Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 136 The Prospective Son-in-Law Visits, the Power of Word of Mouth! (5k)

“Hongbing, when we go inside, if my dad and the others ask you anything, just say you’re twenty years old, just like me.”

They had already reached the courtyard gate when Chen Xueru suddenly brought this up to him. Li Hongbing was somewhat surprised, and then said speechlessly, "Didn't you tell your dad and the others about this?"

"I...I'm too embarrassed."

Chen Xueru blushed with embarrassment.

Chen Xueru had gone all out in pursuing love before, but looking back now, she still can't help but feel a little shy.

If she were asked to do it again, she might not have the courage.

However, she doesn't regret it, and is actually glad that she took this step.

"I don't think this is a good idea."

Looking at Chen Xueru's expression, Li Hongbing shook his head and said, "One lie requires countless lies to cover it up. If the bubble of this lie bursts, it will not only cause doubts about moral character, but also the complete collapse of the bridge of trust."

Age is not a barrier, and it's only a three-year difference, not a big problem. We should face it squarely, not choose to run away from it..."

Although it was just a small lie that didn't seem serious, Li Hongbing believed that if it were exposed, it would become a hidden danger in their path.

Li Hongbing also understood Chen Xueru's actions.

She was mainly worried that if she was too young, her parents might feel that she was unreliable, so she chose to follow the crowd and intentionally said she was older to make herself seem less "different".

Relationships between older women and younger men are not mainstream these days, and they are likely to face opposition from less open-minded parents.

Chen Xueru did this so that Li Hongbing's visit today would go more smoothly.

at this time.

Chen Xueru also realized the problem Li Hongbing had raised, but she admitted somewhat awkwardly, "But I already said that yesterday..."

Now she regrets it a little; if she had known earlier, she wouldn't have acted on her own yesterday.

“I’ve already made it clear, otherwise what do you think we’ll do if your parents want us to get our marriage certificate this year?”

Li Hongbing was helpless.

"I have actually thought about that..."

Seeing Li Hongbing looking over again, Chen Xueru said somewhat guiltily, "We can get a fake marriage certificate."

Li Hongbing was impressed when he discovered that Chen Xueru had such a brilliant idea.

Fearing Li Hongbing might misunderstand, Chen Xueru explained to him, "Hongbing, my dad's condition isn't good right now. His only hope is to see me get married and find someone he can rely on before he passes away, so that's why I came up with this idea..."

At this point, Chen Xueru couldn't help but feel downcast.

If it weren't for Li Hongbing, she might have compromised and gotten a marriage certificate with the blind date arranged by her family.

But Li Hongbing's appearance made her make a willful decision.

But they are, after all, his family.

After her impulsive act, Chen Xueru felt distressed and guilty.

Given the special circumstances surrounding Chen's father, she wanted to do everything she could to accommodate him, even if it meant resorting to white lies and deception.

Sometimes, Chen Xueru also felt that she was being greedy, wanting both the person she liked and the feelings of her family.

Hearing Chen Xueru say this, Li Hongbing also thought of Chen's father's current situation and fell silent.

It's understandable that Chen Xueru has such thoughts.

"Let's talk about it based on the situation!"

Not knowing what to say for a moment, Li Hongbing could only respond to each move as it came.

The main issue is her age, which isn't exactly a secret. If she teamed up with Chen Xueru to lie to her parents, and they found out the truth, it might backfire.

"Well, I listen to you."

Chen Xueru is a very opinionated person, but now that Li Hongbing is her boyfriend, she has decided to listen to him.

soon.

The two then went inside.

"Dad, why are you up?"

Upon entering, Chen Xueru saw that her father was already dressed and sitting, waiting for them. She exclaimed in surprise and said to her mother, "Mom, why didn't you let Dad lie in bed?"

Chen's mother stepped forward and couldn't help but whisper, "Your father insisted on getting up, and I couldn't persuade him otherwise."

Mr. Chen, who was dozing off in his chair, opened his eyes when he heard Chen Xueru's noise and saw the mother and daughter whispering to each other. He couldn't help but say, "You two, just say what you have to say. Why do you have to whisper in front of me?"

Seeing this, Li Hongbing seized the opportunity to step forward and offer his New Year's greetings: "Uncle, Aunt, hello, I am Li Hongbing. I've come to wish you both a Happy New Year on this special day..."

"Alright, no need for formalities."

