Chapter 1299: Teaching

"Are you still a man? Why are you so wishy-washy?""What’s the matter? Two people being together also requires fate. Since you’ve developed feelings, you need to know the other person’s intentions. If they don’t have you in their heart, you should give up quickly." Han Xiangjun looked down on Chaoyang.

"Master Han, I’m scared. Scared of rejection, scared of losing."

"You haven’t even gotten anything yet, what are you afraid of losing?"

Han Xiangjun’s words cut straight to the point, seeing Chaoyang’s indecisive appearance made him angry.

At this point, Old Yang spoke up, "Chaoyang, they’re right. If it works out, you’re a couple. If it doesn’t, you’re still acquaintances. What are you worried about?"

"I’m afraid I don’t have the ability to protect her. Someone as wonderful as Jing Chu, I’m nothing."

"If I were Jing Chu, I wouldn’t look up to you either. Look at how timid you are! What’s there for a man to be afraid of? If you’re really unwilling to let go after being rejected, figure out a way to get her to agree. You’re really hopeless; I don’t want people to know we’re acquainted. I can’t afford to lose face."

Chaoyang helplessly looked at the tactless Master Han.

"I know what to do now."

The next day, Wei Kaiyun went out with him; the nearby small courtyard was just an ordinary siheyuan. After bargaining, they bought it for three thousand eight hundred.

By noon, Chaoyang had obtained the house deed. He felt a mix of emotions.

From a rural boy who couldn’t get enough to eat or recognize many characters, he now owned a house in the Capital.

He knew all of this was thanks to his master. Without him, he would probably still be stuck back home.

"Alright, after you go home, remember to get a village relocation certificate. Just transfer your household registration here."

Chaoyang nodded. He had to go buy things for his family in the afternoon and make calls to the township. He didn’t care, but Master Yang’s house had to have a fire lit; otherwise, there’s no way to live there.

Today Jiang Xinyu was busy preparing food for them, still the old usual stuff: bread, twisted dough sticks, pig’s head meat, elbow cuts, flatbread, buns—all things that can be stored.

Han Xiangjun ate the New Year’s fried cake, "Xiao Jiang, your mind is full of food, isn’t it?"

Having gotten familiar, Jiang Xinyu now knew that Han Xiangjun really had a sharp tongue.

"Just eat. It’s nice to have food; if you had to think about it, you wouldn’t remember." Wei Kaiyun quickly supported his wife.

"True, even if I had to make it, I couldn’t, but if you ask me to think about what to eat, I could come up with something.

Xiao Jiang, I’ll go get some prawns, let’s have seafood."

"Where are you going to get it? In the middle of winter, there are no fishing boats going out to sea.

And is it worth it to head to the seaside? I’ve brought some, the dumplings on New Year’s Eve should be able to have three fresh fillings."

"We’re not heading to the seaside; we’re going to the hot springs. I’ve thought it through, we’ll drive there, and stay for a few days."

"Master Shang can’t soak, so why don’t you both take the kids?"

"You’re not going?" Wei Kaiyun asked his wife.

"I’m not going. I’ll stay home with Master Shang, and you all can take the kids out for a few days."

"Then I won’t go either."

"If you don’t go, Old Han won’t be able to manage so many kids alone. Let Tingting stay with me, and take Shi Xian with you."

"I think that’s doable; one car would be enough."

Wei Kaiyun was conflicted about going out to have fun, leaving his wife at home. He really felt uneasy.

"I won’t go either, none of us will go."

"Ask the kids when they return what they think. If the kids want to go, don’t miss out on this rare opportunity; it’s just a few days. What are you worried about?"

"Who’s saying otherwise? Xiao Jiang does better without you."

Wei Kaiyun glared at Han Xiangjun. Nothing remains unsaid.

In the afternoon, the four older ones came back with Chaoyang, carrying bags upon bags.

Old Yang entered afterwards, also carrying bags upon bags.

Tomorrow is the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month; they must reach home by the 30th. As long as they can go back, that’s good, hoping it won’t snow heavily there.

Today, Chaoyang called; there have already been two snowfalls back home, but Zhao Xiaoli still wanted to go back.

Old Yang had no choice; if they must go back, they’ll deal with it then. Even if they’re trapped, there are ways to manage.

At dinner, Chaoyang talked about the situation back home. "Xing Xiangzhang said he would inform the family tomorrow."

Zhao Xiaoli was very conflicted. Although her family didn’t say anything, she wasn’t foolish. She considered that if they really got trapped, it’d be truly miserable.

Since getting pregnant, she felt her mood swing between sunny and gloomy, and she’s been particularly irritable.

The night meal was rice porridge, potato slices with meat, and cabbage stir-fried with meat.

Zhao Xiaoli found nothing especially tasty.

After meals, there’s a habit of everyone gathering for a chat.

She approached Jiang Xinyu, "Xinyu, do you think I’m being difficult?"

"What’s wrong?"

"Hearing about the two heavy snowfalls there, what if we can’t reach home when we go back?"

"Wasn’t it you who wanted to go back? Actually, I also want to go back, but if we’re really trapped, we adults can endure, but the kids might not be able to."

"Then I won’t go back."

Old Yang sighed in his heart; really, there’s no alternative.

"Xiao Li, it’s not certain we’ll be trapped."

"But what if we are? What about Ah Bao?" Tears welled in Zhao Xiaoli’s eyes.

Everyone’s hearts eased with her saying she wouldn’t go back; nobody else dared to say it.

"Master Yang, since you all aren’t going back, neither will I. Today Xing Xiangzhang even said to try not to go back; with the coming cloudy days, it might snow again."

Hearing Chaoyang, Zhao Xiaoli’s tears fell.

"Xiao Li, if you really want to go back, we’ll go."

"No, let’s wait until the snow melts before going back."

"Xiao Li, you’re pregnant; don’t be upset."

Zhao Xiaoli wiped her tears "It’s nothing. I just couldn’t hold back my tears earlier. Now that I’ve decided not to go back, I feel relieved."

Old Yang didn’t know what to say, but since his wife said she wouldn’t go back, that’ll work. Staying here at least means safety.

Han Xiangjun smiled, "Then we can all go to soak in the hot springs."

"Xiao Li can’t soak either." Jiang Xinyu looked at Han Xiangjun in resignation; the guy must be crazy from being cooped up this year. Now he just thinks about playing; a man close to thirty or forty playing so well with the kids, it’s truly perplexing.

"Kids, do you want to go to the hot springs?"

Shi Jing excitedly looked at Han Xiangjun "Uncle Han, can we go?" then felt a bit down, realizing Master Shang’s health wouldn’t allow it.

"Sure, your dad and I will take you all, leaving your mom to care for Master Shang."

"But mom won’t be able to soak in the hot springs."

"You all go; Xiao Zhang can cook for me. It’s rare to go out and play; there’s still a chance."