My Life with Narration-Chapter 197 - 196: The Elder’s Thoughts

"Retire, my foot! How dare he ask me to retire! He’s out of line!"

Old Su was sitting on the sofa, so angry that his thyroid was swelling, his face flushed and neck thick, clutching a belt in his hand like he had been attacked by an ungrateful son.

Actually, it was mainly Su Qing’s last comment ’time to retire’ that completely shattered Old Su’s defenses.

Zhou Hui, on the other hand, was cheerfully changing into new clothes, applying some moisturizing essence on her face, and said with a smile while putting on sunscreen:

"What’s the big deal if my son is successful? Can’t he stand on his own and run the family?"

Now, she firmly stood by her son’s side. After all, she had raised him for over twenty years; now that he’s finally become successful, what could be more important than that?

Now that her son can make big money, there’s no worry about houses, cars, not even RVs, and with a wife comes a wife, and soon a grandson.

Compared to this, what use is the little bit of dignity her husband has?

Besides, at such an old age, what is there to be so hung up over? Being a university teacher sounds respectable, but a successful son brings even more honor to her.

"What’s so great about his success? So he made some money? Haven’t I earned more than him all these years? And now he dares to ask me to retire? He’s getting cocky; I am his father." Old Su sat on the sofa, fuming.

He wanted to talk to his wife, but he didn’t expect that she wouldn’t stand by him. It was chilling, heart-chilling.

"What’s the use of being a father? In this society, money talks. Whoever earns more speaks with more authority. Can you earn more in a month than our son?" Zhou Hui tilted her head, applying sunscreen on her neck and laughing.

Hearing this, Old Su fell silent. He was a university teacher. Although his salary and benefits were not low, compared to his son’s monthly income from short videos, it was still lacking. Even with stock trading and doing some private work or investing a little in small projects that were profitable, it barely broke even.

Moreover, the small projects he invested in or the stocks he traded did not always make money; sometimes, he even lost money.

The most crucial point was that his son’s earnings from short videos were just petty cash. The real money was made in the stock market, where his son earned hundreds of thousands a month, making Old Su both jealous and powerless.

Although stock trading can’t always be profitable, his son had mentors guiding him, making his earning capabilities far superior to his own.

Old Su was a very proud person. He was the first university graduate from his hometown village and became a university teacher. His job was stable, with decent income, and it was his proudest achievement.

Being the backbone of the family for so many years was due to, firstly, his age and position as a father, and secondly, as the economic provider for the family of four.

Now, Su Qing was no longer dependent on him and even surpassed him financially. All he could cling to was his role as a father, and now they wanted him to retire?

If he retired, where would his dignity be?

"Why aren’t you saying anything? Huh, you’re just prideful!"

"How am I prideful? At my age, am I supposed to rely on him for support?" Old Su was making a desperate struggle, trying to prove that he was still the pillar of the family and that the young rebel wasn’t worth worrying over.

"Then you keep working hard to earn money. As for me, I’m off to play mahjong. Come on, Big Yellow, let’s go!" With that, Zhou Hui changed her clothes, let her hair down, and happily went out to play cards with Big Yellow.

His mom had just returned, so he left Big Yellow behind. But then again, he was in such a hurry that he didn’t have time to take it along.

At this, Old Su couldn’t help but sigh. This family... sometimes it feels better not to stay.

As for Su Qing, the moment Old Su pulled out the Seven Wolves, he had already fled. Was he supposed to stay there and get hit at his age?

But just as he was about to leave the community, he ran into an acquaintance.

"Uncle, where are you off to?" Seeing Li Zijun’s father, Li Maoquan, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, he couldn’t help but ask.

"Hey, it’s Xiao Qing! What have you been up to these days? Haven’t seen you at home." Li Maoquan replied with a smile.

"Just work, no holidays. Now my parents are back, so I came to see them. And you, where are you off to?"

Hearing this, Uncle Li adjusted his cap and said with a smile, "I was just heading to your house. By the way, your dad’s home, right?"

"Yes, he’s home."

"Great, your aunt’s gone to play cards with your mom, and I’m off to spend some time with your dad in the countryside."

Hearing this and seeing his attire, Su Qing immediately guessed what he was up to.

"Are you going fishing with my dad?"

"Yeah, interested in joining?"

Fishermen have three main hobbies: fishing, convincing others to fish with them, and showing others the fish they caught.

Fishermen have three main traits: not catching fish, not catching but continuing to fish, and buying fish at the supermarket.

Hearing this, Su Qing quickly shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, I can’t stand this weather."

"Well, that’s a shame. Whenever you have time, let uncle broaden your horizons!"

[Always eager yet inexperienced, forever an airman, never out of style!]

Listening to the voiceover in his head, Su Qing had a pretty good idea of the outcome of their fishing trip today.