Seeing Chen's mother respond with a smile and accept the gift from Li Hongbing, Chen's father put on a stern face and went straight to the point with Li Hongbing: "Xueru should have told you everything, right? Since you've come to our door today, does that mean you've agreed to my request?"

"Dad, what are you saying?"

As soon as Chen's father finished speaking, Chen Xueru immediately expressed her dissatisfaction.

Even though she cared deeply about her father's health, Li Hongbing's attitude upon arriving at their door made her somewhat unhappy.

Seeing Chen Xueru's reaction, Chen's father's face darkened, and he questioned, "What, you didn't tell him?"

"Uncle, Xue Ru has already told me everything, I'm fine."

Knowing that Chen's father must have misunderstood, Li Hongbing quickly spoke up to help Chen Xueru out of the predicament.

As he spoke, Li Hongbing quickly sized up Chen's father.

Chen's father had sunken eyes and was extremely thin. Although he seemed to be in good spirits, even someone like Li Hongbing, who was not knowledgeable in medicine, could tell that his condition was not very good.

Seeing Li Hongbing's straightforwardness, Chen's father suspected that what Li Hongbing agreed to might not be the same as the request he had made.

no way.

My daughter is too opinionated.

Mr. Chen was both relieved and troubled.

then.

Mr. Chen asked bluntly, "Li... I'll call you Little Li, tell me, what are my requests?"

Knowing his own physical condition well, Mr. Chen clearly had nothing left to worry about.

"The second son after marriage was given the surname Chen."

Chen's father's request was actually very simple, and Li Hongbing summed it up in just a few words.

only.

This requirement would probably be unacceptable to most men of this era.

Li Hongbing, however, was an exception.

Fearing that Li Hongbing was too young to understand and might regret it later, Chen's father directly reminded him: "You should think it through carefully. This is going to be included in our Chen family genealogy. It's not as simple as just changing your surname."

"I know!"

Li Hongbing nodded.

Even if he is included in the Chen family genealogy, he will still be his and Chen Xueru's son, and that will never change.

As for anything else, Li Hongbing didn't care about that.

A hundred years from now, everyone's fate will be the same.

They've all turned into a handful of dust. Why worry about what happens after death while they're alive? Don't live too tiring a life.

"Dare you sign a written agreement?"

Without asking any further questions, Mr. Chen only said this one sentence.

"dad!"

Chen Xueru lodged a protest on the spot.

This request was already excessive, but Chen's father made Li Hongbing sign a written agreement. Isn't that a clear sign of distrust?

This approach is very hurtful.

"can!"

Li Hongbing didn't think anything of it.

If he is a person of integrity and keeps his promises, he will still keep his word even without a written agreement.

in turn.

No matter how many vows you make or how many written agreements you sign, it won't help in this kind of situation.

Seeing that Li Hongbing nodded in agreement, Chen's father immediately asked Chen's mother to bring over all the prepared documents and a pen.

Li Hongbing didn't rush to sign, but first looked at it and found that there were actually two copies.

In addition to what Chen's father just mentioned, there was another document similar to a prenuptial property certificate from later generations, which stated that the Chen family's property had nothing to do with him and could only be handled by Chen Xueru or inherited by her son who took her surname.

After reviewing all the contents and finding no other pitfalls, Li Hongbing signed it immediately.

Li Hongbing was honest and open-minded; his relationship with Chen Xueru was never motivated by the Chen family's wealth.

Having my own system and the ability to make a living, I don't need to live off a woman.

Moreover, given the current situation, no matter how wealthy you are, it's not suitable to be idle. You'll always need a job to cope with external changes.

Given this, Li Hongbing has even less reason to bother with anything else.

Noticing Li Hongbing's actions, Mr. Chen was visibly taken aback. After Mrs. Chen took the two receipts back and read them, she couldn't help but ask Li Hongbing, "Did you also read the other receipt?"

"Look!"

"No comment!"

"without!"

"why?"

"Have an open and honest heart, and earn your own living!"

"..."

Faced with Li Hongbing's answer, Chen's father fell silent. After a moment...

Mr. Chen suddenly spoke up: "You should know something about my situation. I don't have much time left. I hope you and Xue Ru can find a date to get married soon. I don't object to this marriage."

"Dad, actually... actually Hongbing is seventeen this year, not old enough to get a marriage certificate yet."

