Chapter 48

Chapter 48 – I Really Don’t Want to Part from Mei Fang!

Xiang Xiaoxia took Mei Ya to a small room for some whispered conversation. When Xiang Xiaoxia came out, little Mei Ya was nowhere to be seen. After asking around, they learned that little Mei Ya had already fallen asleep after being tired from playing at kindergarten.

“This child really causes so much trouble. You, Youxi and Yuan, you can now go to the living room to do your homework in peace.”

Uh-huh…

Seeing that her relentless plan to keep Mei Fang around had failed, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi exchanged a glance before holding hands and following Xiang Xiaoxia to the kitchen.

“Mrs. Mei, are you really insisting on leaving?”

Xia Yuan’s tone was filled with grievance, “I really don’t want you to leave.”

“I’m also reluctant to leave, but there’s no other way,” said Mrs. Xiang.

“No, it’s not that there’s no other way!”

Xia Yuan mumbled, tugging on Xiang Xiaoxia’s arm, “At least, Fang… Ahfang can stay in Bai Mei County. He said he doesn’t want to go to Baishizhou. Ahfang said we have to sell our house to buy a new one in Baishizhou, and if that happens, Ahfang can live at my place!”

“Live at your place?”

Xiang Xiaoxia and Lin Youxi were surprised by Xia Yuan’s sudden proposal.

“Firstly, my mom is Ahfang’s teacher and can supervise his studies. Secondly, our house is big, with two guest rooms that can be cleaned up for Ahfang. Thirdly, my mom says a stable learning environment helps students learn better.”

Xia Yuan continued counting on her fingers, “Also, although my mom’s cooking isn’t as good as yours, I can learn. I have time, and I can take care of Ahfang well. Please, don’t worry!”

Xiang Xiaoxia was taken aback by this. It felt like Xia Yuan was suggesting she should marry off her son to her!

Even thinking about living together and cooking together, this girl is quite mature…

A smile crept onto Xiang Xiaoxia’s face, while Lin Youxi blushed slightly.

Yes, cooking together!

Ahfang and I have cooked together before.

If Ahfang stays in Bai Mei County, he can come to my place.

Besides, my family is often empty, and I don’t have to deal with parents’ faces.

I don’t think Xia Yuan’s dad likes Ahfang!

At least, my dad likes him more…

Although Lin Youxi’s father was busy, he always invited Mei Fang over to his house when he had free time, cooking for him.

But Lin Youxi just thought to herself; Xia Yuan had made her point.

Under Xia Yuan’s persistent efforts, Xiang Xiaoxia finally understood.

“I see, you all, and our Xiao Ya… crying, saying you want to be a family, and wanting to bring Ahfang home. You must be in cahoots, right?”

Silence…

Seeing their plan exposed, Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan lowered their heads in embarrassment.

“We’re just… just… very reluctant to part with Ahfang…”

“I understand your feelings. I’m also reluctant to leave, but adults’ decisions aren’t easy to change. Even if I agree now, we can’t always be apart. Children need adult care. Once you grow up, you can do whatever you want. What do you think?”

Facing Xiang Xiaoxia’s comfort, Xia Yuan sniffled and lowered her head.

In the end, she murmured softly, expressing her true feelings.

“It’s not good…”

“It’s not good…”

Her words became the driving force behind her resistance, allowing her to tell Xiang Xiaoxia loudly:

“Not at all!”

Xia Yuan bit her lip, gazing at Xiang Xiaoxia with sorrow, then tugged her arm, pleading with a tearful voice,

“Auntie Mei, I really, really don’t want to part from Ahfang…”

“Even for a day, an hour, a minute, or a second, it’s impossible!”

Infected by Xia Yuan’s emotions, Lin Youxi also tugged on Xiang Xiaoxia’s clothes.

Though her voice was soft, she still tried to express herself.

“I… I feel the same…”

“I don’t want to part from Ahfang either, Auntie Mei…”

Xiang Xiaoxia, who had lived nearly thirty years, had never encountered such a touching scene. She hadn’t expected these children’s feelings to be so deep.

