My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 465: Guan Xiaoguan Crying

Grandpa Guan nodded.

After the two left, Grandpa Guan looked at Guan Xiaoguan and said, "Speak, what is it?"

Guan Xiaoguan looked at Grandpa Guan and said, "Grandpa, my dad and mom are coming back."

Upon hearing this, Old Master Guan angrily exclaimed, "What? They're back? What are these two unfilial children doing back here?"

Guan Xiaoguan said, "Grandpa, my parents want me to go to America."

Grandpa Guan said angrily, "What? Go to America? China is such a big place, there's no room for you all, you insist on going abroad? What's so good about going abroad?"

Guan Xiaoguan looked at Grandpa Guan and said, "Grandpa, I don't want to go either, but my parents insist that I go, unless..."

Grandpa Guan said, "Unless what?"

Guan Xiao closed her mouth, not wanting to speak. Old Master Guan instantly understood, and sighed inwardly, "Is he eyeing my things again?"

Guan Xiaoguan didn't say anything, as if she had tacitly agreed.

Grandpa Guan said angrily, "Don't you understand what these things are? They are treasures of the Chinese people. Even that kid Zhang Lei, who was having dinner with me just now and was here for the first time, knows that these antiques are testaments to our five thousand years of civilization. They want to take these things outside to exchange for money. Tell them to give up that idea. And you, you're not allowed to go! If they ask you why, just tell them it was me who said it, and have both of them come see me."

However, Han Chunming, who hadn't gone far outside, overheard everything inside. Zhang Lei had already gone home. The Han family lived relatively close to Old Master Guan's residence, and after seeing Zhang Lei off, Han Chunming quietly returned. To his surprise, he overheard this scene.

Han Chunming barged in and said, "Master, we can't give these antiques to them!"

Then, looking at Guan Xiaoguan, she said angrily, "Do you know? Those things are your grandfather's treasures. He guarded them his whole life. You want to take them out and sell them for money? Don't you have any conscience?"

Guan Xiaoguan glared angrily at Han Chunming and said, "What can I do? My parents will take me to America anyway. Do I have the right to decide this?"

Han Chunming was speechless after being rebuked, and could only manage to utter, "That won't work either."

Guan Xiaoguan was so angry that she ran out.

Grandpa Guan sighed, patted the table, and said, "Chunming, have a seat."

Han Chunming looked at Grandpa Guan and said, "Master, you..."

Grandpa Guan sighed deeply, "What a misfortune for our family! I used to think I had the foresight to send them abroad, but who knew they would turn out like this overseas, greedy for wealth and luxury, forgetting even their roots."

Han Chunming sighed and comforted him, "Master, don't worry, as long as I'm here, I won't let them take your things away."

Meanwhile, after leaving Grandpa Guan's house, Zhang Lei went straight to Houhai to clear his head. He was thinking about how and where he should spend his days. Zhang Lei thought about the next ten years and didn't want to waste them. Whether to stay or leave became a problem. Although there were still a few years left, he was no longer so optimistic.

Just as Zhang Lei was pondering, he was suddenly bumped by a crying figure behind him. He was about to scold her, but upon seeing that it was Guan Xiaoguan, he called out, "Guan Xiaoguan!"

Guan Xiaoguan saw that it was Zhang Lei, who had just left her grandfather's house. After trying hard to remember, she said, "You're that guy...?"

Zhang Lei said somewhat speechlessly, "I am Zhang Lei, Han Chunming's brother-in-law."

Guan Xiaoguan suddenly remembered and said, "Right, right, you're Zhang Lei. What are you doing here?"

Zhang Lei looked at Guan Xiaoguan and said, "Shouldn't I be the one asking you? Why are you crying?"

Guan Xiaoguan didn't want to say much to Zhang Lei, whom she was meeting for the first time.

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "I remember you haven't eaten, right? How about I treat you to dinner?"

Guan Xiaoguan asked in confusion, "Didn't you eat at my grandpa's house?"

Zhang Lei said with a smile, "I'm not full."

Guan Xiaoguan looked at him suspiciously, then thought for a moment. Since he was Han Chunming's relative, it should be fine, so she said, "Isn't this inappropriate?"

Zhang Lei laughed and said, "There's nothing wrong with it. It's just a meal. What, you're not afraid I'll eat you up, are you?"

Guan Xiaoguan looked at Zhang Lei and said with a smile, "You're not a wolf, why would you eat me?"

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "That's right."

Soon, the two found a small restaurant and ordered three dishes to eat. Zhang Lei would crack jokes from time to time, making Guan Xiaoguan laugh, and Guan Xiaoguan was gradually drawn in by Zhang Lei's humor. Under Zhang Lei's guidance, Guan Xiaoguan told him what had happened to her.

After listening, Zhang Lei said, "You mean your parents deliberately used sending you to America as a pretext to force your grandfather to make a choice? If your grandfather doesn't hand over the antiques to your parents, they'll take you away from him and go to America."

Guan Xiaoguan nodded and sighed, "I know my parents are wrong, but I don't know what to choose now."

Zhang Lei nodded and said, "I understand your concerns—your parents on one side, and your grandfather on the other. But I think you should make the decision yourself. If you really don't want to leave, talk to your parents clearly. Staying with your grandfather, you won't have to worry about food or drink, and besides, you're an adult now; you can find a job and support yourself. Of course, if you're willing to go to America, then talk to your grandfather properly. Even though you'll be living apart, you can come back to see him once a year. Communication is troublesome now, but you can still make phone calls and write letters."

After listening to Zhang Lei's words, Guan Xiaoguan nodded and said, "Actually, I'm also confused. I don't know what I should do."

Zhang Lei looked at Guan Xiaoguan and said with a smile, "At your age, being happy is the most important thing. As for what to do in the future, there's no rush."

Guan Xiaoguan looked at Zhang Lei and said with a smile, "I'm not as carefree as you. By the way, since you're Han Chunming's brother-in-law, then Chunyan married you, right?"

Zhang Lei nodded.

Guan Xiaoguan then looked at Zhang Lei and asked, "So you have children? How many?"

Zhang Lei looked at Guan Xiaoguan and said with a smile, "Guess."

Guan Xiaoguan thought for a moment and said, "One? No, no, you've only been married for a short time. At most, she's pregnant."

Zhang Lei said with a smile, "I have thirteen children now."

Upon hearing this, Guan Xiaoguan immediately jumped up with a cry of "Ah!", drawing the attention of everyone eating around them. Zhang Lei quickly pulled her back down to sit, saying, "What are you doing?"

Guan Xiaoguan looked at Zhang Lei and said, "What do you mean, 'What do you want me to do'? Shouldn't you be saying 'What'?"

Zhang Lei looked around and said, "Are you done eating? If you are, I'll go pay the bill and we'll leave."

Guan Xiaoguan nodded. Soon the two left and found a secluded place.