CHAPTER 514: CHAPTER 516: MR. AND MRS. YANG

The next day, Gao Jiaxing woke up early and roused his sleeping sons to practice horse stances in the backyard.

Being disrupted from their slumber left them inwardly bitter, yet no one dared to shirk the task.

Nowadays, Gao Jiaxing exuded such authority that, despite never physically hitting or scolding his sons, they held a deep respect and fear for their father.

Their father was the one they admired the most, even taking pride and boasting about him. At home, Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao each displayed their own demeanor—one authoritative, the other amiable—without intentionally playing the roles of stern father and indulgent mother, yet they effectively established their positions.

Xia Xiao got up a bit late. By the time she awoke, the children had gone to school. After breakfast, she joined Gao Jiaxing for a walk in the vicinity.

Moreover, they greatly enjoyed this private time together, as the opportunities for them to be together had now lessened, with Xia Xiao beginning to travel far and wide in search of energy stones.

Gao Jiaxing was often busy with his military duties, occasionally returning to spend time with the children or to supervise their martial arts training.

Over the years, every summer vacation, Gao Jiaxing took the children to train at the military base, from Weilin to Feiteng and Feiling.

Gao Jiazhi would come over during holidays or breaks, particularly for New Year’s and other festivities.

"Yesterday, Weilin said she wants to become a host, Feiyang wants to become a soldier, Feiyue wants to be a diplomat, Feiyi wants to be a champion athlete, Feiteng wants to be a scientist, and Feiling wants to be an actress," Xia Xiao mentioned.

Gao Jiaxing responded, "Only Feiyang wants to join the military, seems a bit few."

In Gao Jiaxing’s view, at least two of his sons should join the military, as they all had good physical qualities and were ideal soldier material.

Even if not considering his own sons, with his love for talent, Gao Jiaxing wished all his sons would enlist. However, for the sake of family safety, he had never thought of having all of them join the military, just considering two would be good.

"Not too few," Xia Xiao said. "Soldiers protect the country and the home. You are my husband, and I am proud of you, but being a soldier is always dangerous. As a mother, I don’t have such grand ambitions. I just wish for the children to be safe and sound, healthy and happy. That’s enough for me."

"Mm," Gao Jiaxing nodded, "I won’t insist."

Xia Xiao smiled slightly, "Brother Gao, I might be traveling a lot for work lately. Doing this job, I might often be on the move in the future. If you’re not happy with that, you can tell me."

Xia Xiao wanted to hear Gao Jiaxing’s opinion, as although they were in their thirties and forties, there was still a long half of their lives ahead, and she did not wish for any strife between them.

"Do whatever you want to do," Gao Jiaxing said. "I can’t even assure that I’ll always be able to take care of the home, so how could I demand that you must stay? The kids are grown now, and we have our parents to look after them. Nowadays, with phones, communication is also easier. Just let me know where you’re going ahead of time, and let the family know. As long as I know where you are, that’s fine."

As Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao felt deeply touched, "Brother Gao is really kind."

"You are even better. I am fortunate to have married you." Gao Jiaxing couldn’t help but squeeze Xia Xiao’s hand. Although he soon let go, such a display of affection was rare for couples to show on the streets at that time and could be seen as improper by some.

The smile on Xia Xiao’s face deepened. That Gao Jiaxing had involuntarily held her hand on the street, albeit briefly, filled her with joy.

Gao Jiaxing stayed at home for a few days, then returned to his unit. Xia Xiao, meanwhile, got busy with writing reports, attending meetings, inquiring about the clothing store, and then set off again.

Weilin and Feiyang and Feiyue took their college entrance exams and got accepted to universities with excellent results.

Weilin got into the School of Journalism and Communication at First University, and Feiyang was admitted to a military academy.

"Fang Yang, do you have someone special?" Zheng Xianghong inquired.

Ge Liang blushed, inadvertently glanced at Weilin, and then shook his head.

Xia Xiao was taken aback. What did that mean? Was Ge Liang interested in Weilin? But they hadn’t really interacted much.

Perhaps her gaze was too obvious because Weilin explained, "Fang Yang and I have been corresponding. We’re pen pals."

Well, Xia Xiao didn’t say anything further, just looked at Ge Liang’s slightly flushed face with interest.

With the children in university, Feiyi, Feiteng, and Feiling were working hard too. Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong were quite relaxed now. Also, the clothing store affairs were managed by Xiao Mei, who had hired some help.

Yang Xuehua’s parents were teaching and conducting scientific research abroad and had achieved not insignificant success and recognition.

There was an exchange program between the two countries, and Xia Xiao took part in the conference. However, at that moment, she did not know that Mr. and Mrs. Yang were Yang Xuehua’s parents, nor did she expect it.

Since she worked for the Geological Department and was not a main member, she was only accompanying the conference.

So, when she saw Mr. and Mrs. Yang at her doorstep, Xia Xiao was taken aback, "Professor Yang, Professor Su, is there something you need?"

"Do you know us?" Mrs. Yang asked.

"Yes, I am Xia Xiao, a researcher at the Geological Department. I participated in the conference these past days," Xia Xiao replied.

"Oh, hello, hello."

Mr. and Mrs. Yang seemed somewhat constrained, not as eloquent as they had been during the conference, but more timid being so close to home.

"Comrade Xia, do you live here?" Mrs. Yang inquired.

"Yes, I do. May I ask what you need?" Xia Xiao asked again, not having met Yang Xuehua’s parents before, and thus unaware at that moment.

It was only when she heard Mrs. Yang say, "Do you know Yang Xuehua? We heard she lives here."

Xia Xiao was startled and stared at Mr. and Mrs. Yang, finally realizing who the couple before her was—and also feeling quite foolish for not noticing the resemblance to Yang Xuehua in their appearance and mannerisms. How had she not made the connection?

Moreover, she had not anticipated Yang Xuehua’s parents’ return.