Chapter 50 Returning Home Still Going Back This Year…

Chapter 50: Returning Home - This year, we're still going back to our hometown...

Yu Kui was puzzled: "Who is Huang Qi?"

Shu Jia sent Yu Kui the forum link from the university across the street: "Check it out yourself."

Yu Kui clicked the link, read the entire story, and was still bewildered.

She hadn't expected such a thing to happen when she went to see Xie Xingzhi yesterday. No wonder it sounded so noisy when she called him—turns out he was in the middle of a public confession.

It seemed the girl really liked Xie Xingzhi.

Besides discussions about Huang Qi, there were many posts about Yu Kui in the forum, mostly praising her. Yu Kui felt a little embarrassed.

She messaged Xie Xingzhi, "I already know about Huang Qi. Why didn't you tell me you were at a confession? I wouldn't have come to find you yesterday."

Xie Xingzhi called right back, "There's nothing between me and her."

"I know," Yu Kui said, a bit helplessly, "but your forum is full of posts about me. It's a bit awkward."

"Awkward about what?" Xie Xingzhi asked, feigning ignorance.

"They all suspect there's something going on between us," Yu Kui replied. "It makes us look like we've done something wrong. So annoying."

"Don't mind them," Xie Xingzhi said. "The innocent need no defense."

Yu Kui: "...How can you be so nonchalant?" This kind of thing definitely needed to be clarified.

"You already gave me your New Year's money," Xie Xingzhi said. "You're so good to me—it's hard for them not to misunderstand."

Yu Kui: "..."

"I'll explain on the forum," Xie Xingzhi quickly added. "Don't worry, no one will mention it in a couple of days."

"Alright," Yu Kui was easily sidetracked. "Then take good care of yourself. Call me if you need anything."

"Yeah."

Just as Yu Kui was about to hang up, Xie Xingzhi suddenly stopped her: "They suspect I like you. Does that make you uncomfortable?"

"Why would it make me uncomfortable?" Yu Kui countered. "What they're saying isn't true."

"Even if it's not true, would you be put off if a troublemaker like me liked you?"

"You're not a troublemaker," Yu Kui corrected him earnestly. "You're my friend. Don't talk about yourself like that."

"You're avoiding the question," Xie Xingzhi snorted softly.

"I wouldn't be put off," Yu Kui said. "I'd appreciate it, but we're good friends, and you don't actually like me."

Xie Xingzhi: "...You're right."

"Okay, my dad's here to pick me up. Talk to you later."

"Talk later."

After hanging up, Yu Kui saw her dad waiting for her in the crowd. She waved happily, pulled her suitcase, and ran over. "Dad!"

"Hey!" Yu's dad took his daughter's luggage, beaming. "You're finally back. If your mom wasn't cooking at home, she would've come to pick you up too. She's been missing you terribly."

"Hehe." Yu Kui followed behind her dad. "I miss you guys too."

"Let's go, let's go," Yu's dad loaded the luggage into the trunk. "Your mom made your favorite braised pork ribs and dry pot shrimp. We'll buy some fruit on the way home."

"Okay."

When they got home, Yu Kui didn't even change her shoes before rushing to the kitchen to hug her mom. "Mom, I missed you so much!"

"Sweetheart!" Yu's mom put down the spatula and hugged her tightly. "I was getting lovesick without seeing you, my dear."

Yu's dad quietly walked in, picked up the spatula she had dropped, and went back to stir-frying.

The mother and daughter didn't notice him at all, continuing their affectionate chatter.

Yu's dad: "...I shouldn't be in the kitchen right now; I should be six feet under."

After lunch, Yu Kui and her mom sat in the living room watching TV, and Yu Kui shared stories from school.

"That hosting video of yours—Mom watched it hundreds of times. My precious daughter is so beautiful. Mom is so happy."

Yu Kui got a little shy. "It's because of the makeup."

"Makeup doesn't matter," Yu's mom said. "My daughter is naturally beautiful."

Yu Kui: "...I'm blushing."

Yu's mom held her daughter's hand and gently pulled her into a hug. "Do you like anyone at school?"

Yu Kui shook her head. "Not really."

"Does anyone have a crush on you?"

Yu Kui nodded. Many people pursued her—from her own school and others. Every day, lots of people added her on WeChat, sent her various selfies, wanting to start a romantic relationship.

But Yu Kui turned them all down.

She wasn't ready for a relationship yet and didn't plan on letting someone else into her life.

"I knew it!" Yu's mom said excitedly. "My baby is so adorable. How could anyone not like you?"

Yu Kui: "..."

"Falling in love isn't a bad thing," Yu's mom said. "If there's a suitable guy, you can try getting to know him. Date a few times to figure out what kind of person you really like. As long as you can protect yourself, Mom supports you dating."

Yu Kui's face turned even redder. "Not yet. If there is, I'll definitely tell you."

"Mom will wait for your good news."

Yu Kui: "..."

In the afternoon, Yu Kui and her mom went out hand in hand to buy groceries. Downstairs, they ran into Auntie Qin, who walked out of her house looking exhausted. She paused when she saw Yu Kui. "Kui Kui, you're on break?"

