Chapter 306

Chapter 306: 299: Xie Shang Changling Post-Wedding Side Story 4 Chapter 306: 299: Xie Shang Changling Post-Wedding Side Story 4 About why Weiwei’s last name was Wen, people close to Xie Shang never asked this question, but those who weren’t that close did. It happened at a Su Family banquet, attended by some distant relatives.

One distant aunt brought up the issue, her point being, it’s uncommon for the firstborn to take the mother’s surname, that’s not the norm.

At that time, Xie Shang and Wen Changling weren’t in the living room, Ms. Su Nanzhi replied to the distant aunt, “Haven’t you heard how my ex-husband got put away?”

They had, sent away by his own son.

Only now did the distant aunt remember that particular incident.

“Xingxing himself doesn’t even want to have the Xie surname.”

The distant aunt: “...” Truly filial.

The distant aunt changed the subject, “Weiwei must be almost four now, right? You could have another one soon, Xiao Wen is still young, and she would recover quickly after giving birth.”

Madam Zhai Wenjin gracefully picked up her cup of tea, “Is the fruit tea I dried not to your liking? Why is everybody talking and not drinking?”

The distant aunt sipped her tea awkwardly, and the baby-making topic came to an end.

Wen Changling had Weiwei through a planned cesarean because of heavy bleeding at the time, how could Xie Shang possibly let her go through that again. As for the issue of whose surname Weiwei should take, it was never a consideration for Xie Shang.

The things Xie Liangjiang did could never be completely erased, so there was never the option of taking the Xie surname from the start.

It was He Dongzhou who joked about it, “Taking the Su surname could work too.”

Su Beihe had fallen for Ning Song and wouldn’t have any children, and with the Su Family’s large estate, having a Su inheritor in the future wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“I hope my child can take my wife’s surname.”

—That was what Xie Shang had said then.

Weiwei wasn’t registered under the Xie Family’s household, and Xie Jingxian didn’t make any comments. The old man was very stubborn, not letting Xie Shang step through the door for years. He didn’t recognize his grandson, but his great-granddaughter was the apple of the old man’s eye.

In recent years, Xie Jingxian didn’t celebrate his birthday with a feast but would ask Wen Changling to bring Weiwei to eat at Flower Chamber Hall every year.

Xie Shang would drop them off at the front gate where Uncle Zhong came out to greet them.

“Weiwei is here.”

Weiwei was wearing a festive red cape, “Hello, Uncle Zhong.”

“Good, good, come in.” Uncle Zhong took the congratulations gift from Wen Changling’s hands, smiling warmly and said, “The old master got up early this morning to wait, afraid that you wouldn’t be happy, he didn’t ask Miss Pang San to come over, Mr. Er and his family were all sent out too.”

Although Ah Na’s grudge had been avenged, Wen Changling couldn’t possibly interact with the Xie Family people without any burden. Considering these matters, Xie Jingxian made sure to send Xie Jiwen and Xie Yanli away each birthday to avoid them encountering Wen Changling.

Xie Shang handed Wen Changling Weiwei’s water bottle, “Go on, I’ll wait for you outside.”

Wen Changling went inside with Weiwei, leaving Uncle Zhong behind, who had more to say.

Xie Shang asked, “How has grandpa been feeling lately?”

“The medicine you sent is effective, his legs are a lot better than before,” said Uncle Zhong with a sad look, “Fourth Brother, don’t be hard on your grandpa.”

“I’m not.”

After marrying Wen Changling, Xie Shang had softened a great deal. He used to be very intense, now he was more let-go and natural, resembling more the carefree young master of old who enjoyed sipping tea and admiring flowers.

“The old master just can’t get over his pride to speak up. He knows all those gifts are from you, but he pretends not to,” Uncle Zhong mediated between the grandfather and grandson over these years. “Last time he went fishing with Elder Xiao, and Elder Xiao spoke some displeasing words about you, the old master got so angry that he is still ignoring Elder Xiao.”

Xie Shang smiled, “I know, Elder Xiao came to complain to me.”

There were quite a few in the capital who didn’t see eye to eye with him, yet oddly enough, they all turned to him when something came up. Xie Shang was somewhat helpless about it.

“These old masters...,” sighed Uncle Zhong, “Looks like it’s going to rain, Fourth Brother, you should head back. Don’t wait outside.”

Xie Shang looked at the sky, “There’s an umbrella in the car.”

He decided to stay and wait.

