After the Divorce, My Wife and I Were Both Reborn

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: My Dear Girl, Auntie is a Woman of Experience

2:45 PM. The sun was at its peak.

Lin Yanwan arrived early at the gates of Nanshan Primary School to wait. This time, Jiang Xia wasn’t with her, so she figured it wouldn’t be as awkward if she ran into Xia Shanshan.

She stood in the shade of a tree, hiding from the sun. A moment later, someone else came and stood beside her.

Lin Yanwan habitually shuffled to the side. A casual glance out of the corner of her eye revealed that the other person’s clothes seemed familiar. When she lifted her gaze to the woman’s face, she froze on the spot.

"Mom... I mean, Aunt Xia, what are you doing here?" After misspeaking out of nervousness yet again, she could feel the tips of her ears burning red.

’Why do I keep messing that up?’

Hearing this, Xia Shanshan’s expression didn’t change, as if she hadn’t heard the slip-up. She smiled gently. "I had a meeting elsewhere this afternoon and just got back. Yanwan, are you here to pick up Xiao Man?"

"Yes. My parents are busy, and I happened to be free."

Lin Yanwan said. Noticing the beads of sweat on her mother-in-law’s forehead, she immediately took out the small bottle of mineral water she had bought for Xiao Man. "Aunt Xia, have some water."

"No, no, it’s fine. I’m not thirsty. You should save it for Xiao Man. School should be letting out in a little while."

Xia Shanshan shook her head with a smile, her eyes scanning the area, but she didn’t see Jiang Xia.

"Where’s that boy? He disappeared first thing in the morning without a word about where he was going. Isn’t he with you?" she asked.

"Uh... yeah." Lin Yanwan’s face flushed as she stammered a reply.

’She was too embarrassed to say that Jiang Xia was at her house right now. What if her mother-in-law thought she was too forward? So young and already hooking up with boys, even bringing them home.’

"That boy is so thoughtless. Even if he doesn’t come to see me, he should at least be here with you to pick up Xiao Man. When I get home tonight, I’m going to give him a good talking-to. He’s getting completely out of hand." Xia Shanshan huffed, pretending to be angry.

"Actually, Aunt Xia..." Lin Yanwan bit her lip. "He really did want to come pick up Xiao Man."

"He’s not with you today, so how would you know? Besides, wanting to come and not actually coming are two different things. It’s a classic example of not taking Xiao Man seriously. And after Xiao Man likes him so much, too. When it comes down to it, that boy is just thoughtless."

"That’s not it," she said in a faint voice. "Aunt Xia, actually... Jiang Xia is at my house. He’s just a bit busy right now and couldn’t make it."

"Oh..."

This time, it was Xia Shanshan who was left speechless. But the language teacher’s mind was quick. She subconsciously skipped over the hidden implications and chuckled.

"Is that so? But the college entrance exams are over. What’s he so busy and secretive about all day? It’s so hot out today, he should be here holding an umbrella for you. Yanwan is so pretty, what if you get a tan?"

"Aunt Xia, it’s not what you think between us." Hearing her mother-in-law’s teasing, Lin Yanwan’s face instantly turned beet red, and she stood before her, flustered and fidgeting.

"Sweetie, I’ve been around the block. I know you two are dating. To be honest, I don’t object, but before you make certain choices, you must think them through carefully. The major decisions in life are no joke. Otherwise, you’ll be the one to regret it," Xia Shanshan said gently.

"Mm... I understand." Lin Yanwan was touched. ’She had said these same words to me in my past life, too, just two years earlier this time around.’

"That boy has plenty of bad habits, so when you two are together, don’t you dare spoil him. You have to remember that two people in a relationship are equals. If either one of you lowers your standing for the other, it will sour the relationship. Mutual respect is the secret to growing old together," Xia Shanshan said.

"Yes, yes! I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Aunt Xia."

Lin Yanwan’s face grew even redder. ’They weren’t even married yet, so how did the topic jump to growing old together?’

Xia Shanshan smiled faintly. Looking at her prospective daughter-in-law’s well-mannered and sensible appearance, she liked her more and more.

’I wonder if my own son has what it takes to marry such a sweet girl and bring her home?’

Just then, the school bell rang, and the conversation between mother- and daughter-in-law was interrupted by a sudden announcement over the PA system.

"Yanwan, I’m going to head in now."

"Okay, take care, Aunt Xia."

After taking just two steps, Xia Shanshan suddenly turned back and gave her a warm smile. "Yanwan, how about we keep this conversation between us and not tell that boy?"

"Yes, yes! I definitely won’t tell him!"

Watching her leave, Lin Yanwan let out a long sigh of relief. Although she had messed up the form of address again today, the outcome seemed pretty good.

’So my mother-in-law already knew about us. No wonder her gaze always made me feel like she was looking at her daughter-in-law.’

’Even though we were already mother- and daughter-in-law in my past life, if I’m really going to be with Jiang Xia until the end in this life too, does this count as winning over my future mother-in-law ahead of schedule?’

For a moment, she felt a secret thrill of delight.

’Of course, I have to keep this from Jiang Xia. But how is he going to win over my parents in the future?’

’Is he going to have to get my dad drunk and become sworn brothers with him, just like in our past life?’

As her mind wandered, Xia Shanshan soon emerged, leading a group of primary school students in red scarves. The adorable Lin Xiaoman spotted her sister standing under the tree at a glance.

"Sister!" she yelled from across the school gate.

Lin Yanwan looked up at her little sister and walked over with a smile. "School’s out?"

The little one looked left and right, then tilted her head. "Is it just you, Sister? I don’t see Bro... Brother Jiang Xia."

Almost misspeaking again, Lin Xiaoman playfully stuck out her tongue.

"He isn’t free today, but he’s waiting for you at home. You’ll see him when you get back," Lin Yanwan said with a smile.

She wasn’t trying to hide it anymore. Since she had already let the cat out of the bag with her mother-in-law, there was no point in being embarrassed.

"Really?"

"Well, think about it. Has your big sister ever lied to you?"

"Hee hee, I guess not!"

Lin Xiaoman looked up at Xia Shanshan and said earnestly, "Teacher Xia, my sister is here to pick me up. Can I go home with her?"

"Go on, go on. Remember to do your homework," Xia Shanshan said with a smile, crouching down to straighten her red scarf.

"Okay! Goodbye, Teacher Xia!"

"Goodbye, Xiao Man. When you have time, remember to come visit me with your sister."

As she spoke, she patted Xiao Man’s head and glanced, intentionally or not, at Lin Yanwan. The latter’s face instantly flushed red. ’A house visit? She wasn’t ready for that at all!’

"Goodbye, Aunt Xia," Lin Yanwan said, her face red.

"Goodbye, Yanwan."

Watching the two sisters leave, Xia Shanshan smiled silently. After handing off each student to their respective parents, she slowly returned to her classroom.

’The younger generation has to fight for their own happiness. A parent can only offer some advice at most. Of course, whether it works out in the end or not, it won’t change her good impression of Lin Yanwan.’

’It would only mean her son wasn’t lucky enough.’

...

(One more Chapter to come)