As Chen's father proposed this arrangement, Chen Xueru stepped forward and admitted her mistake, saying, "I lied to you yesterday..."

Because of what Li Hongbing said outside, Chen Xueru decided to confess everything.

“If that’s the case, then I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

Seeing that Mr. Chen had turned hostile on the spot, Li Hongbing stepped forward and asked, "Uncle, you agreed just now, but now you object just because I am three years younger. I wonder what your reasons are for objecting?"

"I don't have much time left..."

Mr. Chen sighed.

"Uncle, I know what you're thinking, but please forgive my disrespect, I'd like to ask, are you in such a hurry for Xue Ru to get married because you hope to make up for your own regrets in advance, or do you hope that your daughter can find happiness and support?"

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's question, Chen's father paused for a moment before replying, "Of course, it's the latter."

"So she's found it now."

"Young man, you are very confident!"

"If I weren't confident, I wouldn't have stepped through this door today."

"But you're seventeen now. If you want to get a marriage certificate, Xue Ru will have to wait for you for three years. Can you guarantee that you won't change your mind during those three years?"

"But now that we're married, it might be for life. Can you guarantee that Xue Ru will be happy for the rest of her life after making such a hasty choice?"

"..."

Li Hongbing's rhetorical question once again silenced Chen's father.

"Kid, aren't you afraid I'll kick you out for being so rude?"

Chen's father spoke again, his face revealing neither joy nor sorrow.

“I’m just telling the truth. If you can’t stand the truth, Uncle, I can’t choose not to speak just because you don’t like it, because honest advice is hard to swallow.”

Li Hongbing spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Although he had just signed the agreement and agreed to Mr. Chen's request, it did not mean that Li Hongbing would blindly comply and compromise.

"What a quick-witted young man! He's definitely been to school."

Faced with Li Hongbing's response, Chen's father was so angry that he laughed.

“No matter how eloquent your words are, they cannot prevail over reason. I know you are doing this for the good of your daughter, and I am only saying these things for Xue Ru’s sake. I am speaking my mind frankly, and I believe that as an elder, you are magnanimous and will not hold a grudge against me, a junior.”

After all, he was Chen Xueru's father, and given his poor health, Li Hongbing didn't want to upset him too much, so he said a few conciliatory words.

just.

Li Hongbing spoke up again very quickly.

"Uncle, I know that you have some urgent ideas because of your health."

"But what I want to say is that you should believe in yourself."

"Xue Ru has been learning to read and write since she was a child, and under her influence, she has also become proficient in business. Although she is a woman, she has been carefully cultivated and educated by you for many years, which is something that ordinary women cannot compare to."

"Xue Ru is capable and has her own opinions. I think you know that better than I do."

"Women have always been just as capable as men. You don't need to look for anyone else; she can manage the Chen family's cloth shop business all by herself..."

"..."

Based on previous conversations, Li Hongbing felt that Chen's father was not the stubborn old man he had imagined, so he dared to offer some advice.

These were his heartfelt words.

What Chen's father was really worried about was that after he left, Chen Xueru would be bullied or would lose the family's cloth shop.

Although he didn't know why, judging from the two documents that Chen Xueru had made him sign, and recalling his previous arrangements for Chen Xueru, Li Hongbing could obviously guess that Chen's father might have more than one plan in mind, otherwise he wouldn't have brought up the matter of the son taking the mother's surname.

however.

Li Hongbing's words made Chen Xueru nervous, and she couldn't help but step forward and tug at his sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.

Chen Xueru knew that Li Hongbing was speaking up for her, but if this displeased her father, it was clearly not a situation Chen Xueru wanted to see.

"Good lad!! Cough...cough cough..."

In his excitement, Mr. Chen couldn't help but cough, which startled Mrs. Chen and Chen Xueru, who quickly stepped forward.

"fine!"

"I'm fine."

"Don't be so nervous!"

"Xueru, you've found a great partner!"

"Huh? Dad, you..."

"What, you think Dad's angry? Is your dad so petty in your eyes?"

"not me……"

"..."

Li Hongbing thought that Chen's father had been angered by him, so he took a deep breath, but found that the situation was completely the opposite, and he relaxed.

“I’m very happy that you stood by your position and even risked offending me by saying those things in order to protect Xue Ru.”

Chen's father's face showed relief.

If Li Hongbing blindly obeys his own will and doesn't even dare to stand up for Chen Xueru, will he be able to stand up for others in the future?

