Chapter 20 Qiao Zhaixi, Xin Jurong

Chen Ruogu is a daughter slave. She has no objection if Huaixi is willing to stay for dinner.

Everyone sat around a round table filled with delicious food. The air was filled with enticing aromas, and the tender stewed meat was mouth-watering.

Teacher Gao picked up the chopsticks first and gently stirred the food on the plate. After she picked up a piece of potato and put it in her mouth and chewed it slowly, Chen Ruogu and the others started eating.

Yu Huaixi carefully picked up the chicken wing, dipped it in the soup and put it into his mouth to taste it carefully. Shao Bai smiled and asked, "How is it? Is the dish to your taste?"

After Yu Huaixi swallowed the food in his mouth, he said calmly:

"The chicken is tender and delicious, not greasy, and tastes good. Uncle Shao, you must cook for your wife often, right? You have a perfect control over the heat."

Shao Bai subconsciously looked at Chen Ruogu when he heard that, but saw that she looked normal, tasting the dishes and listening attentively.

Shao Bai said calmly, "My ex-wife is French. She is not used to Chinese food. However, overseas students from China often come to my place to eat. Over time, she has developed her cooking skills."

Yu Huaixi nodded in understanding. She turned her head to look at Teacher Gao and said childishly:

"Teacher, Uncle Shao has the added bonus of being a culinary expert. He will definitely not have trouble finding a girlfriend. I guess you will be able to have a grandson soon."

Teacher Gao nodded and smiled, "I'm not worried about him not being able to find a partner, I'm just worried that he won't want to find one, he has a very stubborn temper."

Yu Huaixi looked at Shao Bai with surprise and asked doubtfully:

"Why doesn't Uncle Shao want to find a partner? Life is long and it's so lonely without a partner. It's so good to be like my parents. My dad works hard for this family. Although they can't be together every day, they chat with each other through video every day and their feelings are still as strong as before."

Chen Ruogu was chewing the chewy rice. Hearing this, he looked a little embarrassed and whispered, "Huai Xi, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Teacher Gao smiled and said, "Huai Xi, I'm just telling the truth. Why are you blushing? A harmonious relationship between husband and wife is a good thing. I was worried about you before."

Chen Ruogu was a little shy and said helplessly:
"This girl doesn't treat you as outsiders and says everything. Although we are together less and apart more, her father is always thinking about her. He Hui, who has been running errands for me recently, was arranged by him because he was worried."

Yu Huaixi said calmly, "Uncle Shao, my dad will take a break after he finishes this phase and come over to accompany us. I'll introduce you to each other then."

Shao Bai's expression did not change, and he said naturally: "Of course, your mother and I have been playing together since we were young. I am like her brother. If your father bullies her, I will not show mercy."

Yu Huaixi's eyes were as quiet and deep as the clear water of a lake. When she looked at Shao Bai, her slightly twinkling eyes were full of cunning and wit. She said confidently:
"My dad treats my mom like a baby, how could he bear to bully her? I'm afraid you won't have that chance."

Chen Ruogu's face was covered with sweat. He couldn't stand his daughter's nonsense and scolded her: "Don't talk while eating, Xixi! If you have anything to say, talk after you finish eating."

Yu Huaixi is quite obedient and doesn't say much. Teacher Gao likes this about her.

Seeing that they were silent, Teacher Gao turned to Chen Ruogu and asked, "I see that your house has been renovated. When are you going to move in? I'll ask Shao Bai to help you."

Shao Bai said in a low voice: "I have nothing to do at home, you can order me around."

The tone of his voice was still as cordial as before, without any sense of strangeness. Chen Ruogu couldn't say no, so she said gently:
"Then I'll have to trouble Brother Shao Bai. The moving date hasn't been decided yet, so I'll just invite a few friends for a symbolic celebration."

Teacher Gao said quickly, "Then I won't go over to join in the fun. You young people will have more fun on your own. When Jishidiang opens, I'll bring a few old guys over to show my support."

Chen Ruogu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Teacher, it's not as unlucky as going to the clinic to show your support. It's enough that you have this intention."

Teacher Gao is already this old, why would she care about those things? She said generously:

"When you get old, you're bound to get sick. The people I'm calling are old friends of your parents. You should treat them as elders. On the opening day, they will go over to support you. Our place is small, and the neighbors who know you well will take good care of you. You're right to listen to me."

Chen Ruogu was not an ungrateful person. She said with gratitude:
"Then I'll follow the teacher's instructions. My parents are gone, and I don't know a lot of the rules. I'll have to trouble the teacher to give me some pointers."

