"This is the apartment next to Qingda University. It’s a mid-rise building with seventeen floors and an elevator. Your room is on the top floor, with a small attic. I’ve had it fully decorated. If Doumiao is too busy to come home later, she can stay there."
"Why are you giving me a house today, Brother-in-law? Is it a special day?" Zhu Zhibin asked, surprised.
Yan Aohan smiled gently. "I’m not just giving it to you. I also gave one each to Xiao Dong, Xiao Nan, Xiao Xi, Rao Yue, and Xi Yue. The main reason is that these apartments are quite good. Keeping them for myself isn’t useful, and I don’t want to rent them out to strangers. Selling them now isn’t ideal since prices aren’t at their peak. So, I thought, why not give them away? You’re all about the same age, so I gave each of you one. They have simple decorations and are ready to move into. When you grow up and want to change the style, that’s your own business."
Hearing that he wasn’t the only one receiving a gift, Zhu Zhibin stopped hesitating. "Then I’ll accept it. Thank you, Brother-in-law."
Yan Aohan waved his hand slightly. "There’s no need to thank me. It’s just a gift. Besides, I didn’t give you a present when you got into Qingda University."
"Since your second brother-in-law is giving you a house, I’ll give you a car," Taishu Yuanxiang said from the side. "However, you can’t drive it yet. You must wait until you are an adult and get your driver’s license."
"Thank you, First Brother-in-law," Zhu Zhibin said without hesitation.
"Don’t spoil him too much," Zhu Shun’ao said. "You’ve prepared everything for him. What will he do with his own money in the future? Just squander it all day?"
"Dad, we only have one little brother-in-law, Doumiao. We must love him a bit more," Taishu Yuanxiang said with a grin.
"Exactly, Dad. Otherwise, our wives might complain when we go home," Yan Aohan laughed lightly.
"What are you saying?" Zhu Yanyi’s face turned slightly red, and she pinched Yan Aohan’s arm hard.
"Seeing these young people so affectionate makes me happy," Zhu Xinfu said with a smile.
"By the way, Grandpa, I plan to go to the Zhu family in Zhu City in a few days to settle things. I have a lecture next week. After that, I’ll take half a month off and bring my students to Zhu City. Grandpa, do you want to come along?" Zhu Yanyi said softly. It was time to resolve these matters. Even if others were willing to wait, she wasn’t.
"Then let’s go together," Zhu Xinfu smiled. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "After dinner, I’ll show you something."
Although no one knew what Zhu Xinfu meant, everyone exchanged knowing smiles and didn’t think much of it.
"A Cheng, A Xia, once your bodies recover, you’ll return to Hangzhou, right?" Xie Xinlian asked.
Xie Chengyu nodded. "Once A Xia recovers, I’ll take her back to Hangzhou. I’m currently on leave with pay, but I plan to resign and start my own business."
Zhu Shun’ao asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Xie Chengyu smiled. "Society is developing. Many people go out seeking face, and one sign of face is a business card. I plan to open a small shop for advertising design, photocopying, typing, and making business cards."
Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly in her mind. This industry developed well in later years. Almost everyone needed a box of business cards. Although a box cost only a few yuan, the volume was huge. People in large organizations sometimes needed several boxes, while those in smaller ones needed just one.
"That’s a good idea. People in big cities almost always carry a business card. Opening this shop in Hangzhou is truly excellent," Zhu Shun’ao agreed.
Xie Chengyu said, "Regarding the storefront, I want to buy it, not rent it. Renting isn’t cost-effective. So, I might be short on money and need to borrow some from you, Brother."
"No problem. It’s a good thing. Brother will lend it to you. Tell me how much you need and when," Zhu Shun’ao said.
Zhu Shun’ao actually wanted to buy a shop for his wife’s brother, but he knew that if he only did it for one brother, it might cause issues. Xie Shengyu wouldn’t mind, but Xie Jingyu might. So, lending was better. He wouldn’t rush him to repay.
"Brother, thank you," Xie Chengyu said, looking at Zhu Shun’ao with gratitude in his eyes. Although not his biological brother, Zhu Shun’ao treated him better than his own brother did.
"Why are you being so sentimental?" Zhu Shun’ao laughed and scolded lightly.
Xie Chengyu smiled. "Even though I know you’re my brother, I still need to express my thanks. It’s proper."
Zhu Shun’ao smiled. Xie Xinlian looked at Xie Chengyu. "A Cheng, won’t you visit Sicheng Town?"
Xie Chengyu paused. He understood Xie Xinlian’s meaning. Normally, he should visit. Although he spent the holidays in the capital, he should still check on the elders. After thinking, he said, "I’ll find time to visit Mom and Dad. I’ll go and return on the same day."
She didn’t want to see Xie Jingyu, at least not for now. If she went, she might run into her.
Xie Chengyu knew his own temper. If he met Xie Jingyu recently, he couldn’t help but want to hit him. But what good would that do? His child wouldn’t come back, and it would only sadden the elders. Yet, not hitting him felt unbearable. So, a quick visit was best. "A Xia doesn’t need to come with me."
Xie Xinlian sighed silently in her heart. Xie Chengyu’s restraint was already her biggest concession. After all, she had lost a child. If it happened to her, she might have fought to the death. "A Cheng, it’s okay to feel sad or angry, but don’t suppress it. If you can’t hold it in, go hit her."
Xie Chengyu was stunned. He looked at Xie Xinlian. "Sister, you won’t stop me if I go to hit someone?"
"Why should I stop you? It’s not your fault," Xie Xinlian waved her hand. "In a while, I’ll accompany Mom and Dad to Sicheng Town to see Grandpa and Grandma. If the eldest is still unrepentant, I’ll scold her too."
Hearing this, Xie Chengyu couldn’t help but laugh. "Sister, you’re so fierce. I wonder how Brother can stand you."
"Brother and I have been married for twenty-four or twenty-five years. He knows my character well," Xie Xinlian said, smiling at Zhu Shun’ao. "Don’t you agree?"
Zhu Shun’ao smiled helplessly. "Yes, yes. I’ve known your character for a long time. Anyway, I’m not afraid even if you cause trouble."
Xie Xinlian glanced at Zhu Shun’ao. "Don’t make it sound like I’m going to cause trouble. I never cause trouble, do I? Isn’t it always your children who cause trouble?"