CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21 - DON’T CLING TO MY SON 1_1

"I won’t beat around the bush; the whole family is busy with his marriage right now. A relative introduced him to an excellent girl who works as a civil servant in customs. Her character and appearance are both top-notch, and we’re all very pleased with her. We want to arrange a blind date for Xiaojue as soon as possible..."

Yan Xixi was stunned. She raised her head and stared blankly at Mrs. Huang, her lips dry, unable to utter a word.

"Miss Yan..."

She stuttered, "Did... did Huang Xiaojue agree... to go on the blind date?"

As soon as she said it, she knew she had asked a foolish question. Sure enough, Mrs. Huang’s tone grew colder. "Miss Yan, that’s why I’m begging you. Please let Xiaojue go. You two really aren’t a good match."

"..."

Once the first harsh words were spoken, the rest flowed easily.

Mrs. Huang said bluntly, "You’re so beautiful, and our Xiaojue is just an ordinary person; he can’t afford to support you. Besides, your mother’s illness isn’t something an average family can bear. If Xiaojue stays with you, his life will be ruined. How could he live a good life then? Just to endure years of hardship with you? If you truly love him, could you bear to let him suffer with you? Right now, he’s infatuated because he hasn’t experienced real hardship. But what about the future? What will you two do then? Miss Yan, don’t blame me for being blunt, but marriage is best when partners are of similar social and financial standing. As the saying goes, ’A couple in poverty faces endless troubles.’ I’m older than you and I’ve seen much more of life. Many young people throw caution to the wind for love. But when it comes down to the daily grind, once the novelty wears off and love fades, the way they turn on each other is ugly and heartless. If you stay with Xiaojue, you’ll inevitably reach that point too..."

Yan Xixi simply lowered her head, turned the tap on full blast, and frantically scrubbed the dishes. The splashing water stung her hands.

"How about this: you don’t have to pay Xiaojue back the fifty thousand yuan. Consider it his support for a friend. But I hope you won’t contact him again in the future. Xiaojue has heavy burdens. From now on, he has to make monthly mortgage payments, handle renovations and furniture himself, not to mention the expenses of marriage and children. He’s already struggling enough. He simply has no spare capacity to support you and your mother anymore..."

The water gushed loudly from the tap, and Yan Xixi’s hands just flitted about in its stream. Mrs. Huang continued to speak, her mouth opening and closing, but Yan Xixi didn’t hear a single word. Her mind was filled with only one phrase: Let Huang Xiaojue go, let him go...

"Auntie..."

"Miss Yan, you don’t need to say anything. I’ll tell you just one thing: as long as I’m alive, don’t even think about stepping foot in my house again. I advise you to give up on this idea as soon as possible and stop pestering my son."

That was her final ultimatum. The conversation had reached a point where there was no room for compromise. At that moment, Yan Xixi was just untying her apron, splattered with water. After a long pause, she dazedly placed the apron on the nearby rack and silently walked out.

When Huang Xiaojue came downstairs, Yan Xixi was already standing in the living room. Mrs. Huang, a wide smile plastered on her face, said, "Xiaojue, it’s getting late. Take Miss Yan home first. Remember to come back early. Your father is on his way home and said he has something important to discuss with you."

Huang Xiaojue was curious. "What important matter?"

"How would I know? Your father didn’t tell me either. He just said he’s on his way and that you should come home early. Go quickly and come back quickly."