Everyone looked at Gao Mantang in unison.
Even Madam Liu didn't know what her old man was going to announce.
He made it all so mysterious, as if he were announcing he was going to be the county magistrate.
Gao Mantang beckoned to Gao Jingde, "Jingde, come here!"
This topic today had to start with Gao Jingde...
To gain the trust of the Yun family, the first step was to acknowledge kinship.
To be honest, Old Man Yun had seen Gao Jingde only a handful of times over the years.
This little娃娃 had thick eyebrows and big eyes, a high nose bridge, and fair skin.
He looked very much like Sanman when he was little...
Old Man Yun was willing to accept him in his heart, but unfortunately, he was the grandson of the Gao family.
Gao Jingde came before Gao Mantang, standing there blankly, not speaking.
"What are you still hesitating for? Hurry up and kowtow to your grandparents!"
Gao Mantang nudged him.
In theory, he should call them Grandpa and Grandma.
But Gao Jingde had grown up in the Gao family since he was young and was not familiar with Old Man Yun and Madam Gu.
Suddenly calling them that, he found it a bit difficult to speak...
Madam Liu patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Jingde, they are your real grandparents, hurry and call them!"
Gao Jingde knelt on both knees, took a few deep breaths, and called out, "Grandpa, Grandma!"
Then he kowtowed three times.
Old Man Yun's hardened heart was subtly touched.
He reached out and pulled Gao Jingde up, his expression extremely complex, "How old are you?"
"Seven years old!" Gao Jingde replied crisply.
Zhao Guihua heard this and smiled slightly, "Then he's six years younger than Jinshan!"
"This child is so spirited and handsome, he's bound to do well in the future..."
Gao Fengjuan heard this and smoothed her braided pigtails.
Of course, his mother was beautiful, so how could the child be bad?
Unexpectedly, Zhao Guihua added, "He looks exactly like Sanman!"
Gao Fengjuan: "..."
That's going too far.
Without her, how was Jingde born?
Did he pop out of a rock?
Seeing that the atmosphere at the dinner table had eased considerably, Gao Mantang asked Gao Jingde to go back and sit properly.
"My in-laws, Jingde is a clever child since he was young. From now on, I will absolutely not let him engage in business or open shops."
"Just like your Jinshan and Jinhe, let him study at the academy and participate in the imperial examinations..."
Gao Mantang picked up a crab leg for Old Man Yun and continued, "From now on, we won't let Sanman and Fengjuan manage our silk shop either."
"Because when it comes to doing business, they are often harassed by the authorities. How can officials look up to merchants!"
Gao Mantang said with great distress, blowing on his chest, "I, too, have been in poor health all these years, always falling ill, and I don't have the energy to manage the shop's affairs."
"Sanman has contributed too much to our Gao family. Now it's time for our Gao family to repay you..."
After speaking, he poured himself another cup of wine and drank it down in two gulps.
Madam Liu glanced at him indifferently, not knowing what the old man was planning to say next.
Old Man Yun listened with half-belief.
The rejection in his heart and the coldness on his face had faded considerably.
After this interaction today, he felt that Fatty Gao was quite decent.
Gao Mantang said, "Sanman, Fengjuan, you two don't need to worry about the shop's business anymore. Father will find someone to manage it..."
"Okay!" Yun Sanman agreed immediately without thinking.
He had long stopped wanting to manage it.
Facing those bolts of cloth every day was suffocating him.
Gao Fengjuan's face paled, and she stood up, "Father, how can such a large enterprise be abandoned just like that?"
"Sanman is good at writing and calculating, he has good connections in the county town, and he's good at business. If he doesn't manage it, will our family starve?"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Well, it turns out the Gao family has been supported by San Ge all these years?
Madam Gu gave Gao Fengjuan a deep look, her expression somewhat cold.
Why did she feel that Gao Fengjuan's personality was so similar to the second daughter-in-law?
Gao Mantang waved his hand, "You don't need to worry about this matter. Just remember, starting tomorrow, you two pack your luggage and bedding, and take Jingde to live in Dashui Village..."
"Huh?" Gao Fengjuan's eyes widened, her head buzzing.
"Father, have you had too much to drink? Why would we leave a good life in the county town to suffer in Dashui Village?"
This is madness, absolute madness.
Old Man Yun frowned and slammed the table, "Who says living in the village will necessarily be suffering?"
He felt that living in the village was much more carefree than in the county town...
This city is so crowded and noisy, what's so good about it?
Moreover, he had heard another meaning in Gao Mantang's words.
Fatty Gao asking Sanman's family of three to move to Dashui Village was simply to get them into the Yun family's doors.
Just now, Jingde knelt and kowtowed, calling them Grandpa and Grandma.
This was clearly giving the grandson to the Yun family.
He felt his interpretation was correct, after all, he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol and his mind was clear...
In fact, Old Man Yun's guess was not wrong at all.
Gao Mantang had implicitly revealed his true intentions because he was afraid that Old Man Yun and Madam Gu would refuse him face-to-face.
Then the banquet he had prepared today would be meaningless.
"Sanman, Fengjuan, listen to your parents from now on, help out more in the fields, and don't be lazy!"
Gao Mantang instructed.
"Understood, Father!" Yun Sanman nodded happily.
Does this mean he can return to the Yun family?
Gao Fengjuan pouted, looking very unwilling...
"My in-laws, I've finished announcing this matter. Shouldn't we have a drink?"
Gao Mantang patted Old Man Yun's hand again.
This time, Old Man Yun removed his hand covering the rim of his cup, "I'll only have one drink!"
"Good, good, just one drink!"
Madam Gu and Madam Liu exchanged glances and gave a dry smile.
Little Xi Tian, having eaten her fill, secretly glanced at Gao Jingde.
She had another nephew.
Third Sister-in-law, why didn't she give her a niece?
However, it was a joyous occasion for Third Brother to return to the Yun family again.
"Daddy, Mommy, I want to go out and play!" Little Xi Tian said in a milky voice.
Madam Gu cautioned her, "Don't run too far, just play by the door!"
Last time, her little daughter was abducted in the county town.
Madam Gu still had psychological trauma...
"Got it!" Little Xi Tian slung her small satchel over her shoulder and trotted out.
Madam Liu glanced at Gao Jingde, "Jingde, go and keep an eye on your little aunt!"
There were guard dogs in the mansion, and she was afraid that Little Sweet Treasure would be bitten by a dog.
"Okay!"
Gao Jingde also chased after her.
The gate of the Gao mansion was open. Little Xi Tian squatted by the steps, catching ants.
"Aren't you afraid of being bitten by ants?" Gao Jingde squatted beside Little Xi Tian.
Little Aunt is so cute.
She's so tender, like a little pink bun. He really wanted to hug her.
Although it was their first meeting, Gao Jingde really liked this little aunt.
From now on, when he lives with the Yun family, he can see his little aunt every day!
"No, for you!" Little Xi Tian caught a small black ant and handed it to Gao Jingde.
Before he could reach out to take it, a disdainful scoff came from the entrance of the adjacent mansion.
"Pah, so dirty!"