Chapter 5516: Mention
Chapter 5516: Chapter 5516: Mention
Chief Engineer Fu had known hardship as a child; sometimes, he didn’t even have enough food for three meals a day.
"Dad was fifteen before he saw his grandpa three times, but saw his grandma a bit more, about once a year. The rest of the time, he stayed with family friends or at school, and during the New Year, we went to the military base. Sometimes, when my sister and I really missed our grandparents, we each brought a comforter and cried secretly inside the bedding, careful not to let anyone hear us."
"We most often spent the New Year at the Qin family’s home; even our new clothes were prepared by Old Madam Qin. My sister and I used to wonder why our mom and dad couldn’t work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
The Fu and Qin families had been friends for decades. Old Man Fu and his wife were both researchers on secret projects. Upon learning this, the high-ranking leaders instructed their subordinates to take good care of the brother and sister.
Even though they were raised without their parents’ constant presence, Chief Engineer Fu and his sister still received an excellent upbringing and developed fine characters.
But after all, it wasn’t the same as being at one’s own home, as comfortable as it could be.
Ye Jian was deeply attracted to the profound struggles of those bygone years, when real hardship meant that even returning home was difficult. Unlike today, where travel has made coming home from far and wide much simpler.
In another ten years, there would be even better transportation.
As the New Year approached, many people were still traveling home, and the streets of the Capital City were still terribly congested. Ye Jian, Chief Engineer Fu, and Old Man Fu chatted while waiting for Uncle Fu to serve the food.
As they talked, the conversation shifted toward the topic of Ye Jian and Xia Jinyuan.
Old Man Xia started the conversation, mentioning the engagement between Ye Jian and Xia Jinyuan, "Since you’ve returned and have a few days of leave, now that the whole family is together, let’s settle the matter between little Jian and Little Six."
"You know what kind of young man Little Six is; his abilities and character are both top-notch. He and our An Jiaxin have been in a relationship for so many years, sharing the same ideals, trusting each other thoroughly as combat partners at work, and you’ve seen the affection between the two children. Why not take advantage of the New Year to get them engaged? It would be a joyful occasion for the entire family."
"Engaged? Dad, how did you suddenly think of engagement? An Jiaxin is still so young, how long has she returned to the Fu family? How can her lifelong affair be decided so quickly? I still want to keep little Jian with me for a few more years. No, no, she definitely can’t get engaged so soon," Chief Engineer Fu said, frowning and immediately objecting, "I had already told Little Six that An Jiaxin wouldn’t get married so early."
"She’s just returned to the Fu family after so many years; how can she simply become someone else’s family member? Dad, I can discuss other matters, but I cannot agree to this one. Getting married early means she becomes someone else’s daughter-in-law," Chief Engineer Fu shook his head repeatedly. His precious daughter who just returned to his side, how could she be pried away so easily?
He hadn’t had enough time with her yet! Even an engagement was out of the question! Thinking about his daughter becoming someone else’s family through marriage, Chief Engineer Fu felt as though his heart was bleeding.
Xia Jinyuan wasn’t wrong, the greatest obstacle to the engagement was Chief Engineer Fu.
Old Man Xia had anticipated Chief Engineer Fu’s opposition and chuckled, "Just because she’s your treasured daughter, doesn’t mean I don’t treasure my granddaughter. I see that the young man from Xia family is suitable, and both the old master and Old Madam Xia like our little Ye Jian. That’s why I thought it would be good to get the engagement sorted out early, it’s not a mistake."
"Isn’t it just having a few more people to care for our little Jian? And our An Jiaxin likes the Xia family boy too. Engagement and marriage are both inevitable, and since everyone is at home, why not settle it while we’re at it?"