Mei Yun replied without thinking, "I said long ago that we would talk about our matters after you and Si Ye settled things. Actually, for people our age, like Qin Xiu Yi and me, marriage is irrelevant. I feel that this way of interacting is quite relaxed, and marriage is sometimes a shackle."
Hearing this, Yin Xi felt a pang of pain in her heart. She understood that her aunt said such things because her first failed marriage had left an indelible shadow on her heart.
"Auntie, not all marriages are shackles. I believe that for two people who truly love each other, marriage is their harbor of love, a responsibility, and a way to progress together and fulfill each other." Yin Xi looked at her gently. "Auntie, I want to make a pact with you. If Qin Si Ye and I get engaged, you have to promise to marry Uncle, okay? I believe he is the man who can give you warmth and support."
"Okay. It's a deal." Mei Yun smiled, surprisingly releasing Yin Xi's hand and high-fiving her. The two of them couldn't help but burst out laughing.
As they walked back hand-in-hand, Yin Xi suddenly thought of Song Kai Cheng. "Auntie, how has Brother Kai Cheng been doing abroad recently?" she asked.
"How could he be? It's work and work. I don't know what he does with so much money."
"Doesn't he have..."
"Him? I don't think he has that intention at all. I guess he's prepared to be a bachelor for life."
As the two of them pushed open the villa door, they saw the three children playing and Qin Si Ye and Qin Xiu Yi chatting on the sofa.
"Why are you two only coming in now? Do you have some private conversation you don't want us to hear?" Qin Xiu Yi asked with a smile.
Yin Xi quickly stepped forward to greet him. Mei Yun glanced at him and replied, "You said it's a private conversation, so why are you asking? Your emotional intelligence is really low. Look at Si Ye, he's not asking."
"Alright, alright, it's my fault for being nosy," Qin Xiu Yi said with a helpless smile. "No matter what, I can never win an argument with you."
"Self-awareness is sometimes a good quality," Mei Yun raised her eyebrows and walked towards the sofa.
Yin Xi put down her bag and exchanged a smiling glance with Qin Si Ye. They understood each other without speaking. Perhaps this was their way of interacting.
During lunch, everyone chatted happily, and the main topic of conversation was the children's studies.
"Time flies so fast. I remember when you two went to Country B last time, the three little darlings hadn't started their summer vacation yet. In the blink of an eye, school is about to start," Mei Yun said with emotion.
Yin Xi replied, "Yes, it's autumn now. A Zhe has been abroad for almost a week."
"Is A Zhe adapting well to life and studies there alone?" Mei Yun asked with concern.
"He's adapting very well. Si Ye arranged everything in advance. As soon as he arrived, he called me and seemed to be in good spirits," Yin Xi said with a smile, looking at Qin Si Ye.
"That's good." Mei Yun picked up a piece of food, put it in her mouth, and put down her chopsticks. She changed the subject, "We're going back to the old house tomorrow. What time are you planning to go?"
"We probably won't be going," Yin Xi paused before telling them about Han Hao Ming's injury and hospitalization. Everyone looked at her in surprise.
Mei Yun exclaimed, "Ah? How could it be so coincidental? It seems that people in the system are all compelled by circumstances. It's so difficult to visit a girlfriend's home."
Yin Xi added, "Indeed. Police officers have a special profession. Plans can't keep up with changes, and unpredictable things often happen in life and work."
"Good things take time. Let's not rush and wait a bit longer." At this moment, Qin Si Ye picked up his cup and looked at Qin Xiu Yi. "Come, Uncle, I'll toast you."
Qin Xiu Yi sat up straight and glanced at his cup. "Is that water or wine in there? Si Ye, you're still injured, you can't drink."
Mei Yun grabbed him and said, "Of course it's not wine. Didn't you forget? Xi Xi only poured wine for you just now. As a doctor, she's more thoughtful about taking care of Si Ye than you think."
"Yes. I must have drunk too much," Qin Xiu Yi patted his forehead and looked at her with a smile.
After dinner, they chatted with them on the sofa for a while longer before getting up to leave. In the afternoon, Yin Xi didn't go anywhere. She stayed on the second floor in the children's rooms, organizing their clothes. School starts next Tuesday, so she had to check carefully to see what they were missing. Tomorrow is Sunday, and there's nothing planned, so it's a perfect opportunity to go shopping.