CHAPTER 1608: CHAPTER 1609: WITH YOU GONE, NO ONE WILL COMPETE WITH ME ANYMORE

"Oh, really? Wow, how did you figure that out? You’re so smart!"

Seeing that Wei Bihui’s attention was finally diverted, Bai Shu let out a long sigh of relief. You took the opportunity to give Xiao Feng a hint to keep going, so Chen Susu simply gave up her seat to Xiao Feng, allowing the two to continue their conversation.

Seeing Xiao Feng lead Wei Bihui away, Bai Shu whispered, "Finally, a moment of peace."

"Hey, she’s a rich and pretty girl. Aren’t you a good match? What’s with the aversion?"

"She’s lived in a relatively closed environment since she was a child, knowing very little about the outside world. You could call it being naive, or plainly put, foolish." Bai Shu shook his head and sighed, "Actually, Xiao Feng and she will never work out. The Wei Family holds significant status both in China and internationally. Wei Bihui is a direct descendant, and her parents have a strong sense of family status. With Xiao Feng’s conditions, let alone dating, even saying a few words more would displease them."

You looked at Bai Shu and asked, "So, is that why you’ve always been indifferent to Wei Bihui?"

Bai Shu nodded, "Aside from my mom, none of our elders is willing to associate with the Wei Family."

Turning to look at Xiao Feng, who was chatting happily with Wei Bihui and wearing a broad smile, you smiled lightly, "In this world, there’s only what people can’t think of or dare not imagine; once you make up your mind, you should go ahead without looking back, regardless of the outcome and give it your all because that’s what makes life exciting. If you hesitate too much before doing something, even if you successfully achieve it by luck one day, what remains will be a sense of loss because life isn’t about the destination but the journey’s beautiful sights."

After you finished speaking, the class bell rang, and under Bai Shu’s lingering gaze, you turned around and returned to your seat.

Beside Liu Yaoyao, Chen Susu, who was reading an English novel, glanced sideways at Bai Shu and a beautiful smile played at her lips.

Over the next two days, the six of you kept rehearsing a song and dance routine, and as time went by, it was finally the day of Second Heights’ centennial celebration.

For the school’s centennial celebration, classes were naturally suspended. However, even without classes, Second Heights’ students woke up early, dressed up, and rushed to school earlier than usual.

At the school gate, Zhao Lirong, who was on duty, saw that the students arrived even earlier than usual and couldn’t help but say to your mother beside her, "Usually at this time, these kids look so lethargic, but today they’re all full of life."

For once, your mother didn’t bicker with Zhao Lirong and, smiling, said, "Interest is all that matters in anything. Without interest, even if you chase them with a broom, they’d still be sluggish; whereas now, you can tell from their smiles."

Zhao Lirong sighed softly. As if reminded of something, she asked your mother beside her, "I heard you’ve submitted your retirement application to the higher-ups?"

Your mother didn’t expect Zhao Lirong to bring this up and nodded immediately.

Originally, your mother planned to retire next June, hoping to keep an eye on you knowing you’d yet to graduate, but since your father had already retired and was idly spending time, as a wife, she felt that after both had been busy for half a lifetime, they rarely had time alone, so after discussing with you and Li Qiyi, both children agreed to your mother retiring before the year ends.

You even suggested that the two seniors go on a world tour, to see the world outside and truly experience life.

Your mother has always been a very strong woman, even going back to work just three days after you were born, which shows her dedication to her career.

However, approaching fifty, one day when she flipped through old photo albums, she found three thick albums filled completely with pictures of the two children, except for a few photos of herself and your father when they were young.

Your mother sat down and thought carefully, realizing that in the past twenty-plus years, there hadn’t been many truly heartfelt moments of them being together, or none at all.

It was then that your mother suddenly realized that if they don’t cherish now, when they get old and can’t move, and need to rely on past memories to fill the emptiness of old age, what would they do?

Many people hustle and toil all their lives, and if you ask them to explain the meaning of life, most can’t articulate it because they’re caught up in the situation, unable to see the beauty beyond, nor grasp the deeply moving experiences from the heart.

Understanding life doesn’t really have much to do with money.

Of course, if you’re in middle age still burdened with housing, car, and child debt, there’s no choice, for once you decided back then, you must continue bending to the path you’ve chosen since life’s road is one of your own choice.

Your parents, while both strong, aren’t materially compelled; they’ve lived in a under 60 square meter apartment for over twenty years, even though the surrounding neighbors have changed multiple times. With their finances, they could have moved to a better neighborhood, but they couldn’t bear to leave the tranquility, the occasional meetings with old neighbors, and the cherished memories the old house holds from their youth.

Seeing Zhao Lirong staring at her, your mother smiled and said, "It’s been approved, and they’ll let me retire before the year ends."

"Before the year ends?" Zhao Lirong looked at your mother with some surprise, "Your son is taking college entrance exams next year, and you’re retiring at this time?"

At this, your mother couldn’t help but laugh, saying something that left Zhao Lirong speechless, "That brat has already signed a military pledge with me, progressing alongside Zisu, and with Zisu as the benchmark, he surely won’t lag behind. Besides, with his grades, he can choose any university in the country."

Zhao Lirong slowly sighed and said no more.

Your mother glanced slightly at Zhao Lirong and asked with a smile, "What, you seem reluctant to see me go?"

"Yes, once you leave, there’s no one to fight with me," Zhao Lirong retorted, rolling her eyes at your mother, "I really don’t know what immense fortune you attained in a past life for all the good to come to you this lifetime."

Indeed, even by Zhao Lirong’s standards, your mother’s "happiness value" far exceeds hers.

Firstly, your mother has an adoring husband who loves and caters to her every need; a daughter who’s a once-in-a-century genius in Yuhang City, and stunningly beautiful at that; and then there’s you, the troublemaker, the constant source of Zhao Lirong’s irritation, despite being her student, you’re completely beyond her control.

Not only that, but you’ve also occupied Zisu, her most promising protege who could surpass Li Qiyi, having gone public before even graduating high school. Anyone not blind can see the budding romance between you two.

Zhao Lirong well understands your mother’s temper—since you and Yan Zisu are together, it means Yan Zisu has already one foot in the Li family doorway, with the "future daughter-in-law" title dangling above her head.

Your mother chuckled, "There’s really nothing to be done, for I have a wonderful husband first and foremost."