Chapter 207 - 204: Bringing Zhou Huaitai Along

Chapter 207: Chapter 204: Bringing Zhou Huaitai Along

Li Xiu glanced at his second sister-in-law but paid her no mind. He couldn’t be bothered with a woman’s petty thoughts. He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Zhou and said sincerely, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, you saw it for yourselves. Bao’er was crying her heart out looking at Father-in-law. I’m afraid the dream she had was far too realistic. She’ll be much better with you by her side. Otherwise, if she can’t see Father-in-law, I’m worried she’ll have an emotional breakdown. So please, I’m begging you, come stay in the Capital City for a while!" With that, he rose and gave the elderly couple a deep bow.

"What are you doing? Get up, quickly! Your father-in-law already agreed!" Mrs. Zhou said, rushing to help Li Xiu up from his bow. ’What am I to do with this son-in-law!’

"Then I thank you, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law!" Following Mrs. Zhou’s words, Li Xiu gave another deep bow, completely cementing the fact that the elderly couple would be going to the Capital City.

The three Zhou brothers collectively facepalmed. ’This Li Xiu is as shameless as the day we met him! He’ll stoop to any level for our sister’s sake!’

"Uncle, when will Grandpa and Grandma be back?" Zhou Huaitai shot a disdainful look at his first uncle, his father, and his third uncle. ’Since Grandpa already agreed, why aren’t you asking the important questions!’

Glancing at his sharp-witted nephew, Li Xiu’s lips curved into a gentle smile. "Huaitai," he said kindly, "the moment your grandpa and grandma want to come back, I will personally send them. Rest assured, they won’t suffer any grievances at my home."

Zhou Huaitai looked at Li Xiu with frustration. ’Is that what I meant?’ Li Xiu raised an eyebrow. ’This kid is still too naive. Give him another eight or ten years. Still, that sharp, perceptive mind of his shows promise.’ He glanced at Zhou Lian’s eldest brother and his wife. "Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Huaitai is starting high school soon, right?"

"Yes, he’ll be a high school freshman after the summer break," Eldest Sister-in-law said with a smile. ’This son is my pride and joy—he’s sensible, dutiful, and a great student.’

Li Xiu glanced toward Mr. and Mrs. Zhou, then asked softly, "Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, if you trust me, why not let Huaitai come to the Capital City with us? I can find a high school for him to attend, and he’ll have Father-in-law and Mother-in-law there to watch over him. After all, the quality of education in the Capital City is a bit better than what we have here."

The Zhou family members were stunned. The schools in the Capital City were undoubtedly better than the ones here, but was this appropriate? Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law looked hesitantly toward Mr. and Mrs. Zhou. ’We wouldn’t have to worry with our son under his grandparents’ care, but it would be so much trouble for our brother-in-law!’

Mrs. Zhou glanced at Mr. Zhou uncertainly. "Is this really appropriate?" she asked softly. "Won’t it be too much trouble?" ’It would be wonderful for our eldest grandson to go with us, but getting into a school in the Capital City is no simple matter!’

"It’s no trouble, as long as Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law are comfortable with it," Li Xiu said softly. "Huaitai’s grades have always been excellent. If he works hard for the next three years, getting into a top university in the Capital City should be no problem!" ’My father-in-law has eight grandchildren, but Zhou Huaitai is the only one who’s really caught my eye. Never mind how he protected my wife in our past life; even just in this life, I know she’d want her family to be successful. For her sake, it’s worth bringing Huaitai under my wing to mentor him for a few years. And my wife’s eldest sister’s son... if the opportunity arises, I should bring him over too. I’m sure my wife would be happy!’

"Then have him go with them!" Zhou Kun looked at Li Xiu, then at his eldest grandson, and nodded his approval. "Whatever it costs, Eldest Son, you make sure to give the money to your brother-in-law!" ’This Li Xiu is a man with a plan,’ he thought. ’If my grandson spends a few years by his side, he’s sure to learn a great deal.’

