1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 23 A Bet, Snatching the Grandson
"Grandpa is wise but unassuming, brilliant and powerful. Nothing can be hidden from you."

Gu Bin, who was used to laughing and joking with his maternal grandfather since childhood, cupped his hands in a gesture of utmost admiration.

"Hahaha."

Grandpa laughed heartily, his voice full of energy.

"Grandpa."

Taking advantage of his grandfather's good mood, Gu Bin voiced his concerns: "Actually, I think Secretary Li is a bit flamboyant and not very suitable to be your secretary."

Grandpa's expression changed slightly: "Why do you have such thoughts?"

"Is such that."

Gu Bin did not hide anything and truthfully recounted what Secretary Li had said to him after he got out of the car while looking for the bicycle in front of Lin Xiyu's house that afternoon, repeating it word for word.

"He's not saying that correctly."

Grandpa stopped laughing, his eyes showing displeasure: "When he comes another day, I'll give him a piece of my mind."

"Grandpa, your eldest uncle bought a villa in Guangzhou and has been saying for a while that you and Grandma can go live there."

Gu Bin's eyes flickered, and he smiled as he encouraged, "Actually, I think the climate in the south is good, and the winters aren't cold, which would be good for your chronic leg pain. Why don't you agree to your uncle's request and go to Guangzhou to enjoy a peaceful life, so that some people with ulterior motives won't bother you all the time?"

"You think I don't want a peaceful life?"

Grandpa glared at him, displeased: "Who are you staying here for? Isn't it all for you?"

"Yes, yes, I know, you just wanted to spite Grandpa with your bet."

Gu Bin didn't take it to heart at all, and joked with a smile, "Let me and my older brother, one of us join the army and the other goes into politics. Whoever does better in the future, you two win."

-

Gu Bin's maternal grandfather joined the army at a young age. He was a free-spirited and sincere man, but his only flaw was his preference for sons over daughters.

He and his wife had a son and a daughter. Their eldest son and daughter-in-law had three granddaughters in a row, but due to the one-child policy, he underwent sterilization in response to the national call. With no hope of having a grandson, the old man was truly depressed for a long time. He sighed and complained at home, finding fault with everything. He had a bad temper and was so angry that his wife almost divorced him.

This situation continued until the birth of her grandson.

Gu Bin's mother gave birth to two sons; the younger son was born when the older son was four years old.

Looking at his newborn, clever and adorable grandson, the old man suddenly had an idea.

He and Gu Bin's grandfather were old comrades-in-arms. Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, when they liberated Jinan, they fought side by side on the battlefield, carrying artillery barrels. They were the kind of people who could entrust their backs to each other.

Gu Bin's grandfather did not leave the military and remained in the army. His maternal grandfather also did well after entering politics.

The two old men were good friends, their families were well-matched, and their children happily got married.

The birth of my grandson should have been a joyous occasion, but unexpectedly, a problem arose.

The grandfather, shameless and persistent, insisted that the other party agree to let his grandson take his surname, Gu.

Grandpa initially disagreed, and the two old men almost came to blows over it. In the end, Gu Bin's father couldn't bear to see his wife in a difficult position, so he relented and agreed to let his youngest son take his mother's surname and have his household registration transferred to his maternal grandfather's name.

Therefore, the two sons have different surnames: one takes the father's name and is called Fu Zheng, and the other takes the mother's name and is called Gu Bin.

-

"Xiao Zheng is already a fighter pilot. You have to live up to his expectations, study hard in college, and don't let him get out of your league."

Grandpa still cared about the bet. When he heard the teasing, he didn't get angry. Instead, he gave him a serious lecture.

"understood."

Gu Bin smiled knowingly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)