Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 35 - 035 Selected

Chapter 35: 035 Selected

Li Dafu, seeing the situation, said helplessly, "This matter should ultimately be decided by Uncle Huai Ren, shouldn’t it? At the beginning, Uncle Huai Ren said he wanted a girl, and the child from the Sanhe Family is a boy, which doesn’t meet the requirements."

Third Uncle was taken aback, his brows furrowed tightly. He turned his head to look at Li Huai Ren sitting on the side and asked, "Huai Ren, now, looking at the two children, which one do you want?"

Li Huai Ren slightly lifted his gaze, his eyes revealing a shrewdness and wisdom untypical of rural folks, and said with a faint smile, "Third Uncle, matters of adoption should also depend on fate. Why don’t I meet the two children first? Then I can decide."

Seeing this, Third Uncle also nodded and said, "Good, it’s also good to meet them."

Everyone dispersed, but the news of this matter spread throughout the entire brigade.

Meanwhile, at the brigade’s office, Qin Xi’s family was having lunch and they also knew about this matter.

Qin Xi asked uncertainly, "Who told you? How come I heard that they want to adopt Li Sanhe’s youngest son?"

Qin Zhen pouted arrogantly, "Isn’t San’er’s sister back? The Elder Huai Ren originally planned on adopting a girl, but now he’s changed his mind at the last minute. He says he wants to meet both of them before deciding which one."

Next to them, Qin Shouren adjusted his thick glasses and said, "We need to think this matter over carefully."

Qin Xi frowned, a bit dazed, wondering how things had changed. She had already persuaded Li Huai Ren to give up the idea of adopting Li Sanhe’s youngest son. Now, the girl who was supposed to be wronged returned and everything changed.

Qin Xi shook her head, yes, a lot has changed indeed.

In the afternoon, visitors came to the house, an elder with long beard and eyebrows, who had a kind look but stood straight-backed, exuding an unusual aura. After a brief exchange of greetings, he sat down on the kang in Li Dafu’s house.

The elder took out a bottle of Baijiu with a label from the bag he was carrying and handed it over, saying, "Here, Laobai Dry. It was a gift from last year. At my age, I dare not drink too much, so I’m giving you this bottle. You are young and can enjoy a drink occasionally."

Li Dafu did not refuse; he took it and said with a smile, "Thank you, Uncle!"

Seeing Li Dafu’s generous demeanor, the elder also quite appreciated it, nodding and climbing onto the kang.

Li Xianglu was sent by the aunt in the kitchen to serve the dishes. At this time of the year, it was mostly radishes, cabbages, and potatoes, nothing fancy. However, the vegetables every household stored were not abundant, so it wasn’t easy to have them. Today, they had stir-fried cabbage with smoked pork, a large bowlful. The aunt was also preparing cold tossed radish strips.

As Li Xianglu carried the dishes in, she saw an unfamiliar old man sitting there, who began to size her up as soon as she entered the room.

Li Xianglu narrowed her eyes and greeted him with a smile, "Hello, Grandpa."

The elder raised his eyebrows and glanced at Li Dafu sitting beside him.

Li Dafu said with some pride, "This is my second brother’s daughter, a girl who knows her manners." Then he addressed Li Xianglu, "He is a relative from another branch of our Li Family, just call him Uncle."

Li Xianglu smiled and nodded, just about to leave when Li Dafu said, "Xiang, don’t go. Fetch a stool and sit down close by. Your uncle has some things to ask you."

Li Xianglu raised her eyebrows, perplexed, yet obediently moved one of the only two chairs in the house to sit down quietly on the east side of the entrance of the cave dwelling.

Her uncle smiled faintly and said, "I’ve come to know about your situation." After saying this, he intentionally stared at Li Xianglu’s face to see her reaction, and seeing no change, he continued, "Do you hate your mom?"

Li Xianglu did not expect such questions. She first glanced at Li Dafu with confusion, seeing him just staring at his wine bottle without paying attention to her side, then she raised her head and said seriously, "I don’t hate her, I’m just puzzled."

"Oh?" The uncle’s mouth curved slightly, with a hint of curiosity he asked, "Puzzled about what?"

Li Xianglu organized her thoughts and said, "I’m puzzled as to why, my mom is my birth mother and I was born after she carried me for ten months, why does she not love me, why would she marry me off to a fool just for the sake of my older brother."

While saying all this, Li Xianglu’s head drooped slightly. These words were the truth, and she had been pondering this question these days. Was it just because she was a girl? Was it just because of the cultural difference of the era, the thoughts of the older generation? This left Li Xianglu feeling somewhat despondent.

Li Huai Ren was taken aback for a moment, then smiled with the corners of his mouth twitching upward. This child was sincere, and he could understand if she said she hated, but if she said she did not hate, he would feel her nature was too soft. Hearing her puzzlement, his heart felt a touch of tenderness and reluctance.

Yes, the person who had come to visit Li Dafu’s house was Li Huai Ren. He had already visited the Li Sanhe family and met that boy, who was also quite smart and clever. He had asked the boy a question: If he were to be adopted into his family, would he still remember his original family? The boy’s surprising answer was no, claiming that once he became his grandson, he would take care of him wholeheartedly without any further ties to his former home.

This reminded him of the words of the Qin family boy next door. That brat had learned he was planning to adopt a child, and had told him a lot, advising to consider character and think long-term.

Now that he thought about it, it was indeed true that the youngest son of the Sanhe family was a bit too heart-winning; that child was too clever.

Looking at the still somewhat troubled young girl in front of him, he smiled and nodded, "You can go, I’ll have a talk with your great uncle."

Li Xianglu nodded and left.

After dinner, Li Dafu saw off the guests and only returned when it was nearly time to sleep.

Li Erfu also returned with him.

Upon seeing his daughter, Li Erfu’s expression turned extremely sorrowful, and he sat on the edge of the kang (heated bed) and sighed before saying to Li Xianglu, who had been called over, "Xiang, your granduncle plans to adopt you as his granddaughter." After saying that, he raised his head and asked, "What do you think?"

Li Xianglu was slightly stunned, and it took a long time before she understood. In fact, she had pondered over this matter for quite some time. She originally had feelings for this family and had hopes for Ge Sanmei, her biological mother, but her hopes were dashed again and again, leading to greater disappointment until this recent incident almost brought disaster upon her, leading to her ultimate despair.

Seeing that his daughter didn’t answer, Li Erfu sighed and said, "What I mean is, it would be better for you to be adopted out. Your mom is out of her mind right now. Even if you went back, you two would not get along, and you would suffer. I’ve been told by your third brother that you’re extremely smart and learn things fast. If you stay with your granduncle, you could continue your education, and you are bound to achieve great things in the future."

After saying this, Li Erfu stood up with a look of anguish and walked outside.

Old Mrs. Wu sighed while watching her second son’s increasingly hunched figure, then said to Li Xianglu, "Your daddy is thinking of your best interest, not wanting you to be mistreated at home."

Li Xianglu gave a bitter smile and said nothing. Only one between her and Ge Sanmei could remain, and since Ge Sanmei could not tolerate her, it seemed she had to be the one to

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