Chapter 586 - 576: The Stepmother Who Refuses to Be a Doormat 64

Chapter 586: Chapter 576: The Stepmother Who Refuses to Be a Doormat 64

Li Zhiyuan did laugh: "We’ll discuss it when it’s time; for now, let’s focus on getting Jingming’s matters sorted. When it’s Jingdong’s turn, if his wife also demands such a high bride price, we’ll have her family sign an agreement too."

After everything was clarified, no one dwelled on it anymore.

Those who wanted to watch TV did so, those who needed to cook did that, and in no time dinner was ready, everyone joyously enjoyed the reunion meal.

On the first day of the lunar new year, Anning, along with several children, paid their respects to the elders and received red envelopes, then stayed cozy at home all day.

Xiao Yuan, however, took Tang Shi back to Shanqian Village.

He had been drifting away from home for several years without returning; however, he consistently sent money to Zhang Erfeng and his spouse. This time, adopting a child prompted him to bring the child home to recognize his family roots.

Earlier, Xiao Yuan had called Zhang Erfeng to announce he would be visiting.

Early on the first day of the new year, Zhang Erfeng started preparing, slaughtering chickens and fish, rustling up a generous spread of dishes.

It was almost noon by the time Xiao Yuan drove home.

By this time, the Xiao Family’s house had been renovated.

The old dilapidated house had been demolished, and a two-story western-style building erected on the original homestead site, unique in Shanqian Village, allowing Zhang Erfeng and his spouse to save face.

Xiao Yuan drove into the courtyard, opened the car door, and stepped out with Tang Shi.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Erfeng came out from the house. Her eyes reddened when she saw Xiao Yuan, but she visibly froze upon seeing Tang Shi.

"What’s going on here?"

Xiao Yuan, walking inside with Tang Shi, said, "Mom, let’s talk inside."

Zhang Erfeng followed them in. Xiao Qing was inside setting the tableware, and he smiled upon seeing Xiao Yuan: "You’re back."

Xiao Yuan asked Tang Shi to sit and said to Xiao Qing, "Dad, I brought some stuff. Come help me carry them in."

Xiao Qing agreed, and the two men headed out.

After emptying the trunk and warming up a bit inside, Zhang Erfeng pressed Xiao Yuan: "What’s the story with this child?"

Xiao Yuan smiled: "This is your granddaughter, Tang Shi. Call her Grandma."

Tang Shi promptly stood up and sweetly called out, "Grandma."

Then, she turned and called out to Xiao Qing, "Grandpa."

Xiao Qing, slightly flustered, hastily responded and then fumbled in his pocket, pulling out US$ 20 and handing it to Tang Shi: "Grandpa only has this much on him today; take it now, and I’ll give you a proper welcoming gift later."

Zhang Erfeng’s expression turned sour.

She pulled Xiao Yuan aside: "Come here with me for a moment."

The two went into another room while Xiao Qing called Tang Shi over to chat, asking her age, what grade she was in, and the like.

As soon as Zhang Erfeng entered the room, she frowned deeply and said, "What’s the situation with this child? Why didn’t you tell us beforehand?"

Xiao Yuan smiled, "When I was doing business in the south, I met this girl. She helped me out, and I learned that she lost her mother and was always being beaten and scolded at home. Life was tough for her, so I thought, since I don’t have any children and don’t want to remarry, why not adopt her? So I brought her back."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Erfeng almost burst into tears, "How could you do this? This... this would lead our family to have no descendants."

Xiao Yuan rebuffed Zhang Erfeng, "What descendants are we talking about? I’m not your biological child either. I was adopted. One day I’ll change the child’s surname, and wouldn’t she also be a member of our Xiao family? If you’re worried about not having someone to carry on the family legacy, can’t her future children carry on the Xiao surname?"

"This..."

Xiao Yuan’s words hit Zhang Erfeng right in the heart.

If we’re talking about having no descendants, then the Xiao family would have ended with her generation, since Xiao Yuan wasn’t born to her. He was from the Li Family, and she just shamelessly adopted him. Since he was adopted, it’s okay for Xiao Yuan to want to adopt a child too.

