I'm back in 1990

Chapter 567: Disagreements on Children's Education

On January 18, 2001, the Lunar New Year's Eve in southern China, Chen Zhe returned to China with his wife and children.

Ding Yi's eyes lit up, and he spotted Chen Zhe and Chen Qiao pushing a luggage cart out of the airport from afar. A boy of about two years old was sitting on the cart. Ding Yi waved and shouted, "Chen Zhe! Over here!"

Hearing the sound, Chen Zhe stood on tiptoe and looked in the direction of the sound. He waved excitedly in response and quickened his pace.

Soon, the group met.

After the three men hugged each other, Huang Xiaochuan picked up the adorable little one who was sitting on the luggage cart, staring at them with big, cute eyes. He lifted him high in the air, and surprisingly, the little guy wasn't shy and even giggled.

Huang Xiaochuan's actions startled Chen Qiao, who was standing to the side. Just as she was about to step forward to stop him, Huang Xiaochuan put the baby down again and casually took out a piece of mutton fat jade safety buckle from his pocket and hung it around the baby's neck.

Chen Zhe could tell at a glance that this thing was valuable, and quickly said, "This is not acceptable, Xiao Chuan. I appreciate your kindness, but please take this back."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand dismissively: "It's just a little trinket, mainly because it has a good meaning, to bless the child with a peaceful and safe life."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhe stopped insisting.

"Then I'll accept it on behalf of my son," Thomas said, quickly thanking the uncle.

Chen Wuhen (Thomas) thanked Huang Xiaochuan in a childish voice, but in English: "Thank you, uncle."

Huang Xiaochuan paused for a moment, then asked Chen Zhe, "Your son can't speak Chinese?"

Chen Zhe glanced at Chen Qiao, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes: "My Chen Qiao said she wants Wuhen to get used to English from a young age so that he can integrate into society as soon as possible."

Huang Xiaochuan understood immediately, but since it was a family matter, he didn't want to get involved, so he smiled and changed the subject.

Ding Yi didn't mind and, just like Huang Xiaochuan, took out a thick red envelope from his pocket and stuffed it into the child's hand: "I'm not as refined as the rich. I'm a rather vulgar person. This is my gift to my nephew. I wish my nephew a lifetime of wealth."

Chen Zhe was both amused and exasperated by Ding Yi's words: "You!"

At this point, Huang Xiaochuan said, "Alright, alright, this isn't the place to talk. Get in the car, get in the car, we'll talk slowly!"

To make it easier to talk, Huang Xiaochuan specially arranged for a Coaster bus to pick up Chen Zhe's family. After they got in the bus, they headed straight for Chen Zhe's parents' house.

After the car started moving, Ding Yi said to Chen Zhe, "Old Zhang asked me to apologize to you. He has an important business negotiation to attend in Japan and really can't get away. He said he'll treat your family to dinner when he gets back."

Chen Zhe pushed his glasses up his nose: "Why are you being so polite! It makes me feel embarrassed!"

Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "You! Why are you being so formal with us?"

As they were talking, Huang Xiaochuan's phone rang. He took it out, looked at it, and immediately laughed. He waved the phone in front of the group: "Look, Squad Leader Wu is calling. He timed it perfectly."

After the call connected, Wu Duo asked, "Xiao Chuan, have you picked them up yet?"

"I got the call. The person is sitting right next to me. You can talk to him yourself!" Huang Xiaochuan then handed the phone to Chen Zhe.

As soon as Chen Zhe got his phone, he couldn't wait to call out, "Class monitor!"

Wu Duo said apologetically on the phone, "Chen Zhe, I'm really sorry. I was taken by our big leader to inspect the work at the grassroots level during this period. Otherwise, I would have definitely gone to Shanghai to have a good get-together with you guys."

Chen Zhe knew that Wu Duo was now in a situation where he had no choice in what he was doing, so he was very understanding: "It's okay, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, and it's the same if we meet again next time."

After dropping Chen Zhe and his family off at his parents' house, Huang Xiaochuan and Ding Yi greeted Chen's parents warmly. Before leaving, Huang Xiaochuan told Chen Zhe, "You two rest first. I'll send a car to pick you up at 6:30 to go to my house."

Chen Zhe didn't stand on ceremony with Huang Xiaochuan and readily agreed with a smile, "Okay!"

After Huang Xiaochuan and Ding Yi greeted Chen Qiao again, the two of them got into their car and left.

On the way, Ding Yi said to Huang Xiaochuan with a mischievous expression, "Hey Xiaochuan, did you see that? Chen Qiao was the one who insisted on going abroad, and Chen Zhe couldn't persuade her otherwise. I bet Chen Zhe isn't as carefree abroad as he described in his letters!"

