With the departure of their eldest daughter, Gu Yunxi, the focus of the family naturally shifted to their younger daughter, Gu Yuanzhi, who was still in school. One day after school, she returned home as usual, quickly ate dinner, and went straight to her room to do her homework. Xia Liang entered the room after dinner, wanting to help her daughter check her homework to ensure she hadn't missed anything in her studies.
However, just as Xia Liang was flipping through the book, a pink envelope accidentally slipped out and landed gently on the table. Xia Liang picked up the envelope, a hint of doubt in her eyes. Before she could even ask anything, she saw Gu Yuanzhi's face instantly turn bright red.
The little girl moved quickly but somewhat clumsily. She almost jumped up and grabbed the pink envelope first, her voice tinged with panic: "This belongs to someone else, not mine." Her eyes darted away, avoiding her mother's gaze, clearly trying to hide something.
Seeing her daughter's embarrassed expression, Xia Liang smiled knowingly. She knew that at this age, children began to have their own little secrets, which were often related to the sweetness and confusion of growing up. Xia Liang didn't press her for details, but chose to respect her daughter's privacy, saying softly, "Okay, if you need help or want to talk, Mom is always here."
Gu Yuanzhi breathed a sigh of relief; she felt her mother's understanding and tolerance.
Despite Xia Liang's words of trust and respect for her daughter, she and Gu Yanxiao couldn't suppress their curiosity and concern, and decided to discreetly observe their daughter at the school gate. They wore hats and masks, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. However, their luxury car inadvertently revealed their identities, prompting speculation about which unassuming parents they were.
The school bell rang, and students poured out of the school gates. Xia Liang and Gu Yanxiao's eyes searched through the crowd. Soon, they spotted their youngest daughter, Gu Yuanzhi, with a boy half a head taller than her. The two seemed to be chatting happily. Seeing this, Gu Yanxiao felt a pang of anxiety. He quickly stepped forward and said in a gentle yet firm tone, "Yuanzhi, Daddy's here to pick you up from school."
Gu Yuanzhi was startled when she heard her father's voice. She replied nervously, "Okay, Dad." The little boy next to her, however, displayed good manners and greeted Gu Yanxiao politely, "Uncle, hello, I'm Gu Yuanzhi's classmate, my name is Pei Yanchuan." Gu Yanxiao nodded politely as well. Although he felt somewhat complicated inside, he maintained the demeanor of a parent on the surface.
Xia Liang observed all of this from the side, feeling both amused and somewhat helpless. She knew this was part of the children's growth and the beginning of their social lives. She gently patted Gu Yanxiao's back, indicating that he didn't need to be too nervous, and then they took the shy, downcast Gu Yuanzhi home together.
The following is a revised version, depicting Yan Xiao's inner feelings and Xia Liang's humorous comfort:
The tranquility of the night did not bring Gu Yanxiao peace; his heart was in turmoil, and he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. In his heart, his daughter Gu Yuanzhi was like his little cotton-padded jacket, warm and comforting, but now he felt that this warmth was at risk of being "stolen."
Xia Liang couldn't help but find her husband's expression amusing. She gently comforted him, "Is it really that serious? How old is she? You're overthinking it." Her words carried a hint of ease and nonchalance.
Gu Yanxiao answered earnestly, "That's right! How old is she? Twelve years old. I feel like she was such a tiny little bundle yesterday, and she couldn't even call me 'Dad' yet, and today..." His voice was filled with reluctance and anxiety, as if he could already see the day his daughter grew up and left him.
Xia Liang chuckled upon hearing this. She knew that Gu Yanxiao's worries stemmed from his deep love for his daughter, but she also knew that this was all part of the growing-up process and a natural occurrence. She replied with a smile, "What does such a little kid know! After the high school entrance exam, we won't be in the same school anymore. Whether we'll even remember each other when we meet again is another matter entirely. Don't overthink it."
Xia Liang's humor and rationality eased Gu Yanxiao's mood a little, but he still felt uneasy. This mix of a father's protectiveness towards his daughter and uncertainty about the future left him with an indescribable feeling.
In short, that night, Gu Yanxiao's heart was filled with complex emotions. He was like a guardian, hoping that his daughter could fly freely, yet fearing that she would be hurt. Xia Liang, on the other hand, offered him comfort and strength with her understanding and support.
When the eldest daughter, Gu Yunxi, returned home with a successful trip, brimming with new experiences and stories, the younger daughter, Gu Yuanzhi, also began her vacation. The house was filled with a joyful and relaxed atmosphere. At this heartwarming moment, Xia Dahe and Zhao Danxiang arrived, bringing with them their new plans.
With deep affection for his hometown, Xia Dahe slowly revealed his plan: "I'm thinking of going back to my hometown to build a house." His eyes sparkled with nostalgia for the past.
Upon hearing this sudden news, Xia Liang couldn't help but feel a little puzzled: "You're still planning to go back?" Her heart was filled with curiosity about her parents' future plans.
Zhao Danxiang smiled gently, her smile revealing respect for family and tradition: "Now that the children are all grown up, they don't need us to take care of them anymore. Your father and I are thinking of building a house in our hometown so that we can go back there to live out our old age. After all, it's about returning to one's roots." Her words were filled with a peaceful anticipation for the future.
Xia Liang felt a deep understanding welling up inside her after hearing her mother's words. She knew that for many people, their birthplace and the place where they grew up always held special significance; those places held their childhood memories and their roots.
She nodded in support: "I understand. If going back to your hometown will make you happier and more at ease, of course we support it. After all, home is where the heart is, and no matter where you go, that longing for home is always hard to let go."
Xia Dahe and Zhao Danxiang felt their daughter's support and understanding, and their hearts were filled with gratitude. The family sat together and began to plan their future life, discussing the details of building a house in their hometown. Everyone's face was filled with anticipation and hope for a better future.
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