"We can discuss that later," Li Xiu said, looking earnestly and respectfully at Mr. Zhou. "Father-in-law, we can’t stay for long. We’ll visit my family tomorrow, and we have to return the day after. Bao’er needs to recover her emotional stability, and it’s best for her to do so in a familiar, safe environment. Is that all right with you, Father-in-law?"

"Fine. We’ll do it that way. Everyone pack tomorrow, we’ll leave the day after. This..."

Li Xiu rushed into the inner room and swept Zhou Lian, who had cried out in her sleep, into his arms. He kissed her forehead tenderly and soothed her, "Bao’er, it’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here, I’m here. Don’t be afraid. Your father is here, too!" Stroking her back, Li Xiu’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. ’This must be an aftershock from crying so hard this afternoon.’ His heart ached seeing her covered in sweat.

Hearing the cry, the rest of the Zhou family also came into the inner room. They watched Li Xiu’s smooth, practiced movements, as if he had performed them a thousand times over. The three Zhou sisters-in-law felt a pang of jealousy. ’Isn’t she thirty already? This public display of affection is almost too much to bear.’ But inwardly, they were green with envy. ’Forget the clothes she wears and the jewelry she owns—things that money alone can’t buy. She truly married a good man. Look at the way our brother-in-law dotes on her... Tsk! We’re all women, so why is the gap between us so vast?’

Zhou Lian looked at Li Xiu, bewildered. ’The whole nightmare story was just something he made up, so why did I actually have one?’ Instantly understanding her confusion, Li Xiu said gently, "You were overwhelmed by seeing your father so suddenly, and then you cried your heart out this afternoon. It’s all right. Now that you’re awake, let’s not go back to sleep just yet, or you’ll get groggy again. Why don’t you go chat with your brothers and sisters-in-law? And tonight, how about we have your mother sleep with you?"

When Zhou Lian nodded, he carefully helped her sit up. Watching Li Xiu’s gentle, meticulous actions, the other Zhou family members tactfully returned to the outer room to wait. But they couldn’t help but wonder, ’They’ve been married for seven or eight years and have two children. How are they still acting like newlyweds!’

The family hadn’t been together in a long time, so they chatted late into the night before everyone went their separate ways. Mrs. Zhou gently pulled Zhou Lian into an embrace. "Seeing your husband still treat you so well... Mom can finally feel at ease," she said softly. "You’ve visited so rarely these past few years, and always in such a rush. Tell me honestly, has he wronged you in any way?" But then she recalled how her son-in-law had quietly advised her not to ask about the nightmare, for fear of upsetting Zhou Lian again. ’A man that thoughtful would never let my daughter suffer.’

Breathing in the familiar, unchanging scent of soap from her mother’s clothes, Zhou Lian smiled. "Mom, I’m doing great. I haven’t been wronged in the slightest. All these years, Jin Chen hasn’t changed at all. After Yanyan was born, I hardly had to do anything besides nursing. I was just focused on school. A few years ago, I started studying under a new professor and had even more to learn. The kids, the house... Li Xiu took care of practically everything. My combined master’s and PhD program left me with almost no time for home. I just graduated this year and took a position at the university. I’ll be starting as a lecturer when the semester begins."

"You mean, a professor for college students?" Mrs. Zhou asked in astonishment.

"That’s right, teaching college students."

Mrs. Zhou was ecstatic. She had never dreamed that her own daughter could become so successful. Teaching college students! After a moment’s thought, she asked, "But in all these years, has your husband ever complained? It doesn’t seem quite right for you to not handle anything at all!"

"Mom, you know what he’s like. Wasn’t he just the same when we lived in our hometown?" Zhou Lian said, hugging her mother’s arm playfully. "Don’t worry, Mom. Jin Chen treats me so well. He’s earning a lot of money now, and we even bought another large house. I guarantee you and Dad will love it when you see it."