Chapter 174 Missing You
If her mother hadn't been sitting next to her, Cui Yuyue would have definitely shaken her brother's shoulders and asked, "What makes you think you can win over Sister Xu?!"
"You know her?" Ms. Cui glanced at the excited Cui Yuyue.
Cui Yuyue immediately suppressed her excited expression and stammered, "I do know them, but I've only met them once. I don't know their relationship."
"Why didn't my brother tell me?!" Cui Yuyue immediately turned her anger towards Xiang Yun.
“Son, it’s not that I have a problem with you, but children from single-parent families often experience some emotional deficiencies. Are you sure you won’t get tired?” Ms. Cui asked sharply.
Xiang Yun couldn't see where Xu Songning lacked emotional support. He hadn't asked about her family, but judging from their interactions, Xu Songning was definitely a child who had been loved by her mother since childhood. She received far more love than she needed; her "bottle" was full, so it overflowed with love.
Xu Songning is a loving person.
In contrast, he felt that he was the one holding half a bottle.
Xiang Yun: "I'm afraid she'll feel tired."
Upon hearing this, Ms. Cui felt a surge of emotions welling up inside her. Since opening her own law firm, she had been so busy with work that she had neglected the upbringing of her two children.
Her husband is a university teacher, but he doesn't have a leisurely life. Cui Yuyue was practically raised by Xiang Yun. It wasn't until Ms. Cui's law firm developed that she had time to return to her family, only to find that her children were somewhat afraid of her and not very close to her.
Although Cui Yuyue appears to be a serious person on the surface, she is very active on the inside and gets along well with the people who are already working at the law firm.
But Xiang Yun is different. Perhaps because the burden of taking care of his younger sister fell on his shoulders too early, he is precocious and more reserved than his peers.
"Relationships are all about mutual support, so how can it be tiring?" Mr. Xiang tried to smooth things over.
Ms. Cui ignored him and asked Xiang Yun again, "What about her job? Air traffic control. She works the same way as you, day and night, under a lot of pressure. Have you thought about the future? If you both stay in civil aviation, what will you do after you get married? Who will take care of the family?"
Xiang Yun calmly replied, "No one needs to sacrifice themselves for others. I thought you understood this principle better."
Ms. Cui glared at her, having just returned from the law firm. Dressed in a professional suit and sporting a bold lipstick, she demanded, "Are you accusing me? Accusing me of not sacrificing my career for this family?"
Cui Yuyue didn't dare to speak. Her brother was really bold! Wasn't he afraid of angering their mother?
Xiang Yun looked directly into his mother's eyes. He had never complained about such things, and in his mind, no one needed to sacrifice for him.
"No one's career needs to be sacrificed for anyone else. You are, I am, and she is too. Air traffic control is a tough job, and there are few women. She persists because she likes it, and she's about to be promoted this year. She has no reason to leave this industry for the sake of so-called marriage or love. I hope you won't mention work in front of her, otherwise, I won't have the point of bringing her back to listen to your criticism."
When Ms. Cui heard that his girlfriend insisted on entering this female-dominated industry because she loved it, she, as a woman herself, could empathize with the hardships she endured.
Her sharp gaze softened slightly, and she patted Xiang Yun on the shoulder. "I understand. Bring her back on Thursday."
Cui Yuyue breathed a sigh of relief. She almost thought her mother and brother were going to have a fight. Her brother had always been a model son and had never argued with their mother. This time, he stood up for Xu Jie. Cui Yuyue was happy for Xu Jie. She really hadn't misjudged her.
"Alright, I still have work to finish, let's adjourn." Ms. Cui picked up her small bag and went back to her study.
Cui Yuyue had to go back to the law firm. Before leaving, she boldly patted her brother on the shoulder and said, "Wow, you're amazing, brother! You managed to win over Sister Xu. You really have the skills."
Xiang Yun gave her a look, and Cui Yuyue immediately slipped away.
Mr. Xiang was cheerful and came over to put his arm around his son's shoulder. "Come on, let's go talk to your dad."
Ms. Cui and Mr. Xiang each have a study. Their family lives in a two-story house with the parents living on the first floor and leaving a room for each of their two children upstairs.
Xiang Yun and Cui Yuyue didn't come home often, so the study on the second floor was naturally where Xiang's father kept his books.
“Don’t blame your mother for speaking harshly. Compared to the girl’s situation, she’s more worried about whether you can provide her with stability.” Mr. Xiang walked ahead, slowly climbing the stairs. “Your job is not something your mother likes to begin with, and then you found an air traffic controller as your girlfriend. Of course, your mother will have some objections. You’re all grown up now. When you’re in a relationship, you should take it seriously and not treat it like a game.”
Xiang Yun followed silently behind his father. As a university teacher, his father often rode his bicycle around the university. Even in middle age, he maintained a very good figure, with a straight back and excellent posture.
“I’m very serious,” Xiang Yun replied.
“Of course I know you’re serious, but your mother is even more serious. She’s looking at your girlfriend with the same eye she’d use to choose a daughter-in-law,” Mr. Xiang said with a smile, handing him the watering can. “Here, help me water her.”
Xiang Yun used an elephant-shaped watering can to water the plants on the balcony. These plants were all grown by Xiang's father, and Ms. Cui would also come over to tidy up the leaves and branches when she had time.
"My girlfriend only needs to be someone I like," Xiang Yun insisted.
Mr. Xiang chuckled and tapped his head. “You’re so slow to understand. You’re nothing like your father. You’re just like your stubborn mother. After hearing what you said, she’s quite satisfied with your girlfriend and your attitude towards dating. Don’t worry, bring her over on Thursday. I’ll take care of everything. Your mother will listen to me.”
Xiang Yun exclaimed "Ah!" and his father glared at him. "What? You think your father's words have no effect?"
"No, that's not it." Xiang Yun touched the tip of his nose.
Xu Songning wasn't going home today, and Xiang Yun was too lazy to drive the car back, so he just stayed home and slept.
The family always keeps his and his sister's things at home. When Ms. Cui has time, she will change them herself, and when she doesn't have time, she will hand them over to Mr. Xiang.
Although Xiang Yun found her parents' relationship quite strange—unlike the traditional model of the husband working outside the home and the wife staying at home, with her mother being the one earning money outside—her parents got along very well.
My mother had a sharp tongue, while my father knew how to handle things and was also a great cook. He had my mother perfectly in his element.
When Xiang Yun took his phone out of his pocket, it was a little hot. The call had ended five minutes earlier, and Xu Songning, who had just woken up, sent him a message.
Xu Songning: I've taken my seat. I want to eat braised pork knuckle tomorrow.
Xiang Yun: Okay
Xu Songning: What are you doing? Sister Xu misses you a little.
Upon receiving the message, Xiang Yun smiled gently. His introverted personality needed Xu Songning's outgoing emotions to complement it. It wasn't that Xu Songning couldn't live without him, but rather that he couldn't live without Xu Songning.
Xiang Yun: I'm thinking of you too.
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