RGL – Chapter 172

“Alright then, since you’ve both already made up your minds, your father and I have nothing more to say. Just go ahead and see how things go.”

Su Min and Xue Mian had decided to seriously be together, so they didn’t hide it from their families.

The next day, Su Min brought gifts and went to visit Xue Nian’s home.

Grandpa Xue and Grandma Xue were both there. Although Grandma Xue was now partially paralyzed, she could still walk with the help of a cane. She also had a wheelchair at home, so she could now go out as well.

The elders of the Xue family were very fond of Su Min. Especially Grandma Xue—even though she was a bit muddle-headed, she was visibly happy when she saw Su Min.

“When are you and our Mianmian getting married? That rascal talks about you all day long—my ears are getting calloused!”

Su Min blushed when she heard that. She glanced at Xue Mian, who was sitting beside her, and saw that he looked a little embarrassed too.

Seeing him like that, Su Min suddenly recalled something she had once overheard her mother say: even though Grandma Xue had become a little senile, she still remembered her. That realization gave her a sudden moment of clarity.

After lunch, Xue Nian figured the young couple would want to go out on their own, so she suggested that Xue Mian take Su Min for a stroll.

Xue Mian was overjoyed and eagerly pulled Su Min out the door.

Even though it was winter, the midday sun was out, so it wasn’t too cold.

Su Min rubbed her hands together and was just about to stuff them into her pockets when a warm hand suddenly held hers.

Xue Mian gave a shy smile, then tucked her hand into his own pocket, holding it warmly.

Su Min was a bit unused to it at first, but remembering the nature of their current relationship, she let him be.

Although the two were now officially a couple, their relationship had only just begun. Su Min wasn’t entirely used to it yet, and Xue Mian was feeling quite nervous.

From the moment Su Min had agreed to date him the day before, he had been both thrilled and a bit in disbelief. He worried that maybe Su Min had only said yes in a moment of emotional impulse—and that she might regret it later.

He’d spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Fortunately, seeing Su Min actually show up at his house today finally gave him some peace of mind.

Once they got to the park, Xue Mian gently tightened his grip on her hand. After thinking it over for a long while, he finally summoned the courage to say, “Xiao Min, have you really thought it through? Are you sure you want to be with me? You won’t regret it later?”

Su Min had just been thinking about what to say when she heard his question and was momentarily stunned. Seeing his anxious expression, she smiled and said, “You really have that little confidence in yourself?”

Xue Mian lowered his head slightly. “When it comes to you, I really don’t have much confidence. After all, you kept rejecting me before. And the stuff going on with my family… I haven’t handled it very well.”

Seeing him being so honest and sincere, Su Min suddenly felt a wave of tenderness in her heart. It was rare and precious to meet someone she knew so well and who also genuinely liked her.

She deliberately teased, “What’s there to be so insecure about? Just yesterday I realized you’re actually quite good-looking, and pretty capable too. If I let a diamond bachelor like you slip through my fingers, I’d really be doing myself a disservice. That’s why I decided to date you.”

At those words, Xue Mian looked up suddenly, his eyes bright as he stared at her. He wasn’t foolish—he knew she probably didn’t mean it entirely seriously. But the fact that Su Min was willing to joke around with him like this showed that she was happy being with him, and that filled him with joy.

“Xiao Min, no matter what your reasons are for being with me, I’m not accepting any breakups. And I won’t do anything that would make you want to break up either.”

Then he furrowed his brows slightly and added seriously, “As for the issues with my family, don’t worry—I won’t let you be put in a difficult position.”

Seeing him bring it up himself, Su Min sighed. “Actually, I’ve figured some things out too. Worrying too much doesn’t help anything. Since I’ve decided to be with you, it means I’ve thought it through. I won’t just throw out the word ‘breakup’ casually. But if you dare to cheat or have a wandering heart, then that’s another matter.”

Xue Mian immediately responded like a startled rookie soldier, “I won’t! I definitely won’t!”

He’d been thinking about her for so many years, and put in so much effort to finally win her over—if he were to betray her now, he’d really be letting himself down.

Su Min was actually really enjoying all of this. She thought to herself how pure and innocent young love could be.

She suddenly remembered how some boys in college used to sing love songs under the girls’ dorms, and imagined Xue Mian doing something equally foolish—it made her press her lips together in a laugh.

“Xiao Min.” Xue Mian suddenly pulled her into a hug, a little emotional.

Su Min gently responded, “What is it?”

“I’m just… really happy.”

After staying in the city for a few days, Xue Mian had to accompany his grandparents back to the city.

Even though they had spent the New Year there, they still had to visit some of the old war buddies before the holiday period officially ended.

