Chapter 381: Extra (5)

No matter how many times Li Xiu was reborn, he would never lose the stubbornness ingrained in his bones. Grandma Li passed away after her hundredth birthday. By then, Li Xiu was already in his late forties, approaching fifty. Grandma Li had lived a very good, happy life in the Capital City these past years and passed away peacefully. The elderly believe in returning to their roots in old age. When it was time for her hundredth birthday, Grandma Li insisted on returning to their hometown. Li Xiu, going against the opinions of many, agreed and held the centennial birthday banquet in their old home.

Li Bao and the other siblings and cousins rarely contradicted Li Xiu. But this time, his stance was so firm that although they found it strange and didn’t understand, they didn’t object. It was Li Xiu who had to tell them, his voice heavy with resignation, "Grandma Li is old. Although she doesn’t have any specific illness, her organs are failing from age. She doesn’t have many days left. For now, let’s just let her do whatever she wants. The family should just try to accommodate her wishes."

Regardless of how capable or successful the Li family members were, their filial piety toward the elders was truly beyond reproach. After learning that Grandma Li didn’t have much time left, every member of the Li family dropped their work and studies and rushed back to their hometown from all over the country. They knew this might be the last birthday they would ever celebrate with Grandma Li.

Li Xiu had originally wanted to book a hotel in the county town for the banquet, but Grandma Li disagreed. She wanted it at home. In the end, Li Xiu compromised and arranged for a continuous feast in the village. The two old brothers, Uncle Li and Third Uncle, both shook their heads helplessly. Their nephew truly spoiled the old lady. In truth, it didn’t matter to them where the banquet was held. However, the Li family had grown more and more prominent over the years, and many people were coming to pay their respects for Grandma Li’s birthday. By holding the banquet in the village, Uncle Li and Third Uncle were afraid their nephew would lose face.

Li Bo overheard this. He raised an eyebrow, smiled, and reassured his father and third uncle, "Dad, Third Uncle, Big Brother knows what he’s doing, don’t you worry. For Grandma’s hundredth birthday, fulfilling her wish is more important than anything. You know what they say about filial piety—the ’piety’ part is all about being accommodating, isn’t it? That’s the highest form of respect. Besides, you two aren’t young anymore. You shouldn’t worry so much. Us brothers are all grown up. You should just relax and enjoy your own lives."

"You little rascal, get outta here! No matter how many years pass, I can still boss you around!" Uncle Li grumbled at Li Bo, annoyed. He knew exactly what kind of character his son had. But what parent could ever stop worrying? It’s just as the old saying goes: you worry about your children for ninety-nine years out of a hundred.

Seeing the full heads of white hair on his father and third uncle, Li Bo’s heart ached. He cleared his throat and said, "Dad, I never said I didn’t want you to boss me around. They say an elder in the family is a treasure. By the way, Dad, Third Uncle, you should both come to the Capital City with us. We’re all getting busier and busier, and all us siblings and cousins worry about you staying here in the hometown. Dad, Third Uncle, please discuss it with Mom and Third Aunt. Come to the Capital City together!"

"Well..." Uncle Li turned to look at Third Uncle, then at the little grandson in his son’s arms, hesitating. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to go. With their sons and grandsons all in the Capital City, how could they not want to? But back in their hometown, they still had married daughters, the ancestral graves, and the old family house. Besides, they were used to living here. Would they ever get used to life in the Capital City?

Third Uncle glanced at his elder brother, then smiled at his nephew. "Your cousins are all busy, and here you are, slacking off. Why aren’t you helping? As for what you just said, let us old folks discuss it first. Go on, go help out. Don’t just hang around here getting in the way. Go on!"

"Alright, I’ll go find my big brother then. Dad, you and Third Uncle get some rest!" Li Bo glanced at Third Uncle, then at his own father’s troubled expression. He thought for a moment before readily agreeing. Then, he placed his son directly into his father’s arms and walked away.

