Chapter 101: The Secret History of the Zhao Family

  Regret? What's the use of regret? Can Xiaoyan's mother come back to life? Besides, what is he regretful about? If he was truly regretful, why would that woman still be bossing around in the Zhao family, and why would her child still be enjoying everything that originally belonged to Xiaoyan? Isn't it because of that son that Old Zhao abandoned his wife who had been with him for years, and drove out the girl he had raised for over 20 years? This kind of person is worse than Chen Shimei. What's there for Xiaoyan to go back and see? Hasn't Xiaoyan suffered enough grievances in the past? Humph, now that he's ill, it serves him right. Old Jiang slapped his chopsticks on the table, saying with a sense of venting.

  He just can't stand that old Zhao's flirtatious look, and every time he mentions this matter, he can't control his temper.

  You old man, Xiaoyan just came back, can't you say something good? Why are you saying these things? Isn't this going to make Xiaoyan feel bad? The old lady also got angry, she knew that the old man was deeply in love and deeply hated. Originally, they had a very good relationship with Old Zhao's family, one was a painter and the other was a sculptor, often collaborating. The old man and Old Zhao were also good brothers for many years. When Old Zhao divorced and remarried, the old man scolded him a lot, but at that time, Old Zhao had already entered the land of warmth and couldn't come out no matter what. In a fit of anger, the old man cut off all ties with Old Zhao and never contacted each other again for many years. However, every time the old man mentioned Old Zhao, he would still scold him, saying that Old Zhao had lost face for their literary community.

  Aunt Xiu, it's all right, so many years have passed, I'm already this old, and I should have forgotten about the past long ago. Haibo and I don't plan to live in Beijing permanently either. Our home is now in Oil City, and we only came back this time because of something urgent. As for my dad...I'll find time to visit him. No matter how he treated me in the past, after all, he's my biological father. This time I'm back, I'll just go see if he's doing well on the way, as long as I can clear my conscience, that's enough. Zhao Shuyan said calmly.

  Qiu Ye was eating on the side, but her ears and eyes were not idle. From everyone's fragmented words, she analyzed that Auntie's family should have experienced a third-party intervention, with the mistress taking over, driving away the original partner, and squeezing out the legitimate daughter in a melodramatic plot. Auntie must have been unable to bear the persecution of her stepmother and married Uncle, who had always silently accompanied her by her side, and then moved far away. Now Old Man Guan's body is much worse than before. He has finally come to a great realization, feeling guilty towards his original wife and first child, so he wants to obtain his child's forgiveness in his lifetime.

  How to say that... Qiu Ye was thinking hard with a chopstick in her mouth, ah, she remembered, he wanted to be a prostitute and also set up a chastity arch, what a good thing!

  Don't look at the godmother who has always been gentle and soft. But she is also a very stubborn person, Godfather wronged his own godmother, now wants to regain the godmother's affection. It's probably enough for oneself to see.

  Qiu Ye thought that these were already very close to the truth. This story is a bit old-fashioned, but back then there was a female student who had taken a liking to Zhao Lao Ye Zi when he was still a teacher. She would often intentionally come into contact with him under the pretext of discussing poetry and art. Zhao Lao Ye Zi had that kind of pretentious and hypocritical nature typical of literary people, while Zhao Shu Yan's mother was just an ordinary housewife who didn't understand anything. Zhao Lao Ye Zi looked down on his wife in his heart, and when he reached middle age, he was seduced by the beautiful young female student. He couldn't resist her charms for long and soon fell into her trap. In the end, the beautiful female student came to their home pregnant with his child, asking Zhao's mother to give their only son a chance at survival and an identity.

  At this time, the simple-minded Zhao's wife finally knew what her husband had done outside. Before she could make a decision, Old Man Zhao had already made up his mind. He wanted both his son and his son's mother, so in the end, it was only possible for the wife to be driven out of the house.

  At that time, Zhao Shuyan was already 20 years old and understood everything. She was extremely heartbroken by her father's behavior, which disregarded shame and family affection. Without saying anything, she moved out of the Zhao household with her mother.

  At that time, Old Man Zhao was infatuated with the beautiful female student and didn't know east, south, west or north. How could he still have the energy to care about any girl? After Mrs. Zhao left the Zhao family, her dissatisfaction with life and unhappiness in her mind led to her getting depression soon after the divorce, and she passed away in less than half a year. Zhao Shuyan was extremely grieved, and having no other choice, she had to return to the Zhao family to rely on her father again.

