Chapter 253 - 132: A Toast to Lingering Affection

Chapter 253: Chapter 132: A Toast to Lingering Affection

"You don’t have to be back at school until the 24th, do you? Why are you leaving so early?" Li Huiping asked.

Chen Yuan usually only experienced the joys of being a son right after he came home and right before he was about to leave. As for the rest of the time, it was a case of ’out of sight, out of mind’.

Chen Yuan had mentioned before that he planned to leave on February 19th, but back then, he had only been home for a few days, so Li Huiping hadn’t taken it seriously.

Now that he was really leaving, she felt a little reluctant to see him go.

Parents just have this strange way of thinking.

If he left on the 23rd for a return date of the 24th, they wouldn’t think much of it. But if he left several days early, they’d feel upset, wishing their child could stay home for a few more days.

"I have some things to take care of at school, so I need to go back a few days early."

Li Huiping’s emotions were reserved; she didn’t let them show.

Compared to Jiang Wanyi, she was much more nonchalant. Her son was already grown up, so there wasn’t much to worry about. As long as he didn’t die out there, it was fine.

"Alright. I’ll pack your things. I’ll have your dad take you tomorrow."

"Okay."

That evening, Li Huiping cooked a huge spread, and father and son drank a few beers.

In the context of a father-son relationship in China, being able to sit at the same table and drink with one’s father represents a rite of passage into adulthood.

During the meal, however, the old couple acted very casually. They were only slightly sad, not shedding tears like Jiang Wanyi had.

After dinner, Chen Yuan took a bottle of soda back to his room.

Both Song Jianye and Fang Youning had already planned their return to school; both were heading back on the 24th.

Chen Yuan organized his schedule. If possible, he needed to go hang out with Zhao Wen Cheng for a bit, since he had a mission involving him.

Before he knew it, snowflakes began to drift down outside the window. The sky filled with swirling snow, a magnificent sight.

He took a picture and sent it to Jiang Wanyi and Song Jianye.

Song Jianye: "I want to come play in the snow with you, but my aunt and uncle won’t let me. ???."

Chen Yuan could understand her aunt and uncle’s reasoning. His "blondie" image hadn’t completely changed yet, so they wouldn’t let Song Jianye visit him so easily.

He could keep things under control at school, but if they let her come visit him on a trip, there was no telling what might happen.

Chen Yuan: "If not this time, then next time. There will always be a chance."

Song Jianye: "I can only look forward to it, then. (?′°︿°?)."

Chen Yuan: "You can come visit in the summer to escape the heat."

Song Jianye: "Actually, after my aunt talked to me, I thought about it, and she’s right not to let me go. It would just be a bother for you."

Chen Yuan: "What bother? My mom wants you to come, too."

Song Jianye: "Really? Your mom really invited me?"

Chen Yuan: "It’s true. I swear."

Song Jianye: "Then I need to plan this out properly."

Chen Yuan: "Okay."

Looking at his chat history with Song Jianye, he thought, ’She seems to have grown up a bit over the New Year, to be able to think about social etiquette and things.’

...

Jiang Wanyi returned home and changed into a loose-fitting nightgown.

Today was already the 18th. Chen Yuan would be back tomorrow, and the baby would get her vaccination the day after. The timing was perfect.

’After so long, he’s finally coming back.’

An unconscious smile spread across Jiang Wanyi’s lips. She felt light as air and even started humming a song.

When she went home this time, she had originally wanted to bring Mili back with her, but her parents disagreed. They said school hadn’t started yet, so she and the baby should just keep living at their place. Jiang Wanyi couldn’t argue, so she had come back alone to pack some things to take to her parents’ house.

Besides, the semester was about to start, and she had to go back to work. It was time to start moving the baby’s things back home anyway.

But Jiang Wanyi wasn’t in a hurry. Being home alone, she could savor this rare, relaxing moment.

RING RING RING—

Just then, Jiang Wanyi’s phone rang.

"Duoduo, isn’t it almost time for the baby’s vaccination?"

"It’s the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, then. Your dad and I are both free, so we’ll go with you."

"It’s just a vaccination. I can take her myself. You guys don’t need to come." Jiang Wanyi instinctively refused.

’Now, when it came to anything related to the baby, she wanted to do it with Chen Yuan. It would feel a little strange if her parents came with her.’

"If you take her by yourself, you’ll have to soothe the baby and manage the vaccination stuff all at once. Plus, it’s not safe for you to drive with her alone. With your dad and me there, it’ll be so much easier." Liu Fengzhi’s tone left no room for argument. "It’s settled. We’re going with you to get the baby’s shot."

"Alright, then..."

Jiang Wanyi couldn’t think of a reason to refuse, so she had no choice but to agree.

After hanging up, she thought about it again more carefully.

’Having her parents go with her... that might not be such a bad idea.’

’The vaccination process itself isn’t difficult. Never mind having my parents along, I could handle it on my own.’

’This way, Chen Yuan wouldn’t be so tired. When he gets back, the two of them can go do something else without having to worry about the baby.’

’The real thing to be prepared for is the post-vaccination reaction.’

’It’s a matter of probability; the baby won’t get a fever after every single shot. I don’t need to be so anxious.’

She looked at the date on her phone. Chen Yuan was coming back tomorrow. If she took the baby for her shot today, that should be fine too. It was only two days early, after all.

’If she’s unlucky and Mili really does get a fever, Chen Yuan will be back tomorrow to help me handle it.’

With that in mind, Jiang Wanyi called the community clinic. After getting an affirmative response, she called her parents and told them to get dressed and wait at home; once the vaccination was done today, they’d be all set.

Having planned out what she needed to do, Jiang Wanyi changed her clothes, then packed up everything Mili would need and drove back to her parents’ house.