Chapter 226: Reading for Peace

Chapter 226: Reading with a Calm Mind

"Ms. Miao, you can rest assured leaving Ye Xiaoxiao with us. We’ll care for her as if she were our own. I’ve always wanted a daughter—they’re such a blessing," Yun Chengxiu said sincerely.

"I have no doubts leaving her with you."

Miao Cuifang felt at ease after meeting the Lu family today. They truly cared for Ye Xiaoxiao.

Moreover, the Lu family’s manners and values were outstanding, so Ye Xiaoxiao would never be mistreated.

Yun Chengxiu asked with concern, "Are you fully recovered now? If you need anything, just let us know. We know people at the hospital, so arrangements can be made easily."

Miao Cuifang replied, "I work out daily—feeling stronger than ever."

"That’s good to hear."

Lu Xingzhou and Ye Jianguo discussed military life.

Lu Xingzhou then learned that if not for his injury during an operation, Ye Jianguo would still be serving in the army.

Song Guangjing sat beside Lu Xingzhou and Elder Lu, and the two elderly men also had a pleasant conversation.

Meanwhile, Grandma Lu asked Ye Xiaoxiao, "Ye Xiaoxiao, why haven’t you come to visit me lately?"

"My mentor and I have been treating a patient, so my free time’s been packed lately."

Grandma Lu thought Ye Xiaoxiao looked thinner. "Come by—our cook will whip up something tasty for you."

Song Guangjing quietly disagreed to himself—*their* cook was just as good.

Hmph!

Ye Xiaoxiao reassured her, "I’ll definitely visit you when I have time."

That finally brightened Grandma Lu’s mood.

This was just a casual get-together. Knowing that Ye Xiaoxiao was still studying, Lu Xingzhou and his wife avoided mentioning marriage.

Though they were eager, such matters were best left to Lu Hanchuan to discuss himself.

Their parenting style was relaxed. Apart from forcibly sending a rebellious teenage Lu Hanchuan to the military, Lu Xingzhou rarely interfered in his affairs.

After the meal, Lu Xingzhou had his driver take over.

He then asked Lu Hanchuan to see Ye Xiaoxiao and her parents home.

Lu Hanchuan took Ye Xiaoxiao’s keys. "I’ll take your car back. You’re heading back to school later, right?"

Ye Xiaoxiao did plan to return, though she could also stay the night and leave early for class the next day.

"But what about your car?"

"Leave it here. Someone will come to pick it up."

He was so laid-back—didn’t even worry about theft.

Ye Xiaoxiao waited until her grandparents, mentor, and the others had driven off before she and Lu Hanchuan took her parents home.

"Why not stay here tonight?" Miao Cuifang suggested.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "No, Mom and Dad, I should head back to campus. I don’t have to get up early tomorrow."

Miao Cuifang had no choice but to remind them to be careful on the road.

...

Lu Hanchuan hadn’t had anything to drink today, but he felt slightly tipsy. Somehow, he felt that after today, his relationship with Xiao Xiao had reached a new level, which made him very happy.

As soon as they entered the house, Lu Hanchuan swept her up in his arms and kissed her.

Ye Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, feeling only his breath enveloping her.

"You didn’t drink, but I feel like you’re drunk."

After pulling away, Ye Xiaoxiao looked up at him with eyes glistening slightly.

Lu Hanchuan’s voice was low and hoarse. "I’m just...happy."

Ye Xiaoxiao pressed closer, rising on her toes to wrap her arms around his shoulders. "Then do you want to do something that could make you happier…"

Lu Hanchuan’s hands tightened at her waist and he pushed her away, his eyes burning with restrained intensity. "Don’t tempt me."

After letting go of her, he turned and headed for the shower.

Ye Xiaoxiao covered her face, a flush creeping up to her ears.

Ugh... Maybe we should just move the wedding up.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Xiao Xiao immediately lowered her hands and pulled out a book from the desk to read.

After twenty minutes, by the time Lu Hanchuan came out, she’d regained her composure.

Lu Hanchuan had a few sets of clothes here. After changing, he walked over and sat beside Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Don’t you ever get sick of studying?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "A brainiac like me doesn’t do 'tired'."

Lu Hanchuan: "..."

When it came to exams, he was in no position to argue.

The room was still very warm. The two sat together for a while before grabbing hotpot in the evening and then returning to rest.

Before leaving, Lu Hanchuan said, "I won’t get time off again till Lunar New Year, and that’s only if there are no missions."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I’ll be driving my parents back to White Stone Village for Lunar New Year. Third Bro should be coming back to go with me. No train tickets this year—I’ve decided to drive."

Lu Hanchuan: "That’s too much driving for one person."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Third Bro and I will switch off."

Lu Hanchuan gently touched her face. "I’ll come see you before you go."

Ye Xiaoxiao gave a firm nod.

...

After New Year’s, the countdown to Spring Festival began.

It suddenly occurred to Ye Xiaoxiao what would happen to General Zhang Kaiyuan's treatment when she went home.

So she checked with Song Guangjing beforehand.

"Don’t worry, we’ll take a short break, and then do daily medicinal soaks. When you return, we’ll start the next phase of treatment."

That reassured Ye Xiaoxiao.

If she couldn’t go home after all, she’d have to stay in the capital.

"I’ll just be away for ten days and will be back soon."

If it weren’t such a long trip, Ye Xiaoxiao would totally invite Song Guangjing to her home.

Unfortunately, it was too far, and the winter was extremely cold—not nearly as cozy as staying in the capital.

When summer came, she’d surely invite her master over.

After the school exams, Ye Xiaoxiao would finally be free.

On the day of the exam, Ye Xiaoxiao and her roommates kept up their tradition of grabbing a meal together.

He Jing asked Li Meiru, "Are you still not going home?"

Li Meiru: "I don’t have a home to go back to. Now I’m just focused on when I can transfer my household registration out."

He Jing: "Then you’ll need to hustle. You’ll need a job in the city to transfer it."

Li Meiru: "Even if it’s not in the capital, I’ll find a job elsewhere that lets me transfer my registration. I’d rather never step foot in that house again."

Tang Xiuxiu: "That’s practical and doable."

"You guys ready? Let’s go."

Ye Xiaoxiao had already grabbed her stuff and reminded her roommates it was time to leave.

This time, it was just the girls this time—no boyfriends allowed.

"I’m ready! Let’s go!"

Xia Li ran to the door, to show she wasn’t lagging behind.

Wang Jiao was still fussing with her hair in the mirror. "Hold up, wait for me!"

He Jing asked Wang Jiao, "How’d you do on your exams? Did you pass?"

Wang Jiao: "Why even talk about it? It’s already over."

Wang Jiao hadn’t studied much recently, but she wouldn’t bomb overnight—she could handle regular exams just fine.

They were already out the door, and He Jing locked it with her key.

Suddenly, a voice called out to them. "Where are you all going? Xiuxiu, I got dumped."

That familiar voice—Ye Xiaoxiao turned and sure enough, it was Lin Yue.

Lin Yue immediately hugged Tang Xiuxiu, leaving no room to escape.

"We’re having a dorm dinner together."

Lin Yue: "Then I’ll join you too."

Tang Xiuxiu: "It’s a dorm gathering. Won’t it be awkward if you come?"

Lin Yue exclaimed, "Xiuxiu, how can you leave me crying alone? Do you dislike me?"

Tang Xiuxiu: "..."