Chapter 79: The Parting is Near

  The trip was originally intended to let the children bond, especially Xia Fei and Zhan Juju, who needed a harmonious environment and atmosphere to ease their tense relationship. However, it seemed that the adults discovered that this trip had the opposite effect.

  On the day when the four children returned home, both sets of elders gathered together. In these dozen or so days, even Lao Lao Ye from Seattle had returned. Originally expecting to see the four people getting along harmoniously, one look and they were shocked.

  It seems like there's something strange going on between Yu Yu and Xia Zhi, as if Xia Zhi is intentionally avoiding Yu Yu, even the intimate little actions they used to share are gone.

  Xia Feihan and Zhan Zhu seemed to have become even more incompatible this time. The two people were originally not on good terms, but they would often quarrel and make a big fuss. Now, however, the two of them don't speak to each other at all. When they see each other, Xia Feihan treats Zhan Zhu as if she's air, while Zhan Zhu treats Xia Feihan like dirt.

  What's going on? What's going on? Is Xiaodong doing something terribly wrong? The elders are curious to death, and they all grabbed the only witness, Xia Liqiu, to ask, but Miss Liqiu was very calm and said she didn't know.

  The most annoying thing is actually Xia Zhi. Don't even get me started on Xia Fei, anyway they just don't see eye to eye, the key point is, how can Xia Zhi's brother turn his back on people after he wakes up?

  She really hoped to take this as a breakthrough and develop well with Xia Zhige, after all, it's hard to get started, but once you have a good start, things will be smoother afterwards.

  But fate is playing tricks on me! In "Journey to the West", it was said that my Mr. Right would be a world-renowned hero, and one day he would ride on a seven-colored cloud to marry me. Unfortunately, I guessed the beginning correctly, but not the ending.

  Who knows if I get a kiss, will I lose Xia Zhi Gege?

  She pulled his hand and he would subtly let go; when they were alone together, he would either make an excuse to leave or pull Li Qiu along with him; she chattered away with him, but he always smiled in a way that made people feel distant.

  Is this... because Xia Zhi Gege regretted this kiss?

  Is this... because Xia Zhige is disgusted with her and can't bear to say it, so he's showing it through his actions?

  A tactful refusal?

  She isn't one who loses a watermelon and picks up sesame seeds?

  It's just that the dedication plan is not mature enough, it's just that we need to wait and consider carefully, how can this be...

  Zhan was on the verge of tears, but had none to shed, so his mood wasn't good either. The two families ate lunch together, and then Zhan's family left in a big group for Houqiao Town.

  "Grandpa," Zhan Liuliu pouted, looking at his old grandfather with a pitiful expression. Zhan Longxing was not as imposing as Xia Weizhang, who had held high-ranking positions in the government and still carried himself with the air of a military leader even after retirement. He was slightly shorter and less well-groomed, just an ordinary elderly farmer with a spirited appearance. But this old man had risked his life to pull Xia Weizhang out of the trenches amidst gunfire and bullets back then.

  "Good for nothing, arguing with the second child again?" Zhan Longxing puffed out his chest and glared, this dead girl, not seen her for months, but she's still his most beloved granddaughter, how can she not even crack a smile when seeing him return? Isn't she trying to infuriate him to death?

  Zhan Zhan looked dispirited, tugging at Old Master's goatee, and said sorrowfully: "I've been doing well all along, I don't know what's wrong..." She really had done well, but after the sacrifice plan began, it seemed to have deviated from her imagination. Xia Fei Han was probably just like herself, too embarrassed to say anything; but she couldn't understand why Xia Zhi Ge treated her this way.

  She's so frustrated. This matter she can't even bring up for discussion or ask everyone for their opinions, but with her emotional intelligence, she just can't figure it out.

  "Deservedly," Old Master Zhan slapped away his granddaughter's paws, "What kind of girl are you, can't be in a bad mood and come pinch my beard?" "How old are you, doing such childish things, these messy thoughts, shouldn't have them in the first place." The War family generally still had the idea of pulling Zhan Doudou back from pursuing Xia Zhi.

  "Cut it out, Grandpa, you're such an old fogey. Even Summer's grandfather is more open-minded than you." Warmed by the wine, Zhan Er shook her little head and scoffed at the old man's advice.

