Since her parents were back, Tong Xiaohuai naturally had to stay home and have dinner with them, so she couldn't have dinner with Yanbo for the next two nights.
After dinner, Tong Xiaohuai was supposed to go out with Uncle Ming to run some errands.
Tong Laoda, however, told her to stay home and keep Tong's mother company, saying, "Ah Ming and I will go, and we can also take this opportunity to check on your work over the past few days."
Tong's mother also looked at her daughter with expectant eyes, seemingly wanting her daughter to stay and have a private chat with her.
"Okay then, I'll stay home with Mom tonight. Dad, if you see anything that's not good, remember to come back and tell me."
So, Tong Laoda and Qin Ming went out together, leaving the mother and daughter to enjoy tea and chat in the tea house at home.
As the mother and daughter chatted, Tong Xiaohuai suddenly remembered what Yanbo had mentioned about the decorations of the tea house.
"Mom, Yanbo is very interested in those tea houses at the club. You can talk to him about it when you meet him tomorrow."
As Tong's mother skillfully brewed the tea, she looked up and smiled as she listened to Tong's words.
"Those were just things I did on a whim. Did he really like them? Are you sure he wasn't just trying to please me?"
Tong Xiaohuai thought for a moment, then shook her head in denial.
“Mom, Yanbo isn’t that kind of person. Besides, he didn’t know at first that you designed those decorations. He asked me to introduce him to the designer, and that’s when I mentioned that it was you who did it. So, it couldn’t be because he wanted to please you or me.”
Tong's mother found her daughter's eagerness to defend Yanbo quite amusing, and looked at her daughter with a smile.
Thinking his mother didn't believe him, Tong Xiaohuai quickly added.
"Besides, Yan Bo isn't the kind of person who would use sweet talk to please others."
Now Tong's mother was even more convinced that her precious daughter had become deeply dependent on Yanbo.
Fortunately, Yan Bo is indeed a trustworthy young man.
"Alright, Mom was just joking. I'll talk to him when we meet tomorrow."
Tong Xiaohuai carefully observed her mother to make sure she wasn't just making excuses, and then happily picked up her cup and took a sip of tea.
"Mom, where did you and Dad go to play?"
Tong's mother casually mentioned a few places she and Tong's eldest son had been to before, and Tong Xiaohuai was slightly surprised, "Didn't you and Dad go there before?"
Tong's mother readily agreed, "Yes, your father and I have reached the age where we like to reminisce about the past. We just want to revisit old places and relive the passion and happiness of the past."
Tong Xiaohuai looked on with envy and longing, "You and my dad have such a good relationship. After all these years, you still enjoy your time together as a couple."
"Marriage requires effort, as well as some romance and excitement. Occasionally revisiting old places can remind us of the past, just like falling in love all over again."
Tong's mother wasn't lecturing; these are indeed some of the reasons why she and Tong Laoda have maintained a sweet relationship for over twenty years.
"I really hope I can be like you and Dad someday..."
Tong Xiaohuai realized halfway through her sentence that it was too early for her to say such things.
Whether she and Yanbo have a future is still unknown, let alone a lifetime.
However, Tong's mother didn't think so.
"Yes, I think Xiao Yan is a very responsible person who knows how to enjoy life."
Tong Xiaohuai blushed. "Mom, who said I'm with him?"
Tong's mother poured tea into her beloved daughter's cup, her smile fading as she spoke very seriously.
"Then you'd better think it through. I think Xiao Yan is aiming to spend his whole life with you. Otherwise, he wouldn't bother with someone as reckless as your father, and he certainly wouldn't have suggested that his older brother come and pay his respects to us right after meeting us."
In fact, Tong Xiaohuai could certainly understand Yan Bo's feelings. However, she always felt that she and Yan Bo were still too young, and there were too many uncertain factors in the future that could change them at any time.
"Mom, we're still young. It's too early to talk about such a long-term future."
Tong's mother's expression became even more serious. She stopped everything she was doing, reached out, and grabbed Tong Xiaohuai's fair hand.
“Girl, you’re wrong about that. Relationships are a two-way street. If only one person is determined to persevere while the other is always hesitant, the relationship is bound to go nowhere.”
"Since you feel that he is someone worthy of your love, and he has also decided on you, you should firmly believe that no matter what happens, you should support each other and move forward together. It's like me holding your hand; if you insist on shaking off me, I alone cannot hold on to you no matter what."
Tong Xiaohuai was lectured by her mother and looked ashamed.
"Mom, I understand!"
Much later, when she finally married Yanbo, she looked back and wondered if she would have had the courage to stay with Yanbo until the end if her mother hadn't said those words.
"Girl, you must remember that it's not easy for any relationship to grow into a lasting one. Cherish it, okay?"
Tong Xiaohuai nodded heavily, not daring to say anything more, because she knew that her mother had given up a lot back then to be with her father.
Even now, my mother has never mentioned my maternal grandparents' relatives to me.
Tong Xiaohuai tried to find answers from her father, but he repeatedly told her not to mention it in front of her mother.
Since returning home, Tong's mother has not been in good spirits, but Tong Xiaohuai has gotten used to it.
Even before going abroad, my mother's health was always poor, and she had to go to bed at ten o'clock every night.
Therefore, after chatting until ten o'clock, Tong Xiaohuai urged her mother to go to sleep.
Although Tong's mother wanted to talk to her daughter some more, she was too tired to do so, so she obediently got up and went back to her bedroom to rest.
Tong Xiaohuai returned to her bedroom, took a shower, climbed into bed, and then dialed Yan Bo's number.
She and Yanbo haven't met in the past two days and can only maintain contact through communication tools.
In this matter, she could also see that Yan Bo was indeed a very considerate person. Before leaving that morning, he took the initiative to advise Tong Xiaohuai to spend more time at home with her parents these days.
Tong Xiaohuai was unaware of the truth behind her parents' departure abroad, but Yan Bo understood everything through the information he obtained from his investigation. He was also very familiar with Tong's mother's current health condition.
"Xiao Huai, are you getting ready for bed?"
As soon as the call connected, Yan Bo's gentle voice came through.
"Yeah, I just chatted with my mom, then took a shower and went to bed. What about you, are you working or in bed?"
Yan Bo was still working overtime in his office. Construction had already begun at the villa complex, and the progress and status of the construction were being closely monitored every day. In addition, Yan Huang was also preparing to participate in the bidding for two major infrastructure projects in L City. He had a mountain of things to do.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
