"You child, what nonsense are you spouting,"
"That's right, don't be ridiculous."
Zhu Ziqing's parents quickly stepped forward to stop him, their faces flushing crimson.
Gong Ye, however, burst into laughter, praising him, "Not bad, you have potential. How old are you!"
Zhu Ziqing replied with a serious expression, "Ten years old. I want to be a soldier in the future, to protect my home and country, and become a great hero!"
"Good," Gong Ye said with a serious look, "I have remembered your words today. I will wait for you for ten years. If you embark on this path, I will personally teach you my skills!"
This was an immense stroke of fortune!
Everyone in the Zhu family revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.
They were extremely grateful to Gong Ye, and Gong Zhi Jing was equally thankful.
Without the connection to Gong Zhi Jing, Gong Ye might not have paid such special attention to their family's child.
Zhu Ziqing's eyes were firm, "I remember your words. I will definitely find you in the future!"
Gong Ye smiled and nodded, never imagining that this child before him would indeed inherit his path in the future.
Seeing that they had already agreed, it would be inappropriate to continue kneeling, so Zhu Li Yue quickly said, "Alright Ziqing, come to your aunt."
Zhu Ziqing obediently got up and happily went to Zhu Li Yue's side.
Only then did Gong Ye glance at Zhu Li Yue, and his brows immediately furrowed.
His mindset was somewhat old-fashioned. Her attire was a strange mix, revealing her waist and legs, which was truly improper and unsightly.
But that was her business, none of his.
It was quite coincidental that Zhu Li Yue happened to see his reaction, and her heart skipped a beat.
She wondered if she had offended this influential figure, otherwise why would he look at her with such disdain?
Yes, it was disdain.
Despite her confusion, she wouldn't go out of her way to ask, only muttering inwardly.
"Madam, the banquet can begin."
The food was all prepared, so Zhu Yun Fei called everyone to take their seats.
Because there were several children, small cakes were specially ordered to liven things up.
The adults drank wine, and the children drank juice, with words of blessing being exchanged.
"May our precious child grow healthy and always be happy."
"May our precious child be blessed with a hundred fortunes and live a long life."
"May our precious child be blessed with peace and joy, and may all things go well."
It was a lively luncheon, with guests fully satisfied and enjoying themselves.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the second branch of the Ling family was exceptionally oppressive.
Su Jin Hua flew into a rage, "Well done, Zhu Yun Fei! You're turning your back on your own kind, still looking out for those surnamed Zhu."
Her objective unfulfilled, how could she possibly be content? She also cursed Zhu Li Yue.
"And that little bitch from the Zhu family, she's just a divorced slut that no one wants! How dare she look down on my Yu Hong.
If it weren't for her good fortune, I'd feel disgraced even having her carry my shoes..."
"Enough, aren't you embarrassed enough?"
Ling Jun Mo reprimanded her coldly, his expression extremely unpleasant.
Su Jin Hua immediately fell silent, but the resentment in her eyes grew even stronger.
She absolutely would not give up so easily!
Ling Yu Hong, after smoking several cigarettes, got up and walked out in frustration.
Su Jin Hua glanced at his departing back and immediately blamed him, "Off gallivanting again, can't you put your mind to anything..."
"Are you annoyed? You drone on and on all day. Wasn't it embarrassing enough following you today?"
Ling Yu Hong also had a belly full of anger with nowhere to vent. The thought of Zhu Li Yue's contemptuous gaze felt like needles piercing his heart.
Now.
The company was getting worse and worse.
He was divorced.
And now he had to endure insults.
He felt his life was extremely turbulent.
After being reprimanded by her husband and then blamed by her son, Su Jin Hua's face turned ashen, but no one paid her any attention.
Ling Jun Mo went upstairs in annoyance, while Ling Yu Hong went out.
This made Su Jin Hua even more angry.
Because of her anger, her breathing became uncontrollably rapid. She wailed, "Who am I doing all this for! If it weren't for all of you being useless, would I need to scheme so much?
Now you all blame me. You're so capable, why don't you think of a solution..."
The empty living room was left with only her and her noisy wails.
If it were in the past, perhaps Jiang Shi You might have consoled her.
But now...
"Grandma, I'm hungry. I want chicken legs. I want chicken legs..."
Ling Han Fei came downstairs, shouting as he rushed over, unceremoniously punching Su Jin Hua in the stomach.
His strength was not small, causing Su Jin Hua to cry out in pain, her face contorted in agony.
But what followed was a barrage of punches.
"I want chicken legs, I want chicken legs, aaaaahhhhh..."
Su Jin Hua clutched her stomach, feeling weak, but she couldn't bear to scold her only grandson.
She endured the pain and said, "Grandma will get them. I'll get chicken legs. Stop hitting."
Ling Han Fei then stopped. He said petulantly, "Hurry up, I want to eat."
All her anger vanished. She dotingly touched her grandson's head, no longer feeling any pain.
"Okay, I'll make big chicken legs for my precious grandson to eat!"
As she got up to go to the kitchen, she muttered, "Your mother is something else. Just leaving without even a phone call.
Taking that girl with her, who knows what's so great about her."
Ling Han Fei shouted, "Mommy is a bad person. I don't want Mommy."
Su Jin Hua turned back and said, "That's right, she's a bad person. When you grow up, don't be filial to her, don't support her."
"Support Grandma, buy Grandma a big house!"
Su Jin Hua was busy in the kitchen, and upon hearing her grandson's words, she beamed with joy.
...
In the afternoon, after eating and drinking their fill.
Gong Ye and the entire Zhu family were invited to stay at the Ling residence.
Gong Ye had drunk quite a bit today due to the joyous occasion and was already tipsy. As soon as he returned to his guest room, he fell asleep, his snores resonating like thunder.
Ling Yu Chen and Ling Jun Ye escorted him to the guest room together.
Gong Zhi Jing followed them worriedly until she saw her father tidily settled in bed before she was relieved.
She sighed helplessly, "Really, drinking so much and being so drunk, he doesn't take good care of himself."
"It's alright, I've arranged for a maid to look after him," Ling Yu Chen said, taking her hand as they walked out, signaling her not to worry.
Gong Zhi Jing muttered as they walked, "It would be good if there was a suitable person. Then he would have someone to look after each other."
But her dilemma was how to tell her father.
She knew her father's feelings for her mother were deep, and even though she passed away over twenty years ago, the memory was still etched in his heart.
But one cannot live in memories forever.
He was only in his fifties. Would he be alone for the next few decades?
As his daughter, she felt pained for him. It wasn't practical to have him move in with her.
Nor could she move her entire family to the Gong residence.
"The boat will reach its destination naturally," Ling Yu Chen comforted her.
Gong Zhi Jing sighed again.
Her mind was filled with images of her uncle drunk, her aunt taking care of him; her two elder cousins drunk, their wives complaining incessantly yet still taking good care of them.
Only her father was alone.