Huang Xiaochuan glanced absentmindedly at the street scene outside the window and replied, "The changes are quite significant." After a slight pause, he continued, "I feel like I can't quite put my finger on it, but this time I feel that Chen Qiao is more..."

Ding Yi wholeheartedly agreed with Huang Xiaochuan: "That's right! I really didn't expect that after only a few years abroad, she'd have a child who can't speak Chinese anymore. Isn't that just raising a banana? Did you see Chen Zhe's expression just now? It seems like this isn't what he thinks."

Huang Xiaochuan advised, "It's their family matter, don't meddle. Chen Zhe is the only one who can handle his own affairs. We should help them out if we can. Let them resolve their own issues."

Ding nodded in agreement: "You're right!"

While the two were chatting, the car arrived at Huang Xiaochuan's garden villa on Sinan Road.

In the late afternoon, in Huang Xiaochuan's kitchen, the head chef sent by Tang Jianhua and his assistants were busy frying, steaming, and boiling. The aroma of the dishes filled the entire house. Tang Jianhua knew that his brother-in-law was going to entertain his friends that night, so he specially sent his prized head chef over.

Chef Lei is an expert in authentic Shanghainese and Huaiyang cuisine. His Shanghainese dishes, with their rich and flavorful sauces, are both authentic and exquisite, and the presentation is also beautiful, making them a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

A few minutes before seven o'clock, the doorbell rang, and Chen Zhe and his family of three arrived.

Because it was Huang Xiaochuan's home, the atmosphere was more casual and relaxed, and Yu Xiang and Qi Huan warmly welcomed the family of three.

Yu Xiang squatted down and teased Chen Wuhen: "Little one, are you hungry? Auntie has prepared lots of delicious food for you, including shrimp wontons!"

Chen Wuhen blinked his big eyes and finally said, "Hello, auntie."

Qi Huan exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, this little guy speaks English so fluently! Much better than our Ding Xiaojia. Come on, come on, why don't you sit down and eat with your older brothers and sisters?"

Huang Zeji, Huang Ruiying, and Ding Xiaojia, under the care of the nanny, sat at another table, curiously observing Chen Wuhen, the new child.

Qi Huan's words pleased Chen Qiao greatly, and she gently nudged Chen Wuhen: "Thoras, go py with the brothers and sisters."

At this moment, Huang Xiaochuan invited everyone to sit down: "Come, come, sit down quickly, make yourselves at home, don't be shy. Old Zhang isn't here today, and neither is the class monitor, it's just the few of us, so let's not be formal and sit down and start eating. This crab meat lion's head won't taste good if it gets cold."

When Chef Lei saw that all the guests had arrived, he instructed the waiters to start serving the dishes. Stir-fried shrimp, braised eel in hot oil, eight-treasure duck, stir-fried shrimp, and other exquisite dishes were placed one by one on the round table made of rosewood.

The wine was a vintage Wuliangye liquor treasured by Huang Xiaochuan, and he also prepared a 1990 Bordeaux Petrus red wine for the ladies.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere became lively. Ding Yi, in the style of a Shanghai comedy, recounted some interesting stories that had happened in Shanghai in recent years, making everyone laugh so hard they were doubled over.

Chen Zhe put down his chopsticks and asked Zhang Gaolei, "What did Lao Zhang go to Japan for?"

Ding Yi was busy putting a chopstick of eel into his mouth when Chen Zhe asked about Zhang Gaolei's situation. He didn't even bother to eat anymore and said, "Old Zhang is so busy these days. Look, it's almost the New Year and he's still running around. This time he went to Japan to discuss the supply of photoresist and high-purity chemicals."

Chen Zhe pushed up his glasses: "I know that wafer fabs are very complex things, and the investment is not small."

Ding Yi said proudly, "It's no exaggeration to say that it's an astronomical figure. Old Zhang didn't have enough money, so he got me and Xiao Chuan to invest some as well."

After saying that, he stuffed a piece of eel into his mouth, chewed and swallowed it, then pointed at Huang Xiaochuan with his chopsticks: "Look! This big spender from our 222 paid the bulk of the bill, I'm just here to have some soup."

Huang Xiaochuan smiled but remained noncommittal.

Seeing that Huang Xiaochuan remained silent, Ding continued, "These past two years, Lao Zhang has been traveling around every day, not only recruiting talent with hefty sums but also establishing joint laboratories with several top universities in China to train future generations of talent. He's faced many difficulties, including technological barriers, equipment embargoes, and talent shortages, but Lao Zhang has overcome them one by one. It's truly remarkable!"

After discussing that topic, the conversation turned to their respective children. Yu Xiang, Qi Huan, and Chen Qiao chatted about parenting experiences, especially Yu Xiang, who seemed to have a lot on her mind when she talked about her precious daughter.