  Mr. Zhao had just welcomed a biological son and unexpectedly adopted another son at the same time. It wasn't until his own son was born that he found out that the beautiful female student had been married before and had a six-year-old son. The beautiful female student might have thought that since she gave birth to an only child for the Zhao family, she was a great contributor, so she brought her eldest son to the Zhao family as well.

  Mr. Zhao was surprised, but somehow enchanted by the beautiful female student, and agreed to it. When Zhao Shuyan returned home, she saw that the four of them were a happy family, with a loving father and filial children, full of happiness and joy.

  Mr. Zhao is not completely heartless, and he also opened the door for his daughter who returned to the Zhao family. However, the current mistress of the house is not an easy person to talk to. The fact that she can climb into Mr. Zhao's bed and enter the Zhao family as the mistress proves that she is not an ordinary person, but rather someone with cunning and means. A young girl like Zhao Shuyan cannot possibly compete with her, so in the end, the legitimate daughter of the Zhao family was driven out of the house by Mr. Zhao in a fit of rage after the current mistress's tearful pleas.

  Zhao Shuyan, who was driven out, was taken in by Fang Haibo, a childhood friend, and they got married. They then went abroad together. It wasn't until twenty years later that Zhao Shuyan returned to her hometown again.

  No matter what happened back then, you're back now. Old Zhao's health is still not good, and as his daughter, you should go back to see him. If you don't, people who don't know the situation will think you're unfilial. Besides, going back won't hurt, and if you can stay for a while, that's even better. If you can't, just fulfill your duties and come back quickly. Isn't that right? Xu Nainai still insists that Xiaoyan should go back home to see her father, after all, she is Old Zhao's eldest daughter, no matter what the old man is like, as a child, one must be filial, or else people will talk.

  Zhao Shuyan and Fang Haibo nodded in agreement after listening to Grandma Xu's words.

  Old Ginger saw that they all agreed and didn't make a sound, but he was still huffing with anger. His temper was like this, resentful of evil.

  Fang Haibo saw that Old Man Jiang was still looking indignant. He quickly changed the subject, because if they made him angry about their family matters, their fault would be even greater.

  Mr. Jiang, this time our whole family came to Beijing mainly to trouble you. Fang Haibo said the purpose of this trip.

  What? Old Master Jiang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly enlightened. He said: You little brat, you want your Uncle Jiang to carve something for you, don't you! Hmph, I see through you, you two haven't returned to Beijing in so many years, and even last year you sent someone to report your safety, why have you all come back so suddenly this time? There must be some ulterior motive. Although Old Master Jiang's words were scolding, his face was still full of smiles. In his opinion, no matter what the reason, the children who had been wandering outside finally returned home, which was better than anything else.

  Hehe, yes Uncle Jiang, in September. Xiaoyan and the two kids went on a trip to Xinjiang and brought back some seeds, just thinking of coming back to trouble Uncle Jiang. To carve some pendants for the kids or something. Fang Haibo was scolded but didn't get angry, he understood Old Man Jiang's temper, it's just like his own father.

  Cough, you guys went to Xinjiang again? Are those seeds brought back by someone a few years ago? Old Master Jiang spent his life with jade, proficient in carving and obsessed with it.

  Two years ago, Zhao Shuyan went to Xinjiang and brought back a piece of jade material. Fang Haibo had someone bring that piece of jade material to Old Man Jiang and asked him to carve several pendants.

  Mr. Jiang was thrilled after seeing the material, it had been many years since he last saw such a fine piece of jade. Unlike the ordinary jade he usually carved, this one was soft jade. Mr. Jiang studied the fist-sized material for many days before finally carving out five pendants.

  Yes, it's that kind of material again, and it's even better and bigger than last time. Fang Haibo slightly leaked some information, he knew the extent of Old Master Jiang's infatuation with jade, so when he said this, Old Master Jiang would definitely take the bait.

  As expected, Old Ginger's eyes lit up as he listened, and he was about to put down his chopsticks and stare directly at the stone.

  Auntie Xu knew her husband's temper, so she quickly said: "You'd better behave yourself. Even if you want to look at the stone, it has to be after dinner. At your age, how can you still be so reckless and impulsive!

