Chapter 43 Chapter 43 I like him.

In mid-February, near the end of the Spring Festival holiday for college students, Xia Changping's verdict was announced: he was sentenced to seven years in prison for multiple crimes.

Xia Qingwan decided to go to Shaoping to personally tell her grandmother the news.

Before leaving, she called Xia Mingzhou. After listening, Xia Mingzhou remained silent for a long time before saying, "...You go ahead, I won't go, I have a lot of things to do at home."

“Okay, then,” Xia Qingwan said, “Brother, take good care of yourself.”

"Talk to grandma and tell her not to worry too much. I know what to do."

"Um."

Ye Peixiu had already returned to work after his holiday. That day, he first went to the company's morning meeting, and then returned to Ye Garden to pick her up to go to the airport.

In the back seat, she remained silent, fidgeting with her fingers and gazing out the window.

Ye Peixiu pulled her head close and kissed her forehead. "Don't think too much. Your grandma definitely knows what's going on now, so don't worry too much."

Xia Qingwan nodded.

He took her hand, straightened her curled fingers with his thumb, and kissed them.

She looked up at him, pursing her lips and remaining silent.

There was always a serene detachment in her eyes, as if all her hidden sorrows were buried deep within. Looking into that gaze, Ye Peixiu couldn't help but ask again, "You really don't need me to go with you?"

He had asked this question a few days ago, and she said no.

She's an adult, she's 20 years old this year, and she should be able to take care of herself and take responsibility for her decisions. But he just couldn't bear to leave her alone to face such a terrible situation.

She shook her head again, "No need."

We should still respect her opinion.

Xia Qingwan tried to comfort him, smiling as she said, "I've been through so many things on my own before, I'm not as fragile as you think."

Ye Peixiu fixed his gaze on her tenderly, and smiled, "I've always said you were amazing, and now you're getting the chance to show me your skills?"

This was of course meant to tease her, so she chuckled and said, "Then you'll have to wait and see. I will definitely comfort grandma thoroughly so that she can return to the capital without any worries."

It was hard for her, with so many things on her mind, to still have the spare time to comfort him.

Ye Peixiu felt both admiration and heartache.

Before sending her to security, he pulled her into his arms, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "If there's anything you can't handle, tell me immediately. Don't force yourself."

"……good."

She walked a few meters away and turned back to look at him.

In the bustling airport terminal, a tall man with one hand in his pocket saw her turn around, pressed two fingers to his lips, and handed it to her.

Xia Qingwan couldn't help laughing.

Her eyebrows and eyes curved, and her smile melted away the frost and snow.

-

After landing, head straight to the suburbs of Shaoping.

For the past two months, Grandma Xia and Grandma Xi have been living in this villa in the suburbs.

A great place with clear water and green mountains.

When Grandma Xi mentioned this, Xia Qingwan realized that this place was arranged by Ye Peixiu.

Therefore, as soon as I landed, I had some things I wanted to talk to him about.

"Has the verdict for Changping been handed down?"

Grandma Xi led her to the bedroom and asked in a low voice.

"Um."

Grandma Xi took a deep breath and said, "Your grandma is already prepared. No matter how bad the outcome, just tell her. Tell her sooner rather than later, so she won't have to worry about it."

How is she doing lately?

"I'm doing fine. It's no different from being in Beijing. I read a book every day. I seem to have learned something new recently. I'm working on a model on the computer."

Grandma Xi raised her chin and gestured towards the other end of the room, "She's doing yoga right now, and asked me not to disturb her."

"Let's wait until she comes out before we talk about it."

"Change your clothes and get settled first. I'll get you some snacks," Grandma Xi said with a smile. "This kid didn't even tell me beforehand. I'll check the refrigerator first and make you something delicious tonight."

Seeing that Grandma Xi was in good condition, Xia Qingwan also breathed a sigh of relief.

It is an ideal result for the two elderly people to live out their retirement in peace in Shaoping, a place with beautiful mountains and rivers.

Xia Qingwan packed her luggage, tidied up the room, changed her clothes, and walked out. Just then, her grandmother came out of the yoga room.

"Late Qing Dynasty"

Xia Huiqing looked at her with a smile, "Why are you here?"

"Come and see you and Grandma Xi."

Xia Huiqing naturally understood what she was doing. Without saying anything, she lowered her eyes and said, "Come and eat something."

Grandma Xi brought over tea and snacks.

The three of them sat down on the sofa and were silent for a moment. Then Xia Huiqing asked, "How many years?"

"...sentenced to seven years."

Xia Huiqing remained expressionless and nodded, "Okay."

"I've talked to Brother Mingzhou, and he told you not to worry. He knows what's going on and will take care of everything."

How is Mom in Minnesota? Has she been affected?

“The Minnesota guy didn’t mention this.”

"Okay, I'll ask him some other time."

Xia Huiqing said.

Xia Huiqing has always been clear about her conduct and actions, and she is most afraid of implicating others. Xia Mingzhou's mother has never been happy in her marriage and has been very tolerant of Xia Changping. Now that Xia Changping has fallen on hard times, Xia Huiqing is most afraid that this matter will also involve her. If that happens, the Xia family will have done a great disservice to her.

Grandma Xi advised, "Don't worry about these things. Let Mingzhou handle them. He's a filial son and he would never abandon his mother."

Xia Huiqing nodded and continued, "Last time, didn't we make a list of all the antique calligraphy and paintings in Beijing? Let's see if we can ask someone to take them to an auction, convert them into cash, and transfer it to Mom in Mingzhou."

Grandma Xi sighed and had no choice but to obey, "Okay, I'll find someone to do it."

