It seed that once he started talking, it wasn’t so difficult to continue. So, for the entire trip, Xie Changyi was stuck listening to Yue Yihan’s incessant chatter.
His monologue began with admonitions, then shifted to idle chatter, and finally devolved into a long-winded speech about how much he missed Changning...
Xie Changyi: "..." ’All I feel is regret!’
’If I’d known he was such a chatterbox, I would have gone to sleep the mont I got in the car. What was I thinking, trying to chat and catch up with him?’
Upon arriving in Anong County, Xie Changyi went straight into Xie Changning’s house and told Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao, "I’m feeling a bit carsick. I’m going to take a nap."
Xie Changning had spoken with Xie Changyi that morning, and Yue Yihan had promptly gone to bring her back.
That’s why the two of them arrived in Anong County by noon.
Xie Changyi didn’t even eat lunch before going to catch up on her sleep.
As for Yue Yihan, he imdiately started helping look after the kids, doing housework, and running errands like grocery shopping.
When Xie Changning got ho from work, she could tell the house was full. She led Teacher Qin through the door. "This is where I live now..."
On the way over, Teacher Qin had asked Xie Changning about her experiences over the past year or so.
When she heard that Xie Changning had been recomnded for a factory job right after arriving in Chuncheng, Teacher Qin clicked her tongue in amazent. "I never would’ve thought a little thing like you would have such good luck."
The two of them pushed the door open and stepped inside to see Xie Changyi and Yue Yihan helping out with the cooking.
Hearing the door open, Yue Yihan and Xie Changyi turned around.
Xie Changning introduced everyone to her forr teacher. "Teacher, these are my parents-in-law. This is my older sister, Xie Changyi, who is the director of the Foreign Trade Bureau. This is my partner, Yue Yihan. And this is Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhao."
"And this," she said to the others, "is my esteed teacher."
The mont they heard this was Xie Changning’s esteed teacher, the Han’s parents quickly stood up, went over to Teacher Qin, and took her hands, thanking her for taking care of Xie Changning at school.
Teacher Qin winked humorously. "You know how it is. Teachers always have a soft spot for good students."
Even though she was speaking the truth, no one thought that Teacher Qin didn’t deserve credit just because Xie Changning was an excellent student.
The Han’s parents led Teacher Qin to the seat of honor before taking their own seats.
Xie Changyi and Yue Yihan sat on the other side of Xie Changning, who was seated next to Teacher Qin. Then, Xie Changyi leaned over and asked Xie Changning in a low voice, "Why didn’t you bring your teacher’s daughter?"
It wasn’t for lack of trying.
It’s just that—
When Xie Changning went to see her, the young woman was in the final stages of an experint and refused without a second thought. "I know my mom is here, but this is a critical juncture for my experint. I can’t leave."
Since Xie Changning couldn’t bring Sheng Jiaojiao, she could only explain the reason to Teacher Qin.
But Teacher Qin wasn’t angry. "We already spoke on the phone before I ca. She told about her recent experints. She said she’ll co see when she has ti."
As she said this, Teacher Qin’s face was filled with gratification.
’That’s how my daughter should be.’
’Since she’s in the lab, the experint must co first!’
Therefore, when Xie Changyi asked, Xie Changning gave her the explanation.
Teacher Qin herself chid in from the side, "Researchers are all like that. Even if the two of us lived together, you could count on one hand the number of tis we’d see each other all year."
Most of the ti, they slept in the lab.
They rarely went ho.
Because the experints needed soone there, they had to stay and watch over them.
Everyone greatly enjoyed the al. During dinner, Teacher Qin even told everyone so amusing stories about Xie Changning from her university days.
She said,
"Back in university, Changning was an incredibly popular student. Quite a few of the male students pursued her, but back then, she only had eyes for her studies."
When Yue Yihan heard that many students had pursued Xie Changning, his thin lips pressed into a tight line.
A flicker of anxiety crossed his eyes.
He had always known that Xie Changning was exceptional, but hearing that so many people had actually pursued her still made his heart clench.
As Teacher Qin was speaking, she noticed Yue Yihan pressing his lips together.
She couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle. "No need to be nervous, son-in-law. Changning only had eyes for her studies back then. She never dated anyone at school."
"What is it the young people say these days?"
Teacher Qin couldn’t recall the phrase, so she didn’t pursue it, instead just teasing Yue Yihan for being jealous over sothing from so long ago.
Yue Yihan shook his head. "I’m not jealous. I just feel that Changning had so many excellent options..." ’...and I’m the one who held her back.’
"Regardless, the fact that you two are married proves it was fate. You shouldn’t always be so insecure."
Teacher Qin could see that Yue Yihan truly loved Xie Changning.
In this relationship, Xie Changning had always been the one with the upper hand.
Actually, that was a good thing. At least Changning wouldn’t be wronged, and Teacher Qin could feel at ease entrusting her to Yue Yihan.
Part of the reason Teacher Qin ca today was to see what Xie Changning’s "in-laws" were like.
Now, seeing that their attitude toward Xie Changning was excellent, and hearing them talk about buying the courtyard house next door—saying they quite liked it and, having lived with their children before, understood that familiarity breeds contempt—she was relieved.
If you don’t live together, you avoid a lot of conflicts.
They also expressed their gratitude that Xie Changning was willing to accept them...
In short, they said a lot, but most of it was gratitude for Xie Changning marrying into their family.
Seeing that the in-laws were all good people, Teacher Qin’s worries were finally put to rest. After seeing the two children, she couldn’t help but say to Xie Changning, "These two little ones of yours are sothing else!"
Xie Changning looked at her daughter and son and smiled faintly.
"I don’t know what their talents are, but I just hope they grow up safe and happy." She had no intention of being a tiger mom.
She wouldn’t force her children to follow in her footsteps just because she had been a top student.
They have their own paths to walk.
They should do whatever they love, without overthinking it.
Teacher Qin hadn’t expected Xie Changning to be so open-minded. She sighed with emotion. "I really didn’t expect you to be so enlightened."
She had thought Xie Changning would be like her, wanting her children to have a grand and promising future.
When Xie Changyi ca over, she heard the two of them discussing how to raise children. Since she didn’t have any kids, she just sat to the side and listened quietly.
"I’m too busy; I don’t have ti to take care of them. It’s more important that they have a happy childhood."
Deep down, Xie Changning mostly just hoped her two children wouldn’t resent her.
As for the future—
That was sothing for the children of the future to decide.
As long as they caught the right wave, even starting a business would be fine.
Teacher Qin laughed heartily and nodded. "You’re absolutely right!"
As evening fell, Xie Changyi stayed with Xie Changning in her room, while Yue Yihan stayed in the small house out back.
「The next day」
When they woke up in the morning, Yue Yihan had already returned from his morning exercises and was busy helping out in the kitchen.
Yue Yihan wasn’t the type to inspire confidence at first glance, but he proved with his actions that he was a man you could build a life with.
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