Chapter 2310

Who could argue with her own grandfather? Even if she felt a bit wronged, she couldn’t really object.

By the time Zhu Shunyao and the others returned, it was nearly five o’clock. Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli had already cooked dinner for everyone and waited for them to come back and eat together.

At the Zhu family’s table, there were no strict rules like “don’t speak while eating.” Zhu Yanyi took a bite of her food and casually said, “Mom, you spent the whole afternoon handing out those things. That was really slow.”

“Can’t help it,” Xie Xinlian said, surprised she had been so busy. “People in the village kept coming and going. It took time to walk all the way.” She paused, then added, “By the way, I saw Yan Hong.”

“Zhang Yan Hong?” Zhu Yanyi picked up a seafood meatball with her chopsticks and asked casually.

“Yes. You would never guess it, but Yan Hong looks just like her mother. She is very delicate and pretty. But her lips are thin, and her cheeks have little flesh. She looks like a shrewd person.” Xie Xinlian didn’t know how to read faces, but she knew this much.

Zhu Yanyi shrugged slightly. “We don’t have much to do with her, and we aren’t close. So there’s no need to worry about it.”

“Indeed, there is no need,” Xie Xinlian agreed. “But I heard her reputation is good. The villagers say that Broken Zhang’s adopted daughter visits her every day while she is locked up.”

Zhu Xinfu, sitting nearby, said, “Whether she has schemes or not, the fact that she insists on visiting her adoptive father every day is commendable.”

“Having schemes is fine. In modern society, being smart is important. The key is that she doesn’t use those schemes against us,” Zhu Yanyi said calmly.

To Zhu Yanyi, Zhang Yan Hong was just an unfamiliar person. As long as she didn’t trouble them, Zhu Yanyi didn’t care much.

Women’s lives are not easy, and Zhu Yanyi understood this. So, Zhang Yan Hong having some cunning was understandable. But if that cunning was directed at them, that would be different.

“You shouldn’t talk behind people’s backs,” Zhu Yanli said, looking at the door. A figure walked into the courtyard—it was Zhang Yan Hong.

Zhang Yan Hong walked in and asked, “Is Auntie here?”

Xie Xinlian raised an eyebrow slightly, then smiled. “She is. It’s Yan Hong. What brings you here?”

Zhang Yan Hong saw the Zhu family sitting around a large table, filled with dishes. A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, but it vanished quickly. However, the subtle change in her expression did not escape the notice of those present.

The elders remained silent, exchanging glances before smiling and continuing to eat calmly, serving each other food. Zhu Yanyi and the others did not stand up. Since Zhang Yan Hong was there to see Xie Xinlian, they naturally did not need to intervene.

Xie Xinlian smiled. “Have you eaten, Yan Hong? If not, join us for a bite.”

“I have eaten. I came after my meal,” Zhang Yan Hong said with a faint smile.

“Then sit in the living room for a while. We will finish eating first. We can talk after we are done. How does that sound?” Xie Xinlian asked with a smile.

Xie Xinlian’s personality was usually impatient, but over the years, having seen more of the world in the capital and with Zhu Shunyao’s help, she had learned to control herself. At this moment, she did not rush to ask Zhang Yan Hong her business. Instead, she invited her to the living room, taking control of the situation.

“That wouldn’t be appropriate,” Zhang Yan Hong said, surprised. She had expected Xie Xinlian, being so impatient, to say otherwise.

Xie Xinlian smiled. “What is inappropriate? We are neighbors. We are happy you visited. Come, Auntie will take you to the living room. There is a TV there. You can watch TV, eat some fruit, and crack sunflower seeds. We will talk slowly after we finish eating.”

The more Zhang Yan Hong wanted a quick resolution, the more Xie Xinlian insisted on keeping control.

Zhang Yan Hong realized she couldn’t speak now. Although unwilling, she nodded.

Xie Xinlian led her to the living room, turned on the TV, handed her the remote, poured her a cup of sugar water, and placed fruit and sunflower seeds on the table. Then she returned to the dining room to eat with everyone.

Zhu Yanyi asked Yan Aohan softly, “What do you think she is here for?”

Yan Aohan shook his head slightly. “I don’t know. Whatever her purpose, we don’t need to be too tense.” She was just a nineteen-year-old girl. Not everyone could be Zhu Yanyi.

Indeed, who were they? Even if Zhang Yan Hong had schemes, it meant nothing to them.

Besides, with Xie Xinlian’s handling, they held the initiative. They would know her purpose after the meal.

Everyone at the table smiled and continued chatting about trivial gossip.

“This morning, my son called me,” Old Man Zhan said. “He was angry that I came to Sicheng Town to retire. He said I didn’t treat him as my son. I told him off directly.”

“Yes, you really told her off well. You are father and son, not enemies,” Mrs. Chang said with a helpless expression. The father-son duo often left her speechless.

