Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife Chapter 1642 - 1643: Disagreeing with Opening the Shop

After settling into their new dwelling, Cheng Su decided to prepare some braised lamb. The entire family convened for a heartwarming hotpot meal, chasing away the winter chill with their laughter and joy.

"...I have been away for a considerable period, and tomorrow marks my return to the ancestral home," Father Qi declared with satisfaction after a sip of wine. "With the Lunar New Year drawing near, it is the opportune time to process the fat hog at home and prepare cured meats. I shall ensure some are sent your way as well."

Father Cheng promptly responded, "If that is the case, I shall accompany you back tomorrow!"

Mother Qi cast a wistful glance at Qi Xiaoqi nestled in Cheng Su’s embrace, her heart filled with a touch of reluctance.

Perceiving his wife’s sentiment, Father Qi advised, "You should make the journey back as well. Your leg has not entirely mended; further treatments from the bone-setting physician are necessary."

"It has been nearly half a year," Mother Qi murmured, her tone tinged with a hint of complaint.

"Yet, you are still not fully healed," Father Qi interjected, unyielding in his assessment.

Mother Qi offered no further words, silently nursing her resentment.

Noticing her silence, Father Qi shifted his attention to Qi Taiguo, inquiring, "Will you be returning to the old home for the New Year festivities this year? Xiao Qi certainly needs to be officially registered, so it would be prudent for you both to come back for the occasion, wouldn't it?"

"Nothing is definitively set in stone yet; we shall ascertain closer to the time," Qi Taiguo replied. "Should circumstances permit, I will bring them."

Father Qi nodded in agreement. "That is acceptable. If your schedule proves too demanding, your wife can bring the child back by herself."

Cheng Su expressed no dissent to this arrangement.

Suddenly, Mother Qi posed a question to Cheng Su: "Cheng Su, have you and Taiguo discussed the matter of the shop? What are the current plans?"

The suddenness of the question surprised everyone present, including Qi Taiguo. What shop was being referred to?

Cheng Su’s eyes widened slightly in realization. "I had momentarily forgotten. It pertains to the shop the elder bestowed upon Xiao Qi. I was contemplating establishing a dried seafood business there; I will elaborate on the specifics with you this evening."

The prospect of opening a shop caused Qi Taiguo’s eyebrows to furrow slightly, though he maintained his composure.

Following the conclusion of dinner, with the winter air biting cold, the family engaged in some television viewing before retiring for the night.

Upon returning to their guesthouse, Father Qi admonished Mother Qi, "Was it truly necessary to bring that up? Would they not have discussed it amongst themselves in due course? Your intention was merely to instigate discord."

Mother Qi retorted, "I was not attempting to stir up trouble; it was a casual inquiry. Observe, had I not raised the topic, she would not have communicated her intentions to Taiguo."

"Forgetting momentarily is hardly a significant lapse. You are simply being excessively meddlesome!" Father Qi remarked, casting a disapproving glance at her. "You shall accompany me back to the ancestral home tomorrow; you are not to remain here any longer." His aim was to circumvent any further unnecessary complications arising from the intrusive elderly woman.

Mother Qi understood his underlying meaning and shot him an indignant glare.

Meanwhile, an atmosphere of palpable tension permeated Cheng Su’s quarters. As Cheng Su articulated her aspirations, Qi Taiguo’s continued silence caused her heart to flutter with apprehension.

"What is it, do you disapprove?" she inquired, attempting a lighthearted smile.

Qi Taiguo regarded her steadily. "Xiao Qi is still quite young, and you are presently pursuing your studies at college. Furthermore, you are managing other ventures. Where, precisely, will you find the time to oversee the operations of the shop? Moreover, the establishment is located in Guangcheng; the train journey alone spans two days."

Cheng Su responded, "I have taken all these factors into consideration. My intention is to establish the shop and then hire personnel to manage its day-to-day affairs. My uncle, Cheng Zhi, or perhaps Jianguo, could periodically oversee the operations. Jianguo, in particular, being a university student, possesses the capability for financial management, does he not? If necessary, I can secure assistance from the Cheng family!"

"However, that would inevitably lead to incurring obligations!" Qi Taiguo sighed, his brow furrowed. "The accumulation of favors should be avoided whenever feasible; fulfilling such debts often proves to be the most arduous task."

"In reality, our current circumstances alleviate any concerns regarding sustenance or daily needs. You are already shouldering numerous responsibilities. Retaining the shop for a few more years, or even leasing it out, might not be an unfavorable option. At the very least, it would be prudent to defer such a decision until after you have completed your studies; by then, Xiao Qi will be two or three years old!" Qi Taiguo suggested with subtle tact.

"So, what you are conveying is that you do not agree?" Cheng Su questioned, her expression clouding with a frown.