Power and Wealth
Chapter 1952 – Settled
At the dinner table.
The atmosphere was not great.
The second sister-in-law finally mustered up the courage to say, “I was just joking around, it’s not like I can represent the whole family.”
Dong Xuebing was surprised, “Are you backing out now?”
The second sister-in-law said, “An unexpected fortune —it was just a figure of speech, a commonly used phrase with a specific meaning and context; there’s nothing else to it.”
Dong Xuebing looked at her oddly, “But everyone heard you. I know it’s just a phrase, describing something good falling from the sky, so I checked with you earlier, asking if it was a ‘falling fortune’, and you said yes, you said you could represent the whole Fang family. Now you’re backing out, I don’t mind, but it just feels a bit disrespectful to Heaven. You know, the way Heaven is watching over us, it’s not right to take its blessings lightly.
The second sister-in-law said, “Stop with the superstitions and feudal nonsense.”
Dong Xuebing blinked. “I think it’s not just superstition; it’s also about integrity. The Fang family has always been upright, and my Grandpa always emphasized the importance of moral education for the younger generation. Anyway, never mind.”
The second sister-in-law glared at him, “Have you said enough?”
The usually quiet second son snapped, glaring at his wife, “Can’t you just shut up at the dinner table? If you don’t want to eat, leave!”
The second sister-in-law was furious, “What’s wrong with saying a few words?”
“If you want to talk, go to the room and talk to the wall!” the second son coldly retorted.
Seeing her husband genuinely angry, the second sister-in-law sulked and said nothing more.
The second son raised his head. “Dad, it’s my fault for not keeping her in line. I’ll talk to her when we get home.”
Grandpa Fang glanced at the second son’s wife, not saying anything. The old man seemed unhappy with the second daughter-in-law’s behavior again today. They were a big family, not just a small household, and even if the potential in-laws were political enemies, they would still welcome them with a smile. But the second sister-in-law’s abrupt changes in attitude reflected poorly on her. Since Dong Xuebing joined the family, he has always maintained a smile and polite demeanor, even when he sometimes went along with things too much. But his words and attitude were consistently well-received across the board. The second sister-in-law’s confrontations made her seem out of place.
Grandpa Fang turned to Dong Xuebing, “Xiao Dong, eat your meal while it’s hot. Xiaomei, help your Brother Dong get some more food.”
Dong Xuebing smiled, “No worries, I can do it myself. Don’t be too formal. Haha.” He wasn’t being formal at all, and after a few bites, he noticed Third Son Fang and some of the younger generation pouring wine, so he casually grabbed a bottle of Maotai. “Good stuff here, can I try it?”
Third Son Fang nodded.
“That’s great, thank you, Third Uncle. I’ve never tried Maotai like this before. It looks like a special edition. It’s a real treat today! Dong Xuebing poured himself a glass.
The oldest also said, “If you like it, take a box home later.”
“Oh, no need to be so polite. “ I’ll have a taste,” Dong Xuebing said, starting to eat and drink.
Over there, Grandpa Fang asked, “Why hasn’t Xiaoling come back for dinner?”
Xiaoling’s mother glanced at Dong Xuebing and said, “Dad, I just called her, she said she’s not coming back, she has plans with her classmates.” Xiaoling had mentioned on the phone that she was with Xie Ran at Xie’s Grandpa’s house, but Xiaoling’s mother didn’t dare to say that, so she changed her words.
Grandpa Fang nodded slightly, not saying anything.
At the dinner table.
Fang Wenping didn’t say a word from start to finish, and after finishing her meal, she was the first to leave without even a word to the others at the table. She was very independent, sitting on the couch, her legs crossed, and watching the news. Everyone was already accustomed to the ‘in’ ways of the fifth sibling; they were no longer surprised.
After the meal.
Many people still had things to do, so they all prepared to leave.
“Xiao Dong, thank you for the invitation from your family today. Please let your family know,” said the oldest brother of the Fang family solemnly.
It was already dark outside, and it was getting late. They felt that if they sent him off now, Dong Xuebing wouldn’t have any reason to stay.
But they still underestimated Dong Xuebing’s persistence. As soon as he heard this, he got up from his chair, and just as he was about to take a step, his foot wobbled, “Ow!” He staggered and almost fell, barely managing to grab onto the couch to keep himself from falling, holding his forehead and saying, “I can’t, I can’t. I’ve had too much to drink; everything’s spinning. Look at the mess I’ve made; I’m sorry to everyone for embarrassing myself.
Xiaoling’s mother said awkwardly, “What do you want to do then?”
The third brother said, “How about we find someone to take you home?”
Dong Xuebing waved his hand, “It’s okay, don’t worry about me. Everyone’s busy, go home. I’ll lie down for a bit and I’ll be fine.”
Lying down for a bit…
Everyone almost choked on their blood.
“You’re not seriously planning to stay here overnight, are you? How much did you drink to be like this?”
Everyone stared at Dong Xuebing, utterly baffled. It was almost unbelievable to hear about a potential son-in-law who didn’t take no for an answer and still insisted on staying at the potential in-laws’ home.
Dong Xuebing, looking very drunk, apologized, “Sorry, really sorry, I’m just not in the right state today. It’s a bit embarrassing for everyone; please forgive me. I don’t know how to bring up this engagement right now, maybe we should talk about it tomorrow. Oh, my head hurts.”
He had planned on staying the night.
The second sister-in-law was boiling with anger; she almost felt like kicking him out. She’d never seen such a shameless person.
But then, Grandpa Fang laughed and spoke up, “Xiao Dong, you should go home today. I’ll arrange for someone to take you back.”
Before Dong Xuebing could respond, Grandpa Fang made a surprising statement: “Xiao Ran and Xiaoling’s engagement… my Third son will talk to your family about it.”
“Ah?”
“Dad?”
“Really?”
Many people from the Fang family were stunned.
Dong Xuebing was also taken aback, “Grandpa Fang…”
Grandpa Fang smiled. Since it was someone from our family who agreed to the “fortune falling from the sky” thing, they naturally have to take responsibility for it, just as you said. “ Maybe it’s truly fate, haha.”
The second sister-in-law quickly said, “Dad, I—”
Grandpa Fang waved his hand, “It’s settled, no more discussion.”
With this statement, the Fang family dared not say anything more. They didn’t quite understand why Grandpa Fang had suddenly changed his mind; no, they realized that even when Grandpa Fang had gently declined before, he hadn’t completely ruled it out. They knew that Grandpa Fang’s decision had its reasons.
Dong Xuebing’s face lit up with a huge smile, and it seemed he was sober now, getting up to say, “Well, that’s great then. I’ll let my family know, and we’ll talk about the dowry later.”
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