He arrived, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.
Grandpa Sang couldn’t be bothered with him.
He hadn’t kicked the old man out—that was already being generous.
So, he didn’t bother entertaining him either, just went about his own business.
Right now, Grandpa Sang was busy unpacking his parcel. As he took out each item, he praised his granddaughter-in-law.
Hmph, he just wanted to show Sheng Xinhao this old man how wonderful Ning was.
If this old man wasn’t satisfied with Ning, it was his own lack of judgment.
Over here, Sheng Xinhao listened to Grandpa Sang’s muttering.
He knew these were things sent by Gu Jianing.
So, did that girl regularly send parcels to the Sang family elders?
If… if he acknowledged her, then as her father-in-law, would the young couple send him things too?
Sheng Xinhao couldn’t quite describe what he was feeling.
Just like he didn’t know why he’d come to the Sang family today.
Perhaps it was because he was feeling stifled at home.
Ever since the fake youngest son was taken away and the real one was confirmed dead, Wanrong had changed.
She could no longer return to her former gentle, considerate self.
Instead, she’d become somewhat greedy and money-obsessed.
Today, Fang Wanrong had hinted that she wanted him to give her the Sheng family ancestral home.
When she found out he’d already given it to Sheng Zexi,
Wanrong immediately exploded.
She started arguing with him on the spot, crying and making a scene.
This side of Fang Wanrong was something Sheng Xinhao had never seen before.
It left him both shocked and deeply helpless.
He knew the reason Wanrong had become like this.
It was because their son was dead.
The son they had always doted on turned out to be from Country R.
And Wanrong—after giving birth to their youngest son, due to a difficult delivery and subsequent complications—could no longer have children.
So, she’d always treated their youngest son as her sole reliance. Who could’ve imagined…
Sheng Xinhao had also loved his youngest son dearly.
But after everything that happened, he was heartbroken too. There was nothing he could do.
Now, Sheng Zexi was the only bloodline he had left.
No matter how strained their relationship was,
blood ties couldn’t be changed.
So, his family’s assets and property would inevitably go to Sheng Zexi in the future.
Still, Wanrong had had a hard life all these years, so he’d leave her a sum of money for retirement and a house.
But even that didn’t seem enough for Wanrong.
It was also from today onward that Sheng Xinhao began to realize Fang Wanrong might have revealed her true colors—nothing like the gentle, considerate, and kind woman he’d imagined her to be.
He even started to wonder—had he ever truly seen through Fang Wanrong all these years?
He couldn’t help but recall some incidents from when Sheng Zexi was still living at home.
Back then, the eldest son was always clashing with Fang Wanrong, constantly accusing her of having ulterior motives, framing him, and slandering him.
In the past, Sheng Xinhao had believed Fang Wanrong.
He thought someone as kind and fragile as her could never do such things.
But now…
After seeing this other side of her,
he wondered—maybe some of the things the eldest son said were true?
If so… did that mean the reason his relationship with the eldest son had deteriorated so badly was because of Fang Wanrong’s deliberate provocations?
If… if he hadn’t married Fang Wanrong back then, would his relationship with the eldest son be different now?
If… if A-Wan were still here, would their family of three still be together, happy and whole?
Sheng Xinhao was lost in thought.
Feeling deeply exhausted and unwilling to argue with Fang Wanrong any longer, he left the house.
Unexpectedly, as he wandered aimlessly, he ended up at the Sang family home and saw his former father-in-law unpacking a parcel.
“Oh-ho, it’s a photo!”
The old man’s loud exclamation snapped Sheng Xinhao out of his thoughts.
He looked up and saw the old man holding a small photograph.
But the distance was too far, and Sheng Xinhao couldn’t make out the details.
Yet the old man seemed determined to taunt him.
He held the photo up and began muttering to himself.
“Ah, a family portrait of four.”
“My great-grandson and great-granddaughter are just adorable—so plump and fair.”
“This must be the older brother, Xingxing—looks so much like Xiao Xi.”
“And Yueyue takes after Ningning—such a pretty little thing.”
The old man commented as he examined the photo.
Sheng Xinhao knew the old man was deliberately speaking for his benefit.
He had to admit, the words stirred something in him.
He wanted to see it.
He knew that the eldest son’s wife had given birth to twins—a boy and a girl—a few months ago.
Had they sent the old man a photo?
So their nicknames were Xingxing and Yueyue?
Did they even know he was their grandfather?
Xingxing was the older brother? And he looked like the eldest son?
Sheng Xinhao still remembered what Sheng Zexi looked like as a newborn.
He thought that if he could see the photo now, he’d surely recognize the resemblance.
He wanted to know—just how similar were they?
Unfortunately, Sheng Xinhao couldn’t see it.
He strained his neck to peek, but the old man blocked his view.
Was he doing this on purpose?
Yes, Grandpa Sang was absolutely doing it on purpose.
Hmph, such a handsome, chubby pair of great-grandchildren—he’d keep them to himself and not let this clueless old man have a look.
Serves him right for being so blind.
Seeing the old man shift to block his view, Sheng Xinhao gritted his teeth, adjusted his position, and craned his neck again.
But as if the old man had a sensor on his back, the moment he moved, Grandpa Sang moved too—still obstructing his line of sight.
“……”
In the end, Sheng Xinhao left in a huff, seething with frustration and envy.
Grandpa Sang smirked: If this old man is unhappy, then I’m happy. Haha.
…
The parcel for Huaihua Village arrived at the Gu family’s doorstep a week later.
Gu Yunnan brought it home after work.
By now, both Gu Yunnan and Gu Yunzhou had settled into their jobs at the grain station and supply and marketing cooperative.
They worked with ease, and thanks to Gu Jianing, their colleagues treated them well.
As for the third brother, Gu Yunzhou, outside of work, he spent his time studying—reviewing middle and high school coursework.
He believed in Gu Jianing’s words and held onto hope that the college entrance exams would one day resume.
Back at the Gu household, they eagerly opened the parcel and soon pulled out the photograph.
“So these are Xingxing and Yueyue? They’ve grown so much!”
The Gu family crowded around, unable to tear their eyes away from the small photo.
“Our little sister and brother-in-law are both good-looking, so of course Xingxing and Yueyue are too—look at them, fair and chubby, such lovely little faces.”
“Truly, beautiful people have beautiful children—like little celestial beings.”
“When I left, Xingxing and Yueyue were barely over a month old. Now they’re three months—they’ve grown so much.”
“Looking at this photo, I really miss them.”
“Ningning looks well in the photo too.” Old Man Gu, however, had first looked at his daughter. Seeing the liveliness in her eyes, he could tell she was doing well—and that put his heart at ease.
After all, what parent wouldn’t worry about a daughter married far from home?
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