Chapter 52: This is what it means to be loved and cherished.

Chapter 52: This is what it means to be loved and cherished.

Xie Yun whispered to Bai Zhi, "Xiao Zhi, tell your uncle that you still have work to do and can't leave."

Lu Zheng'an joined in the banter, "Yes, I heard you also treated a little girl. It must take some time for her to recover, right?"

Bai Zhi understood and said with a smile, "Yes, it was all my oversight. I forgot to tell my uncle that I had picked up a patient in Nancheng."

“Uncle, I know you mean well, but I also feel that it’s not appropriate for me to live in the Lu family like this. I’ve considered moving out before.”

Bai Zhi looked at Grandpa Lu gratefully and said sincerely, "It's because Grandpa Lu and my uncle and aunt were so kind to me and worried about my safety as a girl alone outside that I didn't move away."

"Uncle, I'll listen to you. Let's put my marriage with Lu Ye on hold for now and talk about it when Comrade Lu Ye comes back. If we're not interested in each other, we can just break it off in front of our elders and not delay each other."

Bai Zhi also expressed her opinion at this time, with a carefree attitude.

She did not covet the marriage because of the Lu family's status or position.

Xie Zheng fiddled with the arm of his sunglasses, looking at the girl with a pure and bright face, a smile of interest appearing on his lips.

Zhang Ma prepared a large table of dishes, and the Lu family's dining room was big enough to accommodate all these people.

During meals, the elders sit next to each other, while the younger generation sits at the lower level.

Old Xie was still unwilling to give up, and gestured for Xie Zheng to strike up a conversation with Bai Zhi.

Since Bai Zhi just clearly stated that her engagement with Lu Ye would take its natural course,

Then, Xie Zheng from their family should take action.

Such a good girl shouldn't be taken away by Ye Tiandong.

She is the granddaughter of Squad Leader Bai. If she could really become their granddaughter-in-law, it would be a comfort to the spirit of the old squad leader in heaven.

Under his grandfather's "arrangement," Xie Zheng sat next to Bai Zhi.

He glanced at the girl sitting upright with a serious expression and asked, "Are you a doctor?"

Bai Zhi nodded, "Yes."

"May I take your pulse?" He rolled up his red shirt sleeves and extended his arm.

Bai Zhi forced a distant, polite smile and declined, saying, "If you're healthy, it's best not to have your pulse taken."

Rejected, Xie Zheng curled his lips into a wicked smile, his devilish face revealing a hint of wickedness. "Little girl, you're probably just putting on an act. What medical skills could a little girl like you possibly have? You probably don't even recognize all the herbs, do you?"

Bai Zhi wasn't buying into that kind of provocation at all. "Hmm, I can't recognize them all."

Old Master Lu noticed Xie Zheng talking to Bai Zhi with a grin, and he reminded him with a stern face, "Xie Zheng, don't scare my future granddaughter-in-law. Look at your hair, so long, and your clothes, all bright and colorful, it's hard to tell if you're male or female. I really don't know what you're up to."

Xie Zheng was already used to being criticized for his clothes and wasn't angry at all. He tossed his long, flowing hair and replied, "Grandpa Lu, this is fashionable."

Old Master Lu sternly reprimanded him, "Then at least find a job. Look at you now, loafing around aimlessly. You can't keep sponging off your parents forever. Your parents are in another city, and your grandparents can't control you. You've really gone too far."

“Grandpa Lu, I’m just enjoying the company of my grandparents. They can see me as soon as they open their eyes every day. Isn’t that wonderful?” He grinned, his smile infuriating. “Unlike Lu Ye, who’s never home all year round. You can miss him terribly, but it’s no use. He just won’t come home.”

Old Lu said solemnly, "Lu Ye is a citizen of the country. He has the great mission of protecting the country and the people on his shoulders. How could he have time to look after an old man like me?"

Xie Zheng crossed his legs and argued vehemently, "That's called having different ambitions. Lu Ye is capable, so he can wear a military uniform and defend his country. I'm not capable, so I'll stay by my grandparents' side, be happy for them, and fulfill my filial duties to my parents. What's wrong with that?"

Grandpa Xie was moved to tears by his eldest grandson's words.