Grandpa Xue had originally wanted Xue Mian to stay behind and return to B City later with Su Min. But Xue Mian refused.

“I’ll take you both back first, then come back to pick her up.”

“You blockhead,” Grandpa Xue said, frustrated. “I told you to stay here so you could spend more time with the young lady and nurture your feelings!”

Although at first he felt that this young girl was too headstrong and worried that his grandson wouldn’t be able to handle her and would end up being wronged, seeing how happy his grandson was now that they were dating, he had started to support their relationship too. Who would’ve thought his grandson had been so clueless before?

Rarely acting like a child, Xue Mian scratched his head and smiled. “I’ll drive you all back first, otherwise I won’t feel at ease. Su Min thinks the same way.”

“This child is quite thoughtful,” Grandpa Xue sighed. “As for your mom, you should say something to her too. After all, she’s still your mother—you can’t really cut her off. But don’t let Su Min be wronged either.”

He was well aware of the situation in their family.

Xue Mian nodded, already thinking it through in his heart.

After seeing Xue Mian, Grandpa Xue, and Grandma Xue off at the train station, Su Min drove herself home.

She planned to wait until after the Lantern Festival to visit again.

During this time, Uncle Sun and his new wife, Auntie Chen Juan, came to visit as well.

Sun Yan didn’t return for the New Year this year, and both Chen Juan and Sun Bing were a little upset. Especially Sun Bing—he asked several times about Sun Yan.

“Why didn’t Yanyan come home for New Year’s? It’s so rare for the whole family to be together. Even Qiangzi didn’t come.”

Even though he had remarried, Sun Bing still deeply cared for his two children, Sun Qiang and Sun Yan. Especially after learning that his new wife wouldn’t be having children, he valued them even more.

They were his own son and daughters—how could they not come home?

Sun Qiufang still disapproved of Sun Yan’s previous behavior and didn’t respond when she heard Sun Bing ask about it.

Instead, Su Changrong said, “Don’t worry. She’s probably just too busy with work.”

Su Min chimed in as well, “Work really is keeping her busy.”

“Sigh, why work so hard? Life at home is going so well now, there’s no need for her to suffer anymore,” Sun Bing said with a note of pain. Then he sighed, “If it weren’t for my own uselessness back then, she should still be in school at her age.”

Seeing the weathered look on Sun Bing’s face, so different from a few years ago, Su Min suddenly felt a pang of sadness. In her previous life, although her uncle hadn’t had it great either, at least the family had been harmonious—not like now, where they couldn’t even have a proper reunion for New Year’s.

But things had already come to this point. She wasn’t sure how to change the current situation.

After all, from the moment she was reborn, many people’s fates had already shifted.

After Sun Bing finished sighing, Su Changrong dragged him off to the dining room for a drink.

Once Sun Bing had left, Chen Juan came over and asked, “Minzi, is it because Yan still holds a grudge against me that she didn’t come home for New Year’s?”

“It’s not that. Auntie, don’t worry,” Su Min quickly reassured her.

Chen Juan’s eyes turned red. “Please tell her, no matter how she feels about me, for her father’s sake, she should still come home for the New Year. If she doesn’t want to see me, I can just leave the house during the holiday.”

“You’re spoiling her!” Sun Qiufang snapped angrily.

She already couldn’t have children because of this stepdaughter, and now what more did she want? As a woman herself, how could she not understand another’s pain?

Just thinking about her niece made Sun Qiufang feel chilled to the bone.

For a child to do something like that—their heart must be far too deep.

Chen Juan let out a long sigh. “Little sister, children have their own struggles too. I understand. I married Sun Bing because I wanted someone to rely on, to have a complete family. I don’t want my presence to make the kids avoid their own home.”

Seeing her like that, Su Min said, “Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll talk to her when I get back. I don’t think it’s really because of you—she’s probably just not used to things yet. Once she has time, I’ll ask her to come visit you.”

Chen Juan nodded. “Tell her things are better at home now. We have a big house, the orchard had a good harvest, and the fish and shrimp in the pond are doing well. Our family has money now, so tell her to take better care of herself out there.” As she spoke, she pulled out a thick wad of cash from her bag—looked to be around a thousand yuan—and handed it to Su Min directly. “Take this to her for me. If I mail it, she definitely won’t accept it. You give it to her.”

“She has money of her own,” Su Min quickly tried to decline. Even though life at home was better now, seeing Chen Juan still wearing old clothes, she could tell this woman was someone who lived frugally.

Chen Juan waved her hand. “Just give it to her. She hasn’t been home all year—think of it as her living expenses. If we don’t give her any money, your uncle and I won’t feel at ease.”

