Marry a female star at a bargain price

Chapter 271, Section 272: The Father-in-Law's Image Collapses
After spending three days in the hospital, Han Xixi was able to be discharged and go home.

But until then, the South Korean navy had only visited once, on the day his granddaughter was born, and had never appeared again.

Even on the first day of the Lunar New Year, after learning that his daughter had given birth to a girl, he turned around and left in disappointment.

Xixi had no idea that her dad had come.

These past few days, she has been staying in a hospital ward, where professional medical staff are taking care of her body, and a postpartum nanny is providing meticulous care for her child. Everything is progressing smoothly.

Xixi felt that her body had fully recovered.

Apart from being a little heavier than before I was pregnant, I didn't feel anything else at all; it was as if the child had fallen from the sky.

There were only two things that made her feel bad.

First, she insisted on breastfeeding, but she clearly underestimated the difficulty of the task, and each feeding was like torture.

The other thing was my father's absence.

Although Lin Xiao and his mother explained repeatedly that Han Haijun was unable to come because he was on duty during the Spring Festival.

But Xixi wasn't so easily fooled.

Being on duty is understandable on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

He was on duty in Yizhou for three consecutive days, and didn't even have time to call or video chat with his daughter.

How could Xixi possibly believe such a clumsy lie!

Even though she was prone to pregnancy-induced brain fog, she realized that her father disliked her for having a daughter, and her ten-month-long dream of becoming a grandfather was shattered.

Xixi was very sad, but she couldn't say it directly.

After all, her husband and mother were afraid she would be upset, so they kept trying to lie to her. She had no choice but to pretend to be deceived and force herself to be happy.

However, her acting skills are really mediocre.

After all, she's just a singer, not a professional actor.

Lin Xiao could see his wife's sadness at a glance, and he felt heartbroken and helpless.

He had been married to Xixi for over a year, and he had also known his father-in-law, Han Haijun, for over a year. He had always believed that Han Haijun was an upright, open-minded, kind, good man, a good father, and a good husband.

That's why he had genuine respect and admiration for his father-in-law.

Even though Han Haijun suddenly expressed his desire for a grandson to take his surname, Lin Xiao expressed his understanding.

He even felt that his father-in-law's "rude" request made him seem like a real person, rather than the perfect moral exemplar he had been portrayed as before.

Lin Xiao truly believed that boys and girls were the same; as long as they were his children, there was no difference in his eyes.

But he could also understand the older generation's obsession with having a son.

Therefore, he was actually happy to fulfill his father-in-law's idea of ​​"becoming a grandfather," but he did not want this preference for sons to become a shackle that held his wife and children hostage.

That's why, through tough negotiations and reasoned arguments, the plan of "the firstborn child taking the surname Han, regardless of gender" was finalized.

The South Korean Navy reluctantly accepted the proposal.

Lin Xiao felt that his father-in-law was such a high-ranking official that he would definitely keep his word and wouldn't change his mind like a child.

But I didn't expect that I had misjudged him.

My father-in-law has really bad gambling habits. When he found out that Xixi had given birth to a daughter, he turned around and left, and then didn't show his face for the next few days.

what is this?
Unable to have a grandson, he turned his back on everyone and then gave up entirely?!
Lin Xiao felt that, based on his interactions with his father-in-law over the past year, his character was likely more complex than he had imagined.

But now facts speak louder than words.

Even if he wanted to exonerate the South Korean navy, he couldn't find any excuses or reasons and could only accept reality.

……

On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the family prepared to be discharged from the hospital and take Xixi and Xiaochu home.

Han Haijun then rushed over from Yizhou, only to meet his daughter, who had just given birth, and his newborn granddaughter for the first time.

Accompanying him was Xixi's stepmother—Ding Caifeng, who had been living in their house with her three grandsons.

Liu Liyun was already quite resentful about her husband's delayed appearance.

Now that he had finally arrived, he brought that annoying old woman with him, which immediately made her furious.

Pulling Lao Han aside, Liu Liyun asked in a low voice, "Why did you bring her here?"

Han Haijun always dotes on his wife and children at home, and he immediately backs down whenever his wife gets angry.

But today, he was unusually firm in his stance.