Under such circumstances, Chen's father was clearly not comfortable handing Chen Xueru over to Li Hongbing.

To the astonishment of Li Hongbing, Chen Xueru, and Chen's mother, Chen's father threw the two receipts that Li Hongbing had just signed into the brazier beside him.

"dad?"

"Old Chen?"

Chen Xueru and her mother were both stunned.

Seeing this, Li Hongbing couldn't help but be surprised.

Seeing them all looking at him, Chen's father smiled and said, "A written agreement is useless, but a promise is in the heart!"

Li Hongbing, whether you can do these things in the future or whether you are willing to do them or not, I will not force you.

We only have one daughter in the Chen family, and given my current situation, there's not much I can do for her.

I only hope that if my Xue Ru really ends up with you in the future, you will treat her well..."

"Uncle, don't worry!"

Li Hongbing gave this heartfelt guarantee.

"it is good!"

After responding, Chen's father, who already looked somewhat tired, said, "I'm a little sleepy, so I'll go back to my room to rest."

See this.

Chen Xueru quickly stepped forward and said, "Dad, let me take you back to rest."

Mr. Chen waved his hand and refused, saying, "No need, just have your mother take me home. Xue Ru, you stay and sit with Hong Bing for a while, have dinner before you leave..."

Watching Chen's mother help Chen's father back into the house, Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru exchanged a knowing glance, both showing relaxed smiles.

Not long after.

Looking at Mr. Chen lying down to rest on the bed, Mrs. Chen couldn't help but say, "Old Chen, how could you burn the document that we finally got them to sign?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and sighed, "What good are two pieces of paper? Do you really expect others to keep their word based on these mere two written agreements?"
Keeping this written agreement seems like a guarantee for Xue Ru, but over time it will inevitably become a thorn in their side. So why bother?

Besides, you know your daughter well. If you give her this document later, she might just burn it herself. What difference would that make?
If that's the case, why should we be the bad guys?
As I approach my death, I've been thinking a lot these past few days. Seeing Xue Ru so downcast makes me feel terrible too. I keep wondering if I've done something wrong and burdened her with too much responsibility.

We've been together since we were little, and she's never argued with us before, but this time...

What Li Hongbing said earlier makes sense; we just hope Xue Ru…”

Hearing this, Chen's mother sighed helplessly.

Hearing Mrs. Chen sigh, Mr. Chen chuckled softly and said again, "We've tested him. Although Li Hongbing is a bit young, he's honest and his words and actions are quite remarkable. There's a reason why our daughter is interested in him."

Chen's father knew his daughter's personality. If her suddenly bringing Li Hongbing back as her boyfriend wasn't just a fit of pique, then she was serious.

Through observation, analysis, and probing of Chen Xueru, Chen's father was basically certain that it was the latter.

Chen Xueru is intelligent and filial, but she is also stubborn and opinionated. Once she sets her mind on something, it is very difficult to change her mind.

There is nothing they can do.

When she came back yesterday and told them about it, Mr. and Mrs. Chen were naturally very confused. However, they didn't sit idly by. They quickly found out the situation from Chen Xueru and also asked someone to inquire about Li Hongbing's information.

Chen's parents already knew Li Hongbing's real age. The reason they suggested that he get married to Chen Xueru immediately was actually part of a test.

The requirement for the child to take the mother's surname was deliberately made difficult, and neither Mr. Chen nor Mrs. Chen felt there was any hope for it.

But Li Hongbing still gave them a surprise.

More importantly.

Even Li Hongbing himself probably didn't expect that it was because he was Guo Youzhong's last disciple that he was involved in this.

It wasn't because he was learning from the famous chef Guo Youzhong and had a bright future, but because he was accepted as Guo Youzhong's apprentice.

Chen's father had met Guo Youzhong a few times in his early years, but they were not acquainted, and they didn't even have a formal relationship.

However, Guo Youzhong is renowned for his character and has exceptionally strict requirements for accepting apprentices, especially regarding their conduct, a fact that many people are aware of.

This means that Guo Youzhong had already done a preliminary screening for them.

Since Li Hongbing was chosen by Guo Youzhong and became his last disciple, he must at least have no major problems in terms of character and temperament, which is part of the reason why they were willing to compromise.

When choosing a son-in-law, one must naturally consider his character and temperament.

This is word of mouth!
(End of this chapter)