Hearing this, Su Min accepted it. “Alright, I’ll take it to her.” She knew full well that her uncle wasn’t the type to be so considerate—this had to be Chen Juan’s idea.

Sigh, this aunt really was a good person. Too bad she hadn’t been her uncle’s first wife.

Sun Bing and Chen Juan stayed for a bit longer at home before heading to her younger uncle Sun Hai’s house.

After all, Grandma Sun was staying there, so the two could only spend the night over there.

After they left, Sun Qiufang said, “Talk to Yanyan when you get back. After everything they’ve done for her, what more does she want? It’s lucky Chen Juan is so kind. If it were me, I wouldn’t have had that kind of patience.”

“I know.” Su Min sighed inwardly.

On the tenth day of the new year, Xue Mian arrived from City B.

Seeing him actually taking the train all the way over again, Su Min was both annoyed and amused.

When Sun Qiufang heard that Xue Mian had come all the way from City B just to pick up her daughter, she felt that he must really care about her—and was rather pleased.

But Su Changrong still wasn’t happy.

His daughter had just come back and hadn’t even stayed a few days, and this brat came chasing after her again? Once she was back in City B, they could meet up however they wanted. Why come all the way here and take his daughter away now? Totally inconsiderate.

Thinking this way, Su Changrong decided he didn’t want Su Min going out at all. He made up excuses and kept her at home for several days, not giving her a chance to go out and meet up with anyone.

It wasn’t until after the Lantern Festival that he finally agreed to let Su Min return to City B.

Early that morning, the couple drove Su Min to the train station in the city. At the entrance, they saw Xue Mian already waiting with the tickets in hand.

The moment Su Changrong saw him, his face darkened.

“Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie.” Xue Mian quickly greeted them respectfully and reached to take Su Min’s luggage.

Su Changrong just grunted and turned his face away.

Sun Qiufang gave Su Changrong a light slap on the arm, then turned to Xue Mian with a smile. “We know about you and Minzi. You young people have your own thoughts, and we won’t interfere. Our Minzi has been spoiled by us since she was little. You’re a man, so don’t fuss with her over small things. If things go well between you this year, you can come visit us during New Year next year.”

Hearing this, Xue Mian’s eyes lit up.

He understood clearly—Auntie was saying that if things worked out this year, they’d accept him as their son-in-law.

“Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll definitely treat Su Min well. No matter if she hits me or yells at me, I’ll take it all.”

Su Min glared at him. “Am I that childish?”

“Heh, no, no.” Xue Mian grinned and waved his hand.

Seeing how well they got along, Sun Qiufang felt reassured. Xue Mian was indeed a good kid—if he became their son-in-law, that wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.

Even after Su Min and Xue Mian got on the train, Su Changrong was still sulking.

“How did I not even realize, and my daughter’s already been stolen away? What a huge loss.”

Sun Qiufang waved at the departing train and pinched him. “What nonsense are you talking? It’s not like we’re doing business. How’s this a loss?”

Rubbing the pinched spot, Su Changrong felt even more bitter inside.

Now his wife and daughter were both on someone else’s side.

Just as he turned to head toward the parking lot, he suddenly saw a familiar pair not far off—a man and a woman walking together.

“Qiufang, look—isn’t that Wenwen?”

Sun Qiufang was just about to walk away, but on hearing this, she instinctively looked over. Seeing who it was, she froze too. “Looks like it.”

“Who’s that man next to her? He looks middle-aged.”

Seeing Su Wenwen holding the arm of an older man, Su Changrong felt uncomfortable. He was about to walk over when Sun Qiufang grabbed him. “What are you going to do? Wenwen’s temper is something even Old Third can’t handle—what makes you think you can? You’ll just end up with a mess on your hands. Let’s go home.”

Remembering what had happened before, and seeing how Su Wenwen clung to the man’s arm without any attempt to avoid suspicion, Su Changrong figured it was no use going over. He could only scowl and head toward the car.

Su Min and Xue Mian had no idea that their old acquaintance, Su Wenwen, had already gone north with someone else.

After a full day and night on the train, the two finally arrived back in City B.

Because they had stayed too long in their hometown this time, school was already about to start when they returned. Though Su Min wasn’t as anxious about school as some students, she still knew she couldn’t fall behind on her studies. So the moment they got off the train, she headed home to drop off her things before going to register at school.

Xue Mian trailed behind her the whole time, uncomplaining and reliable. When he saw her off at the school gates, he said, “After you finish registration, let’s go get something to eat, okay? We didn’t even have time for lunch after the train ride.”

He wasn’t hungry himself—but he didn’t want Su Min going hungry.