Chapter 178: I’m going back to sleep now~~

Chapter 178: I’m going back to sleep now~~

Old Man Hu’s house is a classic two-courtyard siheyuan. Although it doesn’t have many sections, it compensates with its spacious layout. Perhaps due to recent renovations, it closely resembles the siheyuan Su Taotao remembered from the 21st century.

The courtyard is surrounded by the main house, east and west wing rooms, and a rear house, enclosing the central courtyard. In the very center stands a pomegranate tree, its branches laden with unripe fruit.

It seems that residents of the capital have a fondness for planting fruit trees that symbolize good fortune in their courtyards, such as pomegranates, persimmons, and jujubes. These trees are highly valued by them.

Near the screen wall, a grape trellis stands, draped with clusters of green grapes, a sight to behold.

In short, the architecture and decor of the entire courtyard reflect the family’s status and prestige.

As they walked around the screen wall, an elderly woman in a qipao approached them with a smile, her posture elegant, her hair graying.

“Is that Zhengtu?”

Fu Zhengtu gave a slight bow: “Granny Hu.”

The old woman’s eyes lit up in surprise: “Zhengtu, you’ve settled down? The older one’s your brother, isn’t he? And this little one, he’s your son, isn’t he? He looks just like you!”

Fu Zhengtu nodded: “Yes,” he said, drawing Su Taotao closer, “This is my wife, Su Taotao—Little Su. This is Granny Song.”

“Hello, Granny Song,” Su Taotao greeted with a smile.

Granny Song beamed so widely her eyes almost vanished: “Good, good, you two are a great match.”

Fu Zhengtu then introduced Chenchen and Fu Yuanhang.

Granny Song couldn’t stop beaming, her gaze shifting between Su Taotao and the two children, finding the scene utterly delightful. She couldn’t stop saying how wonderful everything was.

She then turned to Fu Zhengtu and said:

“You, it’s been so long since you last visited, and now you bring such a wonderful surprise. Good, very good,” she leaned down to look at Fu Yuanhang, her voice filled with affection, “Your brother has grown so much, and this is the first time I’ve seen him.”

As she spoke, Granny Song seemed to recall something and asked Fu Zhengtu: “How is your mother?”

Fu Zhengtu nodded: “She’s doing well.”

Granny Song sighed: “That’s good. And your grandfather…”

Fu Zhengtu interrupted her: “Granny Song.”

Granny Song shot him a reproachful look and waved her hand: “Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more, okay?”

Granny Song took the hands of the two children: “Come, come, my little darlings, let’s go eat with Grandma.”

Not to be outdone, Old Man Hu, without even using his cane, forcefully placed two boxes of coconut candies into Granny Song’s arms and took Chenchen’s small, chubby hand: “At least leave one for me, one for each of us to hold.”

Su Taotao: “…”

Granny Song retorted with a huff: “You’re the one with a limp, walking so slowly. Who’s to blame?” She certainly had a strong voice.

Old Man Hu: “My leg isn’t lame, I just have rheumatism acting up!”

Granny Song shoved the coconut candies back into his arms and reclaimed Chenchen: “It’s not raining or snowing, where’s your rheumatism coming from? Little treasure, come with Grandma, don’t mind the old man.”

Old Man Hu glared, his beard bristling: “You don’t want the candies? Don’t regret it later!”

Granny Song: “Who cares about your lousy candies!”

Su Taotao: "..." Those crappy candies...

She gave Fu Zhengtu a look that said it all, as if asking, "Isn't Grandma Song supposed to be a dignified and elegant old lady? Why is she so fierce with Old Man Hu?"

Fu Zhengtu took her hand and whispered, "Grandma Song is a woman who can hold her own. She went to the battlefield when she was young."

Su Taotao nodded: "That's impressive."

Fu Zhengtu didn't say anything more, just held her hand and led her inside.

The inside was pretty simple. The furniture was plain and elegant rosewood. Compared to the grand courtyard, it felt a bit humble, and there were no luxurious or superfluous decorations, indicating that the elderly couple lived a relatively simple life.

Originally, it was thought that Old Man Hu had only brought Fu Zhengtu back, and the dishes were quite abundant, enough for a few more people. However, they didn’t make enough of the main dish, so Grandma Song had the housekeeper make another pot.

During the meal, only the two elderly people and Su Taotao's family were present.

It was just the two elderly folks living in such a big courtyard. Su Taotao was curious but kept it to herself.

There was also the mention of Hu Die by Old Man Hu earlier, which Su Taotao was curious about.

Grandma Song had also mentioned Zhou Linglan and Fu Zhengtu's grandfather, and Su Taotao was curious about their relationship with Fu Zhengtu.

