After clearing up the initial misunderstanding, the group sat down in the hall, chatting while waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Qiao to return.
Tian Yuan brought over several cups of hot tea and handed them to Chen Yu and the others.
After roughly confirming Chen Yu's identity, he became much more enthusiastic towards Chen Yu.
"Mayor Zheng, since the extreme cold disaster, I have visited many cities. Kyoto has been able to maintain such prosperity, which is truly due to your effective governance!" Chen Yu said with admiration.
Zheng Dong waved his hand and said with a wry smile, "I'm just a nobody. The fact that Kyoto can maintain order in such an extreme environment is all thanks to the capable leadership above."
"Mayor Zheng is too modest," Chen Yu said with a smile. "From what you're saying, schools in Kyoto are still operating normally?"
"Yes, all universities resumed normal teaching activities a month ago." Zheng Dong nodded.
Chen Yu gave a thumbs up: "Amazing!"
"Xiaoxin, now that school has resumed classes, you should cherish this hard-won opportunity. How can you waste your time at home? Knowledge is always the guiding light on the path of life. In the face of natural disasters, you should learn scientific knowledge even more to cope with future challenges and changes," Chen Yu said earnestly.
Hearing Chen Yu's slightly lecturing tone, Qiao Xin was slightly taken aback, and immediately rolled her eyes at him, the meaning of which was clear: Who are you? What gives you the right to lecture me? Do you really think you're my brother-in-law?
Chen Yu ignored Qiao Xin's eye roll and continued, "Uncle is old enough to brave the extreme cold to teach students at school. How can you, at such a young age, not endure even a little hardship?"
Qiao Xin initially didn't want to pay any attention to Chen Yu, but seeing that he was being so rude and wouldn't stop, she immediately retorted angrily, "My family's affairs are none of your business. Besides, do you even know the situation? You're just standing here pointing fingers, acting all high and mighty. Who do you think you are?"
“Xiao Xin, Xiao Chen is right. You have to go to school tomorrow!” Zheng Dong said seriously. “No matter what you think, you have to be proper in your attitude and don’t give anyone a reason to criticize you.”
"I..." Qiao Xin was about to retort when a noise came from outside the courtyard.
With a creak, the main hall door opened, and a biting gust of cold wind blew into the room. The people inside couldn't help but shiver and looked towards the doorway.
Two people wearing thick cotton-padded coats helped each other into the house, and then quickly closed the door.
"Dad, Mom, you're back! Did you get everything done?" Qiao Xin hurriedly went to greet them.
Upon seeing Qiao Xin, the two of them managed a forced smile on their tired and dejected faces, but said nothing. It was clear that what Qiao Xin was talking about was not going well.
At this moment, Mr. and Mrs. Qiao noticed Chen Yu and Lin Lele behind Qiao Xin. Liu Tonghua quickly tidied her appearance, nodded politely to Chen Yu and Lin Lele, and then asked Qiao Xin, "Xiao Xin, are these two your friends?"
At that moment, Qiao Gang suddenly saw Zheng Dong, and his expression changed drastically: "Xiao Zheng, what are you doing here? Quick! Get out of here!"
Zheng Dong smiled wryly upon hearing this: "Teacher, I've come to see you and your wife."
Qiao Gang looked around nervously, his gaze lingering on Chen Yu and Lin Lele for a few seconds, as if assessing whether they were trustworthy.
Then, he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and said to Zheng Dong in a low voice, "Xiao Zheng, you shouldn't have come here during this time. I'm afraid it will implicate you."
Zheng Dong shook his head firmly, signaling Qiao Gang to rest assured: "Teacher, now that I'm here, I'm not afraid of those things. I've made up my mind, I'm going to stand with you!"
"Nonsense!" Qiao Gang said sternly in a low voice, but his tone revealed a hint of helplessness and concern. "Xiao Zheng, you are young and promising, the future of Kyoto. You can't let me, an old man, get you into unnecessary trouble. I am pleased that you can stay true to your original aspirations, but you must also understand that our voice is too weak right now. If you are implicated at this time, it will be like adding insult to injury."
“Xiao Zheng, Lao Qiao is right. Going against them now is like throwing an egg against a rock. Not only will it not help, but it may also make the situation worse.” Liu Tonghua also spoke up to advise him. Her voice was gentle but carried an undeniable firmness, and her eyes shone with deep concern and care for Zheng Dong.
Zheng Dong remained silent for a long time after hearing this, and finally nodded, saying with a wry smile, "Alright, I'll come see you again in a few days."
As he opened the door, he turned back and said before leaving, "Teachers, if possible, you should leave this place of trouble as soon as possible!"
After saying this, he gave Chen Yu a meaningful look, and then hurriedly left the Qiao family.
As Qiao Gang and his wife watched Zheng Dong's departing figure, their eyes were filled with complex emotions. Qiao Gang sighed softly and said to Liu Tonghua, "That child is always so stubborn."
Liu Tonghua gently held Qiao Gang's hand and comforted him, "He meant well, but he's too young and doesn't understand the stakes involved. We need to think of a solution as soon as possible so that he doesn't get into danger because of us."
"By the way, I haven't asked you yet?" Liu Tonghua looked at Chen Yu and Lin Lele with a puzzled expression.
"Dad, Mom, I have good news to tell you! I've heard from my sister!" Qiao Xin said excitedly.
"Xiao Meng?" Qiao Gang and Liu Tonghua were shocked upon hearing this, and then their eyes flashed with an incredulous joy.
They exchanged a glance, and Liu Tonghua said to Chen Yu and Lin Lele, "Are you Xiaomeng's friends?"
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt. You'll understand once you read this letter." Chen Yu said as he took the letter he had just shown to Qiao Xin out of his pocket.
Qiao Gang took the envelope with trembling hands, while Liu Tonghua stared intently at Chen Yu, her eyes filled with both expectation and wariness.
The familiar handwriting on the envelope instantly brought tears to Qiao Gang's eyes. He took a deep breath and carefully opened the envelope.
As the letter was unfolded, the expressions on Qiao Gang and Liu Tonghua's faces gradually changed from tension to surprise, then to relief, and finally to barely suppressed excitement.
Qiao Xin also craned her neck, staring intently at the letter in her parents' hands, as if trying to glean more information about her older sister, Qiao Meng, from between the lines.
After confirming that Qiao Meng was really alright, she breathed a sigh of relief, and her eyes couldn't help but redden.
However, when she saw the line "Your daughter is unfilial; she has made a lifelong commitment to Mr. Chen Yu without your consent," Qiao Xin's heart tightened, and she couldn't help but glance cautiously at Qiao Gang and Liu Tonghua.
He thought to himself, "Sis, are you out of your mind! My brother-in-law is probably going to break a leg today!"
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