CHAPTER 1002: CHAPTER 680: ELDER YUAN

Went back home for a bit. Took the car and then the train back today, really tired, so I’ll keep it short and make it up tomorrow.

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Experts of Elder Yuan’s age can rest until the fifteenth of the first lunar month during the New Year, but Elder Yuan’s parents passed away long ago. His only brother severed ties with him back then and hasn’t reconciled, so with no relatives to visit, he simply returned to work early.

Chuxia didn’t find him at the office, so she turned to the lab, and sure enough, the old man was deep in thought over a human model. She quietly sat down to the side.

About fifteen minutes later, Xu Shuxian came looking for her. Hearing footsteps, Chuxia turned back, smiled at her, and gestured for silence.

Xu Shuxian glared disapprovingly at Chuxia and whispered as she sat down next to her, "Third sister-in-law, that’s not cool. I went out with Sister Jing and them for your sake, and here you are, sneaking away without even waiting for me. How am I supposed to explain this to my mom, grandma, and grandpa, and my aunt?"

"I’m sorry..." Chuxia smiled apologetically and didn’t say anything else.

"Is that it?" Xu Shuxian looked at her speechlessly, "At least give me a reason?"

Chuxia sighed slightly, "You can see it too; Elder Yuan is particularly obsessed with medicine. It’s rare that he acknowledges me and gives me the chance to learn. So..." She couldn’t help but sigh again, "I just wanted to come and see him a bit earlier."

"You can’t be blamed for this either..." Xu Shuxian, who originally blamed Chuxia, ended up comforting her instead, "Besides, this is a joyous occasion. Look how happy grandma, grandpa, and Aunt are. Third sister-in-law, do you know that my mom always says you’re the Zhou family’s lucky star? Ever since you got together with Third Brother, the Zhou family has been getting better and better."

Chuxia felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and said, "That’s because Aunt cares about me."

"No, my mom speaks from the heart." Xu Shuxian looked at Chuxia seriously, "Before knowing you, we didn’t dare joke around with Third Brother, not even speak properly to him. Every time we met, we quickly greeted him and stayed far away."

That’s true, but Chuxia couldn’t respond to that.

Zhou Mikang’s previous conflicts with the family were due to Zhou Xiaorao. To put it bluntly, he didn’t want to see his father and hence didn’t want to go home or get close to everyone.

Since he met her, that wound gradually healed, and his personality became more and more gentle. Of course, that was limited to dealing with his family, so everyone interacted with him more comfortably.

Though that was the truth, she couldn’t really respond like that, and silence fell between them.

Fortunately, just then Elder Yuan noticed Chuxia and waved at her in surprise, "When did you get here? Why didn’t you let me know?"

Chuxia hurried over, "Seeing you were busy, I just waited for a while. Actually, I haven’t been here long."

"There’s a case that’s been puzzling me..." Elder Yuan waved his hand, "Forget it, no point in getting obsessed. We’ll talk about it later. Don’t you still have three days off? Why are you here today?"

Biting her lip, Chuxia spoke honestly, "Elder Yuan, I broke my promise. Temporarily, I might not be able to stay by your side and learn. If... if you can still accept me as your student, I hope to learn from you after I graduate, is that okay?"

"What happened?" Elder Yuan frowned, "Tell me, and if I can help, I will do my best."

"It’s not that..." Chuxia’s cheeks flushed slightly, "I... I’m pregnant and can only go to school for now, can’t come to the hospital."

"Really?" Elder Yuan clapped his hands happily, "This is great news. Seeing your expression just now, I thought something terrible had happened. You scared me. Do you really think I’m such an unreasonable old antique?"

"No, no..." Chuxia waved her hands, "I just feel I’ve broken my word and feel guilty. I said I’d study well by your side, but... it turned out like this, I..."

Elder Yuan interrupted her with a laugh, "What’s there to feel guilty about? You’re married; getting pregnant and having children is very normal. If I couldn’t understand even this, then I’d really have a problem.

Besides, going to school and learning from me aren’t in conflict. I’ve been hesitating over something, and now that you’ve brought it up, I’ve made up my mind."

"What is it?" Chuxia asked curiously.

"Let me keep it a secret for now, and you’ll know when the time comes..." Checking the time, Elder Yuan invited, "Come have lunch at my place today. My wife and Yuan Hui are making dumplings at home."

"Elder Yuan, I wanted to invite you and the teacher to lunch today. Can I invite the teacher’s wife and Sister Yuan Hui too? If the dumplings are already made, we can cook them and bring them as a dish, is that okay?"

"You child..." Elder Yuan shook his head helplessly, "Who takes dumplings to a restaurant? Tell you what, I’ll have your teacher’s wife make some more, and this afternoon, call Song Xiaoyu and your good friends over for some fun."

After hesitating for a moment, Chuxia agreed. Elder Yuan was sincere, and since the Yuan family didn’t have relatives around here, it would always be a bit livelier if they celebrated together and add a bit of festive spirit.

With things settled with the elders, Chuxia turned to find her friends.

The first, of course, was Liu Meijun.

Unlike in later years, when communication can be done anytime by phone, since they parted ways before the New Year, they hadn’t seen or contacted each other until now. So when Liu Meijun saw Chuxia, she was immediately delighted, "Chuxia, are you already back at work?"

"No, I came early to check on you guys." Chuxia looked her over and laughed, "Looks like you ate well over New Year, your face is rounder."

Liu Meijun touched her cheeks in frustration, "Couldn’t control my mouth, went sideways in growth. I’ve decided to indulge myself with a few more meals before the fifteenth. After that, I’ll seriously lose weight."

"What weight loss..." Chuxia rolled her eyes, "You’re not fat now at all, I was just making an offhand comment, you’re really taking it seriously. You’re only a little over a hundred pounds, right?"

"I’m 102 pounds now, I was 98 before New Year."

"It’s only four pounds. Once the New Year’s feasting stops, your weight will quickly go back down. By the way, are you busy now?"

"I just need to let the teacher know, then I’m free. Wait for me." As she spoke, she was already far gone, leaving Chuxia to smile helplessly, "Now that Xiaoqiong’s gone, you’ve taken her spot."

In less than five minutes, Liu Meijun returned with Yun Doudou.

The two are now studying under the same teacher, as close as could be, with a friendship on par with Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)