She smiled and said, "Aunt Xu, I think Xiaoke is even more amazing. She has already been admitted to university, but she was able to give up and repeat her studies. I don't have the courage to do so. I think it's difficult for anyone who is studying to make such a decision. It's so difficult to get into university now. It's so hard to get in, so why would you repeat your studies? What if you fail next year? Xiaoke is so young, but she has such courage. Not everyone has that."

"That's true. At that time, she wanted to repeat a grade, and I disagreed. But she insisted on doing so, and that's how I advised myself. Fortunately, she knew how to do well." Xu Fang smiled.

She looked at Wang Sanmei with satisfaction. This child was sensible and had good sense. Although the school she got into was not as good as her own daughter's, she was very sensible.

Mrs. Zhu also tried to smooth things over. "It's great that the child has his own pursuits and is able to work hard. The result is not important, what matters is the mentality. Xiaoke is very good."

"Grandma, I was actually afraid that I wouldn't do well in the exam, and that would be a waste of the extra lessons my brother-in-law gave me. At that time, Miao Shaozhen and I always went to your place, and you cooked delicious food for us every day. Fortunately, we didn't let your efforts go in vain." Ji Ke said coquettishly, "After entering college, I will work harder to live up to my care, grandma."

Mrs. Zhu smiled. "It's easy to get some food for you kids. I don't feel lonely when you're around. This is a win-win situation."

Old Mrs. Zhu had a warm smile and a kind look in her eyes.

Xu Fang had a smile on her face, but she was unusually silent on the way back to her residence.

"Mom, are you worried? I think you look unhappy." Ji Jianke's mother didn't say anything, and then asked, "Mom, what's wrong with you? Can you tell me?"

Xu Fang frowned, "Okay, what's the point of a girl chattering?"

Ji Ke was stunned for a moment, suppressed the smile on his face, let go of his mother's arm, and walked beside her obediently.

Xu Fang glanced at her daughter and asked, "What do you think of what your grandmother Zhu said today at the Zhu family?"

Ji Ke stared at her mother, and then thought carefully, "I think Grandma Zhu is very kind and nice."

"That's all?"

Ji Ke hesitated for a moment and nodded, "Mom, isn't that right?"

Xu Fang looked at her daughter's well-behaved and innocent face, with regret in her tone. She did not say it directly to her daughter, but guided her to think for herself.

She said, "Think about it, you are grateful to someone, but the other person doesn't want to accept the favor, why?"

Ji Ke bit her lower lip, "The other party doesn't want to have anything to do with me."

Xu Fang nodded, "Then think again about what she said when you were getting close to Grandma Zhu today, in that situation."

Ji Ke's face gradually turned pale.

Only when you know pain can you grow.

In the past, Xu Fang would not have exposed such a thing, but what she saw in the Zhu family these days made her realize that she could no longer protect her daughter under her wings.

She smiled bitterly, "I used to give in to you and protect you. Now that you are out there, things are different than at home. You will feel wronged at first, but only in this way can you grow up."

"Mom." Ji Ke timidly grabbed her mother's arm.

"When you were little you always said you had to grow up quickly, but when you grow up you have more worries. This is life. No matter what, every experience is indispensable in life. Don't be afraid. How can you tell the difference between sweetness and bitterness if you don't know it?"

"Mom, I understand. I will study hard and try to get assigned to a good unit. I will bring you to the capital and make others envious."

Xu Fang patted her daughter's hand and said, "I'm happy that you want to make a difference, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Plan your future well, and your dad and I can take care of ourselves. When you really settle down in a place, your dad and I will move in with you."

Ji Ke laughed, "Okay."

The previous unhappiness was swept away.

Three days later, the new students reported and Ji Ke went to school. After Xu Fang sent her daughter there, she discussed with her husband about going home.

Ji Yong asked, "Xiaoling hasn't finished her confinement yet, right?"

Xu Fang's body stiffened for a moment. "I mean, should we go back after Xiaoling finishes her confinement? There are still two days before she finishes her confinement, right?"

"Then let Jianhua buy the tickets in advance." Ji Yong was flipping through a picture album, which Zhu Chuang bought from Gangcheng because he knew he was doing furniture design.

Ever since he got the book, Ji Yong has been holding it in his hand all the time. Even when he is not at Zhu's house, he never puts it down even when he eats at home.

Xu Fang glanced at her husband and could feel his indifference towards her.

It's not that it's busy, but that it's distant.

On the day Ji Ling was discharged from confinement, the Zhu and Ji families gathered in the compound. Then the guard called and said that someone came to visit, and it was Ji Ling's family.

Except for Ji Ke, all the Ji family members were in school, so where did the maternal family come from? Everyone was very curious. Zhu Yaowu went out to pick up the person. Although everyone was still talking in the guest room, their minds were taken away.

Soon Zhu Yaowu came in first, and everyone saw the people following him.

Xu Hongmei.

The Zhu family was surprised.

The Ji family was even more surprised.

"Sister-in-law, when did you come?" Xu Fang stood up.

Xu Hongmei came here today by counting the days. She knew Xu Fang and the others were there, so she came over after dinner, thinking that she would sit here for a while, find out some news, and then leave.

She greeted the Zhu family first, and then explained, "Qiuping has been assigned a job, so I came to see her. I came a few days ago, but I thought it must be busy here, so I didn't come. I calculated that today should be the day for her to be out of confinement, so I came here."

When we heard this, no one thought much about it.

When Ji Ling was one month old, the child was brought downstairs. Xu Hongmei held the child for a while and then tactfully handed the child back to Ji Ling's arms.

In the end, the Zhu family kept me in for dinner before I left.

Seeing the attitude of the Zhu family, Xu Hongmei felt relieved. Although Ji Ling gave birth to a girl, the Zhu family didn't seem to treat her badly.

On the way, Xu Fang asked, "Sister-in-law is staying in a guesthouse now? Or are you living outside?"

"There is a guesthouse near Qiuping's workplace, and it's cheap for family members to stay there."

"Have you bought your return ticket?"

"I bought it and will go back tomorrow."

Xu Fang also said that they had tickets for tomorrow. When they talked about the time, they found out that it was the same train. Xu Fang said, "Let Jianhua and sister-in-law go and pack their things. Sister-in-law can stay here tonight. We can leave together tomorrow."

Xu Hongmei was not polite. "Okay, then let Jianhua go with me. Qiuping is working over there and can't accompany me. I'll come and live with you guys."

(End of this chapter)