Chapter 43, After so long, even the biggest grievances should have subsided by now, right?

“Yes, I want to go,” Wen Hanyun said, her fingertips tracing the edge of the CD lid. “I’ve loved these things since I was little, and I’ve always dreamed of having the chance to stand on a big stage, but then my family arranged a job for me at a school… so I put those thoughts to rest.”

Yan Sheng placed his hand on the back of her hand. "Go if you want to. I'll help you with any concerns. If there are any problems at the school, I'll coordinate."

Wen Hanyun felt a warmth in her heart, but for some reason, her nose felt a little sore. "Aren't you afraid that I made this decision on a whim and will regret it later?"

"What are you afraid of?" Yan Sheng lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand, his eyes filled with tenderness. "My Han Yun has her own pursuits, and of course I will support her. As for regret... I am the source of your confidence that you can regret it at any time."

The car restarted, and Wen Hanyun sighed softly.

"Yansheng, why have you always been so good to me?"

His wrists were crossed and resting on the steering wheel, rubbing them idly as if he were lost in thought.

"Hmm, are you happy?"

Wen Hanyun leaned back relaxed, turning her head to look at the gradually darkening sky outside the window. "I'm so happy. It's so good to have you."

Yan Sheng did not answer. He simply pondered those words repeatedly, responding silently in his heart.

Having her is truly wonderful.

.

"Sister Wen, are you really planning to leave?"

"Yes, I've made up my mind."

"Then I won't see you very often in the future? But it's okay, you'll definitely make new friends, and I can still come to see your performances when I don't have classes."

"......"

Recalling Qin Ling's feigned nonchalance when she said goodbye, Wen Hanyun felt a pang of sadness.

She returned to her dormitory, spread out the things Yu Zhimu had given her, and flipped through the pages to the section on the tour schedule. The densely packed city names made her heart ache slightly.

After the band's first teaser, the tour will kick off next month, spanning three months and covering more than a dozen cities of all sizes. Even though Wieland promised to coordinate the schedule, the changes that can be made are probably not too significant.

The next morning, she went to the department head's office and submitted her resignation.

"Professor Wen, you've found a new job?" The department head took the paper with some surprise and looked her up and down. "Where are you planning to go? Still working at the university? How's the salary? University A has good benefits, and you already have a professional title here. Unless the conditions are significantly better than here, it's best not to switch jobs."

“I don’t plan to switch jobs,” Wen Hanyun shook her head. “I’m resigning directly and want to try working in a band.”

The department head's eyes widened instantly. "Hanyun, are you sure? Does your family know about this? Maybe... you should reconsider?"

"Director, thank you for your care over the years. I've thought it through,"

Her tone was calm, yet firm.

The department head sighed, didn't try to persuade her any further, and simply signed the form and helped her submit the application.

When she arrived at the principal's office, the principal looked at her with an almost regretful expression.

“Ms. Wen, I know a lot has happened lately and it's putting a lot of pressure on you, but you can't be so impulsive.” Leave this resignation letter with me for now. The school has granted you a week's leave. Use this time to relax and clear your head. Come back and pick it up when you've really thought it through.”

Wen Hanyun's heart sank suddenly.

The principal was an old friend of Wen's father, and this job was arranged for him by his father through him.

The school won't let her go directly.

She whispered "thank you" and left the office.

It seems I still can't escape the test from Mr. Wen.

Sure enough, just two steps later, Wen's mother called.

"Hanyun, the principal spoke with your father. You... come back first."

After hanging up the phone, Wen Hanyun sat on a bench by the roadside for half an hour before slowly hailing a cab to head home.

The Wen family is a traditional scholarly family. Wen's father was a university professor and his mother was a middle school teacher. After marrying into the Wen family, she returned to the home and became a part-time housewife.

Wen Hanyun chose to stay at the university to teach not only because of Yan Zhe, but also because she wanted to fulfill her parents' wishes.

Now, her sudden announcement that she wants to quit her job to start a band is like dropping a bomb in this conservative family.

Pushing open the door, she found the living room filled with smoke, which made her cough several times.

Her mother stood in the entryway waiting for her, her eyes filled with worry and confusion. Her father sat on the sofa smoking, and when he saw her come in, he immediately launched into a tirade of abuse.

"You've really made something of yourself! You just turn your back and leave after I say a few words to you. How long has it been since you came home?"

Judging from his tone, he had clearly been holding back his anger for a long time, but during this time she was either in the dormitory or at Yanzhe's house, and he hadn't found a chance to vent his anger.

"You have a perfectly good job, why do you have to do those shady things! Running around all day, showing your face in public, don't you have any shame?"

"I just asked someone to pull some strings for you at the school a few days ago, and you turn around and submit your resignation! How can you face us for all the effort we put into you and for all the training we gave you?"

Wen's father's tone was full of disappointment.

"Do you know how absurd this step is? We didn't stop you from causing trouble before. Yanzhe's matter is in the past. Even if I said a few words to you, after so much time, even the biggest grievances should have subsided by now, right?"

"Do you really have to gamble with your future out of spite?"

“I’m not being stubborn,” Wen Hanyun finally retorted, her eyes reddening. “I love music, I love the stage, and I want to live for myself this once, is that not allowed?”

"Live for yourself," Wen's father slammed his fist on the table in exasperation. "Do you know why Yanzhe broke off the engagement? It's because he thought you weren't settled enough. Now you and Yansheng aren't even officially together, and you want to quit your job. Do you want someone to dump you and make you a laughingstock before you're satisfied?"

These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into Wen Hanyun's heart.

Her engagement to Yanzhe was arranged by their elders, and she was not at fault for breaking off the engagement. However, Wen's father used this as a tool to mock her.

She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but found her throat tight and unable to utter a single word.

"I don't care what you think, you have to keep this job!"

He stubbed out his cigarette and shoved the butt hard into the glass slot, as if delivering a final verdict to a prisoner.

Wen's mother also sighed, stepped forward and gently patted her hand:

"Hanyun, listen to me. Rest at home for two days. When you go back to school, withdraw your resignation application and pretend nothing happened."

"I'm not going!"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Wen Hanyun disobeyed her mother for the first time in her life.

"I will not go back, regardless of whether the application is approved or not."