Chapter 78 - Cohabitation

The festive atmosphere of the New Years hadnt wholly dissipated from peoples minds yet. However, just as students have to go back to school, adults also have to go back to their jobs and struggle for their livelihoods.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi could be considered the most reluctant to leave her family. The taxing nature of her work meant that she wouldnt see her family for several months, at least.

Now that certain things have come to light, she was doubly anxious about leaving them.

So the night before she had to leave for work, she took advantage of Lin YaZhis absence and asked Lin Qian to talk to him alone.

These days, she got along well with Lin YaZhis children. In fact, some would say that this newly formed Lin family was quite harmonious now. But in the end, Lin Qian wasnt her biological child. Now that she knew certain things about Lin Qian and her son, Chen s.h.i.+Yi couldnt help but be a little uncomfortable whenever she sees Lin Qian.

However, in contrast to this, Lin Qians posture was quite loose as he faced Chen s.h.i.+Yi. He even took the lead and said: Auntie, just say what you need to say. I wont make things awkward for you.

Chen s.h.i.+Yis heart was quite conflicted. She hadnt gotten along with him before and had always thought that Lin Qian had a bad temper. But after living together for some time, she found Lin Qian to be far more mature and stable than she had previously thought. Throughout the holidays, Chen s.h.i.+Yi would catch herself thinking that some adults couldnt even compare to Lin Qians calm and reliable aura.

It was as that mischievous Zheng PingQing said: What family wouldnt want such an excellent boy for their daughter?

Unfortunately, she gave birth to a sonno, a headache of a son.

Well.. Chen s.h.i.+Yi hesitated for a long time, then said: Old Zheng asked me about the college entrance exams two days ago. You know that PingQing lives alone, and with everyone going back to work, there wont be anyone in Rong City who can properly take care of him. So Old Zheng figured that PingQing could live here during this last semester. But you know that I rarely come home during the year, so it would be YaZhi who will have to care for him

The more Chen s.h.i.+Yi said, the more complicated her mood got. Truthfully, she previously had the same idea and even asked Zheng PingQing about it. But ever since she found out about Lin Qian and Zheng PingQings relations.h.i.+p, this idea had been thrown out of her mind. But unexpectedly, Zheng BuLu had the same idea and took the initiative to ask her.

Zheng BuLus thought process was very straightforward. He believes the relations.h.i.+p between the two families was quite good. Also, Zheng PingQing was Chen s.h.i.+Yis son and Lin YaZhis student. Whats more, not only does Zheng PingQing have a good relations.h.i.+p with Lin YaZhi, but he also got along exceedingly well with Lin YaZhis son. So wouldnt it be perfect if his son lived with them while he was away at work?

However, those were only the parts he had told Chen s.h.i.+Yi. What he didnt tell her was that He YiJuns provocations made him realize something. The absence of a parental figure may have far-reaching consequences on a childs mental state that he hadnt initially thought about.

Of course, Zheng BuLu had also mentioned several ways he could compensate the Lin family. Not with monetary compensation, but instead, by helping the Lin family solve some of their inconveniences in life. For example, Zheng BuLu could hire a housekeeper to help them with their daily cooking and housework. Such things would avoid making Lin YaZhis family uncomfortable with the situation.

It could be said that for the sake of his son, Zheng BuLu, the man who usually threw money at his problems, took the time and effort to properly think about this.

However, he didnt know that his ex-wife was worried about something else.

Chen s.h.i.+Yis heart was in the middle of a turbulent storm. On the one hand, shes still trying to digest the fact that her son and Lin Qian were together. But on the other hand, she was apprehensive about Zheng PingQing living alone. These two thoughts pulled her in two different directions and made her very hesitant.

Lin Qian understood her concerns. With a smile, he replied: If Auntie wants my opinion, then Id advise you to let Zheng PingQing live here.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi silently looked up at him, a trace of suspicion and distrust in her eyes. She hadnt forgotten the image of her son pressing Lin Qian down on that fateful day.

With a serious expression on his face, Lin Qian said: Dont look at me with such strange eyes, ah. You cant stop Zheng PingQing and I from doing whatever we want to do anyway.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi:

Although she knew his words were the truth, being told so directly hurt her heart.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi firmly replied: You two are still so young

Were not children anymore, auntie. We know what were doing. While Lin Qians tone was gentle, it had a kind of momentum that no one could refute.

Auntie, if youre really afraid that Zheng PingQing and I might do something, wouldnt it be better if Zheng PingQing lived here with us? After all, we cant do anything with my father here.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi: .! She was suddenly convinced.

