Wealthy Beauty in the 60s

Chapter 713 - 715: Young Couples, Old Companions

Chapter 713: Chapter 715: Young Couples, Old Companions Watching Xiao Shan Yue’s retreating figure, Amy felt a stifling frustration. She had been taken with Gao Peize from the first moment she saw him.

But Gao Peize was not easy to approach, and many times, Amy wanted to go on missions with Shitou, but she never had the chance.

Because Xi Shanyue was always around Gao Peize. This time, the higher-ups required a female undercover agent for a mission they didn’t disclose, and even someone at her level wasn’t privy to the details, which certainly meant it was a very important task.

Amy then thought of persuading Xi Shanyue to go, although Xi Shanyue was a technical officer, Amy also knew that Xi Shanyue harbored a desire to perform and prove herself in front of Gao Peize.

Unfortunately, though she thought she had convinced Xi Shanyue, to her surprise, Xi Shanyue was unmoved.

Moreover, Xi Shanyue even had the keys to Gao Peize’s studio, which fueled Amy’s jealousy.

She was determined to show Gao Peize how good she was. Amy felt she was no less capable than Xi Shanyue, and she even possessed a family background that Xi Shanyue couldn’t compare with.

Thinking this, Amy volunteered to be the undercover agent when she returned.

Amy didn’t show up again, and Xiao Shan Yue didn’t think much of it. It was a relief to her to not have Amy around.

Previously, Xiao Shan Yue hadn’t fully grasped Amy’s intentions, but now it was clear. For someone like Amy, Xiao Shan Yue always maintained that it was best to be friends, never enemies.

Now that remained true, but she didn’t dare to become too close to Amy.

Shitou returned from leading training exercises only to receive another assignment from headquarters. Amy, as the female undercover agent, had lost contact, and headquarters ordered Shitou to find her.

Without revealing the nature of his mission, Shitou left, so Xiao Shan Yue had no idea where he went, and it had been a long time since Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing had seen Shitou.

Feiyi’s son Gao Zhiyin, known as Duoduo, was already six years old and had started school that year. Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao were somewhat idle at home, no longer traveling. Occasionally, they strolled in the nearby park or simply stayed in.

Xia Xiao was still committed to geological research, investigating energy stones and various types of stones, with Gao Jiaxing by her side.

Their son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren all had their own affairs to attend to, so Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao, keeping each other company, didn’t feel lonely.

Gao Jiaxing’s second sister had passed away, and Feiteng had sent Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao to attend the funeral.

Gao Jiazhi also made it there. Gao Chunfang, Gao Jiaxing’s eldest sister, clutched his hand and wept inconsolably, for she was the closest to her younger sister and had not expected her to depart first.

Xia Xiao also sighed deeply. As their generation aged, it was disheartening to watch one after another pass away.

Xiao Mei was also present, crying so hard that she became a picture of grief. Her aunts had always been kind to her, from childhood to adulthood, and the loss of her second aunt pained her deeply, even making her feel somewhat guilty for neglecting her aunts over the years.

Despite being far away, she had neglected to visit during holidays, though she did send gifts and called to check in on them. But such acts could not compare to being present.

Of Gao Jiaxing’s three sisters, Gao Yongfang had taken her own life years earlier and was seldom mentioned over the years. It was only because of Xiao Mei that the family occasionally remembered Gao Yongfang.

But Gao Lifang and Chunfang, unlike the ill-fated Gao Yongfang, were very clearheaded. Though their family circumstances couldn’t match those of Gao Jiaxing and Gao Jiazhi, they still lived quite comfortably.

Every family has its own difficulties, but Gao Chunfang and Gao Lifang did not let their descendants trouble Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao too much, after all, being relatives involves give and take. If one only seeks help without restraint, it could spoil things.

Gao Jiaxing had a good relationship with his two sisters, but the affection between the younger generations also needed to be fostered by them. If the younger ones did not know how to behave appropriately, that affection would eventually wear thin.

Once the older generation passed away, the frequency of interaction with distant relatives would naturally decrease.

Gao Chunfang’s and Gao Lifang’s families were not always harmonious either. There were many issues among the in-laws, and like all families, they also had their own difficult accounts to settle.

As parents, with several children, one always hopes that the more well-off children would unselfishly help those less fortunate.

As the living conditions of Gao Chunfang’s and Gao Lifang’s families improved, their maternal family also became more assertive, which inevitably led to jealousy and conflicts with their in-laws over time.

Especially in Gao Chunfang’s case, where her marriage almost ended in divorce. Her brother-in-law was a simple and honest man who was also kind-hearted. He felt that since his family was doing well, he should help his siblings unconditionally, but this only encouraged relatives to take advantage of him without knowing any limits.

Even Gao Chunfang, with her usually good temper, couldn’t bear it anymore and often argued with her husband over relatives’ issues, causing their relationship with his family to reach breaking point.

From Gao Yongfang’s situation, both Gao Chunfang and Gao Lifang realized that they could not be too compliant with their in-laws, otherwise the in-laws would only become more demanding and overbearing.

Gao Chunfang didn’t mind helping her in-laws before, but she detested their greediness. Even if she had ten thousand dollars, it was her own hard-earned money.

Her in-laws, however, acted as if she should give them half of it, or even distribute the entire ten thousand dollars, which naturally Gao Chunfang refused to do.

Her in-laws resented Gao Chunfang for being assertive, openly and secretly calling her stingy and cold-hearted. Eventually, both sides reached a point of no return.

Caught in the middle, her brother-in-law found it hard to take sides. When Gao Chunfang mentioned leaving, he was no longer willing to play the role of the generous patriarch.

Compared to him, Gao Lifang’s husband was shrewder, but being successful in business and facing many temptations, he sometimes strayed.

However, Gao Lifang was not one to be taken lightly. She took control of the family finances, leaving her husband with no room for any other ideas.

In the end, Gao Lifang stopped caring about him, making it clear that he could find someone else as long as he signed the divorce papers first, an agreement he didn’t accept.

Through the many years of marriage, there were naturally deep feelings, and both Gao Chunfang and Gao Lifang were strong-willed. Bolstered by support from their maternal family, they had the confidence to stand firm.

In reality, it was also a matter of personality; otherwise, if one were too submissive, no amount of support from one’s own family could help if one couldn’t stand up for oneself.

Now, with Gao Lifang’s passing, her husband was heartbroken. Xia Xiao saw that he seemed to have lost the spark of life, appearing listless and dejected.

Xia Xiao sighed inwardly; Gao Lifang had been dominant all her life, and after the Gao family’s rise to prominence, she kept a tight rein on her husband.

Xia Xiao had thought her brother-in-law did not like Gao Lifang, perhaps even despised her control. Yet, he was unexpectedly the one most devastated by her death.

"The couple that were together in their youth become companions in their old age. With age, he naturally understands what is most precious," said Gao Jiaxing.

Xia Xiao deeply agreed with this sentiment.