"She's Xixi's grandmother, after all. Now that her granddaughter has given birth, she wants to come and visit. Can I stop her from coming?"

"..."

One sentence left Liu Liyun speechless.

Just as she was about to continue arguing with her husband, Han Xixi heard her father's voice in the hospital room and excitedly urged him to come in quickly.

Han Haijun quickly led Ding Caifeng inside.

"Dad...Grandma!"

Han Xixi's expression changed when she saw the two of them, and her gaze returned to her father's face.

Han Haijun deliberately avoided eye contact with his daughter and turned to look at the baby in the nanny's arms.

Xi Xi's gaze followed, her heart filled with trepidation.

"Dad...this is your granddaughter..."

"Ah."

Han Haijun responded in a low voice, without a trace of joy on his face.

The nanny originally wanted to take the baby over so that the maternal grandfather could hold him.

But seeing that the South Korean navy had no intention of reaching out, they awkwardly took the child back.

This scene made Lin Xiao frown, and he was already a little angry.

Han Xixi's emotions were completely opposite; she was a little dazed.

After hesitating for a long time, she still asked timidly, "Dad...don't you like Xiao Chu?"

The South Korean navy was taken aback.

"Xiaochu?"

"Yes, her nickname... was given to her by Lin Xiao!"

"Oh……"

Han Haijun glanced at Lin Xiao, his eyes filled with a complex yet calm expression.

"Dad, do you... dislike her because she's a girl?" Xixi finally asked.

Han Haijun's eyes flashed, his Adam's apple bobbed, but he ultimately remained silent.

At this moment, the old woman Ding Caifeng jumped out with a grin, speaking with a thick Qinghe accent, "How could I dislike her? Girls are so much better! Just like Xixi, a girl who became a big star and made a lot of money. Girls are so much better than boys. They're quiet, obedient, and easy to take care of. Look at this darling, so fair and tender, so lovely. Let Grandma hold her..."

As he spoke, he reached out his hand while playing with Xiao Chu in the nanny's arms.

The nanny was a shrewd and experienced person who could tell at a glance who the good people in the family were.

Faced with the old woman's outstretched hand, the nanny hesitated and gave Lin Xiao a questioning look.

Lin Xiao had no time to pay attention to that.

Seeing his wife becoming increasingly upset, he felt both heartbroken and angry.

The anger was directed at the father-in-law who had suddenly become so old-fashioned.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Xiao felt that this matter had to be resolved. After all, Xixi was still in her postpartum period, and he couldn't let her own father get so upset that she would suffer from postpartum illness. It would be too much of a loss.

Lin Xiao immediately asked Han Haijun to leave.

End of corridor.

He abandoned his previous respect for his father-in-law and said directly, "Dad, Xixi just gave birth and is still very weak. You haven't come for so many days, and now that you've come, you're giving me the cold shoulder. I don't think that's right!"

These words were spoken in a very stiff tone.

Han Haijun was somewhat surprised, not expecting his son-in-law to speak to him like that.

After all, he had always been very respectful before.

"Lin Xiao, do you think that now that my daughter has given you a child, your position is secure, so you no longer need to pretend to be respectful and can boss your father-in-law around?" Han Haijun said angrily.

"You know that's not what I meant!"

Lin Xiao was not affected by his father-in-law's reprimand at all. His voice remained calm, which only made Han Haijun seem more unreasonable.

The South Korean Navy was even angrier.

"Then what do you mean?"

“I just feel that Xixi has just given birth and desperately needs the company, encouragement and comfort of her family. She has been looking forward to you coming to see her and seeing your own granddaughter... but when you came, this is your attitude. Isn't this deliberately trying to hurt her?”

"She's my own daughter, I don't need you to tell me how to treat her!"

"..."

Lin Xiao was speechless.

Reasoning with someone who is reasonable is called reasoning.

Trying to reason with unreasonable people is a waste of time.

Lin Xiao never imagined that his usually reasonable father-in-law would suddenly become so unreasonable and argumentative.

He's completely a different person now.

The turning point was simply because Han Xixi gave birth to a daughter, shattering his "grandson dream".

So, for a man who has achieved success in his career and risen through the ranks, is it really that important to have a male bloodline to inherit his mantle?