Uncle Li looked at his slightly bewildered grandson, shook his head helplessly, and cursed his son for being a scoundrel. ’That boy has a son of his own now, yet he’s still so reckless.’ He quickly adjusted his hold on his grandson, checking to see if he’d been startled. Li Bo’s son was just over a year old. His nickname, "Chengcheng," was given to him by Li Xiu. He was chubby and very cute.

"Chengcheng, how about you stay here and keep Grandpa and Third Great-Uncle company?" Uncle Li asked his little grandson with a loving expression. He’d had five daughters before finally getting a son in Li Bo, and he had spoiled him rotten as a child. It was Aunt Li who had the foresight; fearing Uncle Li would ruin Li Bo, she had Li Bo follow Li Xiu and be taught by him. Looking back now, it was all thanks to Li Xiu. Otherwise, Li Bo’s future would have been visibly uncertain.

Now, this only son of his, Li Bo, had given Uncle Li a little grandson. Li Bo was in politics, so he was only allowed to have one child. When Li Bo’s wife was pregnant, Uncle Li had burned incense and prayed to every deity for a grandson. His habit of favoring boys over girls was something he’d probably never change. This little grandson, in particular, was the sole recipient of Uncle Li’s affection. He doted on the boy so much he would have given him the stars if he asked for them, not just the moon. It got to the point that Li Bo, frightened by this, had basically thrown his son, who had just celebrated his first birthday, at his big brother, Li Xiu.

Especially when Uncle Li was around, the way Li Bo was so on guard against his own father really ticked him off. But Uncle Li just couldn’t help but spoil his little grandson, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Today, Li Bo had rarely entrusted his son to him. Watching his elder brother beaming with joy, Third Uncle felt a bit helpless. No one could do anything about his brother’s preference for boys. Thankfully, although Uncle Li favored boys, he was still good to his own daughters and his nieces.

Chengcheng had been looked after by Li Xiu and Zhou Lian for over half a year. The child took after his father and was quite smart. Though not yet two, he was very well-behaved and sensible. He grasped his grandfather’s rough, large hand with his small one and said in a sweet, childish voice, "Okay, I’ll keep Grandpa and Third Great-Uncle company. Grandpa, where’s my daddy?"

"Your daddy went to help your Eldest Uncle. He’ll be back when he’s done."

Chengcheng looked at his grandfather, then at his third great-uncle beside him, and asked in confusion, "Eldest Uncle?"

Third Uncle paused for a moment, holding back a laugh. "He means your First Uncle." Chengcheng was born and had always lived in the Capital City. Whether it was Li Bo and his wife, or Li Xiu and Zhou Lian, they all taught him to speak using the most standard Mandarin, and that included titles for relatives. It was only natural that Chengcheng was confused. Third Uncle knew about this because of his own grandchildren.

They had always called Li Xiu "First Uncle." But back in their hometown, they sometimes also called him "Eldest Uncle." It was just that Li Bao’s and Li Guo’s children were all grown up, so they could naturally tell the difference between these titles. But Chengcheng was only a little over a year old; it was normal for him not to be able to distinguish them. Seeing the bewildered look on Uncle Li’s face, Third Uncle took the rare, unkind opportunity to laugh at his elder brother’s expense.

"Oh, First Uncle. Chengcheng’s First Uncle. Grandpa, Third Great-Uncle, let’s go find First Uncle. Find Chengcheng’s First Uncle." Chengcheng enunciated his words clearly, but he still couldn’t manage very long sentences. Zhou Lian had taught him not to speak in long sentences and to break them up instead. But the child was clever and could always get his meaning across, which made Li Xiu very happy.

After all, a single flower doesn’t make a spring; it takes a hundred flowers in bloom to fill the garden. This was the foundation of the Li family. How could the third generation of the Li family get by with only Li Xiangrui? Li Bao’s son took after him and was cut out for business, not politics, nor did he have any interest in it. Li Guo’s only son was quite strategic, but just the two of them were still too few. Now, with Chengcheng, they had one more helper. Of course Li Xiu was happy.