As they chatted, Chen Qiao brought up the topic of the educational environment abroad and the importance of children receiving a pure English environment from a young age.

When Chen Zhe heard Chen Qiao talking so boastfully, the smile on his face immediately faded.

Huang Xiaochuan and Ding Yi both noticed this. Huang Xiaochuan smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "I think each has its own advantages. Our children growing up in China will have a greater advantage in terms of interpersonal skills and cultural background in the future."

Just then, a plate of braised fish slices was served. Huang Xiaochuan pointed at the fish slices with his chopsticks and said, "Hurry up and try these fish slices. This dish will become fishy when it gets cold."

Yu Xiang scooped a spoonful into Chen Qiao's bowl and said, "Chen Qiao, try this. The fish slices are light and refreshing."

Chen Qiao quickly thanked her, "Sister Xiang, thank you! I can do it myself!"

The family dinner continued in a subtle yet harmonious atmosphere, especially among Huang Xiaochuan, Ding Yi, and Chen Zhe, who toasted each other and chatted about interesting things from their school days.

After seeing the guests off that evening, Yu Xiang and Huang Xiaochuan talked about Chen Wuhen.

"If this continues, won't Chen Wuhen become a banana (a person who is Westernized but not natively attractive)? I saw it just now, the little guy speaks fluent English, and our son and daughter can't understand a word of it, they were completely bewildered."

Huang Xiaochuan said nonchalantly, "Every family has its own educational philosophy. They live abroad, so it's understandable that they do this."

Yu Xiang seemed a little envious. She suggested to Huang Xiaochuan, "How about we find an English tutor to teach Xiaodong and Xiaoduo English?"

Huang Xiaochuan objected without even considering it: "Absolutely not. I think people should do things according to their age. Our son and daughter are already in this environment in China, so there's no need for them to learn English now. Right now, they just need to eat well, play well, and sleep well. It's not time to worry about their studies yet."

Yu Xiang didn't like hearing this. She raised her eyebrows and said, "You have to start teaching them from a young age. Once they get too wild, they won't be able to settle down. I think I'll have to ask someone to find them a tutor after the New Year. I can't count on you. I'm too busy with work. If I don't find a tutor for them, they'll fail you when they start first grade. Then we'll see what you do."

Huang Xiaochuan had no control over Yu Xiang's thoughts; he could only compromise. He couldn't reason with a mother who wanted her son to succeed—that was an ironclad rule!

Meanwhile, at Chen Zhe's house, Chen Wuhen was already asleep, placed on a small bed.

While Chen Qiao was taking a shower, Chen's mother came to Chen Zhe with a troubled expression: "Chen Zhe! Your father and I can't understand a word Wuhen is saying. Didn't you teach him to speak Chinese?"

Chen Zhe looked bitter, his dissatisfaction amplified by the alcohol.

He suppressed his temper and said to Chen Ma, "Mom! Everyone around Wuhen speaks English, so he naturally learned English. He's still young and has strong language skills. Just you wait and see, after he comes back and stays for a while, he'll be able to speak it."

Chen's mother thought Chen Zhe's words made sense, so she left Chen Zhe's room so as not to disturb his rest.

Chen Qiao was in a good mood after taking a shower. She dried her hair with a towel while humming a Western nursery rhyme in English.

After Chen Qiao came to Chen Zhe's side, she said, "Huang Xiaochuan and Ding Yi were really hospitable today. I must say, the dishes were really good. It's been a long time since I've had such authentic Shanghai and Huaiyang cuisine."

Chen Zhe pushed up his glasses: "Well, we've known each other since college and have always gotten along well. Besides, it's been a long time since we last met, so Xiao Chuan and Ding Yi will definitely give us a warm welcome."

Chen Zhe then discussed it with Chen Qiao, saying, "Chen Qiao, I still want Wuhen to learn Chinese. Can you reconsider?"

Chen Qiao was displeased upon hearing this: "What are you considering? Didn't we already agree that I would take care of everything at home and the children's education, and you just need to focus on your studies? Language is very important when we're abroad, and look how well Thomas behaved today! Huanjie even praised him! We agreed that we would talk about learning Chinese after Thomas turns twelve."

Chen Zhe felt a sense of powerlessness. He said, "Chen Qiao, we need to start teaching him language as early as possible. Once he's twelve, his thinking will be fixed, and learning Chinese then will be as difficult as we were learning English. Imagine, years from now, our son will stand on the Bund looking at its collection of international buildings, and all he'll say is 'buildg,' unable to grasp the weight of 'a century of vicissitudes.'"

Chen Qiao did not respond to Chen Zhe's suggestion, and the room fell silent. Chen Qiao used this method to resist the interference from Chen Zhe.

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