  "You're as stubborn as a corpse, with an antique brain to match." Old Master Zhan's voice boomed like a bell, then he thought for a moment and said, "But how did that old man Xia become so enlightened?"

  "Grandpa Xia said that at my age, I can get married and have kids already." Zhan Liuli quoted Grandpa Xia's words, but it was clearly misused. At the time, Grandpa Xia was referring to Xia Zhixia's age, not hers.

  "He's the one with serious feudal and rotten ideas! Now is a society ruled by law! That... that woman, how old was she supposed to get married?" Old Master Zhang patted his forehead, unable to remember.

  "It's nothing, really," said Jiang Xinyi with a smile from the front row. As the saying goes, "children have their own blessings", and her daughter had a strong heart, so she didn't take this little emotional outburst to heart as a mother.

  And this is youth, this is emotion, thinking back to when I was young and vigorous, didn't I have a little bit of wild ideas?

  Proper guidance, grasp the general direction, and let the children go with the rest. They are all people with a sense of proportion, and I'm not afraid they will make any big mistakes.

  I don't know if she would still think this way if she knew that Warlord Zhang almost caused a huge disaster.

  "Twenty-one, ah, I'll be twenty-one when I graduate, just right." Zhan's logical thinking has always had this one flaw - it seems like marrying Xia Zhi is only a matter of scheduling.

  This idea is very unscientific and unacceptable!

  The three adults all shook their heads and sighed.

  But then fell into a new round of sorrow - yes, graduation, twenty-one. The happiest times have passed, and Xia Zhi Ge will be going abroad soon, at least for four years. Even if he comes back after four years, I'll probably be studying abroad too? So it's really going to take at least seven years before we can relive these carefree days of being together again?

  At that time, she was 21 years old, and Xia Zhige had already turned 24. Seven years of time, it's hard to say whether it's long or short, but even if her heart remained steadfast in its devotion, there would still be changes beyond one's control.

  Alas, what to do?

  Melancholy?

  While questioning was being conducted here, He Wenshan was also coaching her son over there.

  "Xiao Zhi ah, DouDou and FeiHan, nothing's wrong, right?" He WenShan pretended to be nonchalant as she carried the fruit into Xia Zhi's room.

  Is Dudu and Fei Han? Shouldn't be, maybe Dudu is still angry... But for myself, it seems like I have something to do with Dudu.

  That night, Mingming thought he was fine, still treating DouDou like a little sister, but the next day, when he saw the lively DouDou standing in front of him, he started to feel awkward.

  Some thoughts and ideas that shouldn't be there kept popping up in his mind. These feelings made him feel strange and flustered, and also made him feel very wrong. Before he could think of a better way to deal with it, he had no choice but to keep a distance from Tangtang for the time being.

  Looking at the disappointed and sad little face, he was also reluctant to part with her. Many times, he wanted to go forward and touch her little head with a smile as before, but he still endured it.

  He feared that if he didn't control himself, he would make some improper move and get Pea into even deeper trouble.

  Isn't it said that if you can't bring happiness to others, then at least be brave enough to let go?

  It's time to leave soon. These four years, just happened to be the period when Dudu grew up into an adult, maybe her childish thoughts would change with time?

  Such thoughts made him feel a bit melancholy, but as long as it was really what Xiaoyu wanted and was good for her, he still hoped to give her the space and right to choose her own growth.

  She is still very young, her happiness needs time to be verified.

  "No, I'm just a bit tired," Xia Zhi smiled in response to his mother's words. He naturally knew the concerns and doubts of adults, but this matter couldn't be spoken of, nor was there any need to speak of it.

  "Oh, it's nothing." He Wenxuan was also very familiar with his own son. By saying this, he meant two things: first, there really wasn't anything wrong; second, even if there was something wrong, he would handle it himself.

  "Take a good rest at home these days, see what else you need to prepare, and say goodbye to your friends. Next week is the departure date, alas... Thinking of her son going to such a faraway place, as a mother, she couldn't help but feel down."

  Xia Zhi was admitted to Harvard University, which is known as a think tank of the US government, and was accepted by its Business School.

  There is a saying in the American education community: Harvard University can be considered the crown of all universities in the United States, and the dazzling gem on that crown is the Harvard Business School.

