Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife Chapter 1573 - 1574: Qi Xiaoqi: Better Sleep with Grandma

Cheng Su was rather surprised by her elderly mother's easygoing attitude. When the idea of performing a ritual was brought up, it didn't strike her as odd; country folk often turned to spiritual means at the first sign of trouble.

What he neglected to mention to Cheng Su was that Mother Qi had privately inquired if Cheng Su had spoken ill of her to Xiao Qi. He had, of course, answered no, but he still found it peculiar that the child stubbornly refused to be held by his grandmother.

A ritual wasn't such a bad idea, all considered.

Qi Taiguo regarded his son and stated, "If, as Sister-in-law Song suggested, Xiao Qi witnessed something unpleasant, a ritual might indeed be beneficial. However, if he's actively avoiding his grandmother, that could present a significant problem!"

Qi Xiaoqi clenched his small hands, tilting his head as if looking at Qi Taiguo, or perhaps at some point beyond him.

"What sort of problem?"

"As I previously mentioned, who will be responsible for the child's care?" Qi Taiguo explained, "Now that the Mid-Autumn Festival has concluded, you'll be returning to school in approximately two weeks, correct? Regardless of how light your academic load may be, you'll need to travel between locations. Someone must tend to the child. Can your mother manage this indefinitely? Leaving your father to his own devices back home also makes me uneasy."

Cheng Su let out a soft chuckle. "I've already had discussions with my parents regarding this matter."

"Oh?"

"Cheng Zhi did not gain admission to college and is planning to venture into business alongside my third uncle. My father is currently alone at home, tending to a few acres of land with little else to occupy him. Should he grow weary of his solitude, he could come to stay and assist my mother with the child. When he becomes tired of staying, he could return to the countryside for a few days." Cheng Su eyed him shrewdly, "What is your assessment?"

"If your father is amenable to the arrangement, it sounds perfectly fine," Qi Taiguo replied.

"Doesn't it seem somewhat unfair? Entrusting the maternal grandparents with care while excluding the paternal ones? Do you harbor no opinions on this arrangement?" Cheng Su inquired with a knowing half-smile.

Qi Taiguo was momentarily taken aback. "What opinions could I possibly have? You lack the time, and the child requires care. You cannot simply abandon your studies, and the business demands your attention. Moreover, it's not as if we're preventing my parents from assisting; it's simply that my mother's leg has not yet fully healed. Even if we wished for her involvement, her physical condition would preclude it."

As he spoke, he recognized Cheng Su's subtle, perhaps petty, apprehension and continued, "You surely don't believe I would object to the maternal grandparents providing care, do you?"

"How can we truly know the inner workings of a man's mind? Who's to say you aren't concerned about your parents becoming estranged from the child?" Cheng Su murmured.

"Nonsense! As long as it benefits the child, anyone is welcome to provide care. You women possess such a tendency for petty concerns," Qi Taiguo declared with a stern expression. "I personally would not overthink such matters. I would simply select the course of action that is most beneficial for the child and appears to be the most comprehensive."

Cheng Su offered an awkward smile. "I was merely making conversation."

Qi Taiguo rolled his eyes in her direction, then directed his gaze towards Qi Xiaoqi. "This little fellow had best become accustomed to my mother as well. We cannot place the entire burden of care solely on the maternal grandparents; that would be excessively taxing. They are not inherently obligated to look after our child; they are merely offering a helping hand. If this little one wishes to endear himself to them, then he should understand what is expected."

Qi Xiaoqi blinked, meeting his father's gaze.

Cheng Su chided him, "Do you truly believe he is an adult? Speaking to him in such a manner is entirely futile!"

"He might comprehend more than you realize!" Qi Taiguo asserted with a sly grin, casting a glance at his son before abruptly inquiring, "Has he been fed yet?"

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, he stood and reached out to lift the child. Qi Xiaoqi opened his mouth to protest. Cheng Su intervened, holding him back and asking, "What exactly are you doing?"

"Tonight, he shall sleep with Grandma!" Qi Taiguo declared, giving her a look that held a hint of playful ambiguity.

Cheng Su was momentarily stunned, then her cheeks flushed, and a light spittle escaped her lips as she playfully struck him.

Qi Taiguo chuckled with evident mischief.

Qi Xiaoqi ceased his impending vocalization and silently contemplated the ceiling. He concluded that sleeping with Grandma might, in fact, be the preferable option. It would certainly spare him from being further 'corrupted' by the antics of these two.