Of course, as soon as she was back in her room, she called Han Guangzhi. She told him that people from his hometown had arrived and that he should hurry home after work.
Han Guangzhi was also confused. 'Why would Dad come all the way to Yun City without a word? He didn't even call ahead. Did something happen back home?'
Even though Li Xiaomei had gone into the bedroom, she didn't completely ignore what was happening outside. She deliberately left the door ajar, peeking into the living room from time to time. She saw that after drinking her tea, Han Tingting hadn't touched anything else on the table. Instead, she'd taken homework out of her schoolbag and just... started writing it, hunched over the coffee table?
'What is she doing? I remember Han Guangzhi saying Han Tingting's grades were terrible. Could I have remembered wrong?'
If this were her own home, Tan You would have automatically started cooking when it was dinnertime. But this was Li Xiaomei's house, and there was no way Tan You would do that. First of all, their relationship was awkward. They weren't family, so Tan You certainly wasn't going to volunteer for chores.
Han Cunming felt the same way. He had a very clear understanding of his position. His son was now little different from a son-in-law who had married into the family, which meant he himself was clearly an outsider here. And since he was an outsider, he was a guest. What kind of guest does chores in the host's home?
Of course, back home, Han Cunming never did any work other than farming anyway.
Li Xiaomei's parents both had jobs, and they got home even earlier than Han Guangzhi. When they walked in and saw Han Tingting hunched over the coffee table doing homework, the elderly couple froze for a second.
Li Xiaomei's mother was clearly quicker to react. "You must be Tingting, right? You've grown so tall!"
Although Tan You wasn't good at socializing, she understood basic etiquette. She stood up and said, "Grandma Qi, Grandpa Li, I'm sorry for the intrusion. I'm Han Tingting."
The original Han Tingting had met this couple before, so Tan You's greeting didn't seem out of place. After giving them a small smile, Tan You went back to her homework.
Li Xiaomei came out of the bedroom just then. Feeling no guilt about neglecting Han Tingting, she said to her mother, "Mom, you're back. The baby just fell asleep."
This was her subtle way of explaining why she hadn't been in the living room with Han Cunming and Han Tingting. Her mother clearly sided with her own daughter, so she smiled and said, "It's good that he's asleep. A child needs to eat well and sleep well to grow up strong."
"Why didn't you call me? With Guangzhi's father visiting, I could have bought some extra groceries on my way home." She feigned a chiding tone with Li Xiaomei, but her words carried a clear note of disregard for Han Cunming and his granddaughter.
Tan You couldn't understand the Yun City dialect, but she had a feeling they weren't saying anything nice. She tightened her grip on her pen and ignored their veiled barbs. In any case, she and her grandfather were here for Han Guangzhi, not for them.
As soon as her mother was back, Li Xiaomei ducked into the kitchen with her, while her father stayed in the living room to watch the baby. Han Cunming sat off to one side, looking perfectly composed, and didn't even spare a glance for the infant grandson.
'What's the use of looking? He's their grandson, not mine.' On this point, Han Cunming saw things more clearly than anyone. Besides, he had his own measure of things, and he clearly felt his granddaughter was far more reliable than this little boy.
Han Tingting was busy with her homework, and Han Cunming didn't disturb her, simply watching her with a gentle expression. He understood that his son now belonged to another family. That meant he had to keep his granddaughter on his side, which meant he had to consider every aspect of her future.
'She's still so young. I have to get her tuition and living expenses for the next few years sorted out. And my own retirement money... All of this needs to be made clear upfront.' Han Cunming plotted, feeling not a shred of guilt for being calculating.
In the kitchen, Li Xiaomei's mother glanced at the grandfather and granddaughter in the living room and quietly lowered her voice. "Why are they here?"
Li Xiaomei was annoyed too. "They said they came to see Guangzhi, since he told them he isn't going back for the holidays this year. Don't tell me they're planning to spend New Year's here, are they? We don't have the space."
Her mother was more shrewd. "I noticed they don't have any luggage. I doubt they're planning on a long stay."
Li Xiaomei asked, "Then what are they here for?"
"Who knows. When Guangzhi gets back, you let him handle it. We're not getting involved. It's his father and his daughter; it wouldn't be our place to interfere." Her mother paused, but there was one thing she left unsaid. 'I'm just afraid they're here for money.'
Around six o'clock, Han Guangzhi finally arrived home. The moment he saw Han Tingting hunched over the coffee table, his brow furrowed. The first words out of his mouth were a criticism: "Don't slouch."
Tan You glanced at him and slowly called out, "Dad." Seeing Han Guangzhi gave her a strange sense of déjà vu; it was just like seeing her real father, Tan Lin. Both men started scolding the moment they opened their mouths. Tan You was used to it.
Han Cunming couldn't bear to see his granddaughter get berated like that, and his eyes immediately widened in a glare. "What are you scolding the child for? Did I teach you to start yelling the moment you walk in the door?"
As soon as the old man glared, Han Guangzhi flinched. He had truly been beaten into submission by his father in the past.
"I just saw her hunched over the coffee table doing her homework. That's not good, it'll hurt her eyes." He then turned to Tingting. "I'm going to give Xiaomei a hand in the kitchen. Tingting, you're a big girl now, you should have a bit more awareness." After this awkward explanation, Han Guangzhi took the groceries he was carrying into the kitchen.
But Han Cunming wasn't about to give Han Guangzhi a chance to escape. He called out bluntly, "We rushed all the way here because there's something we need to discuss with you. We can eat after we've talked."
Han Guangzhi froze. He had no choice but to drop the groceries in the kitchen and then take a seat on the sofa. Realizing a serious discussion was about to happen, Li Xiaomei and her mother came out from the kitchen. Even her father, who had been watching the baby, turned his attention to them with a serious expression.
Han Cunming took Tan You's schoolbag, pulled out her report card and academic awards, and slid them across the table to Han Guangzhi.
Han Guangzhi was astonished at Han Tingting's results. "She did this well? She didn't cheat, did she?"
Before Tan You could say a word, Han Cunming exploded. "What a load of crap! If you can't say something decent, then shut your mouth! Tingting's grades started improving two months ago. Nobody has ever accused her of cheating. Only you, who knows nothing, would open your mouth and spout such nonsense!"
What could Han Guangzhi do, getting an earful from his own father like that? It was his dad, after all. He could only force a smile. "I misspoke. She did really well on this exam. Keep up the good work."
Han Cunming said, "This final was a city-wide unified exam. Her homeroom teacher said Tingting placed ninth in the entire city. So here's what I'm thinking: since she's doing so well in school, we should let her keep going."
Li Xiaomei started to speak, but her mother grabbed her arm to stop her. 'So my guess was right after all.' But what could she say? They were here for the sake of the child's education.
Han Guangzhi hesitated, but in the end, he couldn't stand up to his father's intimidating presence. "Of course. I'll get you the tuition for next year."
Han Cunming's eyebrows shot up. "Just the tuition? What about her living expenses?"