No one in the room expected Xia Xiaolan to suddenly bring up the housing allocation matter.

This abrupt change in topic left everyone unsure how to respond.

Mao Guosheng had been about to question something, but hearing Xia Xiaolan’s confusion made his face turn red.

Although the Provincial Architecture Institute might not favor Mao Kangshan, he remained a towering figure in Zhejiang’s architectural circles.

He had many disciples and old acquaintances, and while he chose not to associate with them, it didn’t affect his standing in the field.

Even the Architecture Association couldn’t do anything about Mao Kangshan, having to create an “advisor” position to accommodate him – they couldn’t possibly expel him from the association. Xia Xiaolan’s complaint wronged the Institute, as the apartment allocated to the elderly Mao Kangshan couple was currently occupied by Mao Guosheng’s family… Having an outsider point this out was like publicly accusing Mao Guosheng of being unfilial!

Zheng Shuqin, who had been eyeing the gifts in the living room greedily, suddenly choked on her saliva.

She suspected Xia Xiaolan had brought this up deliberately, assuming the elderly couple must have complained to her about it.

Zheng Shuqin felt somewhat angry and embarrassed.

What right did an outsider like Xia Xiaolan have to meddle in the Mao family’s affairs?

Even if she was now the last disciple, did that give her the right to interfere in family matters?

While complaints from Mao Guosheng’s siblings were one thing, having an outsider like Xia Xiaolan interfere particularly angered Zheng Shuqin.

“Oh, Xiao Xia, it’s not good to speak ill of the leaders behind their backs. The apartment the Institute allocated to the elderly couple is the one we’re living in now. It has an extra room compared to the upstairs unit. The elderly couple was considerate of us, saying we had more family members, so we switched apartments… Sigh, it’s our fault that Guosheng and I aren’t capable enough to get them a new apartment.”

Zheng Shuqin had said everything possible to defend herself.

Xia Xiaolan understood clearly – this daughter-in-law of Teacher Mao was someone who liked to take advantage of situations.

A truly filial daughter-in-law wouldn’t let her elderly in-laws climb six floors every day.

But if Mao Guosheng as a son didn’t care, how could she blame Zheng Shuqin?

“Oh, I see. I misunderstood the Institute’s leaders then.”

Madam Song looked uncomfortable. This was Xiao Xia’s first visit, and bringing up such a sensitive topic might make her son and daughter-in-law think she and her husband had complained to Xia Xiaolan.

While worried, Madam Song also felt touched: this disciple Xiao Xia wasn’t just generous with gifts, but also very thoughtful and genuinely concerned about old Mao and herself, which was why she questioned the floor level of their apartment.

But since they had already switched apartments, bringing it up now would only cause conflict.

“Guosheng, why don’t you and Shuqin sit down and eat some more?”

Mao Guosheng had no appetite.

He wanted to oppose his father taking on a disciple.

But after Xia Xiaolan’s unexpected mention of the housing situation, Mao Guosheng felt too ashamed to say anything.

What grounds did he have to object?

Zheng Shuqin, eyeing the fine food and wine on the table, pulled her husband’s clothes to make him sit:

“It’s perfect timing since the children are at their grandmother’s. Guosheng and I will have a bite, to celebrate with Xiao Xia. Now that you’re father’s last disciple, we’re family. Xiao Xia, your family must be quite well-off, bringing so many gifts.”

Zheng Shuqin was being nosy.

Having such an uncouth daughter-in-law made Mao Kangshan lose face in front of his new disciple.

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t further embarrass her teacher by criticizing his family, so she replied vaguely: “Our circumstances are modest. These are just to show respect to the Teacher and his wife. The elderly couple has reached their autumn years – while they still have good teeth and mobility, they should eat and use better things.”

Thick-skinned Zheng Shuqin kept eyeing the pile of good things eagerly.

Most items were wrapped tightly and unclear, but she could see the Zhonghua cigarettes and Maotai liquor.

Mao Guosheng, being slightly more thin-skinned, felt Xia Xiaolan was implying criticism of his unfilial behavior… His wife managed all the household money, and while Mao Guosheng had issues with his father, he indeed hadn’t paid enough attention to his parents’ daily lives.

Although Zheng Shuqin argued convincingly that the old man not only received his pension but also consulting fees, earning more monthly than she and Mao Guosheng combined, and was simply used to living frugally and preferred plain noodles – what could they do about that?

While Mao Guosheng found this reasoning logical.

Yet why did Xia Xiaolan’s words make him so uncomfortable now, as if sitting on pins and needles?

They were the same people.

There was no reason why elderly people should live frugally – the fragrance of meat, the smoothness of eggs, the richness of milk – if young people could enjoy these things, why wouldn’t older people like them too?

Mao Guosheng’s cheeks burned.

Having issues with his father shouldn’t have led to neglecting his mother as well.

These were all excuses, covering up his inability to care for both his own family and his parents. Now outsiders had to show filial piety to his parents – what right did he have to object to his father taking Xiao Xia as a disciple?

Since they were already seated, Mao Kangshan didn’t send them away.

He even poured a glass of wine for Mao Guosheng.

The meal had two unexpected guests, creating an awkward atmosphere. Mao Guosheng drank silently while Zheng Shuqin stole Xia Xiaolan’s thunder from the start. With Zheng Shuqin doing all the talking, Xia Xiaolan simply focused on eating.

After the meal, Zheng Shuqin still wouldn’t leave, so Mao Kangshan, wanting to discuss important matters with his disciples, tried to send them away.

But thick-skinned Zheng Shuqin persisted:

“Your last disciple is now family, and family should spend more time together. You can chat with Xiao Xia while we won’t disturb you. Surely what a disciple can hear, your son should be able to hear too? Guosheng is also in architecture, and while Xiao Xia may be talented, she’s just started university – Guosheng has been in this field for so many years! As for me, I can help Mother wash dishes and clean the kitchen!”

She was quick-witted and smooth-talking.

But her thoughts were too transparent, written all over her face – otherwise, Teacher Mao’s daughter-in-law might have been quite capable.

Seeing Zheng Shuqin head to the kitchen and Mao Kangshan’s displeased expression, Xia Xiaolan quickly mediated:

“Teacher, I think Sister Zheng has a point. Thank you, Sister Zheng, for being so thoughtful – I was going to help the Teacher’s wife clean up, but now Sister Zheng has freed me up. What I need to discuss isn’t urgent – I’ve booked a hotel in Hangzhou, shall we talk there instead?”

Mao Kangshan found this quite appealing.

Living in staff housing had its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage was having neighbors of many decades who could look out for each other.

The disadvantage was that nothing could be kept secret.

Neighbors could hear even slightly raised voices.

Even the smell of meat couldn’t be contained.

“Then let’s do as you suggest!”

Ge Jian used Mao Kangshan’s home phone to call a taxi. Zheng Shuqin, washing dishes in the kitchen while eavesdropping, heard Ge Jian give the address as the Hangzhou Overseas Chinese Hotel, a rather established hotel by West Lake.

Though not the most expensive.

Zheng Shuqin calculated in her mind, still thinking about the pile of gifts in the living room, and decided not to make a fuss about going along.

By the time Zheng Shuqin finished in the kitchen, the taxi had arrived downstairs honking its horn.

Xia Xiaolan quickly moved to help Mao Kangshan downstairs, turning to smile at Madam Song:

“Teacher’s wife, don’t cook dinner tonight. I’ll have Ge Jian come pick you up before dinner – I’ve made reservations on Yan’an Road.”