“Grandma Chang, what did Grandpa Zhan say?” Zhu Yanyi asked curiously.

Mrs. Chang smiled. “Your Grandpa Zhan said, ‘Since your son isn’t getting married, and my little apprentice is back in the village hosting a banquet, I naturally followed her. Besides, the countryside is nice, with clear mountains and water. It’s better than watching your face at your house.’” Mrs. Chang shook her head, smiling helplessly. The father and son liked to bicker, but it didn’t matter how harsh their words were.

Zhu Yanyi laughed. “Grandpa Zhan is deliberately teasing Senior Brother Zhan.”

“I ignore him. He is an adult, yet he follows me and consults me on everything. Consult what? Does he want to let me live in peace?” Old Man Zhan said with a dissatisfied expression.

“I think if Senior Brother Zhan really had difficulties, Grandpa Zhan would definitely be the first to rush forward,” Zhu Yanyi said directly.

“Can we still eat our meal properly? You are teasing me too,” Old Man Zhan said, looking at Zhu Yanyi with dissatisfaction.

“If you eat one less fish ball, I can eat one more,” Zhu Yanyi said, clearly intending to annoy her. “If you get full from anger, I can eat everything you don’t eat.”

“Dream on,” Old Man Zhan made a funny face and then happily ate three fish balls.

“To be honest, we came here because the younger generation was genuinely worried. They were mainly concerned that we wouldn’t get used to it,” Old Man Zhang said. “My daughter is the same. Although she was worried and disagreed, she finally compromised because she knew I would be happy here.”

“Actually, it is much more comfortable here than in the capital. Those people will only understand when they get old,” Old Man Li said.

Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. “It’s fine. After the New Year, when we go back, I will record a video for you. Each family will get a copy. Seeing you healthy and rosy will reassure them.”

This was also the reason the younger generation agreed. With Zhu Yanyi there, they did not worry about their elders’ health.

After half an hour, the meal ended. Everyone cleaned up, and the elders went their separate ways to entertain themselves. The living room was left to the Zhu family.

However, Zhu Yanyi and the others did not go into the living room. They played with Little Northwest and the others in the main hall. Only Xie Xinlian and Zhu Shunyao entered the living room.

Zhang Yan Hong was watching TV, but she seemed distracted. Seeing them enter, she stood up quickly. “Uncle, Auntie.”

Zhu Shunyao pressed his hand down slightly. “Sit down and talk.”

Xie Xinlian brewed a cup of Biluochun tea for Zhang Yan Hong and sat down next to Zhu Shunyao, looking at her.

Zhang Yan Hong looked at Xie Xinlian, then at Zhu Shunyao. She seemed a bit nervous. Finally, she spoke. “Auntie, Uncle, my father said I am a daughter of the Zhu family. Is that true?”

“Your father said you are a daughter of the Zhu family?” Zhu Shunyao raised an eyebrow. “Do you not know who your father is?”

Zhang Yan Hong said, “My father said he found me near your house’s door. So, am I from your family?”

Xie Xinlian laughed. “Yan Hong, do you think we are people who would abandon a child? Let’s not even discuss whether you are from our family. Just look at our family’s conditions. Would we abandon a child?”

“I was just saying that,” Zhang Yan Hong said, feeling embarrassed after Xie Xinlian’s words. Clearly, the path of claiming kinship was not working.

Zhu Shunyao said, “What did your father tell you? I remember Broken Zhang. He is not the type to hide half the truth. If he knew your background, he wouldn’t tell you that you are our daughter. I am not without daughters.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yan Hong looked embarrassed. This matter was her own initiative; Broken Zhang naturally did not know.

Zhang Yan Hong lowered her head. “My father said I am a member of the Zhu clan, not that I am from your specific family.”

Zhu Shunyao said, “If you are a member of the Zhu clan, you should go to Lei Yao. He is the clan leader and will investigate the truth.”

Zhang Yan Hong might have schemes, but in front of Zhu Shunyao, such malicious tricks were nothing. Zhu Shunyao could easily clear up the matter with a slight effort.

Zhang Yan Hong lowered her head. “I know, but I am Broken Zhang’s daughter.”

“Then it is even easier. If you are Broken Zhang’s daughter, why talk about being a Zhu family daughter or not?” Xie Xinlian asked, looking impatient. “Yan Hong, speak directly. Do not beat around the bush. Our family does not like beating around the bush.”

Zhang Yan Hong gritted her teeth. “I want to ask you to release my father.”

“What do you mean? What does your father being locked up have to do with us?” Zhu Shunyao asked.

Knowing that Broken Zhang had stolen their ginseng, Zhu Shunyao did not say it directly. Instead, she just watched Zhang Yan Hong, waiting for her to give an answer.