Free Web NovelChapter 402: Chapter 402: East Province University
Although the Dai family tried to keep their voices down, the people upstairs could still hear some scattered sounds. Yi Roujing had been eavesdropping at the door for a while, and although she couldn’t hear the conversation downstairs, she clearly heard Zhao Jingyuan and Jiang Meiling’s dialogue at the stairway. Well, luckily there is a sensible daughter-in-law in the family, so there’s no need to worry about her aunt.
Yi Roujing quietly hummed a tune as she turned around, only to see Xu Ancheng’s teasing face. He had already put Baozi to sleep and was now smiling at her.
"Did you hear any secrets?" Xu Ancheng joked.
"There are no secrets; secrets wouldn’t be so loud." Yi Roujing glared at Xu Ancheng, "But Aunt’s life doesn’t need us to worry; there are people in the family protecting her, quite a few, in fact."
Yi Roujing realized this from the last accidental discovery she made; although Zhao Jingyuan had some tendencies to hide things, the others were very kind to Li Honghua.
"Are you not worried at all?" Yi Roujing saw that Xu Ancheng had remained calm the entire time and asked.
"When the family reunion happened, I investigated the Dai family and learned about Aunt’s life these years, so there’s nothing to worry about. Although Uncle is from a military background, he’s very thoughtful and treasures Aunt greatly. As long as the head of the family is like this, the rest don’t matter, not to mention Dai Family’s older two children have wholeheartedly accepted Li Honghua, so there’s nothing anyone else can stir up."
Xu Ancheng’s words made Yi Roujing click her tongue, "No wonder he’s Mr. Xu, always thinking things through so thoroughly. I’ll go see Mom first." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Xu Ancheng nodded and hugged Yi Roujing around the waist, "Thank you for your concern, my wife."
Yi Roujing went to the next room, which used to be Dai Zhenyan’s but now housed Li Hongying; he moved to stay in the storage room. However, the room had been redecorated comfortably by Li Honghua.
"Mom." Yi Roujing knocked on the door to call out. Li Hongying came to open it immediately.
Seeing the faint worry on Li Hongying’s face, Yi Roujing wondered what she didn’t know, "Mom, let’s talk inside."
"Did Ancheng ever tell you how Aunt was doing at the Dai family?"
Li Hongying nodded, "He did, so I wasn’t worried, but today... things seem quite serious."
Yi Roujing laughed upon hearing this, "Mom, you’re just worried sick; every family argues far more intensely than this; besides, Aunt wasn’t even arguing with anyone; I happened to overhear it when I was going downstairs."
Then Yi Roujing recounted exactly what she heard, and Li Hongying felt reassured knowing Dai Chunsheng and his sons protected their sister well, and even the second daughter-in-law was kind.
"That’s good, that’s good." Li Hongying smiled, though her smile was somewhat bittersweet, "Actually, I understand; Aunt’s life depends entirely on how much Uncle cherishes her. I don’t worry about that since I’ve seen it myself, but the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is still important, and moreover, Aunt is not the official mother-in-law, which always makes her feel a bit constrained."
"Ancheng told me about the first twenty years, so I know how good Uncle was to her. Now with Ancheng and his father here, it’s even better understood. But my own sister can do very little for her, which makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable." Li Hongying sincerely expressed her feelings.
"Mom, the Xu Family considers you family too; your words make us feel distant. What Ancheng does for Aunt is entirely because of you." Yi Roujing replied.
Li Hongying’s eyes grew slightly moist at these words, "You are all good kids. Mom’s fine; go rest now, after that long train ride."
Li Hongqing didn’t plan to ask about the Dai family. Of course, Xu Ancheng and his relatives wouldn’t intervene either, leaving each person to carry their private worries into the night or enjoy a peaceful slumber.
When Yi Roujing woke up, Xu Ancheng and Baozi were already gone; this father-son duo got up early every day to exercise, no matter the weather. Yi Roujing was already used to it. She checked the time; it was seven, still early, and quickly washed up before heading downstairs to work out.
"Big cousin-in-law." Dai Zhenhua was also up early, and just came out of the kitchen. "Breakfast at seven-thirty."
"Okay, I’ll go for a run first." Yi Roujing said. "By the way, Zhenhua, how do I get to East Province University? I have a friend from home who’s there, and I’d like to visit."
"I’ll accompany big cousin-in-law there after breakfast." Dai Zhenhua promptly offered.
"That’s great, I’ll head out first."
After a run, Yi Roujing saw Xu Ancheng and Baozi, but there were more than just the two of them. Dai Zhenyong, Dai Zhenxiong, and Dai Zhenyan were also there.
Dai Chunsheng had a military background and always educated his three sons strictly; even if they weren’t in the military, they trained at home since childhood.
"Mom—" Baozi was first to spot Yi Roujing, but remembered the family’s words to call when others could see them too.
"Big cousin-in-law (and younger cousins)" Dai Zhenyong and others smiled and greeted Yi Roujing.
The group returned together, with Dai Zhenyan holding Baozi’s hand all the way, constantly asking questions and praising him for being able to wake up early every day, saying it was remarkable as he himself was often dragged out of bed by Dai Chunsheng when younger, trying all sorts of ways to avoid training, a narrative full of childlike charm.
Once inside, breakfast was ready; congee, Baozi, Mantou, several side dishes, and boiled eggs; a variety of nutritious homemade morning meals.
Yi Roujing clearly felt Zhao Jingyuan’s change; she was plastering on a smile, wore heavy makeup, obviously didn’t sleep well; seems she reflected the whole night.
As long as there are no more disturbances, the rest doesn’t matter much.
"Big cousin-in-law, we’ll take the car later directly; East Province University is about an hour’s ride from here." Dai Zhenhua said.
"Mom, I want to go too." Baozi was keen on going out, and Yi Roujing didn’t refuse. Dai Zhenyan joined in as well; after all, he’s from East Province University, a man, and it’s safer together.
Xu Ancheng stayed behind to go out with Dai Chunsheng. Li Hongying had Li Honghua, so no need for others to worry about the sisters. Now with Li Honghua going out alone, the Dai family feels at ease too.
Yi Roujing and the group of four boarded the bus, which wasn’t very crowded since the university was on vacation, and its final stop was East Province University.
"Big cousin-in-law, what’s your friend’s name? What’s her major? Maybe I know her." Dai Zhenhua asked.
"Guo Xiangxiang, she’s in Nursing." Yi Roujing replied.
"She got into East Province University just for Nursing?" Dai Zhenhua was surprised. "Being a nurse is hard; wasn’t big cousin-in-law a nurse before?"
"Yes, she’s not just a friend but also a colleague." Yi Roujing smiled and said. "Her dream is to be a nurse. East Province University’s nursing program is her desired school and major; her grandmother was also a nurse, and she’s steadfast in her decision."