Lin Qian smiled. You can rest a.s.sured that well study hard together and get in a good university together.

He didnt swear, nor was he vehement. Lin Qians gentle tone gave Chen s.h.i.+Yi an inexplicable sense of trust, and finally, her heart calmed. Chen s.h.i.+Yi firmly replied: I believe you, and I believe in PingQing.

Lin Qian smiled. Thank you.

The conversation stalled. After a moments pause, Lin Qian said: If theres nothing else, Ill be going back to my room first.

Wait. Chen s.h.i.+Yi called out.

Lin Qian turned back around and saw that Chen s.h.i.+Yi was looking at him with earnest eyes. There was also a hint of expectation that Lin Qian wasnt sure she was even aware of.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi told him: Lin Qian, truth be told, Ive been thinking about your relations.h.i.+p with PingQing these past two days. Ive thought about it for so long, but in the end, I still dont know whether I should support or oppose it.

I understand. Lin Qian was generous as he said: I know its hard for any parent to accept such things.

But I know I have no right to object. Chen s.h.i.+Yi gave him a wry smile. Im just scared and worried for the both of you. I dont know what kind of future youll have if you both walk down this road.

Itll be even better than the best future you can imagine. Lin Qians eyes curved into crescents, and he tried to appease her. Believe me, I know what were going to encounter, but I also know how to face it.

Chen s.h.i.+Yis shoulders suddenly relaxed. She said: Lin Qian, I know Im not in any position to say this, but I feel like I have to. Please dont take offense

Lin Qian gestured for her to continue.

Please.please take good care of PingQing. Dont hold anything against him, and dont leave him behind.

Lin Qian nodded and gave her a meaningful smile. Dont worry.

Before she had this conversation with Lin Qian, Chen s.h.i.+Yi had been hesitant. Her heart had been wavering, and honestly, she wasnt even sure what kind of reply she wanted from Lin Qian.

But now, she suddenly made a decision.

Lin Qians att.i.tude was enough for her to make up her mind.

When PingQing was a child, he was very insistent on having an adult cut his food into small pieces before he ate. Chen s.h.i.+Yis mood relaxed, and she suddenly changed the subject. Back then, I would tease him about it. I asked him: When you grow up, are you going to ask your wife to cut your food for you? And do you know what he said?

Lin Qian smiled and thought back to a childhood story Zheng PingQing had told him when he had been pursuing him. Did he reply that when he got married, hed cut his wifes food for the rest of their lives?

Chen s.h.i.+Yi paused, her expression turning subtle. After a long silence, Chen s.h.i.+Yi replied: Er, no. He told me that he would marry ten wives in the future and get them to cut his food up in turns.

Lin Qian: ..

Lin Qian furiously exclaimed: d.a.m.n it, he lied to me!

Chen s.h.i.+Yis sentimental emotions dissipated into thin air. However, she stubbornly continued and said: I just wanted to say that even though he said such words as a child, every time I see you and PingQing eating together, he would always put food in your bowl and remove bones for you. His actions are totally different from when he was a child. I believe that PingQing must really like you. Otherwise, he wouldnt have changed so much.

n.o.body expected that Zheng PingQing would brag about such things to Lin Qian.

Lin Qian pressed at his chest. When Zheng PingQing had pursued Lin Qian, he would wildly boast about things to show that he was a perfect boyfriend. Zheng PingQing would insist that he trained himself at an early age to take care of his things and treasure them. He specifically recounted a story from his childhood where he said he would take care of his future wife and lovingly feed them.

And later, whenever Zheng PingQing was with him, he did do all the things he boasted about. Therefore, Lin Qian never doubted Zheng PingQings words and believed that the young Zheng PingQing really did say such things.

Zheng PingQing probably never thought that he would eventually be exposed. And by his mother of all people.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi had no words for that son of hers. But this was Zheng PingQing; what did she expect? In the end, she could only bite the bullet and try to help her son. She said: Lin Qian, you just promised me a few minutes ago. You wont hold this against him, right?

What could Lin Qian say? He took deep breaths and calmly replied: Im not going to turn my back to him. After all, the goods have already been used; it would be embarra.s.sing to return it now.

Lin Qian said these words while thinking about their last life. He simply blurted it out without much thought. However, it was heard by others

Chen s.h.i.+Yi: .!!!!!

Chen s.h.i.+Yi was alarmed, unsure by what Lin Qian meant when he said used goods.

She wanted to ask, but was afraid to ask.

Auntie Chen also wanted to drop a large rock on her chest.

