UNCLTRD chapter 19

On the day Yang Shao’s uncle and aunt arrived, Chen Qiusu deliberately postponed his work to show his regard for Yang Shao. The entire Chen family was involved, except for Yang Tao, who was still in school.

At Yang Shao’s insistence, the elders went to the restaurant to wait. He and Chen Qiusu went to the train station to pick up his uncle and aunt.

The elders had traveled by train from their small county town to the city. There were no flights, and they didn’t take the high-speed rail, which was more complicated with transfers. The bus would have been too troublesome, so they opted for the cheapest means of transportation: the train.

Outside the train station, there was a sea of people, as it was the peak of the homecoming season. Simple people carried large bags and parcels, their luggage almost as big as they were, filled with the hardships of life. Chen Qiusu’s car seemed out of place, parked on the roadside.

“They should be out soon, right?” Yang Shao glanced at the time, just about to say it was almost time when he spotted two familiar figures.

Because of Yang Tao, Yang Shao hadn’t been back to his hometown for years. His uncle and aunt had aged much more than he remembered. The two elders were holding onto old, worn-out sacks, supporting each other as they walked slowly. In the busy station, they nervously looked around. Yang Shao quickly got out of the car, and Chen Qiusu followed.

“Uncle, Aunt!”

Hearing Yang Shao’s voice, the two elders looked around. When they saw him, their cloudy eyes brightened, as if they had found their anchor. “Yang Shao!”

They had a hard time ignoring the alpha standing behind Yang Shao. They had already heard the news of Yang Shao getting married over the phone. The news had come suddenly, and it was hard to explain in just a few words.

“Uncle, Aunt.” Chen Qiusu greeted them politely, taking the rusted sack from their hands. “I’m Chen Qiusu.”

Some things, when done by someone of Chen Qiusu’s status, could seem odd, like learning to dance to accompany Yang Tao for the parent-child day, or carrying a sack of local products. But Chen Qiusu did it all naturally.

The uncle and aunt didn’t know how to respond when they saw Chen Qiusu. They smiled awkwardly, but Chen Qiusu didn’t mind. “It’s cold outside. Let’s get in the car.”

After putting their belongings in the trunk, the uncle and aunt hesitated to get in. Yang Shao helped open the car door and sat in the back with them. Chen Qiusu, as expected, took on the role of their driver.

The uncle and aunt had a lot of questions, but in front of Chen Qiusu, Auntie quietly asked, “Where are we going?”

“Let’s eat first. Chen Qiusu’s parents and grandmother are waiting at the restaurant. They’re all there. After dinner, we’ll go to the hospital,” Yang Shao explained.

The uncle and aunt exchanged glances. Since they were going to meet Chen Qiusu’s parents, they had brought some gifts. But when they saw Chen Qiusu, they felt a little embarrassed to offer them. Chen Qiusu was well-groomed, and his family’s background must be impressive.

“We only brought some local specialties,” Auntie said quietly, almost as if she didn’t want Chen Qiusu to hear.

Chen Qiusu understood their discomfort and gently said, “Thank you, Auntie. My parents were really happy to hear that you were coming, and they’ve made quite a few preparations.”

Yang Shao patted Auntie’s hand reassuringly, signaling them to relax.

The restaurant was located a bit far from the city center, in a quiet area. The decoration was old-fashioned, and the place was brightly lit, even in the daytime. There were no other customers in the main hall, so the staff led them into a private room.

The elderly couple from the countryside felt quite nervous about entering the city. Fortunately, Chen Qiusu’s parents were warm and welcoming. As soon as they heard the noise, they stood up to greet them.

Yang Shao had been slightly uneasy too, given the difference between his family and Chen Qiusu’s. But surprisingly, it was Chen Qiusu’s mother who took the initiative to greet them and guided them to their seats.

The atmosphere at the table was lively, with no awkward silences. Chen Shiliang even asked about the uncle’s back injury. When Auntie mentioned the local specialties, she was thanked, and arrangements for their hospital and accommodation were taken care of. The preparations for Yang Shao and Chen Qiusu’s wedding were also discussed. By the end of the meal, the uncle and aunt had relaxed considerably.

When it was time to take them to the hospital, Yang Shao decided not to let Chen Qiusu’s parents and grandmother help any further. He wasn’t sure how to bring it up, but he exchanged a glance with Chen Qiusu.

Chen Qiusu understood immediately. “Mom, it’s fine for me and Yang Shao to take care of Uncle. Yang Tao should be finishing school soon. I promised to pick him up, so don’t be late.”

Yang Shao also chimed in, “We’ll take care of my uncle and aunt. You go ahead and pick up Yang Tao.”

Even the uncle and aunt told them not to be too polite. Picking up the child was more important. Before leaving, Chen Qiusu’s mom even remembered to ask the driver to take the local specialties brought by Auntie.

Once in the car, Auntie smiled. “I was afraid that Mrs. Chen wouldn’t like them…”

She was worried that people might just be polite with their words, but for someone like Mrs. Chen, to remember such things was already a rare kindness. After all, she had seen all kinds of good things.

The uncle sighed. “That meal must have cost quite a bit, right?”

Although it was the Chen family hosting, they didn’t have much to offer in return, and the uncle felt that spending too much might be inappropriate.

“It didn’t cost anything. The restaurant is owned by their family,” Yang Shao replied.

“Oh…” Uncle was slow to realize that even their own restaurant would require payment.

As they sat in the car, Auntie looked around. “This car must have cost quite a bit too, right?”

Anyway, even if he sold himself, he probably couldn’t afford this type of car. Yang Shao was worried that his uncle and aunt might feel pressured, so he awkwardly laughed it off.

