Before dawn.
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Over the past six months, Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe have struggled to get familiar with City A after their daughter moved far from ho, only to relocate again to the Capital City. They wanted to go out and get acquainted, maybe find so handiwork, but felt embarrassed to trouble Wang Zhongliang and Qin Yingfen.
Although Wang Zhongliang and Qin Yingfen were arranged by Zhou Mikang to take care of their family, Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan, who have always struggled at the bottom, didn’t feel entitled to impose on them.
Elder Wan was familiar with the Capital City, but age was catching up with him. On top of that, worrying about his daughter’s affairs had taken a toll on him, so naturally, the couple didn’t want to inconvenience the elderly gentleman.
With a day at leisure, Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe were itching for sothing to do. When they saw Chuxia and a large group of people returning ho, their happiness was palpable.
To learn that Elder Yuan had also co to teach at the dical University made the couple even happier. Even though they knew Elder Yuan couldn’t watch over their daughter all the ti, having an acquaintance around was better than not, right?
Old Master Wan and Elder Yuan knew each other, but they hadn’t been in much contact. Their personalities were sowhat similar, and after a short chat, they seed like old friends.
The kitchen didn’t need Chuxia and the others’ help, so everyone sat in the living room chatting. Hesitating a bit, Chuxia looked at the visibly preoccupied Lin ngran, "Do you want to face your sister now or ignore her for the ti being?"
"I don’t know either..." Lin ngran sighed, "I really want to know her intentions, but I’m too lazy to deal with her. Do you have any good suggestions?"
"I wouldn’t say it’s a good suggestion, but if you don’t want to deal with her, just stay at my house for now. Don’t give her a chance to approach you, so you won’t get annoyed."
After thinking it over, Lin ngran nodded in agreent, "Alright, just as well, I can ponder over it. If she can’t wait, she might reveal her true intentions. Whether I’m right or wrong, I can’t be bothered with her now.
It’s just..." She looked at Chuxia a bit embarrassed, "If I stay at your house, will your husband’s family be unhappy if they find out?"
"What do you think?" Chuxia asked in return.
"I..." Lin ngran looked at Yang Xiaoli and Wu Jingbo in a bit of a dilemma, "What do you guys think?"
"Are you hinting that you want the few of us to stay over with you?" Yang Xiaoli blinked and looked at Chuxia, "Youngest, do you agree?"
"Of course, I agree..." Chuxia looked at her frankly, "It’s perfect to have soone accompany to class and back every day. But you won’t live for free; you have to pay for living expenses and help with chores."
"I’m not that thick-skinned..." Yang Xiaoli laughed and shook her head, "Besides, even if we were thick-skinned and moved in, eating good food and living comfortably, what about when you go on maternity leave? It’s easy to go from frugal to luxurious, but going back from luxury is hard."
"Cut it out..." Chuxia rolled her eyes at her, "You’re just worried that moving in will affect your dates with Big Brother i. Do you really think I’m stupid enough to believe you?"
"Alright, I won’t worry about it anymore. I believe that a family that raised soone like Division Commander Zhou wouldn’t be petty. So, I’ll stay here for now..." Lin ngran said while raising her eyebrows at Chuxia, "Even if you regret it now, it’s too late. I’m going to stay at your house, hmph!"
"Whatever..." Chuxia shrugged, "I couldn’t be happier to have soone staying here with , so why would I regret it..." She paused, teasing, "As long as you’re not worried about your Young Master Zuo getting snatched away."
Slightly startled, Lin ngran annoyingly tugged at her hair, "How could I forget about this? No way..." She looked at Yang Xiaoli and the others, "You guys have to keep an eye on him for . If a girl approaches him, inform imdiately. We can’t lose before we even make a move; I’d regret it to death."
"It’s amazing you even thought of that..." Yang Xiaoli looked at her speechlessly, "If we have to watch him every day after class, he’d really think we’re so sort of fangirls."
"Alright then, staying here won’t stop from pursuing him..." Lin ngran waved her hand after thinking for a mont, "Don’t worry about it. I’ll find ways to make my own opportunities. We have classes together every day. If I can’t handle such a small matter, then I’m really a coward."
At dinner, Elder Yuan and Old Master Wan had a little to drink and got a bit tipsy, so they spent the night at the Lin Family’s house.
The school gates closed at ten, so at nine-thirty, Yang Xiaoli, Wu Jingbo, and Li Xinli jogged back to the campus.
Leaving, Li Xinli pulled Chuxia aside to whisper sothing, and Lin ngran curiously approached Chuxia asking, "What did Li Xinli whisper to you?"
"Aren’t you a bit too nosy?" Chuxia rolled her eyes at her, "She told that since you’re here with , she won’t co over to pick up in the morning."
"Oh, that’s what it was..." Lin ngran laughed awkwardly, "I thought I stole her special role, and she was upset."
