Chapter 562: The Final Epiphany Over Fish

Chapter 562 -560: The Final Epiphany Over Fish

“I’m not worried,” Han Xiaoqing replied. “This is what we had in mind all along. It’s just… him leaving so suddenly is a little hard to get used to. I thought it would be a while longer!”

Han Xiaorui shook her head, disagreeing with Han Xiaoqing. “Wenxuan was one of the top students the country sent to study abroad. He didn’t just complete his master’s and doctorate overseas; he also worked in their research labs and companies. He has a strong theoretical foundation, plus he’s familiar with the most cutting-edge research directions and ways of thinking.”

“Right now, while the country isn’t exactly in ruins, there’s still a huge gap between our technology and what other countries have. We’re trying hard to catch up, which means we need everyone to pool their strength and tackle these challenges together.”

“Since you and Wenxuan chose this path, you have to see it through with conviction. This isn’t just about your careers; it’s about your ideals and what you believe in.”

Han Xiaoqing nodded and smiled, rubbing her belly. “If I weren’t pregnant, I probably wouldn’t be so sentimental. Now that there’s a baby on the way, my mind is just filled with all sorts of thoughts.”

Han Xiaorui smiled and squeezed her sister’s hand. “I understand why you’re feeling this way. I went through the same thing, after all. It’s a phase every mother goes through—you’re excited for the baby’s arrival, but you’re also anxious about the uncertainties of the future.”

“Whenever you feel panicked, just think about Wenxuan, think about me, and think about our big family. With so many people who care about you, you can rest easy.”

“Since Wenxuan isn’t home, don’t go back to your place! Just stay here with me. It’s always so lively with all the children around; you won’t have time to let your mind wander. I’ll take care of you, just like you took care of me.”

Han Xiaoqing smiled and nodded. “That’s what I was thinking too, Sis! Wenxuan asked my brother-in-law the same thing. I’m sorry to be a bother!”

Han Xiaorui feigned annoyance. “If you’re going to talk like that, I’ll get genuinely angry! I’m your sister. You don’t have to be so formal with me!”

“Was I formal with you when I was going through a hard time? Our family has a lot of children, and I love kids. I wish the house were filled with more and more of them!”

Han Xiaoqing leaned on her sister’s shoulder and said softly, “Having you as my sister is the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to me in this life.”

This wasn’t an exaggeration in the slightest; it was a heartfelt sentiment from Han Xiaoqing.

‘If it weren’t for my sister, how would I have ever found out that my spot at the university was stolen?’

‘If I hadn’t gone back to university, my life might not have been dull, but it would be nowhere near as wonderful as it is now. I wouldn’t have reached the heights I have today.’

While the two sisters were catching up, Sister Lian had already cleaned the pomfret, scoring it a few times so it would absorb the flavors.

She poured a mixture of green onion, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings over the fish before placing it in the pot to steam.

Steaming the pomfret was the best way to bring out its fresh, delicate flavor.

Other than the main spine, the flesh was nearly boneless.

Sister Lian steamed two large ones, since there were many people in the house and it was a favorite of adults and children alike.

Steaming just one would have only been enough for the children; the adults wouldn’t have gotten any.

The bucket Han Xiaorui had brought back contained several pomfrets.

The children ate with gusto, their faces shiny with oil from the fragrant fish.

“Mama, I love this pomfret!” Pingping exclaimed, sharing his opinion.

Han Xiaorui smiled. “If you like it, eat up! Eating fish makes you smarter!”

An’an nodded. “Yeah, Sister Minmin got first place again on her exams! Uncle and Auntie said her favorite food is fish!”

Pingping eagerly chimed in, “That’s right! We have to eat fish so we can get first place!”

Even Ningning and Zhuangzhuang joined in on the fun.

Han Xiaorui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ‘Getting first place isn’t something you can do just by eating fish.’

Still, Han Xiaorui didn’t want to dampen the children’s enthusiasm.

Good grades were great, of course.

