CHAPTER 529: CHAPTER 531: TIME CANNOT BE REWOUND

"Mom, Jing Yao wants to take me to meet his family," Feiling said.

"Are you two together now?" Xia Xiao asked.

Feiling blushed slightly and nodded, "We’re just trying to date."

"Where is his family from?" Xia Xiao couldn’t miss the feelings her daughter harbored; this was someone she truly cared about.

"It’s the Jing Family," Feiling replied.

That Jing Family, Xia Xiao paused and said, "Tomorrow I’ll ask your godmother to inquire a bit. The Jing, Ning, and Li families are all from the same social stratum. Your godmother should know something."

Feiling nodded slightly, curling up in Xia Xiao’s embrace, "Mom, I’m so nervous. If it were an ordinary family, it’d still be nerve-wracking but not this worrying. But the Jing Family, it’s such a prestigious family, and I’m just an actress. What if his family disagrees?"

Feiling seemed a bit tormented by the thought. Xia Xiao gently stroked her daughter’s soft hair and said, "Don’t belittle yourself. Although our family isn’t as established as theirs, we’re not inferior. You should not underestimate yourself. If their family’s attitude is unenthusiastic or even cold toward you, then you should reconsider. You are the apple of your father’s and my eye, spoiled by us all your life. You are not less than anyone else. Besides, your father is an Admiral and your mother is a scientist. Our family isn’t lacking; you shouldn’t settle."

Xia Xiao’s cheeks reddened slightly when she mentioned being a scientist, but having heard it so often, she had grown a thicker skin.

"Mom, I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t underestimate myself."

Xia Xiao had taught her daughter from a young age to respect and love herself. Gao Jiaxing had even been worried that his daughter might be easily swayed by some unworthy boy, so he had encouraged Feiling to learn martial arts.

Feiling’s action sequences were beloved by many and suited her path well. Xia Xiao had no aspirations to be a star, but she was overjoyed to have a daughter who was an award-winning actress. She never missed any of her daughter’s films or events.

Additionally, thanks to family protection and connections through Ning Hui, Feiling had a smooth path in the entertainment industry. As long as Feiling didn’t make mistakes, there wouldn’t be any negative news about her.

"Mom, I want to sleep with you tonight," Feiling said as she hugged Xia Xiao.

"Okay," Xia Xiao readily agreed. It had been a long time since the mother and daughter had spent quality time alone together.

Thus, that night, Xia Xiao went to sleep in Feiling’s room. When Gao Jiaxing returned, he noticed the empty room and Xia Xiao’s absence.

Gao Jiaxing went up to the third floor where his sons were playing mahjong. Just enough for a table, he noticed Xia Xiao’s absence. Gao Jiaxing asked, "Where’s mom?"

"Mom is sleeping in Feiling’s room," Feiyang glanced at his father as he spoke.

Gao Jiaxing, speechless, just reminded his sons not to stay up too late and went downstairs to wash up and sleep.

The family hadn’t stayed at their old home for many days. On the fifth day of the new year, everyone prepared to return to Beijing and their respective jobs.

However, when they heard that Feiling had started dating and was even going to meet his parents, her brothers suddenly turned serious and stared at her.

Feeling guilty, Feiling hurriedly said, "Mom and Dad have already met him."

"Is it the photographer who took photos for mom and dad and grandparents?" Feiteng voiced his suspicion, remembering that he had taken Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong for the photoshoot.

"Yes."

As soon as Feiling finished, Feiyang was the first to say, "Sit down and spill the beans."

At this moment, the brothers were serious, not expecting that their sister, whom they had protected all her life, had been ’abducted’ without their knowledge.

"There’s not much to say," Feiling said, "It’s just Jing Yao, my high school classmate. You brothers should have all met him."

"That boy, he harbored intentions since high school," Feiyi was the first to speak; that boy was back.

"Jing family people, you don’t know his family yet; why are you rushing into a relationship?" Feiyue said.

Feiyang coughed lightly, "After you return, bring him home first. We’ll take a look, and if it doesn’t work out, you don’t need to go to his home."

Feiling looked at her brothers and then at her parents, who hadn’t spoken, and nodded, "Okay."

Seeing that their sister was obedient, her brothers’ expressions softened quite a bit, but they still felt uncomfortable thinking that their sister had been ’abducted’ and was at the stage of meeting parents, soon to be married off.

Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao didn’t stop their sons from showing care and asking questions about their sister’s romantic interest. Previously, both parents had been busy, and the children were mostly brought up by Zheng Xianghong and Gao Guoqiang with strong affection.

When leaving, Xia Xiao saw Dong Meihua carrying a bag, following a man.

Xia Xiao’s family didn’t stay longer and left the Guangming Team.

On the car ride, discussions began with Zheng Xianghong, who knew firsthand information, saying, "That man came over yesterday showing an interest in caring for Dong Meihua. Li Shengmei disagreed, but it was said that Dong Meihua’s daughter-in-law was very supportive. Finally, Dong Meihua’s son agreed."

Xia Xiao sighed continuously, unsure whether Dong Meihua had taken their advice. If Dong Meihua had found something to do herself, earned her own money, and could sustain herself, she wouldn’t have to worry about being abandoned.

But if Dong Meihua remained stubborn, then it was hard to say.

However, that wasn’t her concern anymore. Xia Xiao now had a few things to do upon returning home: firstly, dealing with her daughter’s relationship and meeting the parents, secondly, her papers. Although retired, Xia Xiao, following Shitou, often still worked on various research reports and papers.

Thirdly, she had to leave with Shitou again.

As for the zoo’s matters, Xia Xiao directly funded it to Feiteng, letting her son handle it.

On the other hand, as Dong Meihua watched the Xia family’s car drive away, she felt bitter. When she and Xia Xiao were roommates as educated youth, Xia Xiao was inferior in every way, yet she couldn’t believe how much distance had grown between them.

They started from the same point; she was an educated youth, Xia Xiao was also an educated youth; she was a military wife, Xia Xiao was also a military wife.

Xia Xiao had a son, and so did she, but now they were worlds apart.

Dong Meihua now felt some regret. If she had studied alongside Xia Xiao, befriended her, and learned together during the days Xia Xiao studied, could she have attended university and had a different life?

Of course, but there is no medicine for regret, nor can time be reversed.

Not to mention, back in the day when Xia Xiao was studying high school content with Gao Jiaxing, Dong Meihua still mocked Xia Xiao for pursuing Gao Jiaxing. But now, watching the high-end car drive away and looking at the man beside her, Dong Meihua clenched her fists—she was determined to make herself happy.