"You’ve really underestimated them," Chuxia pointed to the small basket at the bathroom door, "Aunt Qin prepared the toiletries for you. You go ahead and wash up first."
Lin ngran glanced at the phone on the bedside table, "Are you planning to call Division Commander?"
"Why, do you have sothing you want to pass on to him?"
"No, no..." Lin ngran waved her hands repeatedly, "I an, if you’re going to make a call, I’ll soak in the tub a bit longer to avoid making you uncomfortable when I co out."
Chuxia gave her a casual glance, "You’re overthinking it. I’m not uncomfortable at all. Just do what you need to do. Don’t act all timid like a maid I bought."
"Yes, ma’am!" Lin ngran saluted her playfully and carried the little basket into the bathroom. As the sound of rushing water echoed, Chuxia went out to find Zhao Yulan. She hadn’t been able to chat with her mom much all evening, and she couldn’t let her mom feel like having friends and classmates made her distant from her parents.
As expected, both Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe looked delighted to see their daughter coming over.
"Mom, Dad, are you getting used to it?" Chuxia asked, sitting down.
Zhao Yulan quickly nodded, "Pretty adaptable. Uncle Wang and Aunt Qin have nice personalities, but it’s been boring. In a couple of days, we’d like to go nearby to find so craftwork to bring back."
"You two just can’t sit still..." Chuxia said with a helpless expression, "You’ve just arrived, why the rush? Tomorrow, let Uncle Wang and Aunt Qin take you out for a walk. Actually, I’d really like to go out with you guys, but today’s only Monday. I have to wait five more days; otherwise, you’ll be so bored, alas!"
Zhao Yulan’s face turned serious imdiately, "Chuxia, right now you can’t wander around irresponsibly. Let’s talk about it once things settle down next month. Don’t engage in too many activities at school either; you’re expecting twins. This can’t be taken lightly."
"Mom, I know," Chuxia turned to Lin Baohe for backup, "Dad, look at my mom; she doesn’t trust at all, as if I’m still a little kid who doesn’t understand things. You don’t see that way too, do you?"
"Of course not..." Lin Baohe said, affectionately patting his daughter’s head and then changing the tone, "But you don’t have the knowledge about these things. It’s better to follow your mom’s advice."
Chuxia: "..."
"Alright, alright," Zhao Yulan grasped her daughter’s hand, laughing as she comforted her, "I know that you’re mature, but I can’t help reminding you constantly... You know, both your dad and I really trust you. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have let you go to school by yourself, right?"
Lin Baohe quickly chid in, "Exactly, you have no idea how worried your mom and I are with you at school. We’re afraid so rash student might bump into you, alas!"
Chuxia felt exasperated, "Mom, Dad, this is not elentary school nor junior high. The students here—the youngest are about my age, usually in their twenties, so even in their thirties or forties. How could they be so reckless?
Plus, anyone who’s gotten into this school generally loves learning. Kids who love learning tend to be more proper, and prefer less action, right?"
After pondering it over, they realized their daughter was right. The couple’s anxiety finally eased, yet they didn’t forget to give her a few more reminders.
It seed that until she gave birth, these reminders wouldn’t be sparse. Although she complained that her parents never stopped worrying about her, Chuxia felt very comforted inside. If they didn’t truly care about her, who would nag like this?
Returning to her room, Lin ngran was already in her bathrobe, blow-drying her hair. When she saw Chuxia returning, she teased, "You say I don’t worry when you listen, but run out to make a call."
"I went to talk to my parents," Chuxia shot her a glance and turned to enter the bathroom. Once she ca out, Lin ngran quickly grabbed a dry towel, "Let help you dry your hair."
"Why are you being so accommodating..." Chuxia looked at her defensively, "Just say whatever you want straight out. No need to scare like this."
"Don’t think I’m so self-interested, I’m just apologizing for my misunderstanding. Besides, you’re pregnant; isn’t it right for to take care of you?" Lin ngran said while carefully drying Chuxia’s hair. "Also, I want to show you my genuine gratitude. Although I’m close with Yang Xiaoli and Wu Jingbo, you were the first to witness my transformation. Our bond is special, I should express it with action."
Chuxia just smirked, shaking her head without saying anything.
Sure enough, shortly after, Lin ngran couldn’t hold it back anymore, and awkwardly voiced her request: "Chuxia, after school tomorrow, can we co ho a little later?"
Chuxia’s lips curled up: "Accompany you to find Zuo Jiang?"
"Hehe..." Lin ngran smiled awkwardly, clearly, Chuxia had guessed her intention.
Seeing her earnestness, Chuxia was genuinely uncertain. She turned her head to scrutinize her, "You don’t seem like the type who only cares about looks. Are you sure you’re not trying to avoid Zuo Qian by being with Zuo Jiang? Also, they both have the last na Zuo—are they relatives?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welco to vote for it at Qidian (qidian) with recomndation or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.)
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