  Harvard Business School is the most famous institution in the United States for cultivating business talent, known to Americans as the West Point of businessmen, managers and general managers. Many American entrepreneurs and politicians have studied here. Among the top executives of the 500 largest companies in the US, one-fifth are graduates of this school. Such a good record, of course, makes me happy and relieved as an elder.

  But Xia Fei Han was not cold, and his grades were naturally more than enough. After fully considering his own preferences and the brotherly love between them, he chose the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which has the title of "World's No. 1 Science and Engineering University", located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, along with Harvard University. The two brothers can continue to be in the same city. Xia Fei Han also expressed that he will take business school courses at the same time, anyway, with his level, coming back to take a look at Xia Zhi's books and notes, he can also learn something about it.

  She knew that neither of the two children actually liked business, the eldest Xia Zhi liked music and had a gentle and elegant personality, probably couldn't stand the cruel competition in the business world; the second child Fei Han was somewhat cold-blooded like a businessman, smart, but he liked racing and designing...

  She often worries with Xia Hongjun, it's easy to conquer the world but hard to defend it. They don't want to force their children to do things they don't like, but this vast family business, who will take over in the end?

  Okay, they actually have a daughter too, but this daughter's personality is even more unreliable than the son's. With her indifferent and carefree nature, she doesn't care about anything. Who knows if one day she'll donate the entire family business to charity?

  Fortunately, both children are relatively sensible and chose the business school when the time came. They were afraid that the two children would easily fight over family property and so on. These two children only considered each other and did not want to add this burden to each other, so they took it upon themselves.

  It's comforting, but I feel a bit sorry for them.

  Otherwise, when they grow up later, pick a virtuous helper for them?

  He Wenshan's mind suddenly flashed back to the war, and he was instantly drenched in sweat... This child... Forget it, let's just work harder ourselves with Xia Hongjun, and see if we can cultivate a third-generation successor who is interested in business.

  "It's okay, mom. Although America is on the other side of the earth, you and dad often travel for work too, right? We can still see each other often." Xia Zhi saw his mother's melancholy and comforted her by putting his arm around her shoulder.

  "Ah, kids have grown up, you all need to go out and make your own way." He Wenshan was also a strong-willed woman type, with good control over her emotions. "You get ready, I'll go take a look at Fei Han."

  Her conversation with Xia Fei Han was basically a pouring out of her heart, she spoke and he listened.

  Sweat, He Wenshan really felt that this son was hopeless. When talking to him, he would generally only respond with a single "en" (a casual affirmative), and if he couldn't even manage that, he would struggle to come up with a few more words.

  "Is everything okay between you and Doudou?"

  "It's nothing."

  "Why aren't you guys talking anymore? Did you have a fight?"

  Nothing.

  ……

  He Wenxuan was about to cry, she originally wanted to show some maternal love, but Fei Han didn't give her the chance at all!

  The farewell is imminent.

  These days Xia's family is quite lively.

  The relatives and friends at home knew that the two children were about to leave, so they naturally came to see them off and express their good wishes. Xia Hongming also brought his wife and children back from Beijing for two days, and the whole family was reunited, making Old Man Xia so happy that he couldn't close his mouth.

  Xia Zhi and Xia Feihan also had some good classmates and friends, so they naturally couldn't miss a farewell; Xia Zhi went to visit his piano mentor and later professor, while Xia Feihan rushed to the neighboring city to attend a club's farewell event.

  The seven days passed quickly.

  The day before leaving, things have been packed up and people are almost ready. The advantage of having two brothers is that they can take care of each other on the way or outside, which makes their parents feel much more at ease.

  Xia Zhi was in the music room, playing a tune at random, with an inexplicable feeling deep down.

  Going to a distant place for school is exciting and brings new life, but as a filial child who loves home, leaving home also makes him a little reluctant. Moreover, why has he felt a bit lost these past few days?

  Yes, what's wrong?

  The tune suddenly changed, it was that unfinished "First Love", Xia Zhi suddenly remembered, since he went back, Yu Yu seemed to have not called or texted him for a long time.

  This is a very abnormal phenomenon.

  For someone who has a habit of reporting to himself three meals a day, this silence is too suspicious.

  He originally intended to keep a distance from Xiaoyu, so he also consciously ignored her. On the day they parted ways, Xiaoyu sent him several text messages, but he didn't respond to any of them.

