Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 881 - 883: A Conversation Between Grandfather and Granddaughter
Although Old Sir Chu doesn’t really concern himself with the younger generation’s private matters, it doesn’t mean he’s indifferent.
"Are you planning to buy a house?" Old Sir Chu looked at his youngest granddaughter standing upright in front of him with a puzzled expression.
"You aren’t getting close to that girl and following her lead, are you?" Old Sir Chu was curious about why his usually resolute granddaughter suddenly acted in such a drastic way.
What Old Sir Chu worried about was his own child being taken advantage of due to a mistake.
"It’s not about following; I just feel it’s the right thing to do." Chu Ling wasn’t surprised that her grandfather approached her, especially since buying a house is such a significant matter that can’t go completely unnoticed.
However, Chu Ling didn’t expect her grandfather to receive the news so quickly.
"I’ve seen the reports they did, Grandpa. You wouldn’t believe they’ve been studying the fluctuations in house prices in Beijing for five or six years." Even though so much time has passed since she saw those reports, she’s still bewildered by them.
These years’ house price fluctuations? Isn’t that something the relevant departments should be compiling? "You mean the house prices have risen rapidly." The old man noted one key point.
Chu Ling nodded, "Yes, they’ve risen quickly. Not to mention quadrangle courtyards, even ordinary residences have gone up significantly."
"More importantly, Gong Ruini and the others also recorded changes in commodity prices and wage trends."
Chu Ling always wanted to chat with her grandfather about it, but she didn’t know where to start because there was just too much information.
They even recorded that? Old Sir Chu gestured for Chu Ling to continue, and as she relayed one item after another, the old man’s expression turned grim.
After Chu Ling finished speaking, she thought her grandfather would make a comment or two, but when he remained silent, she wondered if he was as shocked as she was.
Chu Ling looked up at her grandfather and saw he had closed his eyes, wondering if he had fallen asleep.
"What do you think of them?" Just as Chu Ling was considering whether she should let her grandfather have a good rest, he spoke.
What does she think of them? Chu Ling thought for a moment, "Their strength is unfathomable."
"At their dining table, they discuss many things, even kids as young as Gong Ruzhi can get involved in the discussions." Chu Ling had only shared a few meals with them but was shocked by the topics they discussed at the dining table.
"The topics they discuss revolve around business and similar matters. I even asked Cao Na; she said performance is never brought up at the dining table."
"It’s not that they don’t care about performance, but performance is a benchmark for whether they can participate in business."
"If their performance is not good, the investment dividends won’t be there, and they will become the family’s New Year’s fund."
"In this way, all they can do is study hard and study even harder."
"Moreover, Gong Ruzhi and the others don’t just read school books. They consume a wide range of books, including history and geography. I once noticed Zhao Xuran reading an English book about economics."
Though Chu Ling may be proud, she can’t sustain that pride in front of this group of people.
If it weren’t for having a decent family background, she wouldn’t be able to compare with Gong Ruini and the others at all.
Reading original English books? At this point, Old Sir Chu remembered that among these families, only the Gong Family doesn’t have overseas connections, "It seems they should go abroad—the second son of the Zhao Family?"
"Not quite sure, but they probably won’t go abroad." Normally, Gong Ruini and the others wouldn’t discuss such matters, and even if they did, it wouldn’t be in front of her.
"Going abroad would expose them to more experiences. That kid Zhao Guangran is likely quite skilled in economics."
What does that mean? Chu Ling didn’t understand why her grandfather would say this, as Zhao Xuran and the others seem just as good.
"The eldest of the Zhao Family will inherit the family business. Do you think he’ll enter our circle?"
"He definitely won’t." Even though Zhan Jing hasn’t made any obvious moves yet, just from Zhuge Zhi constantly working on Shiyu Hall, even taking up the Black Ointment slowly."
It’s clear that once this brand gains a foothold, Zhan Jing should establish Shiyu Hall, but isn’t this business meant for Zhan Banxia to inherit?
Chu Ling’s understanding of those twins is that in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, or medicine, they are absolute geniuses, complete bookworms.
"The eldest son inherits the family business, and the younger ones are already well arranged, except for the second son—what’s his name?" It’s already remarkable that the old man knows Zhao Gang has four sons and shouldn’t be expected to remember so many names.
"Zhao Guangran should be paired with the Cao Family in a future marriage alliance." Chu Ling had seen alliances before; previously, alliances meant the elders had a good relationship and hoped their children would maintain these friendly relations.
But today’s alliances are for family interests. Chu Ling doesn’t know if it will be like this when it’s her turn, but at least for now, she rather envies Cao Na.
Zhao Guangran treats Cao Na very well; they should be happy together.
With the Cao Family? Old Sir Chu faintly recalled briefly meeting Old Cao in the past. Back then, they were both young, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall the other man’s appearance.
At least it explains one thing: "Old Cao is a blessed man. Although only one son survived and his capabilities are average, he has a remarkable daughter."
"It’s a pity we didn’t discover such a good seedling." Old Sir Chu just sighed with feeling; he knew some things couldn’t happen just because he wished for them."
Old Sir Chu was just casually lamenting, but it startled Chu Ling quite a bit.
Chu Ling struggled internally with what the old man’s words meant, though she couldn’t ask, fearing it was mentioned offhand.
"What do you think of the eldest son of the Gong Family?" Of course, Old Sir Chu wouldn’t forget about the Gong Family.
Though they are the least conspicuous among these families, the ability to keep pace with them and uplift the hometown relatives is a reason that cannot be ignored.
What about Gong Ruwen? Chu Ling honestly didn’t know how to evaluate him, "Not much interaction, but he should develop within this circle."
"Someone willing to make sacrifices." Old Sir Chu didn’t understand why, as the eldest son of the Gong Family, he didn’t study economics, but does changing his mind matter?
If this young man really develops well, Old Sir Chu glanced at an quietly standing Chu Ling before him, thinking he might make a suitable match.
Of course, whether this could happen would depend on the children’s opinions, a matter beyond his control.
"Alright, I need to rest now. You can go out. If they ask about the house again, tell them I’ve agreed."
And that’s how it went? Chu Ling breathed a sigh of relief, at least there was Grandpa’s answer. No matter what the uncles think about it, the matter is settled.
Chu Ling now wondered whether she should inform the uncles because there were also her parents’ instructions.
"There are some things you just need to know yourself. There’s no need to let too many people know." Just as Chu Ling was about to leave, the old man spoke.
Alright, no need to overthink now. The matter is settled, which was a big relief for her.