Soon, they arrived at the hospital. This hospital looked familiar—it was the same one he came to last time with Yang Tao. As far as Yang Shao knew, this private hospital was also owned by the Chen family.

He had already experienced the service here and was used to the nurses coming out to greet them.

Aunt looked at the hospital’s unique decor and whispered, “Can we use medical insurance here? I heard it’s really hard to get an appointment with the experts in the city. Last time when your aunt Li came to the city for treatment, she had to wait for half a month just to register. It’s not like you can just stay in the hospital either—there aren’t any beds.”

When the ward door opened, the beds were plenty available.

Chen Qiusu reassured her, “Aunt, you don’t need to worry about these things. Yang Shao has already made all the arrangements. The hotel is just behind the hospital, only a five-minute walk, so it’ll be convenient for you to take care of Uncle.”

Yang Shao scratched his cheek. He hadn’t arranged for a hotel; he’d actually arranged for his uncle and aunt to stay at his house. But since Chen Qiusu said so, he didn’t want to spoil it.

“We won’t stay in a hotel.” Aunt looked at the wide corridor next to the hospital bed. The caregiver usually sleeps on the caregiver’s bed, “I’ll just stay here at the hospital. Don’t waste money on a hotel.”

Yang Shao had already guessed that Aunt wouldn’t feel comfortable in a hotel. He’d been here with Yang Tao before, and the hospital’s environment was good, so it would be convenient for the two elderly people to look after each other here.

“Just stay at the hospital then. Even if the hotel is close, it’s still a hassle to go back and forth.”

Chen Qiusu didn’t argue and gave Yang Shao and his family a chance to speak privately. “You two chat. I’ll go make the arrangements.”

As soon as Chen Qiusu left, Aunt couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Yang Shao, be honest with me, is this place really expensive? Should we change to another hospital?”

Yang Shao pressed on his Aunt’s shoulder, making her sit on the sofa, “This hospital is also owned by Chen Qiusu’s family.”

What’s the difference? At this point, Yang Shao had given up. No matter where they went, it was all part of the Chen family’s property.

Uncle hesitated for a moment. “The fact that you’re marrying Chen Qiusu really surprised your aunt and me.”

Based on what they knew of Yang Shao and his personality, his family had always thought he would marry an ordinary omega and live a peaceful life.

But now, an alpha—especially a prominent alpha—this was something they never expected. It wasn’t that they thought Yang Shao was unworthy of Chen Qiusu. Yang Shao was a good child, and in their eyes, he was the best. It was just that the gap in their circumstances was too big, and Yang Shao and Chen Qiusu seemed to come from completely different worlds. They never imagined they would end up together.

Not to mention Uncle and Aunt were surprised, even Yang Shao himself couldn’t believe his situation.

“Your child is five now, right? A boy? Are they good to the child?”

It was only through the phone that they found out Yang Shao’s child was already five. With a child already, it seemed like this marriage was a bit rushed.

“They’re good to him. Chen Qiusu is an only child, and Yang Tao is their only grandchild. How could they not be good to him?”

Right now, Yang Tao was the apple of the Chen family’s eye. Whatever he wanted, his grandparents would make sure he got it. They even took turns to pick him up from school.

Uncle asked, “What about you?”

Well, since they loved the child, they were also good to him. It was just… his relationship with Chen Qiusu was something only he knew. No matter how nice the Chen family was to him, he always felt some distance.

“They’re good to me too. When you hear Chen Qiusu talking, you think I arranged everything. Actually, he and his parents discussed everything.”

Chen Qiusu’s mother was enthusiastic, and although his father was a bit serious, there was no sign of neglect or disdain. Even the elderly woman in the family got involved, showing how much they valued Yang Shao.

Yang Shao scratched his head, “Don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine. My son is well taken care of, food is made for me, and I have a lot of free time at the Chen family’s house. You’re here to see the doctor. After the treatment, I’ll take you and Yang Tao around, and we can buy some things for cousin.”

The two elders had traveled by train and were tired, so Yang Shao suggested they rest early. After spending some time at the hospital, he left with Chen Qiusu.

In the car, Yang Shao, for once, said “Thank you” to Chen Qiusu. Chen Qiusu calmly replied, “It’s what I should do.”

Hmph, Chen Zhoudao.

“Let me take you home first.”

Yang Shao snapped back to reality, “Are you still going to the company this late?”

“I’m not going to the company.” After thinking for a moment, he realized there was no need to hide it from Yang Shao. “I’m going to the hospital.”

Weren’t they just at the hospital?

“The hospital?” How many hospitals does the Chen family own?

Chen Qiusu explained, “I’m going for a treatment to lower my pheromone concentration.”

“Oh…” No wonder Yang Shao had been feeling that Chen Qiusu’s pheromone concentration was high lately. “Where is the hospital?”

“Near Yang Tao’s school.”

So, Chen Qiusu had been undergoing treatment to lower his pheromone concentration for a long time. Otherwise, how would he know Yang Tao?

Yang Shao didn’t want to talk too much about pheromone treatment, mainly because it was awkward for him. He only knew that this treatment would be good for both of them.

When the car stopped in front of the house, it happened to meet the car carrying his grandmother. His grandmother saw Yang Shao get out of the car, but Chen Qiusu didn’t.

“Qiusu, are you going out again?”

Chen Qiusu got confused for a moment, “I’m going to pick up Yang Tao from school.”

“Daddy! Uncle Chen!” Yang Tao suddenly stuck his head out of the car window.

Grandma looked at Chen Qiusu with a strange expression, “Did you forget? You asked me and your mom to pick up Yang Tao. We already brought him home.”

Yang Shao looked at Chen Qiusu as if he were an idiot. Chen Qiusu clearly hadn’t thought of a good excuse and could only get out of the car reluctantly.