Unfortunately, Fu Zhengtu didn't like to chat about family matters, and the two elderly people were too fond of the kids, keeping them busy serving, rolling pancakes, and bickering now and then, leaving no time to answer Su Taotao's questions.

The kids, usually pretty independent, were a bit thrown by all the attention.

Since it was a rare visit and the elderly were happy, Su Taotao didn’t want to rain on their parade and let the children act as mascots in front of them.

Su Taotao ended the meal with a bunch of questions swirling in her head.

After the meal, Old Man Hu proudly brought out the coconut candies again and asked Grandma Song, "Do you know what these are?"

Grandma Song said with annoyance, "You always come back with the same stuff after meetings. What's so special about them?"

Old Man Hu lovingly touched the packaging and said proudly, "You don’t understand. These are made by Little Su’s factory. Little Su is the big factory manager!"

Su Taotao: "..." Embarrassed, she thought, 'Not yet, just a small workshop.'

Grandma Song exclaimed, "Oh!" and then put on her reading glasses: "Little Su is so impressive? Then I’ll have to take a closer look. Is this food subsidiary factory yours?"

Su Taotao had to nod: "It’s brand new, still in the early stages, just a small workshop."

Grandma Song waved her hand: "Don't be modest. Don’t think this old lady doesn’t know quality when she sees it. I can see at a glance that this packaging is from a big factory. This packaging bag is interesting. What's inside? Is it tasty?"

Su Taotao just smiled and kept quiet. You know quality, you know quality. Who was it that just called them lousy candies?

Old Man Hu was still proud, pointing at the words on the package: "Are you too old to read now? Coconut candies, made from southern coconuts, really tasty."

He then pointed at the pattern on the package: "This, Yuanhang drew it."

Grandma Song chuckled, looking at the packaging bag and then at Fu Yuanhang: "Yuanhang’s got talent at such a young age?"

Fu Yuanhang smiled shyly, not knowing what to say.

Old Man Hu repeated everything Su Taotao had told him and finally said, "As Chenchen grows, the little figure on the packaging will grow too, and Yuanhang will draw it again, changing the packaging. Pretty neat, huh?"

Grandma Song chuckled: "Interesting, interesting. You young folks sure have clever ideas. How’d you think of this?"

Old Man Hu wasn't finished yet and continued to boast: "Yuanhang’s also studying art with Old Tang. Look at his skills, that old man’s getting a steal."

One might think Fu Yuanhang was his own grandson.

Granny Song thought she misheard: "What?"

Old Man Hu knew she heard him and nodded: "Exactly what you heard."

Granny Song: "That old man Tang next door is so arrogant. He's been looking for a student for over a decade, always finding faults, even refusing someone for not being good-looking. He actually agreed to teach Yuanhang?"

Old Man Hu's white beard bristled with pride: "Indeed! Isn't Yuanhang amazing?"

Granny Song beamed, hugging Fu Yuanhang: "Just like Linglan's child, both handsome and talented."

...

After dinner, they chatted for over an hour, and the elderly couple were reluctant to let them leave. Old Man Hu talked to Yuanhang about the painting for a long time and even took him to see his paintings.

Su Taotao noticed that Old Man Hu truly loved painting; his study was brimming with his artworks.

When Fu Zhengtu was in a bind, he had called him "Old Chief." He could attend meetings at the base, and everyone respected him. Living in such a fine courtyard, with a driver and an orderly even in retirement, he must be a high-ranking official in the system.

Thus, his painting skills as an amateur, maintained from childhood to now, must be a result of his deep affection for it.

Old Man Hu's hobbies weren't limited to painting. Knowing Chenchen was fond of origami and quite skilled, he was tempted to keep Chenchen overnight for some fun.

Granny Song saw them off at the door, but Old Man Hu was still reluctant: "Chenchen, Yuanhang, Grandpa has plenty of rooms here. Choose one to stay in. I don't get to see you often.

Grandpa's legs aren't good, and I'm old. I can't go to you, and I don't know if I'll see you next time."

Look, he's even pulling the sympathy card.

Granny Song had the driver put the prepared gifts in the trunk and pulled Old Man Hu back:

"Enough already. Who'd want to stay with an old coot like you? The kids are tired, let them go back and get some sleep."

Old Man Hu was still hopeful: "How many more days are you staying in the capital? Can I have someone pick you up tomorrow morning? Grandpa will take you to eat the best roast duck in the capital!"

Chenchen was really sleepy, rubbing his eyes: "Mama already took us for roast duck~~ I wanna go back to sleep now~~"

Granny Song held the car door: "Don't worry about him, go back and get some sleep. Come by again when you can, but don't wait years to visit again, or I'll get mad."

Fu Zhengtu shook his head: "We're usually at the base now, but we have to come to the capital every year to report work."

The elderly couple fussed over the children, reluctant to say goodbye, and finally headed back to the guesthouse.