"Why didn’t he agree?"
"He said he just started working and his career isn’t well-established yet, so it’s not the right time to get married."
"Why is it inappropriate? He’s not some idol or superstar who needs to maintain a single image."
"Yeah, that’s what I said too. But he’s just adamantly against it. I even suggested we could have a simple wedding. We could just get the marriage certificate now and hold the banquet later when we’re more financially stable. But he still disagreed. He said we don’t have a house, and that getting married means having to consider kids and all sorts of complications."
Yan Xixi was secretly shocked.
"For all these years, while supporting him through his studies and career, I’ve handled all the housework by myself. Now he’s earning money, but I’ve never spent a dime of it. I let him save it all for a house. I cover all our household expenses. I worried he was overexerting himself mentally. To help his mind, I used the little money I managed to save to buy him nutritional supplements. Xixi, tell me, can he find another woman who would treat him better than I do? Does he genuinely not want to marry me?"
Yan Xixi’s ominous feeling had solidified into a certainty. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud; she simply couldn’t.
"Sigh, Xixi, do you think he looks down on me? After all, I only graduated from high school, while he’s a Ph.D. The gap is so huge. I have no self-confidence at all now; I feel like I’m not good enough for him..."
Yan Xixi gently chided, "Don’t talk nonsense! Why wouldn’t you be good enough for him? Is a Ph.D. such a big deal? They’re just more skilled in certain specific fields. Everyone has their strengths; don’t sell yourself short."
"But I really don’t have a degree, and I’m not a civil servant."
"Xiaoya, don’t forget, when Zhong Minghui wanted you to support his studies, you were the goddess in his heart."
Xu Xiaoya managed to smile despite her worried expression.
Yan Xixi breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She then said casually, "Xiaoya, I hope you’ll listen to me this one time. From now on, save up all the money you earn. Don’t give another dime to your family or to Zhong Minghui."
"But I have to pay rent and buy food..."
"Zhong Minghui should pay the rent, utilities, and living expenses!" Yan Xixi stated firmly. "He’s working now; he has to support the household!"
"But the money he’s saving is for our marital home..."
"Get the marriage certificate first, then talk about the house. Even a beggar has to support himself, right? Why can’t he, a grown man, provide for the household? Besides, saving for a house isn’t something you can do in a day or two. Zhong Minghui has been leeching off you for years. Why can’t he take over your burdens now and let you catch a break? Is he even a man?"
Yan Xixi rarely spoke at such length, but this time, she wasn’t finished. "Xiaoya, it’s Zhong Minghui’s turn to bleed for you now!"
Xu Xiaoya lowered her head, hesitating to speak.
"Xiaoya, is there something else you haven’t told me?"
Xu Xiaoya grabbed her hand, her expression troubled. "Xixi, actually, the main reason I came today was to ask for your advice. Zhong Minghui’s parents have been staying with us for two months. His mother keeps saying their son is successful now and they’ve come to enjoy the good life. They complain that our rented apartment isn’t good enough and that my job is low-paying. They’re constantly urging us to buy a new house, but how are we supposed to come up with that much money so quickly?"