Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 280: Stealing chicken but losing rice
The two left the compound in a disheveled state.

When Mu Qinglian got home, she couldn't hold back her tears and burst into sobs.

Xiao Bai was also in a daze, his mind was in chaos, and he didn't know how to make amends.

The nannies all ran out when they heard the commotion, and they were all very nervous.

Call Xiao Jinchen.

Xiao Jinchen had to rush back from work. When he entered the door, Mu Qinglian was lying on the sofa, sobbing. Xiao Bai was slumped over there, and the family doctor was examining them.

Guo Lingyue had already been helped out in a wheelchair by her servants.

Seeing him return was like finding a pillar of support; she was filled with dependence on him.

This greatly satisfied the chauvinistic Xiao Jinchen. "What's going on? Mom and Dad, what's wrong?"

After the family doctor finished the examination, he pondered and said, "There's nothing seriously wrong, you're just a little tired. Just get some rest and avoid any stress."

After the family doctor left, Xiao Jinchen asked the nanny and the others to leave, and patiently inquired, "Mom and Dad, didn't you go to Grandpa and Grandma's this morning? What happened?"

He shouldn't have brought it up, because the mention of it caused Mu Qinglian to burst into tears again. She said intermittently, "Your grandmother scolded us, scolded us for being hypocritical, and scolded you too. She said we spoiled you and you don't know what's important or urgent, and you can't handle anything. In the end, she told us outright that since we didn't attend your brother's engagement party, we don't need to go to the wedding either. She also said she had already informed your in-laws. Your brother, does he not recognize us anymore?"

Xiao Jinchen and Guo Lingyue both changed their expressions.

Neither of them expected that the Xiao family elders would have such a strong opinion about this matter, and even described Xiao Jinchen as an unweaned child.

It's important to understand that Xiao Jinchen is now in politics, so public image is crucial. More importantly, the Xiao family's connections are all in the hands of his grandparents. Without their support, he'll have to rely on himself to advance his career.

Relying on yourself? That's a joke!
Xiao Jinchen's face turned pale, and for the first time he realized he was in a panic. "Mom, it was all very sudden. Dad and I couldn't handle Yuanyuan at all, so we asked you to replace Lingyue. You didn't mean to not go!"

Guo Lingyue nodded vigorously in agreement, beginning to regret her impulsive decision.

Mu Qinglian smiled sadly, "Yes, we also said it wasn't intentional, but your grandparents are convinced that we are biased towards you and deliberately slapped your brother in the face. From what they said, they don't plan to let Jinlin acknowledge us anymore."

And you, we can understand that there are reasons for things, but you can't. Your grandma said that you are over thirty years old, your younger brother has been independent since he was a child, but you can't stand on your own, and she has a lot of complaints.

They already had a problem with Lingyue, and now... sigh! Oh well, it's all my and your father's fault, we deserve it, we deserve it."

With tears in her eyes, Mu Qinglian stumbled to her feet and climbed the stairs, holding onto the handrail.

Xiao Jinchen snapped out of his daze, clenched his fists tightly, and roared with bloodshot eyes, "Grandma, why are you saying this to me! I am the eldest grandson of the Xiao family. What's wrong with the Xiao family's resources favoring me? It's clearly Grandpa and Grandma who are biased towards Xiao Jinlin, but in the end, they say you're biased towards me. Who's really biased?"

Xiao Baiqi suddenly slapped Xiao Jinchen across the face, "Have you gone crazy yet?!"

"Ah!" Guo Lingyue covered her mouth in fright, her face filled with terror.

Xiao Jinchen covered his face, his eyes wide with astonishment.

Xiao Bai snorted coldly: "Your grandparents have four grandsons, not just you. They are the pillars of the Xiao family. Jinlin was raised by them. Don't say they are biased. Even if they openly protect someone, no one can have a problem with it!"
"And another thing, your brother has indeed been independent since he was a child, and he always shoulders whatever happens on his own. But you have indeed been overprotected by us. You're over thirty years old, impulsive, easily angered, and selfish. Look at the mess you're in now, go back and reflect on your actions!" Xiao Jinchen lowered his eyelids, covered his face, nodded, and turned to leave.

Guo Lingyue was flustered and confused, standing there unsure whether to stay or leave. Her mind was filled with the words that Old Madam Xiao had a problem with her. She wanted to cry but dared not, and her whole being was in a state of utter chaos.

This time, Mu Qinglian just stood on the stairs and watched helplessly as her eldest son was scolded without moving, feeling utterly exhausted.

After venting his frustrations, Xiao Bai thought for a moment, then sat down and called Xiao Sheng.

Xiao Sheng arrived about ten minutes later.

"Big brother, you're finally back! I thought you'd be gone for a week. How did it go?"

Xiao Bai had long regretted accompanying his son on this trip. When Xiao Sheng mentioned it, his face darkened. "We saw a famous doctor and the illness was treated. Traditional Chinese medicine is all about balancing yin and yang and treating the ailments of the five internal organs. They prescribed medicine for us to get and give to the child. Such a young child taking Chinese medicine! Let's not talk about it."

We couldn't attend Jinlin's engagement party, thank you for your trouble. Did the guests say anything?

This was what he feared most, and he suspected that this was the reason why the elderly couple was so angry.

Xiao Sheng shook his head, laughing heartily, with a hint of excitement in his voice. "Brother, you don't know, even though the Chen family are from the south and are in business, their connections are ridiculously extensive. The Gao family values ​​the Chen family highly. Several prominent figures from the Gao family were present that day, as well as Xin Yue's godfather, that young master from the Gao family, who protected her the whole time."

The Li family also gave them face and came to support them.

Several young upstarts from Shanghai and Guangdong, each worth hundreds of billions, also came. Not to mention Xinyue, the heiress of E-Media, had all the political and business elites who wanted to cooperate with E-Media present, and several celebrities even went on stage to sing.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Anyway, I benefited from this, broadened my horizons, and got to know quite a few people through the Chen family. All the guests praised the bride and groom, and no one was watching their private affairs, so you can all rest assured."

These words not only failed to put Xiao Bai at ease, but instead made him even more regretful and resentful, and he also harbored some dissatisfaction with his eldest son.

Guo Lingyue, who had been eavesdropping at the stairwell, turned pale and expressionless as she wheeled herself back to her room.

In an attempt to embarrass Chen Xinyue, she resorted to self-harm to keep her in-laws from attending. As she had predicted, her in-laws did not show up. However, Chen Xinyue was not embarrassed by this; the engagement banquet was even more grand than her wedding ceremony. Instead, her family was criticized as nothing, and the elders had even more complaints about her.

Now their whole family is unhappy, while Chen Xinyue and Xiao Jinlin are happily married and unaffected.
How can you do this!

Guo Lingyue angrily pounded the quilt, her face contorted with jealousy and hatred.

But she dared not vent her anger, and could only endure it, feeling frustrated and helpless.

Xiao Jinlin and Chen Xinyue's engagement banquet was over, and soon it was the Spring Festival.

Because of their dissatisfaction with their eldest son's family, the Xiao couple didn't even want to have their Spring Festival reunion dinner this year. Their reason was that the engagement banquet was exhausting and everyone needed to rest well so they could be in better spirits for the wedding in February next year.

That's what they say to the outside world, but privately, He Xue and Xiao Sheng took advantage of their two sons' return to secretly call Xiao Jinlin and Chen Xinyue, inviting them to the old house for dinner.

Chen Xinyue and Xiao Jinlin are engaged, and according to custom, they address each other as grandparents as soon as they enter the house.