Teacher Gao has been very happy to get along with her during this period. She used to think she was nice but her personality was a little lacking. This time when she came back, she behaved very well and was impeccable in every aspect. The more she saw her, the more she liked her.

"You don't have to be polite to me. If I don't take good care of you, I won't be able to explain to your parents when I see you later."

Yu Huaixi listened silently. She held the bowl steadily in her left hand and used chopsticks in her right hand to pick up rice grains. Occasionally, she picked up some food with chopsticks and put it in her mouth to chew slowly.

Judging from the various details of life after moving back to her hometown, it was the right move. She and her mother adapted well, and their lives became more fulfilling and stable.

On the other hand, Mom's leaving Shanghai and not getting entangled with Dad is a step forward, allowing Dad to eliminate emotional factors and think about this marriage more rationally. Everything is currently moving in a better direction, and Huaixi does not want any accidents to happen.

It was still early for them to finish their meal, so the mother and daughter left Teacher Gao's house and drove directly to the mall. Huai Xi sat in the passenger seat without saying a word. Chen Ruogu drove the car out of the parking space and then asked, "Why are you so quiet? What are you thinking about?"

Yu Huaixi didn't need to pretend in front of her mother, she asked directly: "So that person has some emotional involvement with Shao Bai?"

Chen Ruogu said with a doting look on his face: "You know how to grasp the key points. In my memory, when my original self first fell in love, I had a crush on Shao Bai, but Shao Bai was just an ignorant boy at that time and didn't take her seriously, so there was no follow-up to this matter."

Yu Huaixi understood, and said to her: "Although Uncle Shao Bai has been married before, his conditions in all aspects are indeed not bad. Do you have any thoughts about him?"

Chen Ruogu knew what Huaixi was worried about. She lacked a sense of security, like a small boat that would become nervous and unable to calm down at the slightest wind or wave. This was the result of growing up in an environment filled with too many calculations.

Chen Ruogu looked ahead, and after thinking for a moment, she said:
"It's impossible to say that I don't have any thoughts when I meet a man who is outstanding in all aspects, but I look at him purely with appreciation. I won't consider being with him, so I won't waste too much time on him. Do you understand what I mean?"

Yu Huaixi was not happy with this answer. She actually felt guilty and asked back:
"If you don't consider my feelings, then you won't think so?"

Chen Ruogu shook her head in amusement and said firmly:

"It has nothing to do with you. I don't want to live with a man. For me, you and my job are enough. But I owe the original body a cause and effect. Since I have taken over her body, I should fulfill her obsession. Besides, you also need your father's company. Yu Yuan is not in such a bad state yet, so what you are worried about will not happen."

Yu Huaixi was comforted. Her mood was as bright as the sky that suddenly cleared up. All the haze had dissipated. She said excitedly:

"Can I pick out some stuffed animals when we're home shopping tonight? I think they'd be really comfy to cuddle with when I sleep."

Chen Ruogu did not refuse, she smiled and said:
"Your dad has transferred a lot of pocket money to you. Just buy whatever you want. I won't confiscate your money, just don't spend it recklessly." Yu Huaixi smiled, as if the sun was shining on the small stamens, full of happiness and beauty. She couldn't help but sigh:
"I used to envy my elder sister. She always had endless jewelry to wear, her clothes were all made of the most fashionable materials in Bianjing City, her purse was always full of money, and my father would openly love her, unlike me..."

Yu Huaixi said it calmly, but Chen Ruogu felt as bitter as if her heart was soaked in bitter herbs. She knew how hard her daughter had been through, but she couldn't bear the pain for her directly.

Yu Huaixi's voice became cheerful again.

"Now I have a father who loves me. He worries that I don't have enough money. Although he never says considerate words, he tells me that he has my back in everything. That's enough... I am very content."

Chen Ruogu suppressed his bitterness and said softly:
"This is not enough. You will have much more in the future. Just grow up happily and let us take care of the rest."

The smile on Yu Huaixi's face became sweeter and sweeter. "I won't be a parasite who just eats and waits to die. I have to follow your example. It's a pity not to make a career in such a good era."

Chen Ruogu is open-minded and will not interfere too much in his daughter's choices in the future.

She only needs to point her daughter in the right direction when she is confused, and provide her with a safe haven when she is tired.

Mother and daughter can talk about everything, so as to avoid many conflicts.

The shopping mall near Xiziwan has a special parking lot, so Chen Ruogu didn’t spend too much time parking this time.

Women have no resistance to beautiful household items. Chen Ruogu was afraid that there were too many things to buy and she would not be able to remember them all, so she wrote a list and bought everything listed on it.

