Chapter 85: What's Wrong with Giving You a Few Knocks?

Jiang Chengyan was standing in front of the cabinet, searching for socks for Bai Yan, when he suddenly felt two small fists pounding against his back. He turned around to see his young wife, her face fierce as she swung her fists at him.

"Why are you staring? You're a grown man—what's wrong with me hitting you a couple of times?" Jiang Chengyan's face, handsome as it was, looked rather intimidating when he wasn't smiling. Mrs. Zhao, worried he might scare Bai Yan, shouted at Jiang Chengyan to stop.

Jiang Chengyan couldn't be bothered to argue with Mrs. Zhao. He picked up a pair of woolen socks to put on Bai Yan, but Mrs. Zhao snatched them away.

"Your grandparents heard you caught a lot of fish, so they've brought your second uncle's family over for dinner. Go outside and keep an eye out—make sure no one takes anything from the girl, alright? I just feel your second uncle's family is acting strange this time; he didn't bring his concubine and seems much more downcast. Anyway, go deal with them, and I'll take care of your wife," Mrs. Zhao said, ushering him out.

She helped Bai Yan up and spoke gently, "Don't be afraid, girl. When I cook the fish later, I'll pick out the best pieces of meat just for you."

Jiang Chengyan left the room and went out into the courtyard. Jiang You and Grandpa Jiang were idly supervising, while Grandma Jiang and Mrs. Qian were busy preparing vegetables.

"Chengyan, come here and sit," Jiang You called out as he saw Jiang Chengyan step outside.

Jiang Chengyan strode over, and Mrs. Qian and Grandma Jiang quickly put down their vegetables and joined him.

"Mother, you go ahead," Jiang You said, finding it hard to broach the subject himself, and handed the conversation over to Grandma Jiang and Mrs. Qian.

Grandma Jiang sat on a small stool and glanced at Mrs. Qian before addressing Jiang Chengyan. "Chengyan, do you think you could invite Chujiu over later? He's only a year younger than you, and I think he and Yuan Yuan would make a good match."

Jiang Chengyan replied coldly, "That's not for me to decide."

"Yuan Yuan is a young lady from the city. Marrying Zhao Chujiu, an orphan, is already a stroke of luck for him—what more could he possibly want?" Grandma Jiang clearly didn't like Jiang Chengyan's answer.

"Chengyan, it's not that Grandma is meddling, but I went and had someone read the fortune. They said your second uncle's family can only have a son if your sister gets married," Grandma Jiang explained, seeing Jiang Chengyan's face remain indifferent.

Jiang Chengyan kept his calm demeanor.

"Mother, what's wrong with having a daughter? Daughters are wonderful," Jiang's father interjected, unable to listen further. He also nudged Jiang Chengyan toward the kitchen to prepare sheep's milk for Bai Yan.

"You don't know anything! You work the fields, so you don't care about sons or daughters. But look at your brother—he's got big business outside, he can't be left without a son," Grandma Jiang argued relentlessly despite her age.

Jiang's father frowned and simply followed Jiang Chengyan to the kitchen.

"Chengyan, don't forget to invite Chujiu later!" Grandma Jiang called out after them.

When the father and son reached the kitchen door, Jiang's father seemed to finally make up his mind. He followed behind Jiang Chengyan and spoke softly, "Don't listen to your grandma. Sons and daughters are both precious. You must never let this make you treat the girl unfairly. And there's one more thing I need to tell you. Your mother has been going to the county town these days—we're planning to have another child."

"You don't need to tell me," Jiang Chengyan replied calmly.

But his father stubbornly shook his head. "I have to. You deserve to know ahead of time. You're our child, too—you have the right to know."

"Understood," Jiang Chengyan said.

"I think I heard someone outside selling candied hawthorn. I'll go buy some for the girl," Jiang's father had keen ears; hearing the street vendor's call, he immediately ran outside.

As he left, Jiang Chengyan finally lifted his head and stared intently at his father's retreating figure...