Lin Xiao was shocked; it was beyond his comprehension of worldview and values.

"Dad, I didn't mean to argue with you!"

Lin Xiaoqiang suppressed his anger and calmly said, "I'll just ask you one question, Xiao Chu, you don't want it, right?"

Han Haijun coldly replied, "You chose the formal name, you chose the nickname, and the child is your own. You're asking me if I want it?"

Lin Xiao nodded, hardly believing that this unreasonable man was the father-in-law he had always respected.

He took a deep breath.

“You’re right, this is my biological daughter, she was just born. I can’t let her suffer such injustice.”

Lin Xiao smiled calmly and said firmly, "Her name is Lin Xiaoxi! Dad, thank you for coming to see her!"

After speaking, he left the corridor and walked into the room.

Although it was only a few steps, Lin Xiao felt like he had walked for a long time, and his mood was very complicated.

Yet I also felt fortunate.

By the time he reached the doorway, he had composed himself and was ready to comfort his wife.

Just as he was about to push open the door, he heard his mother-in-law exclaim in surprise.

"What did you say?!"

This shout startled Lin Xiao.

He had never heard his mother-in-law speak with such disarray and anger.

Hurry up and push the door open to go inside.

Then, the stepmother, Ding Caifeng, said domineeringly, "I'm saying, choose one of the fourth son's two sons to be adopted by you two. You've only had one daughter in your life, and your daughter has had another daughter. It's obvious that you're destined to have no descendants. What's the use of becoming a high-ranking official or building a great career if you're just busy working for outsiders!"

“Although I’m not Navy’s biological mother, my son and grandson are family, blood relatives. That’s what a real family is. Giving my grandson up to you is the same as having him as your own. You can raise him well; it’s better than raising this little brat… Even if she takes the surname Han, she’ll still get married when she grows up. It’ll all be for nothing…”

Her words left everyone in the room speechless, and Liu Liyun's eyes widened in fury!
In the corner, Han Xixi was completely dumbfounded.

"Mom, go back now, stop talking nonsense!" Although Liu Liyun was furious, she still suppressed her anger and urged Ding Caifeng to leave in order to take care of her daughter's feelings.

However, the old woman had absolutely no sense of reason.

He was still standing there shouting, "Liyun, I'm just trying to be nice, why don't you appreciate it? My fourth son couldn't have children before, and it was only thanks to you two paying for IVF that we had twin boys."

“These two children were destined to be with you, so it’s only natural to adopt one of them. Now that Xixi is married and settled down, she’s doing quite well and doesn’t need you anymore. You and Haijun will be so lonely for the rest of your lives. Wouldn’t it be better to have a son…”

The chatter grew increasingly vulgar and offensive.

Zhou Xiuping, a country girl, couldn't stand the old woman's behavior and frowned in disgust.

However, since this was a family matter between the in-laws, it was not appropriate to bring it up.

Aunt Liu Lixia, however, was quick-tempered and rushed out angrily to protect her sister and niece.

"You old hag, you keep saying you're thinking of my sister and brother-in-law, but what are you really up to? Everyone in this room can hear you!"

Liu Lixia knew that family scandals shouldn't be aired in public, so she lowered her voice and said, "Aren't you just envious of my brother-in-law's high position and want to adopt your grandson so he can be groomed by him and your whole family can benefit from it? And you still have the nerve to say you're thinking of my sister and brother-in-law, do you think we're all fools!"

Liu Lixia directly saw through the old woman's little scheme.

Ding Caifeng was humiliated, but she was determined to cause trouble. The more others lowered their voices and didn't bother with her, the louder she became, shouting and yelling as if she wanted to force Liu Liyun to agree on the spot and settle the matter.

The room was in complete chaos.

Lin Xiao stood at the door, feeling a little flustered.

In just a few dozen seconds, he thought of a variety of solutions, but none of them worked.

This is a hospital!
Although there are fewer people in private maternity hospitals during the Lunar New Year, there are still other people in the corridors, as well as medical staff.

If this matter gets out of hand, it will be bad for the whole family, especially for Xixi's reputation.

Once this gets out, it will give netizens across the country more fodder for gossip, but it will be a stain on Xixi's reputation for life.

Therefore, this matter must be covered up no matter what.