But if their grades weren’t good, Han Xiaorui had no intention of pushing them too hard.

This was especially true for Pingping and An’an. She was already thanking her lucky stars that they were growing up to be normal, healthy children.

How could she dare ask for more?

All that mattered was that they ate well and were healthy and strong.

As for Ningning and Zhuangzhuang, she didn’t need to be a “tiger mom”—Mr. Xu and Old Madam Xu had already started scheduling all sorts of lessons for them.

They had just finished preschool, so they were starting from the very basics.

They could already recite the *Three Character Classic*, the *Hundred Family Names*, and the *Thousand Character Classic*.

They were using the same methods Mr. Xu and Old Madam Xu had experienced in their own childhoods.

The philosophy was to have them memorize everything first, regardless of comprehension. Understanding would come later.

But it had certainly made the children much more articulate.

In any case, since the elders were willing to teach the children, Han Xiaorui was happy to let them.

There was nothing wrong with traditional teaching methods, but modern education had its merits too.

The ultimate goal was the same for both: to ensure the children continuously learned and accumulated knowledge as they grew up.

It was a process of building a reserve.

If you didn’t build that reserve when you were young, you’d feel a sense of lack when you needed the knowledge later.

Otherwise, people wouldn’t so often lament that you only regret how little you’ve read when you finally need the knowledge.

Han Xiaoqing and Han Xiaorui glanced at each other and smiled. “It’s a good thing they all want to get smarter.”

After they had finished eating, Liang Xiaoyu arrived, carrying two styrofoam boxes filled with iced Big Yellow Fish.

“Xiao Rui, here are the Big Yellow Fish you wanted. I picked out the best-looking ones and brought them over.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. “Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, why did you deliver them yourself? Come on, sit down and have some water.”

Liang Xiaoyu waved her hand. “No, it’s fine. I’m heading home as soon as I drop off the Big Yellow Fish.”

Han Xiaorui nodded. “Alright, then make sure you get some rest when you get home. If your family needs any help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Liang Xiaoyu smiled. “It’s not a huge deal, really. I have my mother-in-law, and Xueqin is on her side now, so I’m not worried.”

“Okay then!” Han Xiaorui nodded. “Once I’ve had some rest, I’ll go visit our godmother.”

“Okay!” Worried about things at home, Liang Xiaoyu put the boxes down, said a quick goodbye, and hurried off.

Although the lawsuit was going relatively smoothly, it would be so much better if everything could just be handled according to the law.

But some people are impossible. When you play rough with them, they want to talk about the law.

And when you try to talk about the law, they just act like scoundrels.

That was a perfect description of Old Man Cai right now.

After finding out he wouldn’t get a share of the assets in the divorce, he suddenly wasn’t so keen on getting divorced anymore.

They were still in the mediation phase and had already tried twice, but Granny Cai had refused to reconcile both times.

She refused to compromise, and she wasn’t going to let herself become a laughingstock.

“Xiao Liu, take this box of Big Yellow Fish to Grandma and Grandpa.”

One box was enough to keep at home; she could give some of it to friends and neighbors later.

She’d give two to Yang Zhigang and Yang Jianguo, and one each to Wu Jiao, Wu Yao, and Granny Cai.

As for Sister Lian, she could just eat some at the house, so there was no need to give her one separately.

“Okay,” Xiao Liu replied.

Ye Feng watched as Han Xiaorui finished divvying up the Big Yellow Fish, then he took the remaining few and put them in the freezer.

“If you’re tired, you should go to our room and get some sleep,” Ye Feng said.

Han Xiaorui shook her head. “Not right now. I’ll take the kids and my sister for a walk first. I can sleep when we get back.”

“Alright, then I’ll leave the kids with you. I have a document I need to look over,” Ye Feng said with a relaxed smile.

When Han Xiaorui wasn’t home, Ye Feng was always a nervous wreck looking after the kids.

Now, with only Ye Feng at home, he was looking forward to reading his document in peace, but a phone call from Beijing shattered the tranquility.