Chapter 0569: Persuasion

Grandfather's words gave Zhao Fusheng a considerable shock. Regarding fate and choice, Zhao Fusheng had previously always had a somewhat drifting mentality, or more accurately, a casual attitude of treating life like a game.

After all, he now felt as if he were playing a single-player game, where apart from himself, most people and things in this world existed like NPCs.

Just finish the game!

Sometimes such whimsical thoughts would pop into Zhao Fusheng's mind.

But Grandfather's words made Zhao Fusheng realize that this was not a game; it was about the future lives of many people. Although his aunt and uncle's choice now seemed somewhat ridiculous, for them, it was a matter of direction for their future development, and it was impossible not to be cautious.

Although man proposes, God disposes, the problem is that not everyone has the courage to break through all constraints and bet everything without hesitation.

Just like Zhao Fusheng's parents, if they had to do it again, they might not dare to bet everything on opening that shopping mall.

When people make choices, it's really just a matter of a single thought.

"Dad, I think you're absolutely right." Zhao Fusheng said to his father on the phone, "I've decided not to interfere in Aunt and Uncle's matter."

Zhao's father chuckled: "Did your grandfather talk to you?"

"Mm." Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Grandfather told me that Aunt thinks the risk is too great and doesn't want to quit her job."

Zhao's father grunted in acknowledgment; he had already anticipated this outcome. After all, his younger sister's situation was different from the other families. The other families were not well off financially, and farming was essentially no different from growing crops in greenhouses, so they naturally had no hesitation. But his sister and brother-in-law both had stable jobs, and although their salaries were average, their situation was better than the others, so they naturally didn't have as strong a need to change the status quo.

"Alright, don't overthink it." Zhao's father seemed to sense Zhao Fusheng's emotional change and said, "Everyone has the right to choose their own future. Whether it's you or me, we are all bystanders; we can't decide how your aunt's family will live in the future."

Zhao Fusheng naturally understood his father's words and smiled: "Don't worry, I know what to do."

The father and son chatted a bit more. Zhao's father asked about the old man's health and was relieved to hear that he was doing well.

After hanging up, Zhao Fusheng returned to the room and found that his grandfather had already fallen asleep.

Elderly people, having just been a bit emotional, naturally felt tired.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something... he hadn't eaten yet!

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Zhao Fusheng now deeply missed Meituan food delivery, or even Ele.me would do.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Fusheng walked out of his grandfather's house, went to the grocery store at the entrance of the alley, bought two packs of instant noodles, two sausages, and a loaf of bread.

Back home, he cooked some water himself, boiled the noodles, and ate them.

When the old man woke up, it was already past seven in the evening. Zhao Fusheng was reading a book. Having lived a second life, his favorite thing to do now was read.

Although he read slowly, Zhao Fusheng felt that as long as he accumulated knowledge day by day, there would always be a time when it would be useful.

"Reading, huh." Grandfather looked at Zhao Fusheng and asked kindly.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "You're awake?"

"Mm." The old man was a bit embarrassed. "Ah, your grandpa is old and useless; I fell asleep in no time. Making my eldest grandson cook for himself..."

"It's fine, Grandpa." Zhao Fusheng smiled. "I'm not that hungry anyway."

As he spoke, he thought for a moment and said to the old man, "Grandpa, how about you move into the city and live with my parents for a while?"

"Huh?" The old man frowned, a little puzzled.

After all, he had lived alone for so many years, never agreeing to live with his children no matter how much they insisted. In fact, he would often use the money he earned from farming to help out his less well-off children.

But this time, hearing his grandson's words, the old man hesitated.

"My parents are in business now, as you know, and our family's situation has changed. You're getting older every day. Not to mention anything else, if something happens to you while you're living here alone, we wouldn't even know." Zhao Fusheng looked at his grandfather and said calmly.

"That's true, but I'm still in good health..." The old man's eyes widened, and he was about to defend himself.

"Grandpa, don't you want to see me get married and have children?"

Seeing this, Zhao Fusheng went straight for the kill without further ado. He knew well that what his grandfather cared about most was family lineage; carrying on the family line was extremely important to the old man.

In other words, if it were for his son or grandson, the old man might still hesitate, but if it were for his great-grandson, the scales in his heart would surely tip.

"Get married and have children?"

Sure enough, after Zhao Fusheng brought up this topic, the old man's eyes lit up.

"You have a girlfriend?" The old man stared at Zhao Fusheng, asking in surprise.

Zhao Fusheng sighed, recounted the matter about himself and Fan Baobao, and finally said, "You see, if Baobao and I get married in a few years, we'll have children. By then, if your health isn't good, how will you help me take care of the kids?"

"Hmm, that..." The old man hesitated.

It had to be said that Zhao Fusheng's words hit his weak spot. For a man nearing seventy, having four generations under one roof was undoubtedly his dream. As Zhao Fusheng said, being able to see his great-grandson born and grow up little by little was the happiest thing imaginable for the old man.

"Alright, I agree."

After a long while, the grandfather finally gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.

There was no help for it; Zhao Fusheng's words were too tempting. To see his great-grandson, the old man had to try his best to live a few more years.

A smile crept onto Zhao Fusheng's lips. It was often said that desirelessness makes one strong. In this world, no matter who, unless they were completely without desires or needs, as long as they had wants, they would have weaknesses.

Grandpa's weakness was his hope to see the family prosper and the younger generation live happily; his parents' weakness was their hope that their children would settle down and start careers; as for his own weakness, it was probably these closest people around him.

Zhao Fusheng never shied away from this, nor did he think it made him seem petty. If a person couldn't even protect their own family, what was the point of talking about love for one's country and the world?

Besides, Zhao Fusheng was no hero or saint; he was just an ordinary commoner.