A Couple's Rebirth to 1977 Before Marriage

Chapter 194: Chapter 191: Ping’an’s Thoughts

The days passed one by one, and Yanyan was visibly growing up. Li Xiu and Zhou Lian led a leisurely and carefree life. Zhou Lian’s studies had always placed her at the top of her department, and now that she was studying under Professor Xiao, she had become completely devoted to Tang and Song literature.

Li Xiu’s career was also booming. Li Bao had finished his training and was now in charge of the two shops. Li Xiu had also made arrangements for Wang Dongfang, Wei Guo, and Liu Qiang. He registered three companies at once, putting one man in charge of each. They were all so busy they were spinning like tops, with almost no time to return to the Capital City.

Seeing Li Xiu teaching his daughter, teasing his son, and holding his wife, living such a carefree and relaxed life, Ping’an was green with envy. He went home and complained at length to Mrs. Ping. Under his mother’s calm, unwavering gaze, his voice gradually trailed off into silence. After a long moment, he finally said to his mother, "Mom, I was just complaining a little. I know Jin Chen is looking out for me. Mom, sometimes I feel like he’s not just two years older than me."

Mrs. Ping looked at her youngest son. He was beginning to carry himself with an imposing air, yet in front of her, he still acted like the same child as always, ready to pout, complain, and joke around. Feeling pleased, she asked, "Oh? What did he do this time to make you feel that way?"

"Except for his wife, where you can feel his devotion and care, you can barely feel him pay attention to anything else, not even Little Nono and Yanyan, let alone other matters. It’s that kind of desireless, ’not-caring-about-anything’ attitude. But at the same time, he makes people understand he has everything under control. Mom, do you think he’s too smart, or am I just too dumb?" Ping’an asked, a little embarrassed.

Smiling, Mrs. Ping said gently to Ping’an, "Some people are just born blessed by the heavens, and Jin Chen is one of them. He is undoubtedly very smart. But he was also lucky to have his master’s guidance for over ten years. That, combined with his own personality, is why he is so outstanding now. He sees the world too clearly, which is why he seems desireless. As for his wife... well, that Jin Chen is a man deeply in love. You don’t need to worry about these things. Since he has taken you under his wing, just do as he suggests. But it will only be for a few years. Once you can truly stand on your own two feet, he won’t manage you anymore."

Looking at his mother, Ping’an bit his lip and asked, "Mom, will Jin Chen really stop managing me in the future?" His heart ached a little. In truth, Ping’an knew that for someone with Li Xiu’s personality, doing this much was already an exception.

"Do you want him to manage you, or not?" Mrs. Ping asked, looking at Ping’an with amusement. ’He’s still too green,’ she thought. ’It’s so easy to see right through him.’

"Mom, Jin Chen said he would help me! Why would he stop managing me now!" Ping’an said with indignation.

Seeing Ping’an’s expression, Mrs. Ping couldn’t help but laugh. ’To act so indignant... Ping’an must have been spoiled by Jin Chen.’ She said gently, "An’er, that will depend on what you do. Jin Chen values loyalty and relationships above all, and he treasures his wife the most. As long as you understand this, how could your sincerity not be returned with his? You must remember this: when dealing with people, insincerity is the greatest taboo."

Ping’an nodded and said no more. ’This is a bit different from what Jin Chen said,’ he thought. ’But it’s probably true for him. For everyone else, I should just stick to what Jin Chen taught me. People’s hearts are the hardest to fathom. Who knows if there’s a person or a demon behind that face!’

Seeing Ping’an about to leave after just a few sentences, Mrs. Ping asked irritably, "What did you even come back for?" ’He could at least stay for dinner,’ she thought. ’The little rascal comes back, says a few words, and then runs off. What’s that all about?’

"Zhou Lian has the morning off, and Sister Fang took the two kids out to play. I couldn’t stand watching those two be all lovey-dovey, so I came out for some air!" As he spoke, Ping’an was already out the door, leaving Mrs. Ping in the room, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. ’That little rascal, really!’

When Elder Ping returned in the evening, Mrs. Ping laughingly recounted the story of Ping’an’s visit. Elder Ping chuckled and said, "Let him be. Jin Chen has put a lot of effort into him."

"I know. It’s just... that Jin Chen, the more you get to know him, the more you like him. Tell me, how can one person be so blessed by the heavens!" Mrs. Ping sighed softly.

Glancing at his wife, Elder Ping smiled and shook his head. "Jin Chen isn’t blessed by the heavens. Everything he has is the result of his own hard work. You see him now with a beautiful wife, beloved children, and a successful career, but you didn’t notice the kind of life he led before he got married. He wasn’t loved by his parents or liked by his younger siblings. He fought his way through all of it."

At these words, they both fell silent. Thinking of the results of their investigation, they knew Jin Chen truly hadn’t had it easy. But it also showed just how incredibly smart Li Jincheng was.

Recalling Ping’an’s expression during dinner, Li Xiu looked at the sleeping Zhou Lian and their two children, then quietly got up and went to the west room. As expected, he saw Ping’an sitting at the desk, waiting for him. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and silently watched the lost-in-thought Ping’an, not saying a word. ’What’s this kid thinking about now!’

"Are my sister and the kids asleep?" Ping’an asked softly, snapping out of his daze as he looked at Li Xiu. Ever since he had played the role of uncle and given Yanyan a haircut, Ping’an had started calling Zhou Lian "sister."

Seeing Li Xiu just nod without any intention of speaking, Ping’an said helplessly, "Can’t you ask me what I’m here for? Show a little concern?"

Li Xiu shot Ping’an a disdainful look. "If you have something to say, say it. You’re a grown man, can you not be so sensitive?"

Knowing his personality, Ping’an didn’t fuss over his choice of words. His expression turned serious as he said, "The investigation into the Liu Family is complete. But things are much more serious than we imagined. It involves the Northwest. This isn’t something you and I can interfere with right now."

"Mm. Make sure you’ve extracted yourself completely. No one can know you were involved. No one, including Elder Ping. Understand?" Li Xiu said after a moment of thought, staring at Ping’an and emphasizing every word.

Li Xiu only relaxed after carefully thinking it over and confirming that no one would find out he and Ping’an had been involved. ’The Northwest... The Liu Family must have borrowed their courage from the heavens. If this gets out, the Liu Family will be condemned for eternity. Their intelligence really isn’t online. Then again, considering the next generation they’ve raised, it’s clearly a family trait!’

"I understand, don’t worry. Oh, and you have to keep your word!" Ping’an said seriously. ’Was that too abrupt a change of topic?’ he wondered.

Hearing Ping’an’s out-of-the-blue remark, Li Xiu looked at him helplessly. ’I’ve said a lot of things. Which one is he talking about now?’

"The part where you said you would help me! My father heard it too, so you can’t go back on your word!" Too embarrassed to look at Li Xiu, Ping’an stared down at the desk.

Instantly understanding what Ping’an meant, Li Xiu smiled. ’The kid’s afraid I’ll stop managing him and slowly grow distant, isn’t he?’ As he turned to leave, he said softly, "I remember, uncle to my children."

Ping’an, alone in the room, broke into a smile. ’Uncle to his children... Jin Chen is saying that even if he’s not around, they’ll still interact as family!’

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