"When has anything your mom said not counted?" Xu Nianhua glanced at him and said, "In a few days, Hongen will be back. In the blink of an eye, Hongen is already old enough to get married."
"In a few more years, we could be marrying off our daughter." Pei Yicheng’s gaze settled on the children, even the youngest, Tangtang, was already seven.
"Dad, Mom, don’t hold your breath. I’m not getting married before thirty." Xu Ting imdiately responded, she had no plans to marry that early.
Xu Nianhua and Pei Yicheng exchanged a look and said nothing. When fate arrives, would they fear she won’t marry?
After the family finished their hotpot, they bumped into Cheng Hao.
"Haozi, what are you doing here?" Pei Yicheng raised an eyebrow. Over the years, their business had grown, and Cheng Hao had beco more mature. Even dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, he exuded the aura of success.
Xu Nianhua took the children ho first.
"Mom, Uncle Cheng Hao isn’t arguing with Aunt again, is he?" Xu Ting asked as soon as they returned ho.
Five years ago, Cheng Hao married Jia Lin. Her na sounded gentle, but her personality was anything but a match for it, extrely strong-willed. All these years, Xu Ting had felt a bit sympathetic toward Uncle Cheng Hao.
"Kids, don’t ddle in grown-up affairs." Xu Nianhua tapped her forehead and said, "Xiaoting, you’re fourteen now. There are so things I want to be clear about with you."
Xu Ting composed herself, showing an earnest willingness to listen.
"You’re fourteen now. Whatever you do, you’re responsible for yourself. A girl must be self-respecting and self-loving, knowing how to protect herself." Xu Nianhua looked at her poised and clever daughter. After this entrance exam, she would undoubtedly shine even brighter, worried about the potential romantic distractions in college.
"Mom, don’t worry. I’ll focus on my studies and take care of myself," Xu Ting said, wrapping her arms around Xu Nianhua. She was just a bit shorter than her mother and said, "In the future, I’ll find soone like Dad who treats Mom well for life."
"Hmm, well, you better look carefully, it can’t be just talk."
Before Xu Nianhua’s voice faded, Xu Ting had already chid in, "You have to watch their actions."
These were words that Xu Nianhua had told them long ago. Xu Ting looked up and said, "Mom, stop worrying about us. My classmates love your published books, and they say your training classes are really helpful, everyone’s grades improve after attending."
"Mom, I’m really happy to be your daughter," Xu Ting said, hugging Xu Nianhua, reluctant to let go. She was about to head off to college in the Capital City, knowing there would be less ti spent with her mom.
"Mom is also happy to be your mother," Xu Nianhua said, smoothing her hair, looking at her playful face. She couldn’t help but rember the first ti she t Xu Ting when she was just a little girl, now nearly ready for college.
Xu Nianhua was a bit worried about the family; her grandfather was very old now, his hearing was failing, his steps slowed. When they returned ho for the New Year this year, her grandfather’s mory seed a bit muddled.
"Mom, I want a hug too," Tangtang’s soft voice rang out. She opened her arms and squeezed in between them, saying, "Mom only likes sister and doesn’t like Tangtang."
"You little rascal, you’re both mom’s daughters, when has mom ever been unfair?" Xu Nianhua raised her brow. Ji Ying said Tangtang was like her spitting image, spoiled rotten since childhood. Sotis Xu Nianhua felt a bit jealous, for Pei Yicheng was the quintessential girl-dad, capable of plucking stars from the sky if his daughters asked.
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