novelslam Chapter 62 Strange Species
Chapter 62 Strange Species
After a glass of wine, everyone automatically forgot about the unpleasantness that had just occurred.
Chen Dongsheng, who was sitting next to Zhang Beichuan, was just twenty years old this year. Since he grew up with Zhang Beichuan, the two were almost like brothers.
"Brother, where should we go this afternoon? The three of us siblings didn't get together for the New Year, and since my sister is here today, how about..."
"Yeah, yeah, bro, I heard there's a new bar that opened near Jiuyanqiao. I heard the atmosphere is pretty good. Shall we go check it out tonight?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoju immediately put on a stern face and glared at her son and daughter. What kind of good people could go to a bar?
What she least wanted to see was Chen Dongsheng, Chen Ji, and Zhang Beichuan hanging out together.
My nephew graduated several years ago, and he only earns a meager monthly salary, which is less than what his husband earns as a construction worker.
She didn't want her son and daughter to follow in his footsteps and end up making a name for themselves.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoli, who was sitting to the side, kicked Zhang Beichuan.
She probably knew exactly what her younger sister was thinking.
In the afternoon, she introduced her son to a potential blind date; how could she have time to take the two little ones out to play?
Considering her younger sister's talkative nature, she knew she would be asking all sorts of questions once she found out, so she told her parents last night not to mention Xiaochuan's blind date today.
Feeling the movement under his feet, Zhang Beichuan knew without a doubt that it was his mother. He paused, picked up his wine glass, and clinked it with his younger siblings who came to greet him.
"That's really unfortunate. I have an appointment this afternoon and some work-related matters to attend to."
This wasn't him making excuses; after meeting his blind date, he still had to meet Wang Ping's childhood friend later to try and secure a long-term, regular client.
Zhang Xiaoli thought her son was making excuses, so she quickly chimed in.
"Since you're busy with work, then focus on work first. Anyway, if the three of you siblings want to get together, you can always find time on weekends in the future."
"Yes, yes, another day, another day." Zhang Xiaoju went along with it and shut the matter down.
After lunch, Zhang Beichuan was chatting with his grandmother on the sofa. His grandfather had a habit of taking a nap after lunch and went to sleep.
After my cousin Chen Ji finished eating, she and my mother cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen.
Zhang Xiaoju, who was eating fruit nearby, felt uneasy watching the affectionate interaction between the grandmother and grandson, and then looking at her son who was only playing on his phone.
In the past, my parents doted on their eldest grandson and gave him all the good things. If things continue like this, the savings that the old couple has accumulated will eventually go to Zhang Beichuan.
He glanced around at the gifts on the living room table. He only saw the ones he had brought, but not Zhang Beichuan's. Suddenly, an idea came to him.
"Xiao Chuan, it's your grandma's birthday, what did you buy her?"
Lan Xiuying's smiling expression vanished, replaced by an annoyed glare.
"Even food can't shut you up?"
Zhang Xiaoju pouted, "Mom, is it a problem if I ask? Aren't you being way too biased?"
Hearing his aunt's question, Zhang Beichuan still wore a gentle smile.
Originally, he planned to give it to his grandmother quietly when he went out later, so that his mother wouldn't see it and start nagging him about the money.
Well, there's nothing we can do now.
Before Lan Xiuying could speak, Zhang Beichuan patted his grandmother's hand and took out a gold bracelet from his pocket.
"Grandma, I didn't know what to buy, so I bought you a bracelet. Why don't you try it on?"
Lan Xiuying stared blankly at the large gold bracelet handed to her.
"Oh my, my dear grandson! How much did this cost?" She glanced at it and quickly pushed it back, "You silly child, go and return it right now. At my age, why would I wear a bracelet?"
Zhang Xiaoju's expression changed slightly. This year, she had given the old lady a thousand yuan and also gave her son and daughter several hundred yuan worth of fruit and other things.
He thought he had already presented himself respectably enough, but Zhang Beichuan surprised him by handing over a gold bracelet. He couldn't help but glance at it and mutter to himself.
"Is this a sudden windfall, or just putting on a show? Judging by the size, it must weigh at least ten grams, which adds up to ten or twenty thousand!"
"Grandma, this is a token of my appreciation. You've worked hard your whole life, it's time to enjoy yourself. Try it on."
After Zhang Beichuan finished speaking, he was about to put the bracelet on his grandmother's wrist.
Lan Xiuying knew that her eldest son's family had a hard time. Zhang Qiang hadn't been able to find any work in the past few years and was barely making ends meet. The family was also burdened with a mortgage.
My eldest grandson is 26 years old and still doesn't have a serious girlfriend. He went on a blind date this afternoon, and there will be many expenses in the future.
"No, no, don't put it on me..."
"Holy crap, bro, that bracelet must have cost a fortune!" Chen Dongsheng stood up and said with a look of surprise.
Zhang Xiaoli, who had just finished washing the dishes, came out of the kitchen and heard Chen Dongsheng's words. Curious, she walked over.
Chen Ji, who was walking ahead, was slightly taken aback when he saw the gold bracelet.
"Brother, you've struck it rich?" His cousin Chen Ji looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"I recently landed a big order, and the client was very satisfied, giving me a substantial bonus. It's payday, so I'm buying my grandma a decent birthday gift."
As Zhang Beichuan spoke, he put the bracelet on his grandmother's wrist without saying a word.
Zhang Xiaoju's expression was somewhat complicated; she tugged at the corners of her mouth, a half-smile playing on her lips.
"Wow, it seems Xiao Chuan has really made something of himself. This order must be huge; the bonus is enough to buy such a big bracelet."
Her words carried a hint of probing, and also a subtle, barely perceptible sourness.
Zhang Xiaoli's heart skipped a beat. She was happy for her son's filial piety, but also worried that he might be spending money recklessly just to save face.
But with so many people around, she couldn't say it directly.
"Of course! My son is so successful! He just told me a few days ago that he got a promotion and a raise, and now he's bought his grandma such a huge gold bracelet!"
Zhang Xiaoju rolled her eyes in annoyance. What's with the arrogance? It's just a gold bracelet.
Chen Dongsheng and Chen Ji, standing to the side, didn't seem too jealous; they just kept crowding around Zhang Beichuan.
"Brother, you'd better work hard. I'll come and come to you after I graduate!" Chen Dongsheng grinned foolishly.
Chen Ji chuckled and said, "Yeah, yeah, bro, if you work a little harder, maybe you'll become a manager or something, reach the pinnacle of life, and marry a rich and beautiful woman!"
Listening to their conversation, Zhang Beichuan glanced at his second aunt, whose expression was complicated, and laughed.
Relatives are sometimes a strange species; they're afraid you're so poor you can't afford to eat, but they're also afraid you're living too well.
The family happily stayed with the old lady, chatting and laughing until the afternoon.
With the appointed time fast approaching, Zhang Beichuan got up, said goodbye to his grandparents, and went out to meet his blind date.
Zhang Xiaoli followed him out and gave him instructions.
"When you meet her, the boy should take the initiative and chat with her more. If you get along, try dating her. I heard that girl is very ambitious..."
Zhang Beichuan looked at the elevator and said helplessly.
"Mom, I understand. You should go back now."