, most of the time the old man uses that money to contribute to the household, buying rice and vegetables for her.
Even though these small amounts donât cost much, they save quite a bit for the second family. We, a large family, with chicken and duck every month, spend quite a lot on communication fees.
Leaving that aside, ever since Xiao Wan opened a clothing store, they havenât bought clothes. Xiao Wan prepares everything for them. "Xiao Lu, donât hold grudges against your sister-in-law. If thereâs something she doesnât do well, just say it in front of Mom. Iâll definitely change. With Mom and Dad here, it also makes you work hard," Liang Hongmei had seen this kind of sister-in-law and mother-in-law relations throughout her life.
"Sister-in-law, youâve done really well. We certainly have no objections. Why are we suddenly feeling sentimental like Mom? Werenât we just talking about that Old Mrs. Mei from the Mei Family?"
"Haha, Grandma, look how wonderful these two daughters-in-law of yours are, theyâre too modest. Itâs all because of your good teaching," said Lin Wan, causing the elders in the room to smile broadly. Mrs. Lin dotingly tapped her on the forehead and laughed, "Go away, you cheeky girl."
When Han Yi came out of Grandfatherâs study, it was already time for dinner. Seeing no sign of emotional change on his face, Lin Wan couldnât quite decipher his current mood.
At dinner, the elders did not mention a word about the goings-on in the study, and Lin Wan didnât dare to ask more.
On the way home, Lin Wan couldnât wait to ask, "What exactly did Grandpa mean?"
"Grandpa wants me to acknowledge the Mei Family."
"Ah... must I return to the Mei Family?" Lin Wan instantly frowned; he didnât want any connection with those Mei Family peopleâtoo troublesome.
"Who said acknowledging them means returning?" Han Yi chuckled, raising a hand to quickly comfort his ruffled wife. "Acknowledge the Mei Family, just to officially announce my identity as a son. We will continue living our own lives. We wonât live with them."
"Oh..." Grandpa must have said something to Han Yi in those few hours to get him to agree.
"Since youâre acknowledging the Mei Family, does that mean youâll have to change your name?"
Han Yi shook his head, "No, even Xingxing, and any children we have in the future, will all keep the surname Han. It wonât change."
Lin Wan was surprised, "Will they agree to that?"
Han Yi laughed, "Today, Dad said that in the afternoon, Godfather called him and told him to pass on a message. Since Mr. Mei has put forward such a request, we shouldnât be stingy. If we have any requirements, feel free to ask. If Mr. Mei doesnât agree, thereâs still him. He will help us fight for our interests."
"Hmph, what benefits does the Mei Family have to fight over?" Lin Wan was puzzled. At present, itâs only Godfatherâs side thatâs thriving in the Mei Family, Mei Shuping hasnât accomplished much at all.
"Thatâs what I thought before, but... today Second Uncle told me that when he was young, Mr. Mei collected a good amount of treasures. Back then, the old guy heard the news ahead of time and hid the things securely. Up to now, thereâs been no news about them being leaked, so he must still have them hidden."
"Uh... could Grandpa be planning for you to go back and compete over Old Meiâs treasures?"
"Grandfather said these things must be left for the younger generation. Mei Langchi and Mei Lang Jun, he will definitely give more to Mei Langchi than Mei Lang Jun. Since the Mei Family has owed me so much over the years, itâs time to gain some back. No point in letting it all go for nothing."
"How great a fortune could make Grandfather and Uncle care? Even without the Mei Familyâs belongings, weâre living wonderfully, and our future wealth isnât something ordinary people can match. As for the Mei Family, it might just have a few more antiques at best." "If Grandfather and Dad and Uncle are all so concerned about these things, they canât be ordinary items. Iâve heard Grandfather say that Old Meiâs things are worth more than the current national treasury." Even more money might not sway Han Yi, but what Grandfather said shook him.
"Mei Erqing is always plotting against people, and in this lifetime, no oneâs ever outsmarted him. Back then, with the issue of Mei Shuping and your mom, itâs not unlikely he didnât know. He might have known early on and even about you as his grandson, but he just didnât care, didnât see you as important."
Why should he let them manipulate him? Arenât they good at scheming? Letâs see who outmaneuvers whom!
"No wonder Mei Langchi was so adamant about stopping you from joining the Mei Family at first. Could it be that he knew about this matter from early on?"
Lin Wan could only think of that. Her words made Han Yiâs brow raise, and the two exchanged a glance, realizing it was a distinct possibility.
Mr. Lin Senior said to try persuading, but didnât specify when.
A winter passed.
Originally, Mr. Mei was planning to hold a banquet during the New Year to formally introduce Han Yi. But who knew Han Yi would refuse outright.
Heâs still stubborn about it now.
Luckily, the family wouldnât need to rush around this year. For the New Year, Han Yi didnât have to be on duty and spent it at Dadâs house.