Tang Hong’en lived alone at the Shangdu Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse, which seemed quite pitiful.

He didn’t need to say anything; his expression conveyed this meaning, making Liu Fen feel quite guilty. A married couple should stay together, and leaving Old Tang alone at the guesthouse wasn’t very considerate.

It was only because Xu Zhongyi and his son had just returned, and Grandmother Yu was overly emotional, that Liu Fen had to stay with them.

It had been two days now, and no matter what, she needed to go keep Tang Hong’en company at the guesthouse tonight.

Tang Hong’en hadn’t complained, but Liu Fen felt uneasy herself.

But that was for tonight.

Now, she needed to ask Grandmother Yu about her plans along with Xiaolan.

Asking wouldn’t hurt; everyone should be open about their thoughts.

As soon as they entered the room before Xia Xiaolan could speak, Liu Fen couldn’t help asking:

“Auntie, what are you thinking?”

Outside was very lively, but Grandmother Yu was hiding in her room.

Did this excitement belong to her?

No, it was all for Xu Zhongyi and Xu Changle. Having weathered decades of ups and downs, Grandmother Yu had long seen through such superficial matters. When she was down and out, she didn’t need help from neighbors, and now that these people came to flatter her, honestly, Grandmother Yu didn’t care much for it.

“What am I thinking about what?”

Grandmother Yu’s expression was stern, making Liu Fen nervous:

“About going to America—”

“Grandmother Yu and Uncle Xu asked us to get your opinion. He wants you to live in America, what do you think about that?”

Xia Xiaolan got straight to the point!

Grandmother Yu glared, “Why would I go to America for no good reason? I don’t want to go to America. I’m content knowing they all have their careers and are living well. It’s enough if they come back to visit me a few times a year!”

She had seriously considered this matter.

Xu Zhongyi spent most of his time in Hong Kong but didn’t want her there, saying he feared people would use her as leverage.

But if she went to America, what could she do there?

Would she live with her grandson Changle, making young people worry about her and affecting their work, or squeeze in with her granddaughter Tina whom she’d never met… There was no emotional connection, and Grandmother Yu didn’t care for material comforts.

Chinese people believe in returning to their roots, and Grandmother Yu’s roots were in China. Her late husband was buried in China, and at her age, she didn’t want to move around anymore.

Taking an international flight every year, flying for over ten hours to sweep the tomb?

Her health was still good now, but in a couple of years, she might not be able to make such trips!

“Have you thought it through?”

“Yes, I’m not going to America or Hong Kong. I’m staying right here in Shangdu.”

The old lady’s words made Xia Xiaolan laugh:

“What are you joking about? If you’re not going with Uncle Xu, of course, you’ll continue living with my mother. That’s settled!”

Clean and decisive, cutting through the confusion, saving Grandmother Yu from feeling awkward.

Grandmother Yu hesitated for a moment.

Liu Fen watched her with reddened eyes, full of hope. With Liu Fen, Grandmother Yu felt needed.

What help could she offer Xu Zhongyi and Xu Changle?

The things she knew might not even suit today’s society anymore… but they suited Liu Fen! Grandmother Yu just worried about Liu Fen. She didn’t feel she needed Liu Fen at all; she only knew she carried an “important responsibility.” While Tang Hong’en seemed fine now, what if he changed one day? How could Ah Fen possibly match up against Tang Hong’en?

“Living with your mother is fine, but tell Xu Zhongyi to provide living expenses!”

Ah, before finding her son, it was affectionate “Zhongyi.”

After finding her son, within minutes it became his full name spoken with disdain.

Xia Xiaolan liked Grandmother Yu’s straightforwardness and was amused by the old lady: “Then we’ll have Uncle Xu provide living expenses. If Uncle Xu isn’t spending money now, you should enjoy your golden years!”

This was said in jest.

Even before finding Xu Zhongyi, Xia Xiaolan, and Liu Fen had never mistreated Grandmother Yu; her food, clothing, and daily needs were all at the same level as the mother-daughter pair.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t a penny-pincher; she lived according to how much she could earn.

They couldn’t compare with the wealthy of America’s Upper East Side, but in China, their daily expenses were quite substantial!

Just as Zhou Cheng said, asking Grandmother Yu directly revealed the answer immediately.

Without asking, both sides would keep guessing, and Grandmother Yu was quite a proud old lady who wouldn’t speak up voluntarily.

“This is perfect, everyone’s happy. Aunt Liu can’t do without Grandmother Yu’s companionship, and Grandmother Yu can’t bear to leave you two. In the future, everyone will live in the capital, making things even livelier. But now that this is decided, shouldn’t we inform Uncle Xu?”

Zhou Cheng had always been supportive.

Having an elder at home is like having a treasure; having Grandmother Yu around wasn’t a bad thing.

Just uncertain about Xu Zhongyi’s thoughts.

Grandmother Yu snorted, “Just tell him directly, why should I care what he thinks? If he were filial, he should abandon all those messy businesses in Hong Kong and return to Shangdu to keep me company, rather than troubling Ah Fen to take care of this old thing!”

Grandmother Yu was just complaining; she didn’t make any firm demands on Xu Zhongyi, knowing he couldn’t let go of his Hong Kong business.

Perhaps in a few years, Xu Zhongyi could safely withdraw without damage… but it wasn’t possible now.

When Xu Zhongyi received the news, he was a bit dumbfounded.

The old lady wouldn’t go to America or stay in Shangdu but wanted to continue living with Liu Fen and her mother.

He had thought sending the old lady to America might help her build a relationship with Tina—

As soon as Xu Zhongyi expressed this thought, Grandmother Yu rolled her eyes: “As a grandmother, I should reverse roles and try to please the younger generation. There’s no such logic anywhere in the world. If she wants to accept me, fine; if not, I won’t force it!”

What spoiled behavior this was!

Just thinking about this made Grandmother Yu want to dig up Cui Yiru’s corpse and whip it.

Tina wouldn’t accept her background, but little did she know Grandmother Yu had her doubts: How reliable was that American DNA technology? Changle said Tina was a Xu family child, but what if… she was Zhang Jiadong’s?

Grandmother Yu wasn’t that magnanimous.

She was quite skeptical of DNA technology, especially since Zhang Jiadong had done the test. Even though Xu Changle said he had switched the test results, Grandmother Yu still had doubts.

Even if Changle could switch the results without Zhang Jiadong knowing, that only proved Tina wasn’t Zhang Jiadong’s daughter, not that she was a Xu family member!

Unless Tina and Xu Zhongyi took another test.

Grandmother Yu’s feelings toward Cui Yiru had changed from gratitude to questioning her character entirely.

Who knew if, besides Zhang Jiadong, Cui Yiru had been involved with other men?

The fact that Grandmother Yu hadn’t brought up another DNA test out of consideration for Xu Zhongyi and Xu Changle’s feelings showed her wisdom. For Xu Zhongyi to turn around and ask her to build a relationship with Tina—sorry, but Tina wasn’t the only pampered young lady; turn back time several decades, and Grandmother Yu had an even bigger temper than Tina!

She wouldn’t indulge in Tina’s tantrums.

Xu Zhongyi was shocked by his mother’s open-mindedness.

Hearing Grandmother Yu’s words, Zhou Cheng secretly gave a thumbs up, whispering to Xia Xiaolan with a smile: “Grandmother Yu is so wise. Honestly, if she went to America, I’d miss her. Having such an old lady willing to look out for Aunt Liu, Uncle Tang must feel much more at ease!”