Chapter 226: The Native’s Predicament
The second day of the Lunar New Year was the day married daughters returned to their maternal homes. Early that morning, Hua Sangu, Hua Erniang, and Hua Wuniang arrived at the Hua Family Courtyard with their husbands and children.
Seeing Hua Da Lang calling her again, Hua Changxi muttered, “Didn’t I and the other sisters in the family not have the qualifications to enter the Main Hall to entertain guests before? Now it’s good, they want to call me for everything. I really miss the old days.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Da Lang paused, a complex expression flashing in his eyes, and he didn’t reply.
Today, all the guests were relatives. Even though Hua Changxi wasn’t very willing, she had to brace herself and entertain them.
As she neared the Main Hall, seeing Third Master He and the others seated inside, Hua Changxi sighed again.
“When can I stop dealing with this kind of social obligation?”
Hearing Hua Changxi’s soft muttering, Hua Da Lang said unceremoniously, “That’s probably a bit difficult, unless you are a solitary person, without children, relatives, or friends.”
He said this, glancing at her sideways.
“What, do you want to become a nun and sever ties with the mortal world?”
Hua Changxi: “Not exactly. For people I like, I’m still happy to associate with them.”
Hua Da Lang frowned upon hearing this: “Jiu Niang, people cannot live solely according to their own desires.”
Seeing that Eldest Brother was about to lecture her again, Hua Changxi quickly said, “I know, I know.”
Hua Da Lang, worried that his sister would be awkward in the room, couldn’t help but say, “Jiu Niang, you live among people. When interacting with others, you must support and respect each other. If you only admire yourself in isolation, your path will only become narrower.”
Hua Changxi glared, retorting, “When have I ever admired myself in isolation?”
Hua Da Lang: “Haven’t you?” He paused, his tone low, “Among so many people in the family, who do you truly regard?”
“Jiu Niang, as your Eldest Brother, I advise you: no matter how capable you are, there are still areas you cannot reach, and times when you need others’ help.”
“When climbing high, you should still lower your head and look at others more.”
Hua Changxi listened to Hua Da Lang’s words and mentally translated them.
‘Jiu Niang, having obtained the Divine Wood Secret Realm, you have ascended to the heavens in one step. You have gained such great benefits, you should benefit your family and care for your clansmen. Otherwise, if something happens in the future, your family and clansmen will not help you.’
Thinking this, Hua Changxi felt uncomfortable.
“Eldest Brother, your so-called self-admiration is simply because I haven’t acted according to your expectations and wishes. You don’t need to act like you’re doing me a favor and lecture me with specious reasoning.”
Seeing that his sister viewed him this way, Hua Da Lang felt as if his earnest efforts had been wasted. He gave a self-mocking laugh, turned his head, and walked directly into the room.
Hua Changxi scoffed, “You’re guilty because I hit the nail on the head, aren’t you?” After muttering, she still entered the Main Hall.
The only female relative seated in the Main Hall was Old Madam Hua. Hua Changxi scanned the room and sat directly on a round stool behind the Old Madam.
This startled the Old Madam. Among so many granddaughters, her ninth granddaughter was the most at odds with her. Now, seeing her ninth granddaughter actively approaching her, the Old Madam was truly unaccustomed to it.
Old Master Hua and the sons-in-law were either discussing the family’s Development or the changes in the outside world.
Much of the news they discussed was hearsay, which made Hua Changxi feel sleepy.
Old Madam Hua noticed her granddaughter’s impatience and said in a low voice, “Men’s conversations are very boring. You’ll get used to it if you listen more.”
Listen more?
Hua Changxi shook her head: “Let’s forget it.”
Old Madam Hua: “Forget what? Do you think anyone can sit in this room?”
Hua Changxi looked over: “Is it really glorious to sit in the Main Hall?”
Old Madam Hua straightened her back: “Of course it’s glorious. Sitting in this room is a symbol of status.” Then, she revealed a meaningful expression.
“You, don’t be impatient, don’t push away what you’ve obtained.”
“This is true for the Hua Family, and it’s also true for the Medical Affairs Department where you are.”
Hua Changxi didn’t expect the Old Madam to say such a thing: “Then Grandmother, tell me, what does sitting in this room symbolize?”
Old Madam Hua looked at her: “It symbolizes that you will have the right to speak in our family’s future external interactions and social engagements, and you can influence some of the family’s decisions.”
“People who interact with our family will also get to know you. If they have something to ask for, they will value and consider your opinions and ideas. You, no longer an insignificant person.”
Hua Changxi said “Oh”: “In other words, I’ve been promoted to a member of the family’s decision-making level.”
Old Madam Hua looked at her granddaughter: “You are blessed. I, this old woman, can sit in this room because I gave birth to children for the Hua Family and worked hard for half my life to gain this qualification. You, should cherish this fortune.”
Hua Changxi chuckled: “Grandmother, perhaps I don’t want this fortune.”
Old Madam Hua looked astonished: “You girl, I thought your mind was the most agile in the family, but I didn’t expect you to be so dull-witted.”
Seeing her granddaughter still looking indifferent, Old Madam Hua frowned: “At the Medical Affairs Department, are you also like this?”
Hua Changxi: “Like what?”
Old Madam Hua: “Like you look down on everything.”
Hua Changxi shook her head: “No, I quite want the Divine Wood Secret Realm.”
Old Madam Hua asked again: “What about dealing with people?”
Hua Changxi: “. I only care about myself. As for others, if they are compatible with me, I’ll interact more; if they are not compatible, I’ll stay away.”
After hearing her granddaughter’s words, Old Madam Hua frowned deeply and spoke after a long while.
“Jiu Niang, in this world, it’s either the East wind prevails over the West wind, or the West wind prevails over the East wind. It’s like this in the family, and even more so elsewhere.”
Hua Changxi smiled: “Grandmother, this is your experience, it doesn’t apply to me. I have my own path to walk.”
Old Madam Hua felt a headache coming on. At this moment, she realized how stubborn her ninth granddaughter was.
Indeed, if she weren’t stubborn, she wouldn’t be disobedient and would have been against the family since childhood.
Old Madam Hua suddenly felt worried. She had a premonition that if Jiu Niang applied her way of interacting with family members to the outside world, she would most likely stumble.
Unable to express this worry in words, the Old Madam could only say to Hua Changxi: “Jiu Niang, you must be kind to others, don’t go against others in everything.”
Hua Changxi felt the Old Madam’s words were abrupt: “Grandmother, I am very kind to others. If others don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke trouble.”
The Old Madam was about to say something more when Hua Wuniang entered the room, holding a child.
Hua Changxi looked at the cute and adorable little baby and immediately broke into a smile: “Fifth Sister, Xiao Man is already this big! Come, let me hold him.”
After Hua Wuniang paid her respects to the elders with the child, she placed the fair and tender Fatty baby into Hua Changxi’s arms.
“Xiao Man, do you remember who I am? I’m your ninth aunt.”
He Xiao Man giggled at Hua Changxi’s teasing.
Seeing how much Hua Changxi liked her son, Hua Wuniang smiled: “I really couldn’t tell, Jiu Niang, that you actually like children.”
Hua Changxi kissed the little face of the baby in her arms: “Children are so cute and innocent, who wouldn’t like them?”