The two of them first entered the home textile flagship store and each chose a four-piece set they liked. When Chen Ruogu was excitedly comparing two bed sheets made of different fabrics, her cell phone rang.

When she saw Yu Yuan's name, she remembered that he had sent her a WeChat message, saying that he wanted to video chat in the evening, and she agreed personally.

Yu Yuan was not an outsider after all. Chen Ruogu reminded herself not to be too polite and she answered the video call without changing her expression.

The light on the other end of the phone was dim, Yu Yuan's eyes were still a little hazy, his hair was messy, and his bare chest was muscular with firm lines.

He sat on the bedside, his voice mellow and deep, "Did you take Xixi out? Where is this?"

Chen Ruogu's eyes flickered and she didn't know where to look. However, this unspeakable shyness made her face seem to be covered with mist, adding a bit of charm.

Yu Yuan looked at her with a fiery, affectionate and focused gaze. Chen Ruogu subconsciously avoided him. She hurriedly switched cameras, blushing and saying:
"We are in the mall picking out home furnishings and looking at four-piece bedding sets. Have you rested yet?"

Yu Yuan was a little disappointed that he couldn't see anyone. He said in a low voice:

"I recorded the show until five in the morning last night, and attended the press conference this morning. I slept from one o'clock until now. Did you have dinner?"

Chen Ruogu said calmly, "We had dinner at Teacher Gao's house. Are you hungry?"

Yu Yuan drank some water to moisten his throat, and then said:

"The assistant has gone to prepare food. He will be back soon. Xixi has been taking tutoring classes for several months. School will start again soon. Will she be too tired?"

The more Yu Yuan communicated with Huai Xi, the more he loved his daughter. He was afraid that she would be too tired from studying. Chen Ruogu naturally took this into consideration. She explained:
"Today is the last make-up class. You will rest at home for the next two weeks. Huaixi is studious and I guess she won't be able to stay idle at home."

Yu Yuan's mouth curled up slightly, "Whatever she wants, it's fine. When are you planning to move?"

Chen Ruogu was in a good mood and said, "Huaixi and I will decorate the house in the next two days, and we can move in the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Yu Yuan hummed, and then explained in detail:

"Leave He Hui to you. I'll pay the salary. I have a pretty good nanny here. She's the mother of my previous assistant. After that assistant fell ill and passed away, I kept her by my side to work. Sister Yang doesn't have any other relatives. She's a good cook and hardworking. She's someone who can stay by my side for a long time. I'll feel more at ease letting her take care of you two."

This is really like giving someone a pillow when they are sleepy. Chen Ruogu has no objection.

"Thank goodness you are so thoughtful and considerate, otherwise I wouldn't know what to do."

Yu Yuan had heard countless words of praise, but the ones spoken by Chen Ruogu were the most beautiful.

"I hope you don't think I have too much to do. I'm far away and there's only so much I can do. I've cleared a week in September and want to go back to Wanling to be with you and our daughter."

Chen Ruogu was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer. Yu Yuan's heart gradually sank as he could not hear the answer he wanted. When he was about to take back his words, Chen Ruogu whispered:
"Then I'll buy you some new clothes to put at home, so you don't have to bring too much luggage when you come over. Do you want pajamas made of pure cotton or silk?"

The dark clouds above Yu Yuan's head suddenly dissipated, and he said gently: "I'm fine with either, just pick the one you like."

Chen Ruogu guessed that he was not picky in private, so he simply prepared some loose and comfortable clothes for him.

She waved at Huai Xi, who was discussing patterns with the clerk. When she saw her father coming via video, she hurried over. While the father and daughter were chatting, Chen Ruogu could finally concentrate on picking things.

Sister Yang arrived in Wanling the day before the move. She was just fifty years old. After experiencing the pain of losing her son, her hair had turned gray and she looked a little haggard.

Although she doesn't talk much, she is efficient in doing things. Most importantly, she is an excellent cook. Huai Xi and He Hui both love her food. With her coming, Chen Ruogu is officially freed from the tedious housework.

On the day of moving, Chen Ruogu only called Chi Zhengzheng and Shao Bai besides his own family. There is a rule in his hometown that the earlier the moving time, the better, so they started symbolically moving things at around three in the morning.

Chi Zhengzheng prepared auspicious fruits and ornaments, and even held a proper housewarming ceremony.

The house was very lively, and Yu Huaixi could hardly hide her excitement. Living in a new house heralded the beginning of a new life. She murmured to herself:

"The Qiao family is happy, the heaven and earth are happy, the new house is prosperous, and the fortune, wealth and longevity are all prosperous..."

　After laying the groundwork for so long, Ruogu should focus on his career...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)