CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 392: DAUGHTER COMES FIRST

Gu Xiaoqing smiled, "Mom, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. It’s already 1993, and in the future, Xiao Jie will face an ever-changing new era. He’s different from us; boys need to have a broad perspective and open mind, and he shouldn’t lack experience either.

You don’t have to worry, it’s not for long, just three months. I can accompany him because I’ve applied to a university in the United States and plan to study abroad for a year, to recharge myself. I can take care of him as well."

After saying what she was thinking, Gu Xiaoqing didn’t want to keep it a secret; it’s the kind of thing that couldn’t be hidden anyway.

Li Xuemei’s eyes widened immediately upon hearing this, "What, you want to study abroad? You’ve always had too many ideas since you were young, you never discuss anything with us. That place is unfamiliar, with new faces. How can we not worry about you going there alone as a girl? No, I don’t agree."

This was the first time Li Xuemei opposed her daughter’s opinion.

Gu Xiaoying and Liu Ming both laughed. Liu Ming walked over and helped Li Xuemei sit down on the sofa, persuading, "Mom, don’t overthink it. The United States isn’t as bad as you imagine. Fang Shaonan and Bai Zhongyuan both studied abroad there, and look, they didn’t turn out bad. The knowledge they’ve gained is still a big advantage here in our country.

Besides, Xiaoqing said it’s just for a year. How long is a year—it’s over in a flash. Nowadays, many parents send their kids abroad for study, and when they return, they’re valued differently.

I think it’s a good thing. Don’t get upset; think it over and look into it, then you’ll know."

In Li Xuemei’s eyes, Liu Ming is a down-to-earth good guy, a model son-in-law. What he said indeed made Li Xuemei calm down. Yes, she should look into it further.

Back when Xiaoqing wanted to start a business, the family was dirt poor. If Xiaoqing hadn’t insisted, she wouldn’t have dared either. After all, there was so little money, and there were three kids at home who were pale and hungry.

It took courage to make those decisions back then, to take that step forward.

So why not dare now?

The truth is, with something to their name now, there’s a sense of worry in their hearts.

Actually, the world for the children is still very broad. As Xiaoqing said, Xiao Jie is the hope of the family, the only boy in the family. He should go out, experience the world, and get some training; that’s the right decision.

Gu Xiaoying also persuaded Li Xuemei, "Mom, even if she goes, it’s not an abrupt thing. Xiaoqing is not someone who acts rashly; think about it and look into it some more. It doesn’t cost anything, and if it turns out to be a good thing, you’ll regret it if you delay it."

This sister, known to be opinionated, so Gu Xiaoying had to stand by Gu Xiaoqing.

Li Xuemei gave Gu Xiaoying a look and reluctantly smiled, "I can’t argue with you all, each one is my nemesis, just born to worry us, your dad and I."

Everyone laughed.

Gu Xiaojie hugged Gu Xiaoqing’s arm, laughing so hard he could burst.

Gu Xiaoqing looked at the harmonious family and knew in her heart that there were some things that couldn’t be avoided, that had to be said. Someone is visiting tomorrow.

"Mom, you and Dad should both be at home tomorrow, guests are coming."

Gu Xiaoqing didn’t realize she was a little nervous.

Li Xuemei inadvertently looked up and asked, "Who’s coming?"

Guests?

They should be Gu Xiaoqing’s friends; Li Xuemei understood at least that much.

She couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that this child has found a boyfriend at university?

"Mom, it’s my boyfriend, he wants to visit you and Dad."

Gu Xiaoqing knew she couldn’t avoid it.

Liu Ming immediately gave a small knowing glance, secretly giving a thumbs up. The eldest acts really fast.

Gu Xiaoying and Li Xuemei were both stunned, but Gu Xiaojie was happily asking, "Sis, who is it? Is he a classmate from your university?"

This is probably the answer everyone had in mind.

Otherwise, where did Gu Xiaoqing’s boyfriend come from?

"It’s Fang Shaohan."

A thunderbolt struck.

Gu Xiaoying and Li Xuemei looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other’s eyes.

Fang Shaohan!?

How is that possible?

If it were Fang Shaonan, Li Xuemei might have been more mentally prepared. After all, they had a foundation, having experienced that crisis with human traffickers together back in the day.

But Fang Shaohan, that young man who seems cold and reserved but meticulously precise in speech and action, that young man who drinks and chats familiarly with Gu Ruhai, that young man clearly seven or eight years older than Gu Xiaoqing.

Fang Shaonan’s brother.

What’s going on here?

Li Xuemei felt a weight in her heart. As for Fang Shaonan, she hadn’t even thought about it, given such a high-status family, always hearing how people say to marry into a prestigious family. But when the door is too high, socially unequal, they won’t value their daughter much. Those women who marry into wealthy, prestigious homes, aren’t they secretly full of bitterness?

Li Xuemei is no longer the rural woman who knew nothing. Over the years, she’s met businessmen, even officials, and she’s heard plenty about the ways of the world. The Fang Family isn’t bad; it’s too good, which makes things a comparison.

By then, her daughter is likely to be wronged, unable to hold her head up in her in-laws’ house. How could she have a good life like that?

Li Xuemei worries about her daughter’s future.

It’s not just Li Xuemei who can foresee this; Gu Xiaoying can too.

That’s why they were so surprised.

Gu Xiaoqing has never been an impulsive person; she’s always calm and rational about many things, thinks a lot, and is very decent.

So what they could think of, Gu Xiaoqing also must have thought of.

Since she thought of it and still said it, it means this is something Gu Xiaoqing has decided on.

Li Xuemei sighed, "Xiaoqing, have you thought this through? Mom won’t say much, but I’m still worried. You need to think it over; this is different from other matters, it’s about your whole life. Although our family has money, we can’t help you much; life is something you have to live on your own."

Gu Xiaoqing felt Li Xuemei’s feelings; this was a mother’s concern.

She soothingly held Li Xuemei’s hand and said, "Mom, don’t worry. I’ve thought it through, really thought it through, that’s why I decided to try. If one day I’m really despised because of the unequal status and can’t live on, you must take me back in."

Li Xuemei gave Gu Xiaoqing a light slap, "What are you saying? You are your parents’ daughter, this is your home. You can come back whenever you want. Besides, you’re my daughter; only you could be the one dismissing others, not the other way around. I can’t bear to hand my daughter over to Fang Shaohan, either."

"Alright, alright, your daughter is the greatest, is that better now?"

Gu Xiaoqing quickly sweet-talked Li Xuemei.

The whole family laughed.