The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 226 - 225: Moved Back In?

Xue Yue wanted to ask Xue Xingzhou just what he had said to the boy to get him into such a state.

Xue Xingzhou spread his hands helplessly. What could he say? He had just told him the truth, of course.

Xue Yue sighed.

Looking at Xue Xingjun’s tear-streaked face, she comforted him, "You’re a grown