The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 111: Jiang Yan Returns to the Capital, Jiang Family Members
"Ah? Did I say that?" Wang Miaomiao pondered, not quite sure when she had said such a thing.
"You forgot?" Wang Pandi chuckled. It was something she had said when advising her not to rely too much on Yang Zhigang.
"Forgotten, but it’s quite reasonable, hehe..."
"You..."
The two sisters whispered, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the uncle and nephew returning to Beijing remained quite silent all the way.
After a day and night, by the afternoon of the twenty-sixth day of the lunar twelfth month, the two finally arrived, travel-worn, at the Jiang Family courtyard.
Old Master Jiang was a hero of the War of Resistance, having accomplished numerous wartime feats. Now retired, he lived at home with his wife, Grandma Jiang.
Grandma Jiang had three sons and a daughter. Among them, only Jiang Yan’s father, Jiang Zhongyi, is still alive and is now a head of a military district.
Jiang Zhongyi married Zheng Zhen, whose family was in business and moved to Hong Kong years earlier, leaving behind only a few married daughters. Thanks to the Jiang Family, Zheng Zhen, who is also the head nurse of the army’s general hospital, was spared any trouble.
Zheng Zhen gave birth to two sons and a daughter.
The eldest son, Jiang Peng, works as a regimental commander in a military district in Northeast China, and his wife, Bai Li, has been following him, working as a middle school teacher in the military school. They have two daughters, Jiang Huilan and Jiang Shulan.
The daughter is Cheng Xue’s mother, who has passed away, leaving behind Cheng Qi and Cheng Xue, two grandchildren.
Then there is the youngest son, Jiang Yan, an old bachelor, and the subject of arranged marriage efforts.
Among Old Master Jiang’s three sons, two died on the battlefield, with one unmarried and without heirs, and the other leaving behind one only child, who is younger than Jiang Yan and Jiang Peng.
Jiang Tao did not pursue a military career as Old Master Jiang disallowed it, eventually becoming a national researcher. He is now married to Liang Meizhi, with whom he has a daughter, Jiang Tongtong.
You see, the Jiang family has no male heirs in the next generation, hence it’s not surprising that Zheng Zhen is anxious to arrange a marriage.
"Grandpa, Grandpa Hu, Grandma, we’re back." Jiang Yan entered with his luggage, seeing the three elders sitting in the living room. Grandpa Jiang and Grandpa Hu next door were playing chess, while Grandma Jiang was leisurely reclining in a rocking chair, half asleep.
"Great-grandpa, Grandpa Hu, Great-grandma, Xiao Xue is back!" Cheng Xue called out joyfully, showing no sign of fatigue from the journey.
"Oh, my dear is back... come to Great-grandma, let me see if you’ve lost weight..." Grandma Jiang sat up happily upon hearing the voice.
"You rascal, you know to come back, huh..." Old Master Jiang feigned toughness, though pleased in his heart, glaring exaggeratedly, "It’s one thing for you not to come back, but you even kidnapped my dear Xue Er, you need a spanking."
Over there, Grandma Jiang hugged Cheng Xue with joy, exclaiming, "Thinner, thinner..."
In truth, Cheng Xue had not lost weight; in fact, he had gained some. But in the eyes of the elders, being away from home meant not eating or sleeping well, so they assumed he must be thinner.
"Great-grandma..." Cheng Xue, having not seen Grandma Jiang for so long, felt quite emotional, with tears brimming in her eyes. In the Jiang Family, Grandma Jiang was kinder to her than Zheng Zhen was.
Zheng Zhen was too authoritarian and preachy, perhaps due to her status in previous years. Over the years, she had become increasingly assertive and stubborn, seemingly striving to prove she still had a voice in this household.
Grandpa Hu, aware that the returning children would have much to discuss, didn’t intend to interrupt, so he set down his chess piece and got up, "Alright, Lao Jiang, you’ve got a grandson to teach. I won’t disturb you; let’s continue tomorrow."
"Hah, you’re just afraid you’re going to lose this game." As was his habit, Old Master Jiang couldn’t resist retorting.
Both were amateur chess players, about the same skill level; it was hard to say how this game would end.
Grandpa Hu wasn’t pleased, glaring back, "Hey, you old fart, is that so?"
Jiang Yan quickly stepped in, "Grandpa Hu, don’t take it to heart. My grandpa’s just in a bad mood after seeing me and is taking it out."
"If you know I’ll get angry, why don’t you pack up this chessboard? Have some sense." Even Old Master Jiang realized he’d spoken too quickly; it was a habit for the two to banter. Seeing his grandson offering a way out, he promptly took it.
"Hmph, I won’t stoop to his level." Grandpa Hu ultimately refrained from sulking further, striding off with his hands behind his back.
The Hu Family’s home was only a few steps away from the Jiang Family. Entering, Hu Xiaoqing was watching TV in the living room. Seeing Grandpa Hu return, she curiously asked, "Grandpa, why are you back so early?"
Grandpa Hu nonchalantly replied, "The Jiang Family boy is back, and the grandchildren surely have much to discuss. I didn’t want to linger there and intrude."
He then suddenly remembered something and added, "You’re not allowed to go over either."
"Grandpa..." Hu Xiaoqing’s initially excited spirit plummeted again after Grandpa Hu’s words.
Grandpa Hu sighed. He too wished to form a union with the Jiang Family. Jiang Yan was truly outstanding, but alas, his granddaughter wasn’t a match.
"Don’t call me, just stay at home. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I have your father send you to the army." With that, Grandpa Hu exited the living room to rest in his room.
Watching him leave, Hu Xiaoqing, puckering her lips and stamping her foot in frustration, knew she couldn’t obey him. She glanced around and came up with an idea, going to the phone and dialing a number skillfully, "Hello, Aunt Zheng, Brother Jiang Yan is back... Mm... But my grandpa won’t let me go... Okay... I’ll wait for you. Thank you, Aunt Zheng, goodbye."
After hanging up, she smiled triumphantly.
Back at the Jiang Family, Old Master Jiang and Jiang Yan emerged from the study after talking for an hour.
With a faint smile on his face, Old Master Jiang seemed content with his grandson’s achievements over the past two years.
At 5:30 in the evening, Zheng Zhen returned from work. She first went next door to call on Hu Xiaoqing. Hu Xiaoqing, arm in arm with Zheng Zhen, appeared very close, to an outsider, they might as well be mother and daughter.
Entering, they saw Old Master Jiang and Jiang Yan sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. Grandma Jiang stood at the kitchen door, smiling, while inside came the giggles and chatter of Cheng Xue, "Great-grandma, this fried egg was taught to me by Sister Pan Di, it’s her secret recipe. Even the people of the Wang Family have praised it."
"Mm, my Xiao Xue is so capable, Great-grandma is pleased. I’ll certainly have a few more bites and savor your cooking." Cheng Xue had already shared her experiences of the past six months with Grandma Jiang, who knew her child had received much care at the Wang Family and expressed gratitude towards them.
"Dad, Mom, I’m back." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
"Grandpa Jiang, Grandma Jiang, Brother Jiang Yan..."
Voices came from the doorway, catching everyone’s attention.
"Mom." Jiang Yan called out, noticing the slight frown at seeing Hu Xiaoqing next to his mom. Then he turned back to his newspaper, clearly not intending to engage with her.
"Aunt Zheng, see..." Hu Xiaoqing, seeing Jiang Yan’s cold demeanor towards her, looked to Zheng Zhen with a tinge of grievance.
