Flip the table and divide the family property! Take his wife and daughter into the mountains and eat

As Zhao Shanhe was pondering this, a sudden change occurred in the courtyard.

The black dragon, which had been basking in the sun at the base of the wall, suddenly pricked up its ears and let out a short, wary bark toward the courtyard gate.

Immediately afterwards, Qinglong, who had been dozing at the little girl's feet, also suddenly stood up.

It didn't bark, but instead lowered its front half slightly, letting out a deep, oppressive growl from its throat, and its thick blue fur instantly bristled.

For the composed Azure Dragon to react in this way, the visitor must not be a neighbor who casually visits to borrow scallions or garlic.

"Bang!"

The already flimsy wooden gate was suddenly pushed open from the outside, the hinges letting out a piercing scream.

Zhao Shanhe's eyes narrowed, and he casually picked up the half-box of matches on the table. He stood up unhurriedly and strode out of the threshold of the main room.

The person standing at the gate was not some fierce-looking enemy.

He was a thin old man around sixty years old, wearing a slightly faded blue cadre uniform, with the top button fastened tightly. His gray hair was combed neatly, exuding the unique demeanor of a retired urban worker.

He was carrying a net bag in his left hand, filled with Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and canned goods, and a strip of pork belly in his right. Because both hands were occupied, he had to use his shoulder to push the door open.

The old man was so frightened when he bumped into a blue dragon that was arched like a full moon and baring its white teeth. He quickly dropped what he was holding and retreated hastily.

"Don't misunderstand, don't misunderstand, I'm not here to cause trouble!"

Zhao Shanhe stood on the steps at the entrance of the main room, looking down at him.

"Azure Dragon".

He called out softly.

The low growl in the Azure Dragon's throat stopped instantly, but it still stood there like an iron tower, its dog eyes fixed on the old man.

The old man then took out a handkerchief to wipe away his cold sweat.

He straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the green dragon and quickly scanning the spacious, flat red-brick courtyard and the brand-new tiled houses.

A fleeting glint of extreme satisfaction flashed in his murky, triangular eyes.

This subtle change in his eyes did not escape Zhao Shanhe's notice.

"You must be Shanhe?"

The old man picked up the things on the ground again, his back straightening unconsciously, and he forced a slightly stiff but dignified smile onto his face.

"it's me."

Zhao Shanhe didn't back down, nor did he invite him into the house. His voice was completely flat: "What do you want?"

The old man took two steps forward, placed all the wine and meat on the wooden table in the middle of the courtyard, and dusted off non-existent dust from his sleeves.

"Let me introduce myself first. My surname is Wei, and my name is Wei Baoguo. I retired from the county grain depot two years ago, and now I receive a monthly pension from the government in the city."

He emphasized the words "retirement pension" heavily, then put his hands behind his back, adopting a matter-of-fact and familiar air.

"This is my first time visiting, and I didn't know what you liked, so I just bought a few things. From now on, we'll keep in touch; we're practically family."

Zhao Shanhe raised an eyebrow slightly.

"A family?"

He bent down, striking a match to light the cigarette dangling from his lips. Through the rising bluish-white smoke, he gave Wei Baoguo a half-smile: "How come I didn't know I had a father again?"

Wei Baoguo's smile froze for a moment.

He clearly hadn't expected Zhao Shanhe to be so rude.

However, when he thought of the spacious and impressive red brick house in front of him, he quickly suppressed his displeasure and forced himself to put on a magnanimous appearance as an elder who would not hold a grudge against a junior.

"Hasn't your mother told you yet?"

"Which mother?"

"Which other could it be?"

Wei Baoguo said matter-of-factly, "Li Cuihua. Cuihua and I have known each other for more than two months, and we both feel that we are a good match. We went to the commune a few days ago to get a certificate, and we also got our marriage certificate."

As he said this, his chest puffed out noticeably.

"Legally speaking, I am now your stepfather. By seniority, you can call me 'Dad,' which isn't a loss for you."

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Lin Xiu was tidying up in the main room when she heard this. She couldn't help but lift the curtain and look out in astonishment.

Zhao Shanhe's hand, holding a cigarette, froze in mid-air, and for the first time, an indescribable strangeness appeared on his face.

Li Cuihua remarried? And she even got a marriage certificate without anyone knowing?

This was indeed far beyond his expectations. However, after a brief moment of surprise, the strange look in his eyes quickly returned to calm, even revealing a hint of indifferent coldness.

Whether she gets married or not is none of my business.

Zhao Shanhe flicked his cigarette ash and said calmly, "Since you've already registered your marriage, just live your lives well. There's no need for you to come all the way here to inform me."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to go back into the house.

"etc."

Wei Baoguo quickly stopped him, frowning slightly in displeasure: "You haven't finished speaking, why are you in such a hurry?"

Zhao Shanhe stopped and turned to look at him: "Is there anything else?"

"Your mother told me that you and your daughter did have some conflicts in the past."

Wei Baoguo put his hands behind his back and slowly walked to the center of the courtyard. Like a leader inspecting work, he looked up again and carefully examined the newly built tile-roofed house. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became, and he even started planning how to arrange things for the future.

"But how can a mother and son hold a grudge overnight? After all, she gave birth to you and raised you. Even if she did some things wrong in the past, she's older now and it's time to move on."

Zhao Shanhe narrowed his eyes: "Did she send you to tell me these things?"

"She didn't let me come. I felt that since we're going to be family in the future, it's better to talk about some things in advance."

Wei Baoguo waved his hand, and his face once again showed that self-proclaimed kind and benevolent smile.

"Cuihua told me that your courtyard was only recently built, and with so many rooms, it feels too empty for your family of three. We'll move in here after we hold our wedding banquet in a few days."

At this point, he pointed without any hesitation to the two neatly arranged side rooms on the east side.

"I just took a look, and those two rooms are quite suitable. Cuihua and I will stay in one room, and we can use the other to store our things."

Wei Baoguo dusted off his clothes: "I have a pension every month, I won't freeload off your family. I can also help look after the yard, and Cuihua can help you take care of the children. Having two more elderly people in the family will only benefit you, not harm you."

Lin Xiu stood at the door of the main room, completely stunned.

She glanced at Wei Baoguo, who seemed to take it all for granted, and then subconsciously looked at Zhao Shanhe, her face full of disbelief—had this old man forgotten to take his medicine before leaving home, or had he gone mad?