Chapter 170: Expectations for the Future
Chapter 170
Old Pei hugged his grandson for a while, then went over to look at his little granddaughter. Only then did he realize that the two children actually looked exactly the same - if you put them together, you couldn't even tell them apart.
This was the first time he had seen two people who looked so much alike. For a moment, Old Pei was quite amazed.
Zhou Nan and Know Summer also looked alike, but their temperaments were worlds apart. Other than their similar facial features, there was not a trace of similarity between them.
After playing with the children for a while, Old Pei said, "You haven't gone over to your paternal grandparents yet, have you?"
"No, we have to take care of these two first before doing anything else. I'm planning to go over later," Know Summer said with an helpless smile. With two little ones to take care of, it was definitely more tiring, but despite the fatigue, she also felt blessed.
Old Pei had simply wanted to remind them to go visit. Since he knew they were planning to go, there was no need to say more.
Since the two families lived so close, they should go earlier to let the old master and old madam see their great-grandson and great-granddaughter.
Otherwise, Old Pei chuckled to himself, he was afraid the old guy and old sister-in-law wouldn't be able to hold themselves back.
Now that he had grandson and granddaughter to play with, Old Pei brought both children outside to let Know Summer and Pei JingXian freshen up first.
Pei JingXian was quick - by the time he finished washing, Know Summer had just gone in.
The weather today was nice. Even though it was already afternoon, rays of evening sunlight still shone through the dense trees into the yard.
As Pei Jing walked into the living room, he heard the tender voices of children and his father's lively laughter.
Sitting on a stool, he asked, "Where are Pei Shuang and Pei Xiang?"
Pei Jing had only asked casually. It was normal for the adults to be out working. As expected, both were not at home.
Old Pei glanced at him, his emotions unchanged. "The family has split up. Their families have both moved out and now only Jian Guo still lives here."
"Why so suddenly? Is it because of my sisters-in-law..." After the issue with being sent down to the countryside, the already unhappy relationship between the two branches had been completely torn apart.
"It's not entirely because of that. We never split up the family before because our Pei family didn't have a lot of men. Especially after these girls get married, there would only be Jian Guo, the one boy left to carry on the family name. Your second brother and sister-in-law don't have a son either, so we thought it'd be better for everyone to stay together and help each other." As he spoke, Old Pei sighed. No one expected that just because of one opening to be sent down to the countryside, the two branches would become completely estranged.
The eldest daughter-in-law had never been easy to get along with. In the past, the second branch was willing to let things slide, but after the rift opened, they were no longer willing to indulge each other. The family could never get a moment of peace.
Since the second brother also talked about wanting to move out and start his own household, Old Pei took the chance to divide up the family.
"Little Three, you were right that we spoiled Jian Guo rotten in this family."
Years ago, Pei Jing had brought up this issue to Old Pei before, saying that he himself used to be a ruthless and decisive person. It was only because he had gotten older and mellower as a person.
With Eldest Brother rarely coming back home over these long months and years, as an old man, it wasn't easy for him to say too much to his daughter-in-law. He thought he should just let the children have their own blessings and live one day at a time without meddling too much.
Now seeing his son was at the age to start his own family, Old Pei regretted not making him toughen up more.
"Alright, enough about that. Tell me about you and Know Summer. You're doing fine, right?" Old Pei sighed and said. Pei Jing's marriage was different since he married the daughter of the An family. He couldn't not ask about it. "She's still young so you have to indulge her more. Young girls are more delicate. And don't keep a stern face all day. Nurture your feelings well with her. For husband and wife living together, it's good to discuss things..."
Old Pei nagged on and on. Pei Jing acquiesced to everything.
Because special circumstances led to their marriage, the three elders in the family were always worried that they wouldn't get along well or that one of them harbored bad thoughts.
Although Pei Jing felt their worries were somewhat unnecessary, he also couldn't disregard their affection.
In the past, he never had thoughts of getting married. It was also because his occupation was special - he was afraid that after getting married, he would have to divide even more attention to take care of the household.
In the army, he had seen far too many people who could only choose to leave the military in the end because of their wife's lack of understanding.
Know Summer's appearance was certainly unexpected and not in his plans. At the beginning, he also had some apprehension. But after truly living together, he discovered that he had actually married a treasure.
There was no conflict between them at all - whether in life or with the children.
He would tolerate her ideas. She was also willing to understand his difficulties.
Even after having two children, it was as if his hands and feet were tied up without the freedom he previously had. Instead of feeling aversion from having to busy himself with the children and household everyday, he looked to the future with great anticipation.
Sometimes Pei Jing would think that Know Summer and the children were treasures that heaven had deliberately sent him because he was too lonely by himself.
Seeing that faint trace of a smile that appeared on Pei Jing's face when Know Summer was mentioned, Old Pei finally felt reassured. His youngest son was also married with children. His life could be considered fulfilled. Even if he died now, it would be worth it.
Know Summer came in after washing up and changing into a set of clean clothes. Her hair was half dry since it was too dry for her to have just washed it.
Old Pei handed the children to them. "Alright, hurry up and take them for your paternal grandparents to see. Those two probably still don't know that you're back."
Pei Jing and Know Summer picked up the children. They weren't sleeping right now and also didn't have diapers on.
As for shame, these babies weren't even a year old yet - they obviously didn't understand anything. Some children even older than them still ran around outside naked with their bare bottoms.
Contrary to what Old Pei imagined, the old master and old madam had already known a couple days ago that they were coming back, approximately today. Old Madam had told Mrs. Zhou to keep an eye out early on.
At the moment, Old Master was standing in the yard peering around, clearly waiting for someone.
Old Madam and Mrs. Zhou were in the kitchen. Old Madam didn't know how to cook and could only boss around blindly while Mrs. Zhou good-naturedly answered her but then completely ignored her instructions when actually cooking.
Old Madam didn't mind as her thoughts had long left the kitchen already.
"Paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, I'm back!"
Hearing the cheerful shout from outside, Old Madam hurriedly scrambled out.
"Know Summer, quickly let grandmother see my cute little great grandson..."
"Grandmother, you only care about your little great grandson!" Know Summer passed the child in her arms over and deliberately pretended to pout.
"You silly girl, you birthed this child yourself. Are you actually jealous of your own child?" Old Madam impatiently rebuked and then carefully looked Know Summer up and down.
Indeed, like what her mother and maternal grandmother said, she had managed to grow taller even after getting pregnant and giving birth - this really was rare.
Though, this was good. She had indeed been a little short before.
After bringing the children inside, Old Master and Old Madam spoke only a few sentences to Know Summer and Pei Jing before completely focusing their attention on the two babies, almost forgetting about Pei Jing and Know Summer.
The couple exchanged a smile. Know Summer pulled Pei Jing with her as they quietly exited the living room and headed towards their own room.
Opening the door, the room was still neatly tidied up like Old Madam and Mrs. Zhou had prepared in advance, with the folded blankets perfectly stacked on the bed. They probably guessed that Pei Jing and Know Summer might not stay here and so hadn't laid them out.