Chapter 0558: Grandpa

After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic plump auntie, Zhao Fusheng turned into the alley, carrying a bottle of Erguotou he had bought on a whim when getting off the bus.

There was no helping it—this was Grandpa’s only hobby. The old man didn’t care about eating well or dressing well; he just loved his drink. A man who could down a couple of shots even with just pickled vegetables and peanuts, Zhao Fusheng felt that trying to persuade Grandpa to quit drinking was utterly pointless.

The reason was simple: a person’s hobby is a habit cultivated over decades. Sure, quitting drinking might let him live a few more years, but if life became as ascetic as a monk’s, there would be no joy in it.

The Zhao family courtyard was large, a big yard with four brick rooms, no walls, only a hedge and a wooden fence gate. Zhao Fusheng pushed open the gate and walked in, calling out to the old man picking vegetables in the garden: “Grandpa!”

“Hmm?”

Grandpa turned around, startled: “Fusheng, what brings you here?”

He was quite fond of this grandson of his who was in college. They say affection skips a generation; generally, the bond between father and son, especially among the older generation, is often not well expressed. Or rather, our fathers and their fathers were stingy with showing care for each other, but doted excessively on their grandchildren.

That was the case in the Zhao family. The old man didn’t care much about how his son was doing. In his own words, whether he ate chaff or wore silk was his own doing. He had raised him, married him off—could he look after him for life?

But for Zhao Fusheng, from childhood to adulthood, the old man cherished him immensely.

“The youngest son, the eldest grandson—the old man’s lifeline.” That saying really held true.

“I’m here for an internship at Hongqi Middle School.” Zhao Fusheng grinned, walked over, and casually placed the wine on the windowsill, then took the vegetable basket from Grandpa’s hands and helped him pick beans.

“Why are you out doing an internship? Last time I heard from your mom, weren’t you working under that counselor at your school?” Grandpa frowned and asked curiously.

No matter how busy Zhao’s dad and mom were, they made time every so often to visit the old man, so he knew a bit about Zhao Fusheng’s situation.

Zhao Fusheng explained with a smile: “It’s a school requirement. If you want the diploma, you have to do the internship.”

Grandpa frowned and snorted: “Bureaucracy.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and didn’t pursue the matter further.

This was probably a habit of all elderly people—for things they disapproved of, they would always point them out bluntly and then pass judgment.

Perhaps in Grandpa’s eyes, he had fought tooth and nail to build the country back in the day. If someone did a poor job, he certainly had the right to complain. After all, for the sake of liberation, he hadn’t settled down and started a family until he was thirty.

“By the way, since you’re interning at Hongqi Middle School, have you met that Teacher Sun from the front yard?” Grandpa seemed to remember something and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: “Yes, I met him. And my supervising teacher is Teacher Sun’s wife, Teacher Wang.”

“Oh, that’s fine. That couple is decent enough.” Grandpa nodded, hesitated, and finally said: “Though Sun is a bit of a social climber, he’s not a bad person. His wife, on the other hand, likes to take advantage. Go buy some gifts and visit them later, and it’ll be fine.”

It had to be said, with age comes wisdom. At Grandpa’s age, he had seen too many people. Though he hadn’t interacted much with Sun Qingfeng and Wang Xiaorong, he had accurately judged their characters from the limited contact.

Zhao Fusheng scratched his head and smiled in agreement: “Alright, I know, Grandpa. Don’t worry.”

Grandpa nodded. His eldest grandson had always been a decisive person; there was no need for him to say too much.

Glancing at the wine his grandson had bought, Grandpa grinned: “Your mom says you’re earning a salary now. Your grandpa can finally enjoy the blessings of his eldest grandson.”

Zhao Fusheng laughed: “Just wait to enjoy life, Grandpa. There are plenty of good days ahead.”

“Mm-hmm, plenty ahead.”

The grandfather and grandson walked into the house together. Grandpa said to Zhao Fusheng: “What do you want to eat? I’ll cook for you.”

“Grandpa, I ran into Uncle-in-law just now. How about we go to Aunt’s place for dinner tonight? I have something to discuss with him.” Zhao Fusheng got straight to the point.

“You have business with him?”

Grandpa was puzzled, not understanding what Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Houde could have to talk about.

A primary school logistics director and an advertising company designer—they had absolutely nothing in common.

Though Grandpa didn’t understand the ins and outs, he wasn’t stupid; he had that much common sense.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: “Not just Aunt and Uncle, but also Second Uncle and Third Uncle, and Big Aunt and Big Uncle-in-law. Call them all and have them come over. I have something to say.”

This time, his main purpose was to get this done.

Grandpa nodded and simply walked over to the landline to start making calls.

Though he was old, he could still use the phone.

Zhao Fusheng stepped outside and pulled out his phone to call his father.

“Dad, I’m at Grandpa’s,” Zhao Fusheng said.

“Mm, how’s Grandpa’s health?” Zhao’s dad asked.

“He’s fine. We’re going to Aunt’s for dinner tonight.”

“Hmm, are you really going to do that?”

“I think I should. After all, if someone else does it, it’s the same job. At least if our own family does it, you can rest easier,” Zhao Fusheng said seriously. “Besides, we can’t just ignore them, can we?”

He wasn’t a saint. For those with malicious intent, Zhao Fusheng showed no mercy. But likewise, for those who had helped him, he never forgot their kindness.

In his past life, his family was poor. When they faced many difficulties, though his uncles and aunts were also in modest circumstances and had their own burdens, they always contributed what they could—money or effort.

A poor person giving you nine hundred out of their thousand is different from a rich person giving you a hundred out of their hundred thousand. Though both are help, the meaning is truly different.

For the recipient, it might all be help, but for the giver, though kindness is always a virtue, the degree varies.

“Alright, since you think so, go ahead and say it.” Zhao’s dad was silent for a moment, then said to Zhao Fusheng: “And your maternal grandmother’s side…”

Zhao Fusheng smiled: “Don’t worry, I won’t put Mom in a tough spot. Our family doesn’t play favorites.”

Hanging up the phone, Zhao’s dad blinked, feeling as if he had been persuaded by his son once again.