After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 44

“I think…”

Jiang Xuehe was momentarily at a loss for words.

She had imagined many things Mr. Yan might say to her from subtle hints about breaking up to straightforward sympathy but she never expected him to still be concerned about where the wedding would be held.

However, thinking about it from another perspective, this precisely showed that Mr. Yan hadn’t been joking with her earlier but had genuinely considered it.

Jiang Xuehe couldn’t brush it off with a casual remark either.

She understood the underlying meaning in Mr. Yan’s words this time. His worry that the Jiang family might not take it seriously was just an excuse; what he truly feared was their opposition, which could lead to awkward situations.

Even if they were forced to agree, it would never compare to the sincere acceptance from the Yan family.

For a couple, the wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony, and he hoped they would only retain beautiful memories of it.

Jiang Xuehe could still vividly recall Mr. Yan’s awkward expression when they first met. Yet, it was precisely because of this that his silent thoughtfulness now felt even more touching.

Suddenly, she understood why such a reserved and serious person could earn Mrs. Meng’s affection so deeply.

This family, at their core, were all equally gentle people.

Jiang Xuehe remained silent for a long while, and Mr. Yan didn’t press her. Instead, he sighed softly, patted her shoulder, and said, “It’s fine. There’s still plenty of time. You two can take your time to think it over.”

Though he said this, his tone carried a hint of disappointment.

Jiang Xuehe couldn’t immediately blurt out something like, “Let’s have the wedding in Ningcheng tomorrow” such thoughtless pleasantries would only come off as insincere.

The two of them sat in silence on the steps for a while until Mr. Yan spoke again.

“I think, the meaning of parents and family is to provide a place of unconditional acceptance when their children are tired, disillusioned, hurt, or have decided to give up while venturing out into the world.”

“Mhm.”

“Guiqiu’s talents aren’t being used in the family company. If she were an outsider, I’d find it a great pity and might even urge her to persist. But she’s my daughter. I know that if she chose to give up, it must have been a decision made after careful consideration. So, we’re just waiting for her to come home.”

“When she returns, whether she wants to rejoin the company or even set up a stall selling toys on her own, we won’t interfere. As long as she has the ability, she can do whatever she wants.”

“If she ever gets tired and quits her job to stay home, we can still support her.”

“Our generation works hard and strives for success not only for our own dreams but also to build a foundation that gives our family more freedom and leeway.”

Jiang Xuehe thought to herself that if anyone ever claimed Mr. Yan was inarticulate again, she would probably feel compelled to refute them.

Listening to these heartfelt words from a parent, Jiang Xuehe naturally turned her thoughts to her own situation.

Had her parents ever shown such consideration for her?

At the very least, they were nothing like the open-minded Yan couple.

As she grew older, the innate tolerance in her mother seemed to diminish further. There might have been some genuine concern for her daughter’s future, but it was always conditional never at the expense of her own interests.

Jiang Xuehe tried to imagine: if she were to completely give up everything, living like a sheltered young lady entirely under her parents’ control, would they allow her to remain unmarried and support her for life?

Most likely, they would find it utterly shameful. They would probably pick and choose a suitable marriage partner for an alliance and force her into it without a second thought.

Under coercion and temptation, the options were either her death or obtaining a marriage certificate, living out the idealized life they envisioned.

Jiang Xuehe felt she would most likely choose the former.

But the reality was that Jiang Xuehe would never allow herself to reach the point of giving up everything.

Because she had the ability and the confidence, she could assert herself in front of her mother, making her wary and preventing her from arbitrarily arranging things according to her own whims.

Yet, when a parent-child relationship reaches a stage where interests must be balanced, it almost feels like a joke.

Now, comparing it to the atmosphere in the Yan family.

Was Jiang Xuehe envious? The answer was naturally yes.

But she couldn’t help feeling grateful that it was precisely such an accepting family that had raised Yan Guiqiu, who made her fall deeper and deeper, ultimately bringing them together.

Perhaps fate in this world is just such a mysterious thing.

During Jiang Xuehe’s silent listening, Yan’s father paused at the end of his words, explaining that he wasn’t saying all this to boast about how harmonious their family was.

“I don’t know exactly what your family situation is like, and we can’t interfere in any way,” Yan’s father said. “But here, if you get married, this will be your home too. You, Guiqiu, and Guizhou are all the same.”

Jiang Xuehe was stunned.

“Come back when you’re tired,” Yan’s father said. “It doesn’t matter if Guiqiu isn’t with you. It’s just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks, and having one more daughter, our family can afford it.”

His voice was calm and somewhat low, not deliberately emphasizing anything.

Passersby would likely assume they were just chatting about everyday matters.

For some reason, Jiang Xuehe felt her eyes grow warm. Fortunately, it was dark, the lights dim, and turning her head away meant no one would notice.

Yan’s father stood up awkwardly and handed the unlit sparkler in his hand to Jiang Xuehe.

“You young people go ahead and have fun. I won’t get in the way as an old man.”

As he spoke, he walked up the steps, pausing after a couple of steps to glance back at Jiang Xuehe, reminding her once more: “But I hope you’ll seriously consider what we discussed earlier. If there are any special procedures or steps on your side, you can let us know, and we’ll do our best to handle them.”

It sounded like he was still talking about where the wedding should be held.

Jiang Xuehe: “…”

He really was persistent.

