CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22 - DON’T CLING TO MY SON 2_1

As Yan Xixi was leaving, Huang Xiaojue’s mother still spoke with great warmth before closing the door, "Miss Yan, take care. I hope you enjoyed the meal tonight."

Yan Xixi bowed deeply without uttering a single word.

Once outside, she was struck by how extraordinarily cold it was. The temperature had plunged to a terrifying few degrees below zero—C City hadn’t seen a winter this cold in nearly twenty years. When they reached a quiet, secluded corner of the residential complex, Huang Xiaojue pulled her into his arms. His breath was hot as he whispered in her ear, "Xixi, we haven’t had any time alone together all day. Now I have to take you back already—I really can’t bear it..."

She hugged his waist tightly, her heart twisting in agony. Unaware of her torment, he dipped his head to find her lips, and she accepted without hesitation.

The kiss left her dizzy, but waves of terror and despair washed over her. Huang Xiaojue isn’t mine! He will never belong to me!

A fleeting sense of security arrived and departed swiftly. All those beautiful fantasies about the future dissipated like passing clouds.

After a while, Huang Xiaojue finally let her go and chuckled, "Xixi, my mom didn’t say anything disrespectful to you when you were doing the dishes, did she?"

She hastily shook her head.

"My mom’s just like that—all bark and no bite. A typical small-minded person, really. Just because our family owns an extra apartment, she gets all worked up, constantly afraid someone’s going to take advantage of us. She wasn’t always like this. Ever since the new marriage law came out, she’s become incredibly paranoid, always nagging me not to get involved with gold-diggers. Honestly, it’s just an apartment. What’s the big deal? Xixi, don’t mind her. I’ll earn the money for our marital home myself, and I promise it will be in your name. Everything I earn will be ours to share..."

Her heart lurched. She clung tightly to Huang Xiaojue’s waist, unconsciously burying her face in his chest. For so long, she had been utterly exhausted, like drifting duckweed desperate for any support. Even if this support was fleeting, she wanted to savor every possible moment of it.

Huang Xiaojue had never seen her display such unexpected tenderness. He was so surprised and delighted that he immediately swept her up, spun her around with her feet off the ground a few times, and then set her down. "Xixi, I promise I’ll take good care of you both. We’ll get married as soon as your mother’s condition stabilizes a bit."

A gust of wind made Yan Xixi shrink her neck, the cold air sobering her slightly. She managed a faint, wretched smile. Marriage... such a distant word.

"Xixi..."

She slowly disentangled her hands from Huang Xiaojue’s embrace, her voice low, "Xiaojue, that 50,000... I’ll definitely pay you back. Just give me some time. Two years. In two years, I promise I’ll pay you back..."

Huang Xiaojue was stunned and only managed to ask after a long moment, "Did my mom say something to upset you?"

She gave a wretched smile. "Xiaojue, it’s nothing. Your mom didn’t say anything. It’s just... marriage really should be between social equals. My current situation would only drag you down..."

"Nonsense!" Huang Xiaojue interrupted her. "Xixi, my mom must have said something. That’s just how she is. Don’t take it to heart. I’m the one who loves you, not my mom. Why should you care what she says?"

Just then, Huang Xiaojue’s phone rang. His mother’s loud, impatient voice blared from the receiver, "Xiaojue, why aren’t you back yet? Your dad’s getting impatient..."

She gazed listlessly at the sky. Actually, every word Huang Xiaojue’s mother said was the absolute truth. When poverty comes in the door, love flies out the window.