But she still felt uncomfortable, "Even if you want to adopt, you should adopt a boy, a young one, who could be raised intimately."

Xiao Yuan sneered, "Please, don’t start with the boy-girl thing. Let me tell you, a girl can be raised more closely. Girls don’t seek their roots. When boys grow up, their biological parents might come for them, which may lead them to feel distant from us. Besides, boys aren’t as caring as girls. Look at my aunt, when she almost died, none of her six sons were around. If it weren’t for Anning, she would have been long gone. If my aunt had a daughter, she could at least chat with her girl, but it’s different with sons and daughters-in-law."

Seeing Zhang Erfeng somewhat swayed, Xiao Yuan continued, "Tang Shi’s mother died early, her father is unreliable, and her whole family, including grandparents and uncles, they all bully her. She grew up in hardship. If we treat her well, wouldn’t she be grateful? This child values loyalty and gratitude, she will definitely take care of me when I’m old."

Zhang Erfeng opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but felt that Xiao Yuan made sense in every aspect, and she truly couldn’t refute.

"Do you acknowledge this child or not?"

Xiao Yuan pressed Zhang Erfeng for an answer, "If you think she’s okay, I’ll change her surname with her one of these days. If you are unwilling to acknowledge her, my aunt said that the child can have the surname Li."

Mentioning the surname Li genuinely scared Zhang Erfeng.

Her courage had shrunk, mainly because Xiao Yuan had been away from home for many years, and she was really terrified.

She feared that Xiao Yuan would neglect her and she’d end up alone in her old age. So, hearing that Zhang Fengfeng was willing to accept the child, she hurriedly said, "Fine, I acknowledge her, isn’t that enough? I’m doing this for you too, but look at you, I haven’t finished speaking and you have a thousand words ready against mine."

Xiao Yuan finally smiled, "Mom, I’m glad you understand. And listen, don’t follow the villagers in preferencing boys over girls. In my opinion, regardless of the gender, as long as the child is raised well, they can be of great use. Let’s nurture Shishi well, and in the future, both you and dad will enjoy the benefits."

Xiao Yuan is now in his thirties, almost forty, yet without a single child. Seeing others in the village around Xiao Yuan’s age about to get married, Zhang Erfeng and Xiao Qing became incredibly anxious.

But since Xiao Yuan is headstrong, they couldn’t do much.

Watching other grandmothers in the village playing with their grandchildren, Zhang Erfeng actually grew quite envious. Now that Xiao Yuan brought back such a big granddaughter and convinced her, she immediately felt joyous.

Xiao Yuan still worried that Zhang Erfeng might not treat Tang Shi well, so he added, "Mom, let our home be harmonious from now on. Focusing on raising the child well is better than anything else. Look at my aunt, how well she treats Anning. And Anning, although just a former daughter-in-law, treats my aunt better than her own daughters would. Look, if you’re good to Shishi, why wouldn’t Shishi take care of you? I’m well-off now, whatever the child wants to learn, she can. Moreover, Shishi is especially smart. We can go to the city, get her good teachers, let her learn piano, painting, dancing. In the future, she can marry into a good family, wouldn’t that be splendid?"

Zhang Erfeng got genuinely enchanted by the beautiful future Xiao Yuan depicted.

She nodded incessantly, "You’re right, so right. The child is already here, we can’t treat her poorly. Just wait a moment..."

Zhang Erfeng rummaged through boxes and drawers, pulling out a jade pendant of mediocre quality and a red envelope, stuffed it with quite a bit of money, and came out holding everything.

She smiled warmly at Tang Shi, "Shishi, grandma has something good for you."

Tang Shi smiled and approached, and Zhang Erfeng handed the jade pendant to Tang Shi, "This is our Xiao family heirloom, passed down from our ancestors. Now, grandma is passing it to you."

Then, Zhang Erfeng also gave Tang Shi a big red envelope, "This is from your grandparents; you can use it to buy some delicious food. When you return to the city, go shopping, buy some nice clothes."