Han Yi now canāt wait to retire and go to the Capital City to accompany his daughter.
Lin Wan rolls her eyes at him, scaring Little Star to quickly say no.
The daughter says sheās grown up and can take care of herself, wanting to experience a few years outside without parents. To experience a different life.
Look, the daughter is grown now, she doesnāt want to talk to them about some things, longing for freedom.
If Han Yi really followed, heād definitely annoy his daughter.
After busying herself with work until late autumn, Lin Wan settled down to organize some key exam questions for her daughter.
She spent the whole winter tutoring her daughter.
By the next year, things got even more tense; Little Star only rested one day on Sundays.
Now Lin Wan, besides checking the factory store when the kids are at school, goes home before the kids finish school every afternoon to prepare nutritious meals, trying to let them eat well.
Sheās like Gu Lin, her cousin, from two years ago. Just waiting for the kids to finish their exams.
On the night before Little Starās exam, Lin Wan got sick from exhaustion but didnāt utter a word, getting up early to prepare breakfast for her daughter, then both parents sent her off to the exam.
As Little Star entered the exam hall, Han Yi quickly took Lin Wan to a nearby clinic to get an IV drip. The drip finished quickly before Little Star came out, so she wouldnāt notice.
When the kids finished the exam, Lin Wanās sickness got better, spending two days sleeping at home without getting out of bed.
Only then did Little Star know her mom was sick. With her vacation starting, she didnāt let Mom worry anymore, taking on the household tasks herself, helping tutor Dingding.
At night, Lin Wan lay in bed holding Han Yi, reflecting, "The kids are grown up, and Iām getting old. Look at me; Iām so tired just taking care of the kids that I got sick. Ah, time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Iāve lived half a lifetime."
Han Yi chuckled beside her, teasingly saying, "What nonsense, youāre nowhere near old. Look, your skin is still so smooth, how youāre still so young-looking, and getting more charming. Look at me, am I still the same as when we first met?"
Lin Wan glanced at Han Yiās eyes with a smile, hardly changed since they first met, only more stable and mature now from the inside out. His mesmerizing eyes made Lin Wan unable to resist giving him a quick peck on the lips.
Han Yi chuckled, "Couldnāt help yourself?"
"Youāre too handsome. Ai Yi, why donāt you try the wool coat I brought you? Youād be the most handsome wearing it!"
"I actually think Iām most handsome without clothes; kids are all asleep now." Han Yi cheekily pressed on Lin Wan, starting to unbutton his shirt, preparing to show Lin Wan.
Lin Wan chuckled softly, beginning to help with the buttons...
...
Little Starās results came out excellently, she got successfully admitted to the art academy.
The whole family was delighted. That day, Han Yi took the family to a newly opened western restaurant in the city, a choice by the daughter, celebrating her achievement.
Unexpectedly, they ran into Yang Ting, whom they hadnāt seen in a long time. No idea with whom she was chatting, Lin Wan heard what sounded like Ye Qingās name.
"She originally had a house here. I told you then, but you didnāt care. Look, just suddenly gone, donāt know if her mom found out. By the way, donāt know if you know, last year Ye Qing went missing from the mental hospital, never found again."
"This matter has nothing to do with me anymore. Youāre calling me just to tell me this?"
The voice was too familiar. Lin Wan and Han Yi exchanged glances, quickly signaling the kids to keep quiet.
"Cousin, I just want you to talk to Xiang Wang, donāt let him believe what his friend says; the project isnāt a good one. He wonāt listen to me, maybe you can persuade him."
"You two, itās not something I can interfere with. Iām here just for business; leaving in the afternoon. If you canāt handle him, let his family do it. If thereās nothing else, I should go." Mei Langchi said while getting up and walking away with a cane.
Yang Ting called him twice but couldnāt make him stay.
Mei Langchi, as he went out, didnāt see Han Yiās family seated behind them. After he left, Dingding watched curiously as he awkwardly walked with his cane, suddenly asking, "Dad, that uncle looks a lot like you, but doesnāt look good with the cane. Whyās his leg crippled?"
"Hmm, doing too much bad tends to bring bad luck. When bad luck strikes, anything can happen, so when you grow up, act upright and righteous."
"Got it, Dad." Dingding, having grown up without meeting Mei Langchi, hardly went to the Capital City; usually, Mei Shuping would visit when missing them. Dingding only knows his grandparents live separately, each with their own house, unaware of the reasons.
Han Yiās voice successfully attracted Mei Langchiās attention as he was about to leave, faced with the unexpected encounter that left Mei Langchi a bit flustered. Without turning back, knowing well who sat beside Han Yi, unwilling to see their familyās happy scene, continued straightening himself up as he walked, trying hard to walk right, but couldnāt get it right, even messed up his steps. As he walked out, his pace was chaotic and embarrassed.
This was yet another defeat for Mei Langchi in front of Han Yi. He swore itād be the last time; from now on, heād never return to this city.
Lin Wan wasnāt concerned about Mei Langchiās image before them, but rather Ye Qingās disappearance.
Ye Qing, a madman, results aside from the hospital doors, Lin Wan felt sudden dismay with unexplainable feelings.
This matter left Lin Wan bored for several days at home but eventually figured it out; she tried her best living, letting no one down, helped as much as possible, knowing some minds remain unchanged despite every effort.
Now, her kids are in college, her son in high school, preparing for the military academy, following his fatherās example, while their parents retired and joined tourist groups happily traveling.
The mother-in-law and Uncle Hu retired as well, Xiao Dung married and now with a child went to Shanghai helping with the baby.
Han Yi envied them for the constant traveling, wanting to retire quickly and travel with her.
Yet Han Yi warned them, when he retires, they must raise their kids themselves; he didnāt want to work after finally retiring.
Lin Wan, hearing him educating their kids this way, always rolled her eyes, waiting for the day when their kids have kids, knowing heād change his mind.
Lin Wan finally relaxed after Dingdingās exams were over. Now, with both kids studying away, the house only they two left, Lin Wan feels leisurely.
One day, Han Yi took Lin Wan fishing, again teased her, "Youāve been fishing for so long, never caught three fish at once."
Han Yi turned back with a smile, holding her hand, "Oneās enough; itās about the journey, like you, one is all I need!"
"..."
(End of the story)