Listening to Xu Tong's story, many questions came to my mind, and I couldn't help asking, "What was the reason that made you and Qingwan gradually drift apart?"
Xu Tong's eyes became distant, and her thoughts drifted back to the past: "After the police report, Sister Qingwan was very worried about my living conditions, and she would send me a living allowance every month. Although the money was not much, it solved my problem of food and clothing. But somehow, my parents found out about this. They felt that I brought shame to the family and insisted on returning the money to Sister Qingwan. Because of this, my aunt and my mother had a big fight, and the situation became very tense."
"It's normal for relatives to help each other. Why make a fuss about it?" I shook my head helplessly.
"Now, you should understand what kind of people my parents are." Xu Tong said with a wry smile, "In their hearts, so-called self-esteem is more important than family affection. They are afraid of others talking about them saying that they can't even afford their daughter's tuition and have to rely on relatives for help."
I sighed heavily and said with emotion: "Human nature is so complicated. Some people always give up precious feelings for some insignificant things."
Xu Tong laughed at herself, her tone carrying a hint of determination: "So, I don't want to pass on this narrow-minded concept. Seeing Xixi today, I am more determined to do this. Look at Xixi, she is well-behaved and sensible, she must have inherited Sister Qingwan's good genes."
I deliberately said jokingly: "So this has nothing to do with me?"
After hearing this, Xu Tong couldn't help laughing and leaned closer to me: "You men may love your children very deeply. But I have to say that in terms of creating family traditions and cultivating children's good manners, mothers often have a greater influence."
Although I agree with her point of view, I still tried to enlighten her: "Nothing in the world is absolute. Look, many parents who are well-off and seem to be excellent have brought up their children to achieve nothing. Think about it from another perspective. If you were not born in such a family, you might not be as self-reliant as you are now. So, you still have to be more dialectical when looking at things."
"You men do think rationally, but we women are emotional by nature." Xu Tong's eyes wandered, and her tone was a little self-deprecating. "I really don't have the courage to have children. However, if I had a well-behaved daughter like Xixi, I would reconsider it."
This seemingly unintentional remark instantly created a subtle ripple between us. Xu Tong slowly raised her head, her cheeks flushed, and she was obviously embarrassed by what she said. She looked at me unnaturally.
I stared at her sideways, looking at her porcelain-white face, my heart suddenly throbbed, my rationality was instantly overwhelmed by impulse, and I couldn't help but kiss her lips.
She neither resisted nor actively responded, but gently closed her eyes, and for a moment, allowed me to break the delicate balance between us.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes abruptly, a trace of panic flashed across her eyes, and she grabbed my restless hand, her voice soft but firm: "Don't do this, give me some dignity, I'm not a casual person."
I was suddenly struck by lightning, so embarrassed that I hastily retracted my hand. To hide my embarrassment, I tentatively asked, "You haven't... ever been in love before, have you?"
"Hmph!" Xu Tong snorted, the blush on her face becoming more and more obvious. "Although I don't have as much experience as you, I have been in love after all."
After saying that, she turned her face away and cast her gaze towards the sleeping Xixi, trying to hide her inner panic: "It's getting late, you should go. Leave Xixi here, I will take care of her."
"You have no experience in taking care of children. If Xixi wakes up in the middle of the night and can't find her grandma, she will definitely cry non-stop." I frowned and said worriedly.
"Look, she's sleeping so soundly, do you want to force her to wake her up?" Xu Tong glanced at me, with a hint of reproach in her tone.
I looked deep in my eyes and responded with a double meaning: "Sometimes, we don't choose to escape just because we are afraid to face certain things."
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