  Mrs. Xue's face was still stern and imposing. Although Old Man Jiang was not very pleased, he still yielded to Mrs. Xue's authority, urging them to hurry up and eat, saying: "Alright, alright, let's eat quickly, we can discuss whatever it is later." He also told Little Yan to stop talking and hurry up and eat.

  Xu's grandma is so helpless. This old man can only do things that make people speechless, and in front of his precious jade, everything else takes a backseat.

  The Fang family burst out laughing, and Qiu Ye also started to really like this Old Man Jiang. This Old Man Jiang was a very high-ranking old man who looked very serious, but his personality was very kind, he was a lovely old fellow.

  After everyone finished lunch, Zhao Shuyan helped Xu Nainai clean up the table. Qiu Ye should have also helped, but she was worried about her godfather's seed business with Jiang Yeye, so she sent her brother to help and slipped into the study room to be an onlooker instead.

  In the study, Old Master Jiang held a magnifying glass and examined the piece of jade seedling that Fang Haibo had given him under the lamp. He looked at it for a while, explaining to Fang Haibo as he did so: "The quality of this seedling is indeed better than the one you brought back last time. This is 'chicken bone white', a famous variety of white jade, known in ancient times as 'porcelain white' due to its dense and pure whiteness."

  Look at this piece of jade, its whiteness is very high, even whiter than sheep fat white, with a kind of crisp and neat component, but the smoothness is lower than that of sheep fat jade.

  Mr. Jiang said with a sigh and shook his head, finally putting down the stone, and asked Fang Haibo: What do you want to carve?

  Fang Haibo didn't think it was a pity, this was just one of the items stored at home, and only because Xiaoyan thought it looked good did she bring it. Besides, he wasn't very clear about their value, so he didn't feel sorry either.

  Uncle Jiang, can you carve a few more bangles? Xiaoyan wants to carve a few more bangles and save them for the kids. Uncle Jiang, I have two more pieces of material here, let's take a look together. Fang Haibo said as he took out two more pieces of material from his luggage and handed them over to Old Man Jiang.

  Old Jiang didn't expect that he would bring so many this time. At first, there was only a piece the size of a steamed bun, but the two pieces behind were as big as rice bowls.

  "Ah, these three pieces of seed material are not bad. This is 'glutinous rice white', a top-grade white jade, with a soft and white color, a texture like glutinous rice, moderate to high oil content, good transparency, and a good hand feel." Old Man Jiang couldn't help but introduce the seed material to Fang Haibo again.

  Uncle Jiang, I don't understand these things either. You take charge and see what can be carved, just carve whatever it is. Anyway, they're all for the kids at home to keep. Fang Haibo was even more carefree, giving Uncle Jiang full authority to do as he pleased, not bothering with anything himself.

  You little rascal, you've come to my place to take advantage of me. However, one thing you said is quite right - you don't understand anything. I've told you so much, but it's like playing a flute to an ox. Old Mr. Jiang shook his head as he spoke, showing disdain for the other person's lack of professional knowledge.

  Fang Haibo didn't get angry, instead he smiled and said, "I'll give all these to you, Uncle Jiang. You're the best in this industry, I'll leave it to you to handle, I'm at ease."

  Hmph, good for you. Old Master Jiang was pleased beyond measure by Fang Haibo's subtle flattery.

  Fang Haibo saw that Jiang Shu was pleased, so he quickly said to Xiao Ye, who had been sitting in the chair listening to them talk: "Xiao Ye, don't you still have a good seedling there? Quickly take it out and let Grandpa Jiang see. Your Grandpa Jiang is an expert, one glance and he can tell if a stone is good or not."

  Qiu Ye, who was standing aside, heard that it was finally her turn, so she took out the piece of sheep fat jade from her backpack that her parents had given her when they came. The large cloth package was opened and the object was taken out. She walked forward and said to Old Man Jiang: "Grandpa Jiang, take a look at this seed material of mine." After finishing speaking, she handed over the seed material in her hand.

  Mr. Jiang put his old glasses back on, took the seeds from Qiu Ye's hand, and began to examine them carefully under the lamp light.

  After a while, he couldn't help but exclaim: Not bad, really not bad. Top-notch, the best of Hetian jade.