But how to cover it up is another problem.

The old woman was already here, and she seemed determined to make a big scene. Lin Xiao couldn't very well go up and knock her unconscious so she couldn't speak, could he?

It's even more impossible to just take the person away.

So after thinking it over, he could only resolve the matter on the spot and get an answer from his parents-in-law so that the old woman would shut up!
After making this decision, Lin Xiao glanced at his wife, who was still in a daze in the corner.

Now that things have come to this, there's no other way but to face it.

Lin Xiao glanced at his cousin Liang Tian, ​​who was watching the commotion, and quickly pulled her over, sending her out to call his father-in-law, Han Haijun.

Liang Tian quietly left with her mission.

Lin Xiao closed the door and stepped forward to comfort her, "Grandma, please sit down and have some peace and quiet. Such a big decision as adoption can't be made on a whim; everyone needs to sit down and discuss it properly. My father-in-law isn't here right now, and my mother can't make this decision either, what do you say?"

Ding Caifeng was furious with Liu Lixia, but seeing her grandson-in-law's friendly attitude, her emotions calmed down.

"My grandson-in-law is the most reasonable one..."

The old woman finally lowered her voice.

Lin Xiao walked to his wife's side, squeezed her hand, but found it was ice cold.

Han Xixi was completely dumbfounded.

Lin Xiao was furious, knowing that his wife was definitely not going to have a good postpartum period.

I took every precaution, even repeatedly telling my parents not to say anything like "girls are good too," for fear that Xixi would misunderstand.

I have considered all the possible contingencies.

Unexpectedly, such an oddball appeared in my father-in-law's family, causing chaos and turmoil in the whole family.

Lin Xiao was also at a loss.

At this moment, he could only temporarily control the crazy old woman and wait for his father-in-law to come and take charge and suppress her.

However, Liu Liyun, the mother-in-law, couldn't wait any longer and spoke up sternly.

"You just said... that Han Haijun paid for the IVF treatment for the fourth brother's twin sons?!"

These words already suppressed a surging anger.

Ding Caifeng sensed the change in the situation and dared not speak.

After all, no matter how domineering or opinionated she is, she is still just an old woman from the countryside.

Liu Liyun, on the other hand, had been the top leader of a division-level unit in the central urban area of ​​the provincial capital for more than ten years.

If they put on a show of force, most people really can't handle it.

Ding Caifeng suddenly felt a little scared.

At this moment, Han Haijun was pulled in from outside by Liang Tian.

Upon entering, I was momentarily stunned by the oppressive and cold atmosphere inside the room.

Before he could ask a question, Liu Liyun coldly said, "Old Han, your stepmother wants to give you her grandson. Do you want it or not? Give me a straight answer now!"

A straight shot sent everyone into a frenzy, yet their hearts were in their throats.

Lin Xiao wanted to give his mother-in-law a thumbs up for her calm and efficient work!
The South Korean navy was taken aback.

A quick glance around the room made everything clear.

He wasn't surprised at all.

Upon seeing his father-in-law's reaction, Lin Xiao immediately realized that Ding Caifeng had mentioned this matter to him countless times in private, but he had never agreed.

The old woman believed it must be because Liu Liyun and Han Xixi were secretly obstructing things.

That's why I found an opportunity to come here today, to question and pressure you.

At first glance, Ding Caifeng's behavior seemed very risky, like a reckless young man, with almost no chance of success.

But upon closer analysis, it was discovered that the old lady was very clever and had chosen the right time.

Previously, the South Korean Navy had consistently disagreed with the adoption.

While Liu Liyun's actions played a part, the main reason was that Han Haijun hoped his daughter would give him a grandson.

Compared to her adopted son, she was several levels removed from him.

A son born to a daughter is a direct descendant of a grandson, and the relationship is much closer!
Lin Xiao only realized it after a while.

Before Xixi married him, Han Haijun had always hoped that his son-in-law would be an obedient live-in son-in-law.

In this way, he will definitely have his own grandson in the future, and there will be no need for adoption.

Han Haijun never expected that his daughter would have a whirlwind marriage with a naive young man. This naive young man, although from an ordinary family, was exceptionally capable. He not only single-handedly propelled his daughter's career to its peak, but also frequently made contributions and demonstrated outstanding talent in the workplace.