"Auntie Qin." Yu Kui greeted her politely.

"When did you get back?" Auntie Qin followed behind the mother and daughter, smiling. "Are exams over already?"

"Just got back at noon. Exams are over," Yu's mom answered. "Are you going to the company today?"

"Yes," Mrs. Qin said, her expression bitter. "There's a project I need to help with, and there's a promotion opportunity coming up. I need to focus more on it."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Yu felt a bit uneasy. Mrs. Qin was truly working too hard. Although Mrs. Yu still had some reservations about Qin You, she couldn't help but admire Mrs. Qin's dedication as a mother.

She had single-handedly raised Qin You, doing her best to provide him with a good life. Like an iron woman, she was both father and mother to him, hoping only that Qin You would one day understand her struggles and show her more consideration as a mother.

"You really do need to put in more effort," Mrs. Yu said with a smile. "I'll be waiting for the good news of your promotion."

"Okay," Mrs. Qin replied, feeling a bit better seeing Mrs. Yu's kindness. "I should have time off tomorrow. I'll cook at home, and you can bring Yu Kui over. Let's all spend some time together."

Mrs. Yu didn't reply to that but asked calmly, "Will Qin You be back tomorrow?"

"No, he won't. His final exams are coming up, so he's staying at school to study."

"Then let me come and help you," Mrs. Yu said, her heart softening as she looked at Mrs. Qin's weathered face. "I'll have her dad buy some cold dishes on his way."

"Alright."

Mrs. Qin watched as the mother and daughter entered the supermarket before taking a car to work.

She knew deep down that her relationship with Mrs. Yu would never be the same as before. But she had very few friends in her life, and Mrs. Yu was the only one who had extended a helping hand to her and Qin You during their lowest moments. She always cherished that.

In the past, she had even hoped that Qin You and Yu Kui might end up together, turning the two families into real family. But now, she only wished not to lose this friend.

The next afternoon, Yu Kui and Mrs. Yu went downstairs to help Mrs. Qin. The kitchen was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter.

In the evening, Mr. Yu brought cold dishes and desserts, and the table was laden with food.

"I also watched Yu Kui's video. She's really blossoming, getting more and more beautiful," Mrs. Qin remarked nostalgically. "I still remember the first time I saw her—she was just a little girl in kindergarten. Now, in the blink of an eye, she's already in college."

"Of course," Mrs. Yu said proudly, her face lighting up at the mention of her daughter. "Everyone at my workplace envies me."

Yu Kui sat in the living room, eating fruit while texting Xie Xingzhi to ask about his situation.

"Exams are tomorrow," Xie Xingzhi replied. "After the exams, I'm going to a classmate's house."

"Which classmate? Have I met them before?"

"Sun Zhaoyang, remember him?"

Yu Kui looked blank. "No, I don't."

"He's my high school classmate. The first time we met you, he and I were both sent to the office to recite texts as punishment."

Yu Kui frowned. "Is he the one who deleted my document?"

"No," Xie Xingzhi said. "When you come back, I'll formally introduce you two."

"Okay." Relieved that it wasn't the person who had deleted her document, Yu Kui let out a quiet sigh.

She didn't want Xie Xingzhi hanging out with someone like that. Even though that person hadn't permanently deleted her files, the incident had still given her a good scare.

After finishing the meal, Mrs. Qin poured everyone a glass of juice and raised her glass. "Thank you all for coming."

"We should be thanking you for the invitation," Mrs. Yu replied. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have had the chance to enjoy your wonderful cooking."

The four of them happily finished their meal and sat chatting. Most of the conversation revolved around Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Yu asking Yu Kui about her school life, and Yu Kui shared some interesting stories with them.

"Has Yu Kui found a boyfriend yet?" Mrs. Qin asked softly.

"Not yet," Mrs. Yu said. "She hasn't met the right person, but I support her dating. It's hard to find pure love once you leave campus."

"Wasn't our love pure?" Mr. Yu chimed in defensively.

"And when did you meet me?" Mrs. Yu retorted.

Mr. Yu fell silent—they had indeed started dating in school.

"But dating isn't a must," Mrs. Yu said pragmatically. "It's up to her. As long as she's happy, that's what matters."

"I envy you," Mrs. Qin said with a bitter smile. "Yu Kui is so outstanding, and you're so open-minded. My situation is different."

Though she didn't mention Qin You by name, everyone knew he was her greatest concern.

Mrs. Yu glanced at her daughter and, seeing no reaction at the mention of Qin You, felt assured that Yu Kui had truly moved on.

She didn't ask Mrs. Qin about Qin You, only saying, "Every family has its own struggles. You might think we live happily, but we have our own headaches too. Life is something you have to experience yourself to understand its ups and downs."

"You're right," Mrs. Qin said with a smile, changing the subject. "Are you going back to your hometown this year?"

"Yes," Mrs. Yu replied. "His grandparents are getting older and can't travel long distances. It's only natural for us younger ones to go see them."