“Tell me, is our Mei Fang really as good as you say?”

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi nodded vigorously, in perfect rhythm.

“What if you quarrel and stop being friends? Will you regret it?”

“No regrets!”

Lin Youxi added, “We haven’t quarreled with Ahfang yet. He always lets us win.”

“Okay, let me think about it.”

Mei Fang’s family didn’t have strong roots in Baishizhou. Since Mei Lijun needed to work there and Xiang Xiaoxia had no stable job, they naturally considered moving together.

Reflecting on it, finding schools for the kids, buying and selling houses, getting to know new neighbors, and learning the incomprehensible dialect of Baishizhou would be a lot of trouble.

Without relatives nearby, she couldn’t rely on others.

Moreover, there were two girls who insisted on staying with their son and adored him.

Leaving now would surely break their hearts, and they might become someone else’s daughters in the future.

Xiang Xiaoxia sighed deeply, gently stroking the two girls’ heads.

“I’m almost defeated by you…”

This clearly indicated she was giving in.

Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan wiped away their tears and smiled happily.

“Auntie, you’re agreeing not to go to Baishizhou, right?”

“Mine alone doesn’t count. We’ll wait for Ahfang’s dad to return. Speaking of which, where has that boy been? I haven’t seen him—”

Just as Xiang Xiaoxia spoke, they heard the sound of keys unlocking the door outside.

It was Mei Lijun and his son, Mei Fang.

Mei Fang saw the tear stains on Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan’s faces as soon as he entered.

Are they trying to soften my mom with tears?

True, my mom always gives in to softness and hates being tough.

“Why are you two together?”

“Ahfang came to my workplace and said he feels neglected by his father, so I accompanied him to the bookstore. But he ended up reading there, and I just paid for the books. Boring!”

“But just now…”

Xiang Xiaoxia realized their intentions halfway through her sentence.

Goodness, you kids teamed up to deal with us. Ahfang is keeping Lijun busy…

Seeing her son had the same idea, unwilling to part from them, she felt relieved.

But if just one girl was involved, it would be different. Getting two involved complicates things.

She couldn’t even imagine what kind of love-hate entanglements might arise.

How troublesome!

Meanwhile, Mei Lijun didn’t look too happy either.

“Xiaoxia, I need to talk to you about something.”

“I have something to discuss with you too.”

“My matter is more important. Let me go first.”

Mei Lijun pulled Xiang Xiaoxia aside to discuss, while Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi dragged Mei Fang closer to discuss today’s events.

“What are you guys whispering about?”

“The old Du from our bureau, do you remember him? His son, Du Zihan, went to kindergarten with Mei Fang.”

“Yes, what about him?”

“Mei Fang said he met Du Zihan and his father today. His father asked about Mei Ya.”

“How did he see her? How did he ask?”

Xiang Xiaoxia sounded anxious, “Did he find out Mei Ya is my daughter?”

“He directly asked Mei Fang if his mother had another baby. Fortunately, our son is clever and explained that Mei Ya is his cousin.”

Xiang Xiaoxia breathed a sigh of relief, “That old Du always disliked me since I started working. This time, he lost the competition for a position. Luckily, you’re being transferred to Baishizhou, so we won’t have to deal with him.”

Mei Lijun scratched his head.

“So, at least in Bai Mei County, we have people who can cover for us. If we take Xiao Ya to Baishizhou, and someone sees her, it will be hard to explain. The higher-ups will figure everything out.”

“What do you think?”

“I think maybe I should go to Baishizhou alone first. I can build connections there first, then consider moving. Going next year is too hasty.”

Mei Lijun explained, “I feel this is safer. Who knows how long I can stay there? It’s only a temporary assignment. If they change their mind and recall me, it will be troublesome.”

“Yes!”

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, who had been eavesdropping, immediately hugged each other in joy, confusing Mei Lijun.

Their plan to save their childhood friend seemed to have succeeded…

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(End of Chapter)