Free Web NovelChapter 458: Chapter 458: Clarifying Intentions
"Hao... Zhixin." Wang Qiushuang was surprised that Hao Zhixin knew of her, even though she herself knew who Hao Zhixin was.
"Qiushuang, maybe you don’t know me, but you know my sister-in-law, Hu Heping." Hao Zhixin introduced herself.
Hu Heping, Wang Qiushuang recalled. Though they had only met once, Heping left a lasting impression as a graceful and gentle person, who was also Yi Roujing’s friend. Knowing that she was studying in Jiang Province, Heping had connected them, hoping she could be a support.
"So you’re Heping’s sister-in-law, what a coincidence." Knowing the connection, Wang Qiushuang felt closer to Hao Zhixin and invited her to sit down. She served a bowl of mung bean soup, adding extra sugar, "Just made, have a bowl to cool off."
Hao Zhixin didn’t stand on ceremony and quickly drank half of it in one go, "So cool and refreshing."
"It’s been chilled in well water." Seeing Hao Zhixin’s straightforward nature, Wang Qiushuang smiled even more.
"Qiushuang, I only found out today that you’re good friends with Roujing, from the same hometown, and grew up together," Hao Zhixin felt close to Wang Qiushuang because of Yi Roujing. "Today I’m here on behalf of my sister-in-law to give something to Niuniu."
"My sister-in-law said kids grow fast, these are clothes my nephew outgrew, but they should fit Niuniu just fine. My sister-in-law usually prepares plain clothes for children, so both boys and girls can wear them." Hao Zhixin laughed.
"My sister-in-law wanted to come personally, but she’s pregnant now, not yet three months along, and she’s being cautious. It’s just that I happened to run into her today and found out I was to deliver to you, Qiushuang, that’s when I realized we attend the same school."
Wang Qiushuang felt a bit embarrassed. She was in difficult circumstances now and hadn’t finished repaying the debt from Niuniu’s medical expenses. She felt she couldn’t return anything to Hu Heping, which is why she hadn’t sought them out before, out of face, not wanting to rely on others constantly.
"How could I..."
"Recently my sister-in-law sent something to Roujing, and they mentioned you, Qiushuang. If it weren’t for her condition, she would have brought the little one to play with Niuniu already."
Hao Zhixin teased Niuniu and also Chang Zheng’s daughter, Little Corn. Perhaps due to being newly married, but mainly because of her nephew, Little Tuantuan, Hao Zhixin particularly liked children and shared the purchased snacks and candies with the two kids.
Hao Zhixin stayed for over half an hour before saying goodbye to Wang Qiushuang. Despite her protests, Wang Qiushuang eventually accepted the items.
Chang Zheng, in the yard, naturally overheard their conversation, but he didn’t ask much since it concerned Wang Qiushuang’s friendships. He was more concerned about Wang Qiushuang’s response at this time.
"Qiushuang, have you thought about it?" After the two kids became sleepy from playing and fell asleep, seeing them lying sweetly in one bed, Chang Zheng couldn’t resist looking at Wang Qiushuang, sitting by the bed’s edge.
Upon hearing, Wang Qiushuang immediately thought of what Yi Roujing had mentioned over the phone, her cheeks turning pink.
While Wang Qiushuang hesitated about her decision, she had great trust in anyone approved by Yi Roujing. She knew Chang Zheng truly wished to form a new family with her.
"Does, do your family know your thoughts?" Wang Qiushuang asked, somewhat shyly, her eyes darting nervously to Chang Zheng.
"Not yet, because I want your answer before telling them. I hope to bring you and Niuniu back to Ning City for the New Year." Chang Zheng said sincerely.
His words made Wang Qiushuang’s eyes sparkle. A man wanting to take you home and accepting your child indicates a true desire to spend a lifetime together.
"Will, will your family accept me?" Wang Qiushuang asked directly, looking straight at Chang Zheng.
"Yes, they will accept you." Chang Zheng assured her, "They care for me, so they will care for those I care about."
"I’ve had a failed marriage." Wang Qiushuang smiled bitterly.
"So have I." Chang Zheng sat next to Wang Qiushuang, "That’s why I take my second marriage very seriously. I want us to become companions for the rest of our lives, something I’ve thought deeply about."
"I’ve seen the good in you and your struggles, and I want to shield you and your daughter from the storms."
It would be a lie if Wang Qiushuang didn’t feel moved.
"My family has cut ties with me." Wang Qiushuang said with deep sadness, "If you marry me, you only marry me alone, with no support from my family. If they learn I married well, they might even try to take advantage. Would you still want to marry me?"
"Yes." Without hesitation, Chang Zheng nodded, "I will provide for you and the two children, fulfilling our duties to elders. If you reasonably support your family, I won’t stop you."
Wang Qiushuang smiled, nodding at Chang Zheng seriously, "I agree. If your family doesn’t object, let’s form a new family."
"Regardless of whether we have more children in the future, we must treat all children the same." Chang Zheng continued, "To be honest, on this point, I have great faith in you. You’re a good mother."
Wang Qiushuang smiled shyly but did not deny it. She was indeed a good mother.
The news of Wang Qiushuang and Chang Zheng’s engagement reached Yi Roujing first, who sincerely blessed them and helped them set a wedding date. If she had the time, she would definitely attend.
On September 4th, Jing University started, and Yi Roujing went to school with Xu Ancheng.
Yi Roujing carried a large bundle, arriving early at the school, and with plenty of time before class, she went directly to Dorm 305 to share the specialties she got from East Province and Beidai Mountain with her roommates, receiving plenty of specialties from them in return.
Time gently flowed by, and a month and a half had passed since the semester started, transitioning clothes from summer to fall wear.
"Our school is organizing a joint event with the Foreign Language University, a fall outing, said to be hiking Tiantan Mountain."
Yi Roujing heard the news from Zhang Yaen.
"When’s the right time?" Yi Roujing teased, curling her lips at Zhang Yaen, knowing from the East Province trip that Zhang Yaen had a love interest, "Would the person you like or plan to date be from the Foreign Language University?"
"I knew I couldn’t hide it from you." Zhang Yaen shyly twirled her ponytail with her fingers.
"How did you meet? A fellow townsman?" Yi Roujing knew that among her roommates, except for Yu Cuiyu who had family here, Wang Ruohua and Ren Xuejuan were from Jing City, and the rest almost never left each other’s side, so Zhang Yaen should have had limited chances to meet people from other schools.
"No, he’s from Jing City." Zhang Yaen bit her lip lightly, a blush sweeping across her eyes, "I met him when Ju’e and I were out. She went to the bathroom, and I waited outside, and I met his mother, helped her, and that’s how we met."
