“Grandpa, you’re wise yet unassuming, brilliant and mighty—nothing escapes your notice.”
Gu Bin, having always been playful with his grandpa since childhood, clasped his hands in a gesture of exaggerated admiration.
“Hahaha!”
Grandpa laughed heartily, his voice robust and full of vigor.
“Grandpa,” Gu Bin seized the moment of his grandfather’s cheerfulness to voice his concern, “Actually, I think Secretary Li is a bit flashy and not really suited to be your secretary.”
Grandpa’s expression shifted slightly. “Why do you think that?”
“Well, it’s like this…” Gu Bin didn’t hold back. He recounted exactly what had happened that afternoon when he was looking for his bicycle outside Lin Xiyu’s house, including every word Secretary Li had said to him after getting out of the car.
“He shouldn’t have said that.” Grandpa’s smile faded, his eyes showing displeasure. “I’ll have a word with him next time he comes.”
“Grandpa, Uncle has already bought a villa in Guangzhou and has long been urging you and Grandma to move there…” Gu Bin’s eyes sparkled mischievously as he coaxed, “I actually think the climate in the south is better—warmer winters that would be good for your old leg condition. Why not agree and go enjoy some peace in Guangzhou, instead of letting people with ulterior motives keep bothering you here.”
“You think I don’t want to relax?” Grandpa glared, displeased. “Who do you think I’m staying here for? It’s for you!”
“Yes, yes, I know. It’s all about that bet and rivalry with Grandpa, isn’t it?” Gu Bin brushed it off lightly, teasing with a laugh. “You want me and my brother to take different paths—one in the military, one in politics—and see which of us does better to determine which of you wins…”
Gu Bin’s grandpa had joined the army in his youth. He was bold, straightforward, and sincere, with only one flaw: he favored sons over daughters.
He and his wife had a son and a daughter. Their eldest son and daughter-in-law had three granddaughters in a row and, complying with the family planning policy, underwent sterilization.
With no hope of a grandson, the old man was deeply frustrated for a long time. He sighed constantly at home, found fault with everything, and became stubborn and irritable, nearly driving his wife to divorce him.
This situation lasted until his youngest grandson was born.
Gu Bin’s mother had two sons. When the eldest was four, the younger one arrived.
Seeing the lively, clever newborn, the old man had a sudden inspiration.
He and Gu Bin’s paternal grandfather were old comrades-in-arms. Before the founding of the nation, they had fought side by side in the Battle of Jinan, carrying artillery shells together and trusting each other with their lives.
Gu Bin’s paternal grandfather had remained in the military, while his maternal grandfather had transitioned into politics and done quite well.
The two old men were close, their families well-matched, and their children had married.
The birth of the youngest grandson should have been a joyous occasion for all, but an unexpected conflict arose.
Gu Bin’s maternal grandfather shamelessly insisted that the younger grandson take his surname, Gu.
At first, the paternal grandfather refused. The two nearly came to blows over it. Eventually, Gu Bin’s father, unable to bear his wife’s distress, compromised. He agreed to let the younger son take his mother’s surname and have his household registration transferred to the maternal grandfather’s family.
Thus, the two brothers had different surnames: one, Fu Zheng, followed their father, and the other, Gu Bin, followed their mother.
“Xiao Zheng is already a fighter pilot. You need to strive hard too—study well in university and don’t fall behind him.”
Grandpa was indeed still concerned about the bet. Hearing the teasing, not only was he not angry, but he earnestly reminded him.
“Understood.”
Gu Bin smiled knowingly, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.