"Aunt is helping in the kitchen, and Second Aunt hasn't arrived yet. They're always the last ones to visit each year, you know that!" Li Rongfang said.
Liu Kaichen nodded. "Then I'll go to the kitchen to see. You elders can chat!"
He was the only one of the younger generation present, and he really had nothing to talk about with these elders. He wanted to escape to the kitchen for some peace and quiet, otherwise, they would start asking him if he had found a girlfriend again.
"This child is doing well for himself, becoming a general manager at such a young age. It's time he found a wife. Has Kaichen found someone? If not, I'll introduce my sister's daughter to Kaichen," said Chen Hongxia, the eldest son's wife.
Liu Kaichen, who hadn't reached the kitchen yet, overheard his aunt's words and was glad he was walking fast. If this topic had started, he wouldn't have been able to leave!
As for his mother being introduced to someone, he wasn't worried at all that his mother would agree. His mother didn't think much of ordinary girls.
Arriving in the kitchen, Liu Kaichen first greeted everyone there before going to Liu Yifeng's side and watching him cook. "Yifeng, thank you for your hard work today!"
"It's rare. How many days are you planning to stay this time?" Liu Yifeng asked while cooking.
"The company is giving me three days off, and I'll be going back the day after tomorrow. I'll spend these two days at home accompanying Mom and Dad!" Liu Kaichen was quite filial. Although he had been somewhat opportunistic in the past, he had never been lacking in filial piety.
The house and cars at home were all paid for by him. Now, he was just waiting for the demolition of the house in the delta to get the demolition compensation and buy himself a villa.
Then, his parents could choose to live in the villa with him or stay in the countryside.
Liu Chasheng, who was tending the fire, became angry upon hearing this. "You brat, we don't need you to accompany us. We just want you to quickly find us a daughter-in-law and give us a grandson, that would be better than you staying home with us every day!"
Liu Kaichen felt a headache coming on. Did everyone face the pressure to get married once they reached marriageable age?
He had managed to escape a disaster in the living room, only to walk right into a trap in the kitchen. He should have come at mealtime.
"Kaichen, your father is right. While career is important, it's not as important as getting married and having children. As the old saying goes, among the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the worst. You need to hurry!" Liu Mei, who was peeling garlic, chimed in.
Liu Kaichen felt like crying. "Aunt, I'm only 27 years old, how can we talk about having no descendants?"
"I think your aunt is right. Children your age in the same village are already buying soy sauce, and some are even in primary school, yet you don't even have a girlfriend." Liu Chasheng looked crestfallen. He yearned for children whenever he saw other people's kids.
"Dad, finding a partner isn't like picking cabbage. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and one must be careful. Do you want me to find someone haphazardly just to fool you, only to get divorced after marriage?" Liu Kaichen argued.
"You... you're going to make me so angry." Liu Chasheng was speechless, unable to refute his son's words.
Liu Yifeng, standing nearby, added, "Third Uncle, don't worry. Given Kaichen's qualifications, are you afraid he won't be able to find a wife?
I'm sure there are plenty of young girls in the company who like him. Just let Kaichen choose someone he likes. Marriages forced by pressure are often unhappy."
Liu Kaichen immediately cast a grateful look at Liu Yifeng, as his father was successfully silenced.
At eleven o'clock, Liu Ju's family finally arrived.
As soon as they entered, she pointed at the shabby house and said, "Yifeng has earned a lot of money, hasn't he? Why hasn't he built a new house yet?"
"I've been too busy lately. I'll start working on the house when I have more time. Second Sister, please have a seat. There's food on the table, help yourselves!" Liu Chunsheng took the things from her.
It was the same old, unchanging four items: pomelo, mooncakes, crisp pastries, and a few candies.
"I've put your gifts here. Remember to take them with you after the meal!" Liu Ju pointed at her son, indicating the things placed by the wall, as if she had bought something extraordinary.
Li Rongfang looked at the items on the floor and pouted with disdain.
The total cost of these items was less than what her son's mooncake cost, so why the airs?
At this moment, Liu Ju's grandson, Xiao Hao, was immediately captivated by the Optimus Prime toy displayed in Liu Yifeng's room.