Uncle Zhong went inside, and the door closed behind him.

Soon after, the rain began to fall. Flower Chamber Hall amidst its garden architecture, with a bridge and running stream nearby, shrouded in misty rain and gentle wind, was indeed a scene for cherishing flowers.

A white sports car sped from a distance, halting at the gate of the Xie Family.

The man on the sports car called out, “Fourth Brother Xie.” It was the grandson of the Xiao Family, Xiao Congcong.

In recent years, Xie Shang had become much more approachable, no longer as fiery as before, even on a thunderstorm day.

Xiao Congcong dared to joke with him, “Got kicked out by your grandpa again?”

Xie Shang, leaning lazily against his umbrella, which rested casually on his shoulder, stood before a wall draped with hanging green plants, appearing at ease and leisurely, “Never let me in.”

Xiao Congcong laughed heartily, “Fourth Brother Xie’s filial piety reaches the skies.”

“Get lost.”

“Sure thing.”

The sports car sped off again, kicking up a trail of water.

When lunchtime was nearing, Uncle Zhong came out with an umbrella, “Fourth Brother Xie,” he said, beaming as if there were good tidings, “your grandfather is letting you in.”

Although the rain wasn’t heavy, Xie Shang’s trouser hems were already wet.

“Why has Grandpa suddenly relented?”

Uncle Zhong replied, “Weiwei can’t solve a particular problem, and the old master can’t either. He said to let you in to teach her, then get lost once you’re done.”

Teach a problem?

Xie Shang chuckled, “Changling can’t do it either?”

“Yes, neither of them can.”

Weiwei was young, so the problem couldn’t be that difficult. The old master was simply looking for an excuse.

Uncle Zhong understood Xie Jingxian’s thoughts quite well, and hinted with a mix of clarity and obliqueness, “The rain is about to get heavier.” It was clear the old master was feeling sorry for his grandson.

Xie Shang, holding the umbrella, walked through the Moon Cave Gate and from afar saw Xie Jingxian waiting at the main house’s entrance.

*****

Let’s talk about a few kids of the same generation, each with their own distinctive personalities.

In the Gu Family, born in the Year of the Tiger, was Bu Qun, nicknamed Huzi. Huzi had a pet goose, which originally was meant to be cooked for him by his grandmother. He wouldn’t let anyone cook it, insisting on swearing brotherhood with the goose, stating it was his brother and they would share life and death together.

One day, the brothers caused a mishap, knocking off a trophy from the table – a trophy that belonged to Huzi’s dad, the Valley Mouth Singing God – shattering it to pieces. The adults weren’t around at the time, only the kids. Huzi, fearing his brother might be cooked for causing trouble, asked his friends to help him find a way out.

Zhu Qingan, being the eldest, was logical and composed.

“You could write a self-criticism letter admitting your mistake.”

Huzi was extremely reluctant, “I can’t write.”

“I’ll teach you.” Zhu Qingan prepared the paper and pen, “I’ll dictate, and you write. A letter of self-criticism.”

Huzi, who was already in his second year of elementary school, stared with innocent and puzzled wide eyes, “Bro, how do you write the word ‘criticism’?”

“...”

Zhu Qingan continued reading his physics book.

Huzi scratched his head, pondering, and came up with an idea, “How about we just don’t admit it?”

Huzi did not inherit a trace of Miss Pang San’s shrewdness and wit; he was mischievous and naughty, always causing a ruckus.

Sitting nicely beside Huzi, wearing a smoke-purple dress, was the little lady from the Gu Family, Tizhao.

Tizhao, who never lied, said, “Brother Huzi, we should not lie.”

Tizhao was the youngest, five months younger than Weiwei.

Zhu Qingan’s maternal grandfather’s family was a literary household, and Tizhao’s name was given by Old Master Wu, Gu Tizhao, with the style name Xi Zhi.

Huzi stubbornly refused, “My dad didn’t see it.”

“We should not lie.”

Tizhao pressed her hands down on her little dress, a polite and gentle little lady, exceedingly well-behaved.

Huzi looked to another sister, Weiwei—Weiwei was the smartest.

“Hide the goose, and let your dad give you a beating to vent his anger.”

Weiwei favored efficiency and straightforwardness.

Ultimately, Huzi took Weiwei’s advice, took the beating from his dad, and saved his brother. For a brother, he’d take a knife in the ribs. That was the kind of “stand-up” character Huzi was.