"This is different. He stayed at school for elementary, but that school is in Lancheng. We can go to the school anytime if something happens, and he can come home anytime. Going abroad means being thousands of miles away. If something were to happen, we wouldn't be able to reach him. How can I be at ease?"
Tianyi said, "I will hire specialized people to take care of him and protect him. Even if we are reluctant, we should respect his own wishes. He also wants to go abroad for a better education."
Susu thought that taking care of Little Star wouldn't be as good as having him by their parents' side. However, seeing Tianyi's attitude, if she opposed it further, it would be hindering the child's studies and future.
She could only say, "Let's put these documents in the study for now. I want to wait until Little Star comes home this week to ask him and talk to him properly."
Tianyi knew that from the time she conceived Little Star to giving birth and raising the child alone for a long time, her feelings for Little Star were particularly deep. It would take time for her to understand that parents need to let go of their children.
He didn't force her. He put away the documents and said, "Alright, you can ask Little Star about his thoughts. We're not in a hurry about this."
"Then, if there's nothing else, I'll go tell Tiantian and the others bedtime stories," Susu said, leaving the study, but her mind was still troubled by the matter of Little Star going abroad to study.
No wonder people say that smart, capable, and studious children are the ones who leave their parents early, because such children will go to the farthest places to pursue their dreams.
...
A few days later, Hong Jiaxi found Tong Xiaoli's residence in the suburbs. Looking at the dilapidated buildings before him, he could hardly believe that people still lived in such a place.
This was clearly a very old community. Half of it had been demolished, leaving only ruins, while the other half, though not demolished, had the remaining buildings in no different condition than condemned structures.
Jiaxi glanced at the address and location on his phone again, confirming he hadn't found the wrong place. He then followed the still faintly discernible house numbers and walked to the second floor of a building.
Just as he was about to knock, he heard a cough, which came from the room where Tong Xiaoli lived.
Jiaxi felt a bit hesitant. He didn't know what kind of place this was. He had never encountered such a slum-like dwelling before.
He thought he should just leave. As he turned to go downstairs, the door to that room was pushed open from the inside. Tong Xiaoli emerged, carrying a bag of trash.
Tong Xiaoli also saw Hong Jiaxi and was stunned at the doorway, looking very surprised.
Jiaxi looked at her and said awkwardly, "Hello, what a coincidence."
Tong Xiaoli, now free of makeup, was wearing very cheap cotton loungewear. Her long, dark, shiny hair was let down, and her face was bare of makeup, revealing her naturally alluring features.
This natural Tong Xiaoli made Jiaxi feel a bit stunned.
Tong Xiaoli recovered and asked curiously, "You, why are you here?"
Jiaxi casually made up an excuse, "Oh, I'm thinking of developing this area, so I came to survey the site. You live here, is it a rented apartment?"
Tong Xiaoli shook her head and said, "This isn't a rented apartment; my home is here. Is this area going to be redeveloped?"
"It's not confirmed yet. I'm just here to take a look first." Jiaxi saw a light in her eyes when she heard about the redevelopment. "What's wrong? Do you really hope someone will develop this place?"
"Of course. Would you like to come in and sit down? I can tell you about this area, so you can have a reference," Tong Xiaoli said, putting down the trash bag and inviting him in.
Jiaxi, who was looking for her anyway, agreed and walked into the house with her.
Although the house was also old, it was relatively clean. However, there was a pungent smell of traditional Chinese medicine mixed with the scent of someone who had been ill for a long time.
Tong Xiaoli poured him a glass of water. Just as she was about to speak, another cough came from a room inside.
She immediately said, "My mother lives in this room. She's been unwell for years. I'll go check on her. Please wait a moment."
Jiaxi said, "Okay."
As soon as Tong Xiaoli entered the inner room, he heard an elderly woman's voice.
"Lili, is there a guest? Who is it?"
"Mom, drink this medicine first. It's someone investigating our area, possibly wanting to redevelop this land."
"Good, good, that's good news."
Then Jiaxi heard the sound of medicine being drunk from inside, after which Tong Xiaoli came out and smiled at him, saying, "My mother has fallen asleep."
Jiaxi didn't know what to say for a moment. He tried to find a topic and said, "I saw that half of your area has been demolished. Why wasn't it all demolished?"
Tong Xiaoli said, "A few years ago, a developer claimed to have acquired our land and started mobilizing for demolition. After demolishing a few buildings, the construction team here withdrew completely. They said the developer had financial problems and wouldn't proceed with the development. Many of the demolished buildings didn't receive full compensation, and they've been causing trouble, so no one has dared to develop our area anymore."
Jiaxi understood and asked, "Why aren't you working at the bar anymore?"
"How did you know?" Tong Xiaoli asked.
Jiaxi quickly replied, "I went to a bar with some friends last time and didn't see you, so I found out."
"My mother's condition is getting worse, and she can't be left alone, so I quit and came back to take care of her," Tong Xiaoli said. "If this place can be developed, we can get some compensation. I want to take my mother to rent a place in the city, and then I can take care of her while also working."
"That makes sense," Jiaxi said, remembering something. "If you're short on cash, or want to get your mother medical treatment, you can use the card I gave you."
Tong Xiaoli remained silent. She got up, took her wallet, and returned the card to him, saying, "That night, me being with you wasn't for money... I fell for you as a person, so I can't accept your card."
Jiaxi pushed the bank card back to her, saying, "What I give, I never take back. Keep it."
Tong Xiaoli insisted on returning it and placed the card directly on his lap, saying, "I won't use it if I keep it. Please take it back. Although I'm poor, I have my principles. If I wanted to make money this way, I wouldn't have worked as a tout at that bar."
Jiaxi had to take his card back and said, "How about I help you rent a place in the city, and even contact a hospital for your mother..."
"No need. We don't have any relationship. Why would you do these things for me?" Tong Xiaoli said with a bitter smile. "If you hear any news about this area being developed, just let me know."
Jiaxi looked at her and suddenly got straight to the point, "Do you want to follow me?"
Tong Xiaoli stared at him blankly, as if she didn't understand his words.
Jiaxi, seeing her current situation, was overwhelmed with sympathy. Every word and action of hers made him feel pity.
He wanted to prove himself through this girl, and also to save her, keeping her by his side in perpetual admiration.