Jiang Xuehe couldn’t help but laugh, nodding earnestly and assuring him repeatedly, “I’ll think it over carefully.”

Yan Guiqiu came out after washing the dishes and her hands, wiping the water off on her pants before sitting down next to Jiang Xuehe and glancing over. “All gone?”

The box of sparklers beside them was empty.

The last one was in Jiang Xuehe’s hand.

Seeing Yan Guiqiu’s crestfallen expression, Jiang Xuehe chuckled and handed it over. “Your dad just gave it to me.”

Then she leaned in and whispered, “Didn’t you just say you’re too grown-up for this now?”

Yan Guiqiu lit the sparkler with a lighter, defending herself seriously, “Haven’t you heard that women are fickle?”

Jiang Xuehe pressed close to her ear and asked softly, “Fickle about everything?”

The sparkler sizzled and crackled, but it felt like a sound from another world. The warmth and slight tremor by her ear were like fire and thunder, making Yan Guiqiu’s heart flutter so much she nearly dropped the sparkler.

Jiang Xuehe steadied her hand.

Yan Guiqiu’s ears flushed bright red, yet she stubbornly refused to turn her head. However, her words shifted gears with remarkable agility: “Of course, except for matters of the heart. My sincerity for Sister Xuehe is witnessed by heaven and earth, and sworn by the sun and moon!”

Her voice rose slightly, drawing disdainful “Ewws” from Yan Guizhou and Gu Yuyin nearby.

Yan Guiqiu casually picked up an empty box from the ground and tossed it in their direction, all while letting out a couple of smug snorts.

“How could single people understand the fun between couples?”

“Think you’re so great just because you’re in a relationship?”

“Yeah, I am great, so what? Hmph.” Yan Guiqiu’s triumphant eyebrows practically flew off her face.

Watching from the side, Jiang Xuehe felt a wave of joy welling up in her heart, her eyes and brows softening unconsciously.

The two in the yard finished setting off their fireworks and came over to sit down, half-teasing and half-chatting for a while. Gazing up at the pitch-black night sky dotted with only a few scattered stars, someone eventually yawned first, and soon after, they all exchanged goodnights and headed back to their rooms to wash up and sleep.

Jiang Xuehe followed Yan Guiqiu into her room.

Yan Guiqiu had deliberately pulled her inside, clearly wanting to speak with her privately.

Jiang Xuehe sat by the bed, watching Yan Guiqiu pour water.

“What did your dad say to you earlier?” Yan Guiqiu handed the cup to Jiang Xuehe.

“We talked about you and your sister,” Jiang Xuehe replied, holding the cup to warm her hands. Seeing Yan Guiqiu’s nervous expression, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Afraid he’d say something bad about you behind your back?”

Yan Guiqiu shook her head with a serious expression, brazenly declaring, “What kind of dark history could I possibly have? It’s just that he’s not usually very good at chatting with people. When he has to socialize and drink for business at the company, he always has to bring along a specialist.”

Though part of it was his reluctance to engage in small talk, the old man’s orders forced him to put on a front.

The label of being taciturn had saved him a lot of trouble.

“But that’s not important,” Yan Guiqiu said, studying Jiang Xuehe’s expression. “He didn’t say anything that upset you, did he?”

Jiang Xuehe countered, “Why would you think that?”

“You seemed a bit down earlier,” Yan Guiqiu explained. “So, did my dad say something to you?”

“Nothing much,” Jiang Xuehe shook her head. After a moment of consideration, she relayed what Yan’s father had told her to Yan Guiqiu.

She suspected Yan Guiqiu had rarely heard her father express his inner thoughts so openly.

Of course, she omitted the part about the wedding venue.

Sure enough, Yan Guiqiu was visibly stunned after hearing it. It took her a while to remember to take a sip from her cup, managing only an “Oh.”

Jiang Xuehe asked, “Touched?”

Yan Guiqiu nodded honestly. “A little.”

Jiang Xuehe pressed, “Just a little?”

Yan Guiqiu: “…”

Yan Guiqiu: “Alright, a lot.”

Her father, who had been reserved for half his life, had unexpectedly bared a bit of his heart only when his daughter found a partner.

Yet, even that small amount was enough to move someone deeply.

Yan Guiqiu had known since childhood that her parents and sister were good people. Precisely because of that goodness, she cherished them all the more and handled them with extra care, startling at the slightest disturbance.

It was because she cared that she feared repeating past mistakes.

But in truth, it was simply that she had lost the ability to trust others.

And over all these years, she had never tried to rebuild it.

Rather than risk losing what she had, it was better to choose stability at least maintaining the current state of affairs unchanged.

Yan Guiqiu no longer had the energy to repeatedly ponder her parents’ and sister’s thoughts.

Now, with a part of it abruptly laid bare before her, she realized she might have truly overlooked many things.

Seeing her lost in silent thought, Jiang Xuehe reached out and pulled her to sit beside her.

“Come back and visit more often when you have time,” Jiang Xuehe said, holding Yan Guiqiu’s hand. “I’ll come with you.”

Feeling the strength and warmth of her hand, Yan Guiqiu snapped out of her thoughts and leaned against Jiang Xuehe’s shoulder, nodding slowly. “Okay.”

Jiang Xuehe gently smoothed her hair and added nonchalantly, “It’s a good chance to think about the wedding venue, too.”

Yan Guiqiu: “…”

Wait, how did the topic jump to that?

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