Chapter 39

C39 – Is It an Illusion?

Zhang Xiaoloong experienced a sudden chill, causing him to almost pull his arm away and flee.

Nevertheless, upon hearing the last sentence, he eased up and swiftly withdrew his arm. “I’m not in a hurry to find a wife, Grandma Zhu. I haven’t really considered it yet. I plan to focus on my career for a couple more years before thinking about settling down.”

“Indeed, Xiaoloong is quite ambitious. Compared to men who lack aspirations and are confined to a woman’s embrace, he’s got bigger dreams.” Lee Xiulian commended him from a distance, her eyes twinkling. “But, you’re not getting any younger. Are you really in search of a wife? You could find a companion, you know...”

“Men without ambition can’t provide for women. Otherwise, they’ll lead a purposeless life. Ambitious men, on the other hand, require a woman by their side to boost their energy levels...”

“You can’t just pick any woman. You need to find someone who truly captures your heart and shares your aspirations. Your Grandpa Zhu must have accumulated good karma over several lifetimes to marry someone like me. Yet, he still can’t be content...”

Idle village women didn’t have many entertainment options, so they often chatted. Once they started talking about something, they could go on for ages, and their conversation could flow like a river.

Zhang Xiaoloong felt somewhat awkward as he listened. Initially, he had found the conversation a bit strange, but when Lee Xiulian mentioned helping him find a wife, it seemed perfectly normal again.

At his age, almost every young man had discussed marriage. However, as he matured, he had made up his mind to put this matter on hold. His parents had even discouraged the women who came to discuss potential marriages.

It seemed that only Lu Xiaoya’s situation remained unknown to him, and the elderly couple had given their approval.

Lee Xiulian’s concern about the matter was understandable, but her sudden shift from “wife” to “woman” left him puzzled. What exactly did she mean by that?

Besides, hinting that the woman had shifted the conversation back to herself wasn’t subtle, was it?

This realization sent chills down Zhang Xiaoloong’s spine. Although this woman wasn’t his biological grandmother, if what she hinted at was true, it could have dire consequences.

“Well, Grandma Zhu, I have some other matters to attend to. We can continue our conversation another day. I’ll take my leave now,” Zhang Xiaoloong coughed gently, breaking into the woman’s discourse.

Calling her “Grandma Zhu” didn’t seem appropriate either.

Lee Xiulian pondered for a moment, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as if she were seriously contemplating the matter of her title. Then, she had an epiphany. “When I was young, my parents used to call me ‘Lotus Seed.’ Just call me ‘Elder Sister Lianzi.'”

“Lotus... Ahem, ahem, ahem...” Zhang Xiaoloong almost choked on his words. He cleared his throat, shook his head vigorously, and responded, “No, no. My father would never agree to that. Even if there were centipedes with numerous legs, they’d still get crushed.”

In the minds of some traditional elders, preserving this form of address was of utmost importance, and Zhang Daniu exemplified this traditional mindset.

Lee Xiulian burst into laughter and gave Zhang Xiaoloong’s back a gentle pat. “Look at how startled you are. You don’t have to address me as ‘grandma’ in private. It makes me feel uneasy. Just call me Elder Sister Lianzi. It will make our relationship seem much closer.”

Zhang Xiaoloong hesitated, “Is that really appropriate?”

Lee Xiulian raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slight smile. “What’s inappropriate about it? Wang Tiezhu’s connection to your family is deeply rooted. Only your father, that old traditionalist, clings to these old customs. Look at someone like you, a young scholar in the field of cutting-edge science. It seems you’re even less bound by tradition than I am.”

After a moment of reflection, Zhang Xiaoloong conceded that Lee Xiulian had a point. Apart from young children who commonly addressed unrelated adults as “grandma” or “grandpa,” many people didn’t pay much heed to these familial titles anymore.

Lee Xiulian added more fuel to the fire when she saw that Zhang Xiaoloong was still hesitant. “If you can’t even agree to such a minor request, then I won’t assist you,” she warned. “You should mention that there may be some risks associated with the land contract issue. I’d have to let Grandpa of Zhuzi contemplate it.”

Zhang Xiaoloong sighed, “Grandma Zhu, this is...” He chuckled ruefully, realizing that this woman was exceptionally pragmatic. She didn’t beat around the bush and swiftly changed the subject.

Nevertheless, Zhang Xiaoloong couldn’t help but acknowledge that if Lee Xiulian wanted to create difficulties for him, he’d find it challenging to navigate.

Lee Xiulian raised an eyebrow as she locked eyes with him. “What did you just call me?”

Blushing, Zhang Xiaoloong stammered, “Lian... Elder Sister Lianzi...”

“Ah...” Lee Xiulian’s smile widened, and she reached out to hold Zhang Xiaoloong’s hand, rubbing it gently in her palm. “Xiaoloong, you have no idea. I’ve always dreamt of having a younger brother like you!”

Zhang Xiaoloong mumbled as he allowed her to hold his hand. He had a lingering feeling that Elder Sister Lianzi would sometimes glance downwards when she spoke. Was it just his imagination?