"Also, since Qingwan is here today," Xia Huiqing turned to Xia Qingwan and said, "Besides those antiques, I have already divided the rest of the family property, including the inheritance left by your grandfather, into three equal parts. Go back and have a lawyer in Mingzhou divide the property. Your father's share will be transferred entirely to your name."

These words surprised not only Grandma Xi, but also Xia Qingwan.

"how……"

Grandma Xi was about to cry, "Hui Qing! Why are you arranging all this when you're fine?"

Xia Huiqing smiled and said calmly, "It's because we separated too late that we caused so much trouble. If we had separated earlier, Changping and Changliu would have been relieved."

Otherwise, the brother and sister would always suspect that she wanted to leave all the Xia family's inheritance to Xia Qingwan.

Grandma Xi stood up and said, "Even if we need to arrange it, there's no need to rush it now. You're leaving it all to Qingwan alone. How can she, a little girl, handle it?"

“Let Mingzhou join us. He’s 25 this year, it’s time for him to step up.” Xia Huiqing had made up her mind. “Axi, don’t say anything more, I have my own plans.”

Xia Qingwan didn't say much, and silently wrote down everything her grandmother said.

In the evening, after dinner, Xia Qingwan accompanied her grandmother for a walk in the yard.

Even in winter, the Jiangnan region remains lush and green. The front garden is beautifully and neatly trimmed, with a round holly tree lying prostrate on the lawn, its green and red leaves intertwined and overlapping.

Her phone vibrated. She took it out and glanced at the screen. It was a message from Ye Peixiu, asking if it was convenient for her to take the call.

She typed back:

"I'm taking my grandma for a walk. Wait a moment, I'll contact you."

After replying to the message and putting my phone back in my pocket, I heard my grandma ask, "Who was that?"

In the past, her grandmother would also inquire about her daily friendships, so Xia Qingwan wasn't surprised and simply replied, "...a friend."

Xia Huiqing glanced at her.

The two walked a little distance apart, one in front and the other behind. Xia Huiqing stopped and asked with her back to him, "Why didn't Mr. Ye come with you?"

Xia Qingwan stopped and felt a tinnitus in her ears.

Grandma found out.

There is no wall that is impenetrable. She will always know every word and expression of everyone.

Xia Qingwan lowered her head and was silent for a moment. Then, as if confessing a crime, she said in a trembling voice, "...Grandma, I like him."

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

Xia Huiqing asked.

Without waiting for her to answer, he turned around and said gently, "You know this isn't right, right? Otherwise, you should have told grandma a long time ago."

Xia Qingwan nodded, tears streaming down her face.

"You seem to have gained some weight recently, and your spirits and complexion have improved," Xia Huiqing said, "It seems that he treats you well."

Xia Qingwan sniffed, "...Grandma, I know what to do. I understand the reasoning. He and I have only been together for two years." She raised her tear-stained face, "...Can I?"

Xia Huiqing hugged her and pressed her into her arms. "Grandma knows you're the most well-behaved, but," she paused, "...the Ye family is too high-ranking and not so easy to deal with. Your grandmother Liang couldn't stand the numerous cumbersome rules and constraints, so she made up her mind to divorce."

"You're still young. You should go out and see the world. Don't rush into this and ruin yourself."

Xia Qingwan hugged her grandmother and murmured while crying, "I know... I know everything..."

"Grandma has checked the market price. When you go back, please transfer all the money for this villa to Mr. Ye."

I moved in because of an emergency, but now that things have been sorted out, I shouldn't take other people's things for nothing.

"good."

She understood everything Xia Huiqing was saying.

That's why she avoided Ye Peixiu so much in the beginning. However, when the golden wind and jade dew meet, the feelings are as strong as autumn water. How can she resist?

"Get some rest."

Xia Qingwan returned to her bedroom, washed her face, calmed herself down, and then called Ye Peixiu.

"Aren't you busy now?"

She said it in a lighthearted tone.

"So good of a mood?"

Ye Peixiu smiled. The lightness, as thin as a gossamer thread, was clearly a forced expression, but he didn't expose it. He simply said, "I haven't left work yet, and I wanted to ask about your situation."

“I’m fine. I ate dinner and took a walk with Grandma for a while,” she complained softly. “Grandma gave me a lot of tasks. She wants me to go back and work with Mingzhou to find a lawyer to divide the inheritance.”

"Giving you such an important task? It's clear that Grandma thinks you've grown up and become capable."

Although she pretended to be nonchalant at first, Xia Qingwan couldn't help but laugh when she heard his half-joking words, "I think so too."

"...Did you miss me?"

She nodded emphatically, "I really want to."

I miss you too.

In fact, he had already started missing her when he was sending her to the airport.

Because of the premonition of loss, that sense of loss and melancholy always seeps into the heart in advance.

-

Xia Qingwan stayed in Shaoping for three days, accompanying the two elderly people to eat, go shopping and watch lanterns. It was a lively and leisurely time.

On the last day, she and Grandma Xi sorted out documents in the study, packed up those that needed to be taken back to Beijing, and put them into a special suitcase.

I heard car noises outside, but I didn't pay much attention.

After a while, Grandma Xi sat down to rest after tidying up. Xia Qingwan left the study, wanting to get Grandma Xi something to eat. She walked through the corridor to the living room and saw a tall man sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, and Grandma Xi sitting opposite him.

Hearing the footsteps, both of them turned around. Xia Huiqing smiled and said, "Qingwan, Mr. Ye is here, let's say hello."

Ye Peixiu gazed at her intently.

Strangely, she could understand the look in his eyes, as if to say that he understood the whole situation and came here unmoved just to reassure her.

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The author has something to say: Sorry for being late! I'm giving everyone red envelopes for this chapter [pink heart]