With such talent, even a South Korean naval officer who rose to the rank of director-general admitted that he could not control the situation, and his years of planning ultimately came to naught.

Although unwilling, they had no choice but to abandon the plan.

But Old Han has been hoping for a son and a grandson for over twenty years, how could he be willing to give up?

So, at the banquet where the in-laws met last year, he suddenly got carried away and suggested that one of the children should have the surname Han.

He gave a vague answer, only saying that there was a child surnamed Han, but didn't say which child was surnamed Han.

This leaves a lot of room for maneuver for having a grandson later on.

Unfortunately, Lin Xiao saw through his little scheme at a glance and made him make the choice directly.

Although Han Haijun was unwilling, he knew that his son-in-law had already made concessions and, based on the principle of securing the benefits, chose his daughter's first child.

This is his only hope.

If the child is a boy, then his long-cherished wish will come true, and everyone will be happy.

If the child is a girl...

Then all the plans of half a lifetime will have gone down the drain, and there will be no hope for the rest of one's life.

Lin Xiao finally understood why his father-in-law, who was always kind, family-oriented, and doting on his wife and daughter, suddenly changed completely after his granddaughter was born!

Here's why—he has no hope!

When he was young, he was disappointed to have a daughter due to the restrictions of the birth policy.

But he was still young then, and he could motivate himself to work hard. After all, a young man in his twenties has a bright future and unlimited possibilities.

But time flies, and more than twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

He is now fifty years old.

A career is coming to an end, and a lifetime of busy work is gradually becoming tiring.

Han Haijun's only hope now is to have a grandson to whom he can entrust his life's work to be passed down.

But this hope was dashed on the very first day of the new year.

The South Korean Navy's longing for their children and grandchildren.

Lin Xiao only understood it today, and Liu Liyun also only understood it today.

It must be said that he kept it a secret very well, without leaving any flaws.

Of all the people in the world, there was probably only one who saw through his thoughts, and that was Ding Caifeng.

That's why she dared to bring her three grandsons to Ninghai, where they've stayed for almost a month.

They probably had this plan in mind from the very beginning!

But the old lady stubbornly kept quiet and didn't say anything.

It wasn't until today, after Xixi gave birth to her daughter, that she realized her stepson was now heartbroken and revealed her true intentions.

Ding Caifeng knew, of course, that Liu Liyun would oppose this idea.

But she didn't play the Liu Liyun card at all.

As long as the South Korean Navy agrees, none of this matters—her target has always been only the South Korean Navy.

Now, she deliberately makes a scene at the hospital in order to force Han Haijun to make a decision amid the chaos, thus achieving her long-planned goal.

present.

Liu Liyun and Han Haijun stood face to face, their eyes locked in a cold stare. After years of marriage, they were now like enemies.

"dad……"

Han Xixi, who had been silent in the corner, finally spoke up.

She was dressed neatly, wrapped up tightly from head to toe, and was originally going home with a joyful heart to start her new life as a mother.

Unexpectedly, such a family tragedy occurred just as he was about to be discharged from the hospital.

She was still confused, feeling neither resentment nor anger towards her father, only bewilderment and confusion.

After all, it takes time for anyone to accept the sudden collapse of the mountain-like image of their revered father.

Han Xixi's mind went completely blank; she couldn't react at all.

Upon hearing her voice, Han Haijun's face trembled, and Liu Liyun's expression softened as well.

But soon, the couple exchanged a glance, and their expressions turned stern.

"Old Han, you know I'm not one to fuss over nothing. The whole family is here today, so feel free to speak your mind! Whatever choice you make, I'll accept it without a second thought!"

Liu Liyun remained calm and composed, her voice steady, displaying an air of nonchalance that suggested she would remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before her.

But if you listen closely, you can still hear a slight tremor in her voice.

The huge ward was heated, but the atmosphere was as cold as an icebox.

The South Korean naval officer stood tall and straight, his expression extremely stern.

After a long pause, he finally spoke in a cold voice: "Liyun, we've been husband and wife for so many years, and I've never done anything to betray you..."

Let's part ways amicably from now on!

His words caused a stir among those around him!
(End of this chapter)