People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

In his retirement years, he and Ah Ling, along with their parents, Engineer Lin, and Song Ying, embarked on a journey across the country.

Their footprints have covered the length and breadth of China, allowing them to appreciate the magnificent landscapes of the motherland.

Grasslands, mountains; lakes, seas, deserts, culture, snow-capped mountains.

Zhuang Chaoying took Aling to many countries, and after seeing so much, she felt that her own country was the safest place.

In 1995, two houses in a rural area outside Suzhou underwent a major change.

In order to vigorously develop Suzhou Industrial Park, the authorities designated it as a pilot economic zone. This move has driven the transformation and upgrading of the surrounding areas, and those two houses are also within the scope of demolition.

The resettlement plan after the demolition was to exchange one house for two large houses of 120 square meters each, which would be one house for each of the four children.

Zhuang Chaoying and Huang Ling have a magnanimous view on wealth and real estate, since they will all belong to their children sooner or later, so they might as well give them to them now.

Anyway, his annual royalties are enough to cover his family's expenses.

The properties under their names were divided equally among their three children.

A house is merely a temporary dwelling place. No matter how much you own, you can't take it with you in the end. Everyone dies eventually, and that little box is your eternal final resting place.

In 2005, the whole society was incredibly excited.

The news is filled with reports of the successful launch of manned spacecraft. This great achievement demonstrates the leap forward in the country's scientific and technological strength and makes every Chinese person proud.

At the same time, the Super Girl chorus "Hope" was playing everywhere.

In early June, Zhuang Chaoying returned to Shanghai with A-Ling and her parents.

They came back this time because their daughter, Yuyao, is taking the college entrance examination this year.

Normally, Yuyao stays at either her older sister's or older brother's house. Yuyao is very popular with those children, who all vie to let their little aunt stay at their house. There's no other way but to take turns staying there.

But on such a crucial day as the college entrance examination, he and Ah Ling still have to come back.

At this moment, the family is having a BBQ in the courtyard of their old house on Huaihai Road.

It was ostensibly to help Yuyao relax before her exams, but everyone knew that it was actually an opportunity for family members who hadn't seen each other in a long time to get together.

The auntie had already prepared the meat skewers, lobsters, and seafood; all they had to do was enjoy the grilling process and the aroma of the grilled meat filling the yard.

Mr. and Mrs. Huang are over eighty years old and are currently surrounded by a group of great-grandchildren.

With happy smiles on their faces, they looked at these energetic children and saw the future and hope of their family.

As the eldest brother, Zhuang Honghui naturally took on the responsibility of taking care of his younger siblings.

Looking at Lin Weijing, Lin Weilan, and Xiang Shang who were playing around, he deliberately put on a stern face.

"Lin Weijing, Lin Weilan, Xiang Shang, can't you guys just behave yourselves? Be careful or I'll get Grandpa to make you a set of toilet paper, making you so happy."

The three little ones perked up instantly when they heard they were going to make toilet paper, nervously looking around as if afraid their grandfather would hear them.

Lin Weijing quickly reached out and covered Zhuang Hongyi's mouth, whispering.

"Brother, keep your voice down so Grandpa doesn't hear you."

This caused several grandmothers nearby to burst into laughter. Surrounded by this warm family atmosphere, Yuyao temporarily forgot the pressure of the college entrance examination and enjoyed this rare family reunion. After all, her immature parents, godparents, and maternal grandparents only knew how to go out and play.

Zhuang Chaoying was discussing with Engineer Lin and her brother-in-law Xiao Xiang whether they should go to a courtyard house in Kyoto to escape the summer heat.

Just then, he seemed to hear someone call him "Grandpa". Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw that it was his granddaughter, Lin Weilan, calling him.

Zhuang Chaoying's face was full of affection. "Why is Lanlan calling for her grandfather?"

Lin Weilan quickly waved her hand. "Grandpa, it's nothing. My brother said he wanted to eat roasted chicken wings." After saying that, she playfully stuck out her tongue and then snuggled into her wife's arms like a docile kitten.

Looking at her great-granddaughter's clever appearance, Huang's mother couldn't help but reach out and pat her head, smiling as she spoke.

"You little rascal, you're just like your dad when he was a kid. Do you not want your grandpa to give you exam papers?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Weijing and Lin Weilan, who were standing nearby, widened their eyes instantly and nodded hurriedly like rattles.

Lin Weijing took over the conversation.

“Madam, it would be best to get Mom and Dad to get rid of the tutor. My sister and I already know all of that, why would we need extra tutoring? It’s all thanks to Dad. I heard that his classmates are all getting tutoring, so I’m telling my sister to follow suit. I think it’s because Dad had too much tutoring from Grandpa when he was a kid.”

Just then, Lin Dongzhe walked over carrying a plate of sizzling, oily lamb skewers.

He warmly greeted the elders. "Grandpa, Grandma, Mom and Dad, Aunt and Uncle, please eat first."

Then, he turned his head, his expression turning serious as he glared at them. "Lin Weijing and Lin Weilan, you two little rascals, what are you saying? Are you asking for a beating?"

Upon seeing this, Lin Weijing immediately nestled in her grandmother Song Ying's arms as if she had found a sanctuary, looking pitiful.

"Grandma, Dad said I'm itching for a beating."

Upon hearing this, Song Ying immediately stood up with her hands on her hips.

"Lin Dongzhe, I think you're the one who's asking for a beating. What are you saying? Did my two precious grandsons make a mistake? You want to hit them? I hit you every day when you were a kid!"

"Mom, I was just teasing them." Lin Dongzhe quickly explained, pointing to the two children as he spoke, thinking about going home. Then, he pursed his lips and handed the lamb skewers to Xiaoting, still acting as obsequiously as before.

"Wife, eat, eat your fill. When we get back, I'll enroll them both in a violin class."

Xiaoting took the lamb skewer, took a bite, and pinched his arm. "If you're going to sign up for violin lessons, you might as well sign you up for computer lessons."

"Mom and Dad, this is outrageous! You two are such ruthless swindlers!"

“Brother is right, Mom and Dad, we protest.”

Lin Dongzhe held Xiaoting in his arms. "Protest denied!"

On the other side, Tu Nan and Peng Fei were busy by the stove, roasting various ingredients. Watching Lin Dongzhe arrogantly coaxing Xiao Ting, the two of them were furious.

Tu Nan shouted loudly, "Lin Dongzhe, hurry up and come grill the meat! The chicken wings are about to burn!"

Lin Dongzhe responded and quickly ran over to help. "Brother, I'm here, I'm here."

Yuyao stood beside the stove, enjoying her meal immensely.

She thought the grilled bean curd skin tasted particularly good, so she handed Zhuang Honghui a skewer. "This one isn't spicy."

Of all the children, she had the best relationship with this eldest nephew.

Although they are only four years apart, Yuyao has grown up alongside Zhuang Honghui since childhood.

As Zhuang Honghui took the bean curd sheet, he asked curiously, "Auntie, which university did you apply to?"

Yuyao ate her meat skewers, her eyes resolute. "You know Kyoto University of Political Science and Law. I want to be a judge who punishes evil and promotes good."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Honghui suddenly remembered what his grandmother had told him: when his aunt was celebrating her first birthday, she picked up a big hammer. His grandfather jokingly said that his aunt would be a hard worker in the future. It was Grandma Song who said that his aunt would become a judge in the future.

Thinking about this, he felt that the traditional Chinese custom of "grasping the baby's head" (a traditional Chinese custom involving a baby's first birthday celebration) actually had some credibility, and he laughed.