If Xia Xiao knew, she would say this was emotional abuse, some people just degrade themselves, which is why now Zhao Xiaolan only tries to please her husband and stepchildren, turning herself into the overworked and ever-patient housewife of their home, how could it not be sad?
In this production team, Gao Jiaxing’s two sisters had returned and were also asking why Gao Jiaxing wasn’t at home.
Zheng Xianghong simply put it that Gao Jiaxing had gone out of town, without elaborating further. Although she had received a telegram from her son, she still didn’t know his exact situation, so Zheng Xianghong found it hard to say much.
It was easier for Zheng Xianghong now that no one from the old house had come back for the New Year, and there was progress with Gao Jiazhi, as Sun Yuhua had agreed to date him.
This had thrilled Gao Jiazhi, and now that the school was closed, he didn’t have to attend classes and could help Sun Yuhua with her work in the production team.
Zheng Xianghong breathed a sigh of relief now that Gao Jiazhi was in a relationship, and her thoughts wandered back to Gao Jiaxing.
This year, on the second day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Xiao’s family didn’t go to her grandmother’s house. On the third day, Xia Xiao took Gao Jiaxing along with other family members to her grandmother’s place.
During this visit, several uncles were at home, whereas their big aunt and second aunt, who had visited the previous day, came over again in the afternoon.
Knowing Gao Jiaxing was Xia Xiao’s boyfriend, everyone gathered around to look at him, and as Xia Xiao’s grandmother’s house was already crowded, Xia Xiao was busy helping Gao Jiaxing out of the situation.
On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Xiao was preparing to return to the production team, and Gao Jiaxing also left with Liu Yuanchao.
"Xiaoxiao, wait for me," Gao Jiaxing said reluctantly.
Xia Xiao looked at Gao Jiaxing and, burying her face in his chest, said, "Take care."
Gao Jiaxing hugged Xia Xiao tightly, "Xiaoxiao, I will miss you, you also take care."
Initially, Xia Xiao didn’t want to cry, but Gao Jiaxing made it seem like a life-and-death farewell, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Cough, cough, at the door Xai Chunrong coughed lightly twice, prompting Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing to separate.
Xai Chunrong said, "It’s time to leave, otherwise we’ll miss the train."
Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing came out, and Liu Yuanchao was talking to Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia. They were all heading to the same train station but in different directions.
Xia Xiao said, "Brother, you don’t need to see me off, I’ll go to the station with Brother Yuanchao and Brother Gao Er. You better go back to work."
Xia Chunrong didn’t insist anymore. He indeed needed to go to work, and with Liu Yuanchao and Gao Jiaxing escorting her, there was nothing to worry about.
Immediately, Xia Xiao said her goodbyes to her family and left with Liu Yuanchao and Gao Jiaxing.
At the train station, Xia Xiao firmly refused to let Liu Yuanchao and Gao Jiaxing wait, and fortunately, Liu Yuanchao’s ticket was earlier than hers. She didn’t even want to take the train back.
So, after seeing off Liu Yuanchao and Gao Jiaxing at the train station and watching the train slowly leave, Xia Xiao waved continuously. A song about parting at a train station unconsciously came to her mind, feeling quite fitting and yet a bit empty.
Having been used to having Gao Jiaxing around and seeing him often, his sudden departure left Xia Xiao feeling lonely and unaccustomed.
She stood there until the train was out of sight. As Xia Xiao turned to go refund her ticket, she touched her face and realized it was wet from tears.
Xia Xiao was stunned, she was crying again when had her tears become so easy to flow? This thought made her suddenly laugh out loud; without realizing it, Gao Jiaxing had occupied her heart.
To Gao Jiaxing, Xia Xiao was defenseless, so ultimately, the boy she had first seen had gradually made a home in her heart.
Xia Xiao muttered looking into the distance, "Gao Jiaxing, I will come to see you." How could she bear not seeing him for three years once he was in her heart?
In the train, Gao Jiaxing was still stretching his neck to look out the window, Liu Yuanchao said, "Stop looking, the train has gone far away."
Gao Jiaxing then sat back down, and Liu Yuanchao asked, "What do you like about my cousin? Her looks?"
Gao Jiaxing gave Liu Yuanchao a disdainful look, "That’s too superficial. Everything about Xiaoxiao is good."
"Like what?" Liu Yuanchao was also bored and wanted to tease seeing Gao Jiaxing in that state.
But Gao Jiaxing didn’t play along with Liu Yuanchao’s tease, "Why should I tell you?" Xiaoxiao’s qualities were for him to know alone, not even for Liu Yuanchao.
"I am Xiaoxiao’s cousin," Liu Yuanchao said.
Gao Jiaxing replied, "You are her cousin, and you don’t know Xiaoxiao’s good qualities, I’m definitely not telling you."
Liu Yuanchao was speechless. Although Xia Xiao was his cousin, they hadn’t interacted much, and the remarkable changes he had seen in her over the years were hard to believe. Only the phrase "women change eighteen times between childhood and womanhood" could describe it.
Seeing Liu Yuanchao inquire no further, Gao Jiaxing continued to look out the window, constantly worrying about Xia Xiao’s safety on her way back.
Liu Yuanchao observed Gao Jiaxing’s composed face peeking out the window, revealing his inner turmoil, and did not push further. Seeing Gao Jiaxing care so deeply for his cousin was a pleasure for Liu Yuanchao.
Just after getting her ticket refunded, Xia Xiao was preparing to leave the train station but saw Gu Weiguo with his family. Xia Xiao quickly dodged, hiding herself.
Gu Weiguo was extremely unhappy. He wanted to find Xia Xiao, but his family disapproved, having arranged a blind date and even betrothed him without his consent.
This made Gu Weiguo glad his residence was registered in the production team, otherwise he might have found himself married off.
Gu Weiguo told his mother, "Mom, just let Dad concentrate on his own affairs. Why get involved in others? One wrong move and we could all be ruined."
"Silly boy, we’re already in deep, there’s no backing out now," Gu Weiguo’s mother said.
"So, you want to sacrifice my life." Gu Weiguo was heartbroken; he thought his family, having only one son who they dearly loved, would always cherish him. They all felt uneasy when he went to the countryside, hoping he would return from the rural experience soon.
But now, for the sake of his future, his family was forcibly arranging his marriage, which deeply hurt Gu Weiguo.