"Grandma, I like this Optimus Prime. I want to take it home!"
Tong Tong immediately objected, "My dad bought this for me. You can't take it away!"
"I want it, I want it!" Xiao Hao unreasonably shook Liu Ju's hand.
Liu Ju looked at the toy, which was taller than herself, and knew it wasn't cheap. So, she spoke gently to Tong Tong. "Tong Tong, you must be tired of playing with it at home. Why don't you lend it to Xiao Hao to play with at his home for a few days? I'll bring it back to you later, okay?"
She knew this child responded better to kindness than to force, which was why she spoke so gently.
However, Tong Tong was not easily swayed. He strongly refused, "No, this is my toy. No one can take it away!"
"You child, why are you so stingy? It's just to borrow it for a while, not to take it away. You're truly like your father, extremely petty." Liu Ju recalled the time she came to ask Liu Yifeng for some vegetables and fruits and was refused, and she was still annoyed.
Now, seeing Tong Tong being so stingy, she immediately lost her pleasant demeanor.
Tong Tong ignored what she said and extended his hand to shield Optimus Prime.
Seeing that he wouldn't give it to him, Xiao Hao immediately threw himself on the ground and started throwing a tantrum. "I want Optimus Prime, give me Optimus Prime!"
Hearing the commotion, everyone came into the room and saw Xiao Hao rolling on the ground.
Zhao Kunming quickly asked his crying son, "Mom, what's wrong? Why is Xiao Hao crying on the ground?"
"What else could it be? He wants this Optimus Prime, and Yifeng's child won't let him play with it!" Liu Ju said irritably.
Liu Chunsheng then went to Tong Tong's side and whispered, "Tong Tong, why don't you play with Xiao Hao? We should learn to share!"
"Grandpa, he doesn't want to play here. He wants to take it away. But Dad gave this to me!" Tong Tong pouted, looking unhappy.
Liu Ju immediately said, "We're just borrowing it for a few days, not taking it away permanently. Being so stingy isn't good!"
Liu Chunsheng was about to speak when Tong Tong's voice rang out. "You're using emotional blackmail. I have the right to decide what to do with my belongings. You can play with it here, but I won't let you take it away!"
His tone left no room for negotiation.
"Xiao Hao, don't cry. It's just a broken toy. Dad will buy you a new one later."
After speaking, he looked at Liu Chunsheng again. "Second Uncle, how much did this toy cost? I'll buy my son one when I get back!"
"I'm not entirely sure. Yifeng bought it. I'll ask him for you!" Liu Chunsheng replied.
"I'll ask him myself!" Zhao Kunming said and went to the kitchen.
"Xiao Hao, did you hear that? Dad will buy you a new one. Get up now!" Liu Ju said, picking Xiao Hao up.
Upon hearing that he would get a new one, Xiao Hao stopped crying and fussing.
This was his usual tactic, and it always worked.
Meanwhile, Du Ziheng was also having guests at his home that day.
Seeing his cousin arrive late, Du Ziheng called her to his room alone.
"Cousin, why are you being so secretive? Can't we talk in the living room?" Xia Qianqian asked curiously.
"I want to introduce someone to you. You'll meet him another day, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied!" Du Ziheng got straight to the point.
Xia Qianqian couldn't help but laugh. "Cousin, have you forgotten what I do? If I start dating, I won't be able to stay in the company."
"Honestly, you're not valued in your company, and you probably don't have much room for development. It would be better to be a boss's wife. My brother is not only a good person but also very good at making money." Du Ziheng was quite blunt, but he wasn't wrong. He hoped his cousin would face reality.
"Cousin, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't go on blind dates. To be honest, I'm participating in a talent show. If I'm selected, my career will enter a new phase. In the face of this show, I can't go on blind dates or fall in love. So, let's drop this matter!" Xia Qianqian made a stopping gesture.
Since she had chosen this path, she was determined to achieve something. Otherwise, giving up now would be a betrayal of her years of persistence.
She believed that even without resorting to "casting couches," she could achieve success through hard work and dedication.