After the New Year, Chen s.h.i.+Yi went back to work. In fact, Lin YaZhi also applied for reinstatement in the laboratory. However, he had to wait for his son and daughter to go to university before he could go back. Therefore, he was still teaching this semester at No.12 High School and would still be home to take care of the children.

Since Lin YaZhi knew that Zheng PingQing was Chen s.h.i.+Yis son who had been living alone, Lin YaZhi had actually also offered to take care of Zheng PingQing during the new semester. Now that all three parents had reached an agreement, Zheng PingQing packed up his things and went to Lin Qians home to stay.

To a.s.suage Chen s.h.i.+Yis worries and to keep her younger brothers body from being molested, sister-in-law Shao SiJia made the rare, kind-hearted decision to lend her room to Lin Qian for the semester. Of course, behind closed doors, she secretly made Zheng PingQing promise to give her all kinds of benefits in the future.

Zheng PingQing initially wanted to stay in the same room as Lin Qian. But after thinking about the looming college entrance exams and his youthful, uncontrollable body, Zheng PingQing smartly chose to give up on the matter.

After all, excessive exercise is very harmful to the body.

On the day Zheng PingQing moved in was also the day Chen s.h.i.+Yi had to leave for work. The family had lunch together, then Chen s.h.i.+Yi said her goodbyes.

Lin YaZhi did his best to rea.s.sure her. Dont worry, Ill be here. Ill make sure they eat and live well! Theyll surely get in the best university.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi looked at Lin YaZhi and felt a slight sadness in her heart. She earnestly instructed: Theyll be working hard during the day, so you shouldnt disturb them at night. Especially when their doors are closed. Remember, dont open their door without their consent, ah.

Lin Qian: . Auntie, I think you have an overactive imagination.

Zheng PingQing comforted her: Mom, rest a.s.sured, Lin Qian and I will remember to lock the door.

Lin Qian: _ He clearly wants to give his mother a heart attack.

Chen s.h.i.+Yi weakly replied: Okalrightbut its better not to lock the door, ah.

Zheng PingQing wanted to reply but was stopped by Lin Qian.

Dont worry, Ill look after him. I wont let him lock the door. Lin Qian told her.

After Lin Qians guarantee, the weight in Chen s.h.i.+Yis chest was a little lighter. Grateful, she said: Thank you. Ill leave it to you.

Lin Qian nodded. Of course. After all, were family.

Lin YaZhi let out a bellowing laugh. He slapped Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing on the shoulder and said: Yes, one family, were all one family!

Everyone else looked at him in silence.

Alas, ignorance is bliss.

The next morning, Xu Yao walked to Lin Qians neighborhood to go to school together as usual. However, Xu Yao got up a little late today and only just managed to get to the entrance in time.

To his surprise, Zheng PingQing, who usually gets here before him, didnt appear today.

Xu Yao looked at his watch, then called Zheng PingQings phone to admonish him. Ah, ah, why havent you arrived yet! Zheng PingQing, why are you late?!

Im here. Zheng PingQing replied in a lazy tone.

Xu Yao looked around and saw no one. He angrily said: Lies, I dont see you.

Zheng PingQing clicked his tongue. Brother-in-law, you get too anxious from the littlest things, ah.

Xu Yao indignantly replied: How can I believe that you can bear the responsibility of taking care of Ah Qian when you do things like this? Im ashamed of you

As Xu Yao criticized and condemned Zheng PingQing, he happened to look up and spot two familiar figures approaching the gate. They were side by side, with one figure holding a phone and waving at him. Through his cellphone, he heard Zheng PingQing say: Dont panic brother-in-law, were here.

Xu Yaos voice cut off, like a speaker suddenly unplugged from its socket.

He watched the two men leisurely walk towards him. It was only when they finally reached him that Xu Yao finally found his voice. You.you.

Xu Yao kept repeating you over and over again, his brain unable to organize a proper sentence.

Zheng PingQing wrapped an arm around Lin Qian and gave Xu Yao a wide grin. We live together now.

And then, Xu Yao performed the cla.s.sic scene- his phone slipped from his hands and fell to the ground, breaking with a crack.

Xu Yao looked at his broken cell phone and cried out: My phone-

Lin Qian turned to Zheng PingQing with narrowed eyes. Shut up!

In a good mood, Zheng PingQing patted Xu Yao on the shoulder. Brother-in-law, dont panic. I can help you pay for.

Xu Yao looked at Zheng PingQing with hope in his eyes.

The phone repairs. Zheng PingQing finished.

Xu Yao: .

His cell phone was in literal pieces, and a repair would probably only fix the call functions. Thats basically the same as a

brick phone

, ah.

The author has something to say:

Lin YaZhi, the happy, ignorant, fool.