On Friday afternoon, Tianyi pushed aside all his work, informing An Jing that any urgent matters would be handled the following Monday.
He wanted to personally pick up Xiao Xing from school, so that Susu wouldn't have to make the trip back and forth. Even with Xiao Lin driving Susu, he still felt uneasy. Susu, seeing Tianyi so concerned about Xiao Xing, thought it was because he was worried about Xiao Xing going abroad. She also returned home early, preparing many of Xiao Xing's favorite foods, intending to have a good talk with him and understand his own thoughts.
As soon as Xiao Xing returned home, he looked at the table full of his favorite dishes and was beaming with happiness. However, he quickly looked at Tianyi and Susu and asked, "Dad, Mom, why aren't you working overtime today? You're suddenly being so nice to me, do you want me to do something for you?"
"You little rascal," Susu said, both amused and exasperated, "We are your parents, shouldn't we be nice to you?"
Xiao Xing said "oh" and immediately picked up a chicken drumstick, eating as he said, "But you're always so busy, and even if you have time, you spend it with your younger siblings. I'm all grown up now, you don't need to worry too much about me."
Hearing him say this, Susu realized that she and Tianyi had inadvertently overlooked Xiao Xing. She said to him, "You're the most sensible one. All this is for you, eat more. How's the food at school usually? Can you get used to it?"
"The food at school is quite good, I've gotten used to it long ago," Xiao Xing said with a smile. Tianyi walked over to him and stroked his head, finding joy just watching him eat so heartily.
Before long, Tiantian, Hengheng, and Tangtang, smelling the aroma, also came running. Susu told them not to eat their brother's food. But Xiao Xing voluntarily shared the delicious food with his younger siblings. Watching Xiao Xing take care of his siblings, Susu felt that he truly looked like an adult.
When they all returned to their rooms to rest that night, Susu asked Tianyi to accompany Tiantian and the others. She went to Xiao Xing's room and saw that he hadn't gone to sleep yet, doing math problems at his desk. Susu glanced at the problems he was working on and found them all very difficult. She asked, "You're only in seventh grade, is math this hard already? Even I might not be able to solve these problems."
"Mom, these aren't seventh-grade problems, they're high school math competition problems. I wanted to try them," Xiao Xing said, pausing his writing to smile at her.
"Oh my goodness, no wonder your dad says you have talent." Saying this, Susu sat beside him.
Xiao Xing looked at her and asked, "Mom, do you have something to tell me?"
Susu nodded and said, "Your dad told me about wanting you to study abroad. What do you think about it yourself?"
"I want to apply directly for high school abroad. My teacher says with my grades, I can skip grades to apply," Xiao Xing said with strong conviction. "Going abroad for high school will be more beneficial for getting into the best universities overseas."
Susu said, "So you're willing to leave us now and go study abroad?"
Xiao Xing hugged Susu reluctantly and said, "Mom, I don't want to leave you and my siblings either. But I've also thought about it, if I continue to finish middle school and high school in Lancheng, I'll still study abroad in the future. It's better to go earlier and return sooner after completing my studies."
Susu smiled and hugged him again, saying, "But if you go abroad after finishing high school, you'll be an adult by then, and I'll be more at ease."
"You don't need to worry about me being too young. Actually, I can take care of myself." Susu understood that Xiao Xing himself really wanted to study abroad. Since that was the case, no matter how reluctant she was, she could only let go.
"Alright, then your dad and I will choose the best schools for you. I'll also come to see you whenever I have time." Xiao Xing's eyes immediately lit up, looking eager to go abroad.
Susu released him, patted his shoulder, and said, "The procedures for studying abroad aren't a one-day affair. You should get some sleep, don't work too hard on your problems."
"Goodnight, Mom."
"Goodnight."
Susu left his room and returned to the bedroom. She saw that Tianyi was already back and was about to go into the bathroom without saying anything. Tianyi called out to her and asked, "What did Xiao Xing say? Does he want to study abroad or not?"
"He wants to," Susu said helplessly, looking at Tianyi. "He's becoming more and more like you. At his age, he already seems mature and steady."
Tianyi smiled happily, feeling that he had a successor. "You've also noticed, Xiao Xing is different from ordinary children, so we need to cultivate him well. We can't hinder his development out of love for him."
"Yes, you're absolutely right. Alright," Susu put aside her worries and agreed, "I don't object to you sending him abroad."
Tianyi wanted to embrace her, saying, "It's good that you've thought it through." Although Susu had agreed, she still felt a pang of sadness. She dodged him and said, "Stop being so clingy, I'm going to take a shower." With that, she entered the bathroom and closed the door, wanting to be alone to feel sad for a while longer. Tianyi understood her feelings. When the procedures for studying abroad were finalized and Xiao Xing was to leave them, he would also feel sad and reluctant.
...
Hong Jiaxi, keeping it from everyone, finally found a suitable apartment for Tong Xiaoli in the city. This day, he took Tong Xiaoli to the fifth floor of a youth apartment building and said to her, "Close your eyes first."
Tong Xiaoli obediently closed her eyes, holding his hand as he led her several steps forward. Jiaxi used a password to open an apartment door and said, "You can open them now."
Tong Xiaoli immediately widened her eyes and saw that the apartment was brand new. She walked in with surprise. Inside, there were tables, chairs, and sofas, all the latest appliances were complete, and even the marble tiles on the floor were so clean and beautiful. She felt an indescribable excitement. Jiaxi closed the door, walked to her side, and said, "This apartment is yours from now on. You and your mother don't have to live in that dilapidated building anymore."
"You're saying this apartment is mine?" Tong Xiaoli said in disbelief. "But I've never lived in such a nice place before. It's too good, so good and comfortable. I'm afraid I'll dirty it..."
"This isn't a very good house. Live here with peace of mind. Wherever it gets dirty or dusty, just go there, it's okay." Jiaxi felt a sense of accomplishment seeing her so surprised and liking the place so much.
Tong Xiaoli suddenly hooked her arms around his neck and kissed his chin. Unable to express her gratitude in words, she wanted to do so with her body. Her provocations towards Jiaxi became increasingly wild. Jiaxi could no longer resist and kissed her back, pressing her against the wall, shifting from passive to active. Tong Xiaoli, in order to give him extreme pleasure, used all her skills and was not at all demure under his advances. Jiaxi had never encountered such a captivating woman. Such a woman was an irresistible paradise for men, but if one was not careful, it could also be a burning hell. But he completely lost control and fell into it...