Chapter 167 The Queen Mother Relents

There was no emotion in Wang's mother's words, but Wang Xinxin knew her mother.

If she really didn't like him, she would have driven Chen Zhengnian away long ago.

Her heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down to half its place.

It seems that my mother has given in.

Chen Zhengnian reacted very quickly and immediately responded loudly, "Thank you, Auntie. I'll be sorry to bother you for the next few days."

There was no special expression on his face, he still looked calm.

But he quietly tightened his grip on Wang Xinxin's hand.

Wang Xinxin could feel Chen Zhengnian’s excitement, and she gently scratched his palm with her fingertips.

Chen Zhengnian looked down at her, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

The Queen Mother didn't say anything else, stood up and walked to the kitchen to start preparing lunch.

Wang Xinxin’s guess was correct. She was a person who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

Knowing that the two of them were coming back, she went to the market early in the morning and bought a fat fish.

There was a clatter of pots and pans coming from the kitchen, it looked busy.

Chen Zhengnian wanted to go in and help, but he was afraid that his actions would displease the Queen Mother.

Wang Xinxin quickly pulled Chen Zhengnian to sit down and whispered, "I think my mom... agreed."

"It's a good sign."

Chen Zhengnian responded in a low voice, his eyes sweeping across the small living room.

Although it is old and crowded, it is kept clean and there are several pots of green garlic sprouts on the windowsill.

"Auntie is starting to feel more relaxed, but it will take time."

He came this time just to open the Queen Mother's heart. He would definitely be able to make her accept him.

Soon, lunch was ready. The food was simple but exquisite.

During the meal, the Queen Mother didn't say much, but occasionally looked up at Chen Zhengnian.

Chen Zhengnian ate quickly, but not rudely.

The habits I developed from years of military service have not been changed for the time being.

He had a good appetite and praised the Queen Mother earnestly.

"Aunt, your braised pork is really delicious, fatty but not greasy."

The corner of the Queen Mother's mouth moved slightly, but she didn't respond, but just added another spoonful of soup to his bowl.

Wang Xinxin saw this and was very happy.

In the afternoon, Wang Xinxin took Chen Zhengnian for a walk around the neighborhood.

The old alley was narrow and the neighbors were very close to each other. Many neighbors looked at Chen Zhengnian with curiosity when they saw him wearing a military uniform.

Wang Xinxin was a little embarrassed, but Chen Zhengnian was very open and confident. When he met older people, he would nod and smile and greet them.

"Is this Xinxin's boyfriend? He's so energetic!"

An old lady sitting at the door picking vegetables asked with a smile.

"Hey, hello, Grandma Zhang."

Wang Xinxin agreed with a blushing face.

Chen Zhengnian also nodded slightly and said hello: "Hello, Grandma."

When the two of them returned, Wang Xinxin told Chen Zhengnian, "Actually, our family used to live in the countryside, just like my aunt's family."

"My mother felt that if we lived in the countryside, people would talk about us, so she brought me here."

"When I was little, I liked living at my aunt's house. I had a very good relationship with my aunt and my cousin."

When Chen Zhengnian listened to Wang Xinxin talking about her childhood, he seemed to be able to imagine what she looked like as a child.

His growing environment is much different from Wang Xinxin's.

Because of family reasons, he was taught to be obedient and sensible since he was young.

When he grew up, he became the person his family most hoped for.

Smooth journey and successful promotion.

But on this road, Chen Zhengnian just felt a little empty.

It seemed that from the very beginning, he had lost the most important thing.

Chen Zhengnian himself couldn't explain what it was.

Chen Zhengnian only realized this feeling after meeting Wang Xinxin.

What he lost was his family.

Because we have never truly received love, we appear to be so withdrawn when faced with love.

"Brother Chen, actually, you don't have to change your career. I like the Northwest and I'm willing to stay there."

"I went to the Northwest for the development of the region and to fulfill my dream."

Wang Xinxin pulled Chen Zhengnian aside and stood firmly, then slowly said this.

"For me, what I want more is that we can be together happily."

"Besides, my mother will retire in a few years. When that time comes, we can bring her to the northwest to let her change her environment and experience other places."

After hearing what Wang Xinxin said, Chen Zhengnian shook his head.

"No, Xinxin, you can't say that. Auntie is willing to go to the Northwest because of you, but we can't let her come. Supporting her is our young people's duty."

"She herself said, 'I can't adapt to life in Shanghai, so how can she adapt to life in the northwest?'"

Chen Zhengnian held Wang Xinxin's hand tightly and spoke softly.

"I want to change my career, and it's not all because of you."

"I've spent almost half my life in the Northwest, so of course I want to go somewhere else and experience it."

He thought that what Wang Xinxin said was because of him, but in fact, all the words just said were Wang Xinxin's most sincere thoughts.

Both of them are thinking about each other.

Chen Zhengnian didn't notice that behind him, Queen Mother, who was hiding in the dark and about to go out, heard everything he had just said.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't moved.

It is really rare to meet someone like this who is devoted to his daughter.

At that moment, all the worries in the Queen Mother's heart seemed to disappear with Chen Zhengnian's words.

When he returned to the small building, Chen Zhengnian saw that a few tiles on the second-floor windowsill seemed to be loose, so he said to Wang Xinxin.

"Those tiles on the second floor of your house don't look very stable. Do you have a ladder? I'll go up and take a look."

Wang Xinxin was stunned: "Ah? No need, wait until the weather clears up and my mom finds someone..."

"It's just a matter of convenience."

Chen Zhengnian had already spotted an old bamboo ladder leaning against the wall. "Can this be used?"

The Queen Mother was hanging clothes in the yard at the time. When she heard the noise, she didn't say anything. She just watched Chen Zhengnian check the ladder neatly, then set it up steadily and climbed up skillfully.

Wang Xinxin was holding onto the ladder from below, her heart in her throat: "Be careful!"

Chen Zhengnian carefully checked the loose tiles, knocked the surrounding area with his hand, and then carefully put the loose tiles back in place and compacted them.

The sunlight fell on his focused profile, and sweat slid down his temples, soaking his collar.

The Queen Mother hung up the last piece of clothes, held the empty basin, and stood in the yard, watching quietly.

In the past, there was no man in the family, so we had to find someone else to do things like this.

Looking at Chen Zhengnian now, Queen Mother suddenly felt that this man was really reliable.

Maybe my Xinxin can really be happy if she stays with him?

The excuses she had made before were just attempts to separate the two of them.

"alright."

After Chen Zhengnian confirmed that it was safe, he climbed down nimbly and brushed the dust off his hands.

"It should be fine. Let's wait and see next time it rains."

As soon as he stood firm, the Queen Mother's voice rang out. Although it was awkward, it showed concern for him: "You are covered in dust. Go wash your face. There is hot water in the kitchen."