"Well, you should hurry then, I have things to do, I’m off!"

"Hey, hey, come to uncle’s place for dinner someday, we’ll have a drink together!"

Upon this, Su Qing stumbled and ran even faster.

More drinks? If he drinks more, he’ll be risking his life. If halfway through, someone shouts, ’Second Brother, fill Third Brother’s glass,’ wouldn’t he just drop dead on the spot?

This was way more serious than his earlier comment, ’Time to step down.’

"Old Su, Old Su, are you home?"

Just as Su Hongye was stewing in his own anger, he saw Old Li, in full fishing gear, approaching. The two old men exchanged a glance and broke into smiles.

"My car or your car?"

"We’ll take mine; I’ve got everything ready!"

"Alright, wait a moment and I’ll show you my new fishing rod!"

With that, Old Su dashed into the study like a mischievous child about to do something wrong. In no time, he had his fishing gear ready, changed his clothes, and the two of them left with their arms around each other’s shoulders.

By a wild river in the outskirts, the two old men found a shady spot, pitched a sun umbrella, and started fishing while chatting about recent happenings.

Old Su indeed had plenty to say, having just returned from a honeymoon, visiting many places, making Old Li envious.

Only university teachers have so much free time. Regular workers don’t get summer or winter vacations!

Eventually, Old Li noticed that Old Su was in a bit of a funk, so Old Su recounted the issues with his son.

"Wow, young Qing is really capable, isn’t he? I always said he was smart since he was a kid, and he’d grow up to be someone! Soon enough, you’ll be living in comfort!"

"Living comfortably my ass! Didn’t you see how arrogant that kid is after making some money? He even dares to tell me to step down. I think he’s got his tail up in the sky."

To this, Li Maoquan laughed and shook his head: "You, you’re blessed and don’t know it. You have both a son and a daughter, and your son is competent. Xiao He will soon be off to college. What more could you want?"

"We wanted a son but don’t have one. If I had a son like Su Qing, I’d wake up laughing from a dream."

Nowadays, young people don’t hold onto the old notion of prioritizing sons over daughters. In fact, most want daughters. But the older generation sees it differently.

The Li family had their first child as a daughter. They hoped for a second child, a son, but due to some special circumstances, they couldn’t, leaving the old couple wistful for a son.

Li Zijun is excellent, but after all, she’ll get married, and by then, the old couple will be quite bored at home. A son would be better, always adding to the family.

"Just take him. Later, let him call you dad. Your Junjun is so great, stable job, good looks, whoever marries her is lucky!"

After saying this, both exchanged a glance and were momentarily stunned, then both laughed aloud, yet a simultaneous thought emerged in their minds.

Getting closer and closer... that wouldn’t be bad, eh?

Aside from knowing each other well, if the two kids got married, they wouldn’t even need to leave the neighborhood. Both families would still be around, and they’d each gain a son or a daughter. It seemed like a good option.

It’s just that the two families were too familiar, and with Li Zijun being the eldest sister since childhood, the parents never considered it.

But now that Su Qing was coming into his own, and if his situation remained stable, it wasn’t impossible for him to bring home a police beauty.

Li Maoquan’s thoughts weren’t much different; naturally, he wanted his daughter to marry into a good family. Su Qing, whom he watched grow up, if he truly made something of himself, would be an ideal match.

However, although both men had the same idea, neither said anything. After all, they are open-minded parents, and matters of the heart should be left to the children to decide; they wouldn’t interfere.

Especially with the families’ relationship, if they broached the subject and it didn’t work out, how would they face each other later?

Meanwhile, in the neighborhood’s game room, Zhou Hui was boasting about how well her son was doing while playing mahjong.

"Big sis, you have to help me find someone suitable for Su Qing, eight bamboo!"

"Pong, of course. Young Su is doing so well; it seems the one I contacted yesterday isn’t good enough. I have a relative who’s a nurse; should I introduce them? Though it’ll take a few days! Two characters," Aunt Wang chuckled.

She originally introduced a friend’s daughter to Su Qing, but upon hearing that Zhou Hui’s son now makes ten to eighty thousand a month, she immediately changed her mind—after all, better to keep the resources in the family, right?

In the matchmaker’s eyes, the kind of person they introduce to you represents how they perceive you.

"That’s great, but don’t disregard this one, check them all out, check them all out!" Zhou Hui was in high spirits, speaking quickly.

Whether they work out or not, gather them all in the basket first.

"Alright, I’ll ask around and try to arrange for them to meet first; you never know."

"That’s excellent! If Su Qing succeeds, you’ll be the matchmaker!" Aunt Liu laughed alongside, then said to Zhou Hui:

"See, I told you having a son is great; just wait to enjoy life, surrounded, self-drawn, hahaha!"

...