Chapter 344 - 341: The Start of School

Chapter 344: Chapter 341: The Start of School

When school started, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian were swamped. Two days beforehand, they took Zhou Huaitai to his school, handled his registration, and gave him all the necessary reminders. They then went home, feeling at ease. After all, Zhou Huaitai was a boy attending a military academy, and he had always been smart and sensible.

Next was taking Li He and Li Guo to register for school. Li Xiu and his wife, Li Bao and his wife, plus Li Cui and Li Guo—the whole group descended upon the campus to get Li He registered. They went to her dorm room and got everything set up for her. After waiting for Li Guo to finish his own registration, the large group departed once more, leaving behind a topic of conversation that would last for a long time at Beijing University.

In the afternoon, they took Li Cui to her school to register. She applied to live off-campus, and since her family was there to accompany her, the process was completed quickly. After Li Cui finished registering, the large group headed back again.

Back home, Zhou Lian thought about the day’s events and couldn’t help but smile. ’In later generations, this would be considered showing off,’ she thought. But she understood Li Xiu’s intentions. Special times called for special measures. Shaking her head helplessly, Zhou Lian mused, ’Life is full of disappointments, isn’t it?’

Watching Li Xiu pack her work bag, Zhou Lian asked gently, "Jin Chen, are things very difficult for Ping’an?"

"Yes, Bao’er. You know that region was never very stable, even later on. But now that Ping’an is there, he has to produce results. Otherwise, not only will promotion be difficult, but he’ll likely be attacked for it. Elder Ping can’t openly protect him anymore. And so many people are watching Ping’an right now, just waiting to find fault, waiting for him to make a mistake," Li Xiu said softly, letting out a sigh.

Zhou Lian also sighed softly. "That’s how the world of fame and fortune has always been. But I have to say, that kid Ping’an has surprised me."

"How so?"

With a "Hmph," Zhou Lian said irritably, "That kid is surprisingly flexible. What happened to his competitive streak? Did a dog eat it?"

"Oh, you. Think about it. He’s in the world of fame and fortune now. If he were still like he was before... Bao’er, how far do you think he could go on this path? They say circumstances make the man. The environment can change a person."

Seeing the hint of pity in Li Xiu’s eyes, Zhou Lian smiled. "Is my Jin Chen feeling sorry for him?"

"A little. The kid is under so much pressure right now; it’s tough. But this path was never going to be easy. We’ll just have to wait and see. For now, we should help him as much as we can," Li Xiu said with a smile, letting out a long breath.

Seeing Li Xiu show such a rare emotional expression for someone other than her and their children, Zhou Lian smiled. "He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight. He who wishes to hold a rose must endure its thorns. This is a path he must walk himself. No one can do it for him."

"You’re right, Bao’er. No one can do it for him. We can only wait and see."

After finishing packing, Li Xiu walked over to Zhou Lian and gently pulled her into his arms. "Let’s not talk about this anymore," he said softly. "Tomorrow is your first day back at work. I’ll take you, but I probably won’t have time to pick you up for a while."

"Jin Chen, you don’t have to pick me up personally. We’re husband and wife; we have a long life ahead of us. I know you just want to see me sooner. So for this period, how about I come pick you up?" Zhou Lian said, gently stroking Li Xiu’s face.

Li Xiu was overjoyed to hear this, but after a moment’s thought, he shook his head. "Bao’er, let’s not. You’re already so tired after a full day of work. You should just come home and rest."

"But I want to pick you up. You’ve always been the one driving me to and from work. This time, let me be the one to pick you up, okay? Jin Chen, I want to see you sooner, too." Seeing him like this, Zhou Lian’s heart ached for him. ’Feelings have always been a two-way street,’ she thought. ’How could I bear to let Li Xiu be the only one giving all the time?’

Gazing at Zhou Lian with passion, Li Xiu said excitedly, "Bao’er, you want to see me sooner too? Then... then for this period, when I’m busy... I’ll take you in the morning, and you can come pick me up in the afternoon!"

"Okay. In the mornings, you’ll take me to the university for work, and in the afternoons, I’ll pick you up to come home," Zhou Lian said with a gentle smile, looking at the excited and slightly incoherent Li Xiu. ’No wonder they say that no matter how old a man gets, there’s always a child living inside his heart.’

Opening her eyes, she was greeted by another beautiful day. Zhou Lian looked at Li Xiu, who held her tightly even in his sleep, and smiled sweetly. ’This man truly cherishes me,’ she thought. ’He’s been the same every single day for years.’ She reached out and gently touched his long, curled eyelashes. The sleeping Li Xiu lacked the powerful aura he projected during the day. His expression was soft, and the upturned corners of his mouth made him look like an innocent child.

Feeling the arm around her waist tighten, Zhou Lian kissed his forehead and said softly, "Since you’re awake, open your eyes and look at me. It’s a rare treat for me to be up early enough to see my Jin Chen still in bed."

A cheerful laugh escaped from the man, who still had his eyes closed. Li Xiu deliberately kept them shut and said, "Then give me a kiss, Bao’er. The princess has to kiss the knight to wake him up."

"You’re so old, aren’t you being childish?" Zhou Lian teased, but as she spoke, she leaned in and gave Li Xiu a gentle kiss.

’These days, Zhou Lian couldn’t bear to see Li Xiu feel the slightest bit wronged, nor could she bring herself to refuse any of his requests. She used to feel that her love for him wasn’t as deep as his was for her. She loved him, yes, but it always felt like he loved her more. Looking back now, perhaps that wasn’t entirely true.’

The two of them snuggled for a while longer before finally getting up. They had to take Zhang Yizhen to school first today, as he was just starting high school this year. Although Zhang Yizhen kept insisting that he was grown up and could register by himself, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian couldn’t help but think that if they were back in their hometown, his parents would definitely be accompanying him. So, they decided to go with him. After all, his parents weren’t around, and Zhang Yizhen was still just a kid.

After breakfast, the group set off in two cars, a grand procession heading for the magnet high school Zhang Yizhen had been accepted into. They accompanied him through registration and class assignment, then reminded him that a car would be waiting at the school gate to pick him up after school.

When they arrived at Beijing University, Zhou Lian, Li Xiu, and Li Guo accompanied Li He to her classroom. They told her she was to come home on Saturday, traveling back with Li Guo, and that she was expected home every Saturday.

Seeing the couple holding hands, Li Guo hurriedly said, "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I’m heading to my classroom now! No need to walk me! Goodbye!" Before they could even react, he quickened his pace and left.

"That kid... It’s not like I was planning to walk him, anyway," Li Xiu muttered irritably, his mouth twitching as he watched Li Guo’s rapidly retreating back.

Looking at Li Xiu, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but laugh. ’Who said Li Guo was simple and honest?’ she thought. ’That kid just doesn’t want to bother with the complexities of social etiquette. That’s why he gives off the impression of being honest, dutiful, upright, and incredibly naive.’