Meng Cheng’an has returned, taking a train that departed at noon and arrived in the evening.
Instead of heading back to the Military and Political Institute late at night, he came over here with a large bag of stuff.
The Tian Family members were all awake, initially surprised, then Hu Honglian went to tend the stove to make a bowl of noodles for her future son-in-law.
By the time Tian Xiang came out after tidying up, Meng Cheng’an was already seated and drinking hot water.
The last time they met was at the end of February when Tian Xiang went to Beijing for a professional exam.
It’s been almost six months since then.
They’ve been in a relationship for nearly two years, Tian Xiang is twenty this year, and Meng Cheng’an will turn twenty-four in two months.
They’re not young kids anymore.
Over the past two years, Meng Cheng’an hasn’t changed much, but Tian Xiang has become somewhat different, more mature and composed than before, both in appearance and temperament.
Every time they meet again after being apart, Meng Cheng’an’s first reaction is to smile at his fiancée, showing a bit of his white teeth.
One can’t tell if he’s practiced in front of a mirror, but he’s at his best looking at this moment.
Tian Xiang asked him, "When did you return to the country?"
Meng Cheng’an: "Just got back this morning."
Impressive, he came straight to see me after returning to the country, deserves some praise.
They chatted for a while, and then Hu Honglian’s noodles were ready.
In his eagerness to arrive early, Meng Cheng’an hadn’t eaten well for two days and was a bit hasty.
Hu Honglian felt a pang of heartache watching him.
"Eat slowly, if it’s not enough, I’ll cook some more."
After finishing a large bowl of noodles, Meng Cheng’an was full.
After eating, he left the gifts he brought and planned to head back to the Military and Political Institute.
Tian Xiang lent him her bicycle and escorted him to the entrance of the alley.
The rest of the Tian Family tactfully stayed inside, allowing the young couple more time to talk.
Without much to say, Tian Xiang found a small corner to cuddle and kiss him as soon as they were outside alone.
She missed him so much, and a kiss quickly re-familiarized them with each other, recalling the feeling of being in love.
After kissing enough, Meng Cheng’an held her and said, "I’ll come to pick you up for work tomorrow morning."
Tian Xiang: "Won’t you be too sleep-deprived?"
It’s almost one o’clock now.
"No, I’ll catch up on sleep after taking you."
Meng Cheng’an smiled, "I’ll walk you back first."
Since it’s late at night, he didn’t dare let her walk alone.
Though it’s nearby, he couldn’t rest assured.
Initially, it was Tian Xiang who came out to see him off, but in the end, it was the other way around.
They turned back and walked towards the house together.
Before reaching home, they ran into Hu Honglian midway.
Hu Honglian was worried about her daughter and waited on the way.
Feeling a bit awkward seeing her mother, Tian Xiang hurriedly sent Meng Cheng’an off.
With Meng Cheng’an gone, the mother and daughter returned to the house, Hu Honglian said, "I got anxious when I didn’t see you return after a while and almost went out looking."
Having been young once, Hu Honglian naturally knew what her daughter and future son-in-law were up to.
Tian Xiang’s face turned a bit red, "Mom, I’m not a child, I’m grown up now, what could happen?"
Hu Honglian didn’t respond, seeing they were almost home, she quietly said to her daughter, "I understand young people dating might cuddle and kiss, but let it stop at that. You’re about to start university, and once you’re in Beijing, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t control you, but you have to hold yourself back, don’t act impulsively and do something else, because it will be your own reputation at stake."
Tian Xiang: "Mom, I know."
"Knowing and doing are two different things. Otherwise..." Hu Honglian hesitated for a moment and said, "Otherwise, why don’t the two of you just get the marriage certificate now, and then have children after you graduate. You’re only twenty, but Cheng’an is almost twenty-four, and by the time you graduate in four years, he’ll be quite old."
Engagement and marriage considerations shouldn’t just be about oneself, one has to think about others too.
Tian Xiang stayed silent.
That indeed poses a problem; by the time she graduates, Meng Cheng’an will be twenty-seven or twenty-eight, which is a bit old.
But such matters, she definitely can’t be the one to bring it up!
Seeing her daughter silent, Hu Honglian knew Tian Xiang was willing, so she patted her hand and said, "Leave this to me."
The next day, as soon as Tian Xiang got up, Meng Cheng’an came cycling over.
Entering the courtyard, the neighbors greeted him cheerfully.
In the blink of an eye, it’s been a year and a half since the Meng and Tian families were engaged. Although they have been apart, it’s clear the relationship is quite good, with Meng Cheng’an visiting whenever he had the chance—such a diligent young man.
Meng Cheng’an had breakfast there, then rode the bicycle to take Tian Xiang to the factory.
As they were leaving, Hu Honglian said to Meng Cheng’an, "Don’t bother cooking at home, just come back with Xiangxiang after work and eat here."
Wanting to spend more time with Tian Xiang, Meng Cheng’an readily agreed.
With the two gone, Hu Honglian returned to her mother’s place to bring her over.
It’s not appropriate for her family to bring up the daughter’s marriage, as it appears overly eager, but if someone like the grandmother mentions it, then it’s acceptable.
At dinner, Xu Jiafeng cheerfully asked Meng Cheng’an how old he was.
Meng Cheng’an: "Two more months, and I’ll be twenty-four."
Xu Jiafeng’s expression grew serious, "Not so young. My son, Dongzi, was a father at your age."
Xu Jiafeng’s Dongzi is Tian Xiang’s older cousin.
Meng Cheng’an remembered this cousin and smiled, "He already has three kids now, very fortunate."
Xu Jiafeng quickly concurred, "Yes, at a certain age, you handle certain responsibilities. Cheng’an, you’re almost twenty-four, why not go ahead and take care of these matters with Xiangxiang?"
Xu Jiafeng said it like a casual reminder for the young man, but Meng Cheng’an was caught off guard, clenching his chopsticks, nervously looking at Tian Xiang beside him, and asked, "Can we, can we get married now?"
Though the question was directed to him, it suddenly became directed at her.
In front of so many people, Tian Xiang blushed and instinctively said, "I still have to go to school."
Meng Cheng’an’s happiness faded away, barely maintaining his smile, he nodded and said, "I support you."
Even though he really wanted to get married, he prioritized her wishes and was willing to wait.
Seeing the conversation cut off , Tian Xiang wished she could slap her own mouth, she didn’t mean that!
Luckily, Xu Jiafeng quickly picked the topic back up.
"What’s wrong with going to school? Most of the university students nowadays are either married or have kids. Some even go to school with their families."
For the past two years, university students are indeed older, with many already married.
Hu Honglian: "I think studying and marrying don’t interfere, it’s having and raising kids that’s a bit inconvenient, that can be delayed until later."
With both the maternal grandmother and mother saying this, light appeared in Meng Cheng’an’s eyes. Without asking Tian Xiang’s opinion, he directly said to Hu Honglian, "I’ll call back home tomorrow."