The original intention was to discuss the arrangements for Li Minxi's wedding the next day, but it turned into an unending debate about Guo Xuyang.
"Alright, we'll discuss what to do specifically after Guo Xuyang's wedding. Let's talk about the wedding arrangements for tomorrow," Li Shengyun said.
"That's true, we've gone off track. Worry makes me lose hair, you know."
"Your hair was never that thick, was it?" Li Shengyun said with a smile.
"I had a few strands left, but now even those are going to be honorably discharged," Jiang Qixin said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"They can't be forcing you that much, can they?"
"They aren't forcing me. It's mainly that I can't bear to see these elites that we've painstakingly cultivated fall."
"Who proposed this plan in the first place, and what was the intention?"
"This project is being implemented worldwide now. Earth will no longer be our only home in the future. If we fall behind, we will be at others' mercy in everything we do."
"Society is progressing, times are developing, and changes are happening at an unprecedented pace. Every step forward is the result of countless people's efforts. Sometimes, necessary sacrifices are unavoidable."
"The main point is that if Yangzi were to take the lead, these sacrifices could be avoided. That's why I've been trying to get Yangzi to rejoin the team, again and again."
"We're going in circles, and we still can't avoid talking about him. Let's not discuss this today. What are your plans for tomorrow?"
"The itinerary has been communicated with Xiao Xi. Yangzi and his group will arrive at our place at 7:30 AM. His family won't have any elders present, so I will represent them fully. The procession will depart from home punctually at 8:36 AM, then proceed to the airport. The plan is to arrive home before 11:30 AM for the wedding ceremony. The banquet will commence around 12:30 PM."
"I've been busy too and haven't had a chance to communicate with Xiao Xi about this. I'll entrust all of this to you."
"It's my responsibility. I have good relations with both of them. Xiao Xi is my niece, and Yangzi is my savior and a capable subordinate. Of course, I have to handle this matter well."
"Our relatives will be arriving early tomorrow morning. The hotel is the same one where you treated Yangzi to dinner last time," Xu Yifan said from the side.
"Alright. After we send Xiao Xi off tomorrow morning, let's have a good gathering. It's been a while since we've all eaten together."
"In our positions, we are also unable to act freely. For every gain, there is a loss," Jiang Qixin sighed.
"What does that old saying go? 'From ancient times, loyalty and filial piety are difficult to reconcile,' isn't that right? In this position, one must have a sense of responsibility, knowing what to do and what not to do."
"Alright, alright, you two should say less. Old Jiang, do you plan to live the rest of your life like this, without remarrying?" Xu Yifan asked.
"How old do you think I am? I'm not looking anymore. If I were to look again, I'd be delaying someone."
"How old are you really? Find someone. When you come back, I'll help you look for suitable matches and introduce them to you. People say 'an old companion, an old companion.' In old age, you need someone to talk to. Don't think about it now, but when you completely retire and have no one to talk to, you'll feel very uncomfortable."
"Thank you, sister-in-law. There's really no need to look. I've gotten used to being idle over the years and don't have that inclination. When I truly retire, I'll find a place to enjoy my old age."
"I say, don't worry about Old Li, and focus on managing your own daughter," Li Shengyun said, looking at Li Minyu.
"Don't talk about me. Have you ever asked how your two daughters have been growing up? And now you say this."
Jiang Qixin, seeing that the conversation was taking a wrong turn, quickly asked what was going on. Just then, Li Minyu made a sound like "ou" and ran to the restroom.
"This silly child, no matter how I ask her, she won't say anything," Xu Yifan sighed.
"A son grows up to marry, and a daughter grows up to marry. This is a good thing. Xiao Xi is getting married, and when Yu comes back, she can also handle this matter. You two can just wait to hold your grandchildren," Jiang Qixin said.
"That's the principle, but look at them, neither of them lets us worry less," Li Shengyun said with a look of disdain.
"What's not good about this? Marriage and childbirth are two of the eight major joyous events. What's wrong with a shotgun wedding? If I hadn't listened to my family back then, I would be a grandfather or maternal grandfather by now."
"Enough, let's not bring up these matters. You'll get sad if we do."
"Time has passed for too long, and I don't feel much anymore. Saying I'm sad is a bit of an understatement. Who could have known I made the wrong decision back then? I think Xiao Xi is excellent. She has her own opinions, and we shouldn't view things from an old perspective. In this era, one must dare to love and dare to hate. If you're slow, someone else will snatch it away."
"It's not that I'm afraid of people gossiping behind my back?" Li Shengyun said.
"If you say that, then I disagree. If I hadn't considered my family back then, I wouldn't be in this state now."
"Uncle Jiang, listening to you say this, you have a story too?" Xiao Xi asked from the side.
"What is a child like you saying?" Xu Yifan reprimanded.
"It's fine. It's been so long since it happened, and I've already let it go," Jiang Qixin said.
"Back then, I was young. Your Uncle found a girlfriend. You know, your Uncle's girlfriend, who is also your future Aunt, became pregnant. Your Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang absolutely refused to let your Aunt enter the house, saying it would disgrace the family reputation. There was no other way, so we had to find a way to terminate the pregnancy. Later, I married your Aunt into the family, but she wasn't happy. Coupled with the fact that she wasn't careful during the miscarriage, she could never have children afterward. Later, she passed away from grief, not even reaching forty. This is my lifelong regret, which is why I never remarried."
"Why were Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang like that? Wasn't it their descendant?"
"That's why I also feel so guilty. If I had insisted back then, none of this would have happened later."
"Your feelings for Aunt are so deep."
"It's all in the past, let's not talk about it. Do Yangzi's parents know about your situation?"
"They do. Yangzi's mother gave me a bracelet long ago, saying I am her daughter-in-law. She cooks bird's nest and ginseng porridge for me every day to nourish my body."
When Li Minxi spoke of Wu Shangqing, her eyes sparkled.
"This ungrateful child. I raised her for so long, and she rarely praises me, but a bowl of ginseng porridge from her future mother-in-law has completely won her over," Xu Yifan said with a smile and a scolding tone.
"Mom, you treat me so well, but my mother-in-law treats me just as well, no less than you. Last time, when Yangzi said something inappropriate, we both kicked him out."
"You? Who else?"
When Li Minxi realized she had let slip something she shouldn't have, she quickly said, "Yangzi's father too."
At this moment, Li Minyu arrived. Hearing Li Minxi say this, she couldn't help but pout. She knew very well that Guo Xuyang had a group of women around him.
At this time, Guo Xuyang was in the western villa warehouse, leading a few women in selecting raw stones. Xin Rui wasn't visiting for the first time, but Wang Lihong and Jiang Wuxi were there for the first time. They were stunned by the stones in the warehouse.