  This little girl, wouldn't she be angry? Xia Zhi suddenly felt a bit worried, with an urge to immediately take out his phone.

  He just wanted to calm down and then calmly deal with the "first kiss" thing, but wasn't he being too one-sided? He only considered that this was what he wanted, but didn't consider Yiyu's feelings.

  Normally, if a girl is kissed by the boy she likes, wouldn't she be happy and expectant? His deliberate estrangement from her would be like a basin of cold water poured over her head.

  This girl must be very sad, right?

  Xia was filled with remorse.

  He couldn't bear it anymore, so he ran back to his room, picked up the phone on the table and directly dialed the "2" key - which was a shortcut set by Tangtang for him.

  The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. Xia Zhi's eyebrows furrowed more and more.

  Although I know it may be that the phone is not by their side or for other reasons, but the doubts in my heart cannot be answered, and I am always worried.

  Baizuo didn't contact himself, should have contacted Lixiu instead?

  Xia Zhi rushed downstairs again and finally found her sister, who was wearing a sun hat and holding a small flower shovel, in the flower house - messing with flowers and grass had always been Li Qiu's favorite pastime.

  "Brother," Li Qiu stood up, curiously looking at his big brother who had entered his private territory, which he rarely came to. His expression was a bit anxious: "Is everything okay?"

  "It's nothing," Xia Zhi stopped in his tracks and calmed down his slightly racing heartbeat: "Li Qiu, have you been in contact with Yu Yu these past two days?"

  "Yes," Xia Liqiu's eyebrows and eyes twitched, answering very sincerely: "I even sent a text message two days ago."

  The day before yesterday? Xia Zhihan said, "That's not very early either." "What did she say?"

  "Big brother seems a bit off today, he's not usually the type to bother with checking household registrations. Xia Liqiu slightly tilted her head, having a brain that's too clever isn't always a good thing, it makes you think too far and too much: 'I asked her to take pictures of the flowers in the flowerbed for me, and also ask about the cultivation method, oh, she might send me some seeds in the next two days. Brother, what you want to ask isn't this, is it?'"

  Sweat, and Li Qiu communicated sometimes easily, making everyone have no secrets to speak of. Xia Zhi bitterly smiled: "Bao Bao hasn't sent me a message for five days."

  He thought Li Qiu should also express some views and make some guesses for reference, but Li Qiu just said "oh" and continued to arrange her flowers.

  "Nothing's wrong, is it?" Xia Zhi asked tentatively. Before, Xia Dou had been someone who would tell her everything, but now there was such a huge difference all of a sudden?

  "You can ask yourself." Xia Liqiu blinked innocently: "Or, you tell me, what exactly happened between you two that day?"

  This little girl... Xia Zhi suddenly realized that she was also curious, but this matter cannot be said! Bitterly smiled: "Forget it, you've learned from Rourou. I'll make the call myself."

  Xia Li Qiu puffed out her chubby cheeks, didn't force the issue, and squatted down to continue tending to her own flowers. Curiosity was one thing, but more importantly, she respected other people's privacy, and wouldn't cling to someone like a sticky rice cake.

  This is the typical difference between a goddess and a female loser in the future.

  Xia Zhi returned to his room and made two more calls to Zhang's phone, but still no one answered. Xia Zhi was getting a bit anxious at this point.

  Worry about Xiaoxiao's emotions, worry more that this emotion is caused by myself - although it seems like I was finally eaten tofu by Xiaoxiao that day, Xiaoxiao took advantage of me, but according to common sense, in such a situation, the boy should stand up.

  Alas, what was I thinking at that time? How did I become a turtle hiding in its shell? Even if I wanted to make Xiaoxiao understand that it was just an accident and didn't mean anything, I should have used a more proactive and positive approach to guide him, rather than avoiding the issue.

  Must be daydreaming again.

  That day her brain was a complete mess, she had no idea where she would end up going.

  Thinking of this, Xia Zhi couldn't bear it anymore and directly dialed Doudou's home phone.

  The phone rang a few times before being answered, and amidst the noise, a man's voice came through: "Hello, who is this?"

  "Hello, is Warthog there?"

  "Oh, Pea, go to the hospital for an IV drip."

  Digression

  Xiaoxiao got sick, will Xia Zhige be heartbroken? Ah, rascal, bravely face your own heart, it's still not too late to wake up now!