"He truly deserves to be my eldest grandson, Xie Laonian."

He said proudly, "I told you Xiao Zheng has changed, hasn't he?"

I used to think that Xie Zheng could be as successful as Lu Ye and bring them honor.

But the child was physically weak from a young age and failed the physical examination for military service.

In previous years, he had been worried about Xie Zheng's future, always feeling that he was not living up to expectations.

However, since the beginning of this year, the elderly couple's thinking has changed significantly.

The older people get, the lonelier they become. My son and daughter-in-law can't come home often because of their special jobs.

Sometimes they won't come back for a year or two.

If Xie Zheng is really as successful as they hope and also leaves home, how lonely will the old couple be?

That day, while strolling down the street, I overheard an old man laughing as he talked about his child. One of his remarks remains vivid in my memory to this day.

He said that good-for-nothing children are all here to repay a debt of gratitude.

Stay by your family's side, enjoy their company, and repay their kindness in raising you.

At that moment, Mr. Xie understood.

"Alright, whatever makes you happy." There were many people around, and Old Master Lu didn't want to embarrass Old Master Xie and Xie Zheng.

Xie Zheng doesn't have a proper job yet; I heard he's been hanging out with a bunch of strangely dressed people.

Mr. Xie and his wife both have pensions, and they give him half of it every month.

In addition, Xie Zheng's parents would often send money back home.

Four adults are supporting Xie Zheng.

What kind of serious business is it to mess around with rock music?

It's someone else's grandson, their business, and outsiders shouldn't say anything.

After dinner, Xie Yun took the opportunity to call Bai Zhi to her room.

"Xiaozhi, I beg you, you absolutely cannot leave Nancheng right now." Xie Yun pleaded, holding her hand. "You know Lu Ye's condition. He can't live without you. He's already been discharged from the hospital. If you don't get him treatment, we really don't know what we'll do."

Xie Yun's attitude towards Bai Zhi has undergone a complete change compared to the past few days.

Bai Zhi said, "Auntie, don't worry. Now that I've taken on Lu Ye as a patient, I will definitely take full responsibility and will not abandon him irresponsibly."

Xie Yun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Bai Zhi's words.

"Thank you, thank you Xiaozhi. I knew we hadn't misjudged you."

"However, Auntie, I may really have to move out in the future. Just like my uncle said, my marriage with Lu Ye is still uncertain, so it's not appropriate for me to live in the Lu family. Outsiders will also gossip."

Lu Ye didn't return to the military compound for a long time. In the past few days, every time she entered the military compound, she could hear people talking outside.

Although the people here are more civilized than those in the village, they all greeted her with smiles.

But everyone has a gossipy streak.

If Lu Ye doesn't come back, everyone will definitely guess that he's avoiding her and running away from this marriage.

It would be really awkward for her to stay any longer.

Xie Yun said, "Okay, since you don't want to stay at home, then leave this to your uncle and me, and we'll find you a place to stay."

Bai Zhi declined, saying, "Auntie, I can take care of my accommodation myself."

Xie Yun was also adamant, "Don't be so polite with us, we'll take care of it."

......

After finishing his meal, Ye Tiandong was about to return to the hotel.

It was getting late, so he told Bai Zhi to stay there for the night and that he would go to the pharmacy tomorrow to discuss it further.

Ye Tiandong, Xie Lao, and Xie Zheng came out of the military compound together. Xie Lao warmly invited Ye Tiandong to stay at his home.

"No, thank you, I appreciate your kindness, but I won't bother you any further."

Ye Tiandong said goodbye to them outside the military compound and hailed a taxi to the hotel.

After everyone left, Old Master Xie looked at his eldest grandson and tentatively asked, "Xiao Zheng, what do you think of that girl, Bai Zhi?"

Xie Zheng remained nonchalant, saying, "I didn't look closely."

"You're kidding me. I saw you glance at her several times and even talk to her."

He saw it all.

Xie Zheng helped the man into the jeep, closed the door, and got into the driver's seat himself. "Grandpa, do I not talk to any girl? I'm naturally inclined to talk to pretty girls."

Old Xie immediately grasped the key point, "Look at you, you admit she's beautiful now, don't you?"