Shan Song and Tong Zhao have come to realize that Qi Yan and Luan Yining's problems probably can't be solved by learning the right way to get along. If they don't have a thorough conversation, their marriage is likely beyond saving.
Two of the three went up, one discovered the problem, and the other solved it, but both attempts ended in failure. Qi Changzhou met Shan Song's numb gaze. "It's your turn. You're at least half an older brother."
Dan Song was also troubled. He turned to his wife and exchanged glances: Should we comfort her?
Seeing that Qi Yan was almost in tears, Tong Zhao nodded slightly, then suddenly remembered the words Shan Song had used to comfort her. She quickly covered his mouth and, under Shan Song's puzzled gaze, said for him:
"Professor Luan is older than you, after all. When I met him before, I felt that he was not a very outgoing person. I suppose his feelings for his lover might not be very obvious. Perhaps we need to slowly understand him from the details."
Perhaps because it was rare to have a sister-in-law who spoke a little more gently, Qi Yan unusually spoke a little more to him: "If he had ever liked me, why did he never express his feelings to me? He doesn't get angry when I'm with other people. I feel like I've done everything I can, but he still doesn't want to talk to me, so I... I always thought he resented me for forcing him."
Tong Zhao recalled their argument on the cruise ship and said gently, "Liking someone doesn't mean there are no grudges. If, as you said, you forced him at the beginning, is it possible that he doesn't need you to do much, but just needs a sincere apology? When we met before, I felt that although you two argued fiercely, you could calm down in front of outsiders. Why are you so harsh and stern when facing your lover?"
Qi Yan rubbed his face: "I don't want to argue with him, but I can't control myself. His eyes are always on other people. He treats strangers better than me. Everything is more important to him than me. His students, his experiments, even the stray cats and dogs on the street... Only when he's angry does he pay full attention to me."
Tong Zhao fell silent, not knowing what to say. Although he was only two years younger, Qi Yan seemed to be at the age where he would deliberately do things to make people angry in order to attract attention. He was at an age where he was very possessive but did not know how to communicate properly. He looked up at Shan Song for help.
Having been silenced by his wife, Shan Song was now free to kiss the omega's fingertips lightly: Leave it to me.
Shan Song probably knows more about how Qi Yan and Luan Yining met than Qi Changzhou, the older brother. During the years when Qi Changzhou was in the army, Shan Song took care of the two younger brothers of the Qi family.
Qi Taiyue was mature beyond his years, requiring little effort and discipline. His twin brother, Qi Yan, was quite different; he was very troublesome, especially regarding his relationship with Luan Yining. It was Shan Song who mediated the dispute at the Qi family's home.
After thinking for a moment, Shan Song decided not to continue with his wife's gentle persuasion. He first refuted one point: "You say Luan Yining doesn't love you, then why didn't Luan Yining stay at the university to teach? Have you ever thought about why?"
Qi Yan paused for a moment: "Is it because you're avoiding me?"
"So you think he gave up the resources of S University, his familiar colleagues and environment, and came to Yunling, where you've lived since childhood, to avoid you?"
Qi Yan choked up.
Qi Changzhou couldn't bear to look. This was his stupid younger brother, who had been married for two years and didn't even know his wife liked him.
Two years of marriage and shared experiences, yet still zero romantic experience.
Tong Zhao was speechless with emotion. If this wasn't love...
Although Shan Song was also speechless, being a novice in matters of the heart, seeing that the two were even more at a loss for words, he could only ask himself, "Luan Yining is a professor now, right?"
Qi Yan nodded, quite proudly saying, "He works all day long, and this year he was awarded the title of Outstanding Young Scientist, the youngest one. It would be unreasonable for him not to be promoted soon."
"A 29-year-old with a senior professional title is indeed very outstanding, but did you know that he should have been promoted two years ago?" Shan Song said calmly.
Qi Yan's face froze again, clearly unaware of the inside story. Tong Zhao and Qi Changzhou were also unaware, and they turned their heads to wait for Shan Song to continue.
"Luan Yining graduated with a doctorate at the age of 25 and could have been promoted to associate professor at the university through special admissions, but he chose to be a lecturer at Y University for two years. He just happened to miss the policy two years ago. Otherwise, if he had served as an associate professor at S University for two years, he could have been promoted to professor again through special admissions based on his achievements, becoming the youngest full professor in nearly ten years."
Dan Song's expression was devoid of a smile: "You know how difficult it is for a beta from an ordinary background to get into S University through his own recommendation, and then pursue a combined bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree. If he hadn't been selected as an outstanding young scientist this year, how many more years would he have wasted?"
"Although it's not appropriate for your brother and me to directly intervene in your relationship problems, from what you've said, your issues are much more serious. Listen carefully, I'll only point out your shortcomings: you're young, reckless, impulsive, speak without thinking, act without restraint, and do things without considering the consequences."
Shan Song looked at Qi Yan, his tone serious and almost reprimanding.
“Luan Yining is seven years older than you. His personality and experience mean he is bound to be more thoughtful than you. But after two years of marriage, you haven’t changed. It’s normal for your partner to be disappointed. Plus, as you said, your relationship didn’t start out harmoniously. The historical conflicts have never been resolved, and it was only a matter of time before they exploded.”
Qi Yan was somewhat bewildered by the scolding. Unlike Qi Changzhou's harsh reprimands, Shan Song's invisible pressure was a different kind of torture, and every word he uttered was so sharp that he couldn't find a single point to refute.
This was the second time Tong Zhao had seen Shan Song reprimand someone with a hint of concern, but it was clearly much harsher than the last time. Tong Zhao tugged at Shan Song's sleeve: "Wasn't I going too far?"
Dan Song patted him on the shoulder: "It's okay for an Alpha to get a few scoldings."
"……"All right.
Seeing Qi Yan's distraught appearance, Shan Song's tone remained cold: "Besides, I remember he only got together with you after he left S University, right? Only you two know the specific details, but did you consider the consequences of a counselor dating a student during their time at university being taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives?"
Qi Yan opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Shan Song.
"You didn't, but Luan Yining did consider it. I can't say for sure, but at least that's probably half the reason he went to Y University. Think about it carefully. Once you've figured it out, you can go back and have a good talk with Luan Yining. Like your sister-in-law and brother just said, go and sincerely apologize to Luan Yining. Finding out the real reason that led to your divorce is much more important than planning your variety show right now."
After a long while, Qi Yan finally snapped out of his daze and stood up: "I understand, thank you, brother and sister-in-law."
Seeing Qi Yan's unusually well-behaved state, Qi Changzhou silently gave Shan Song a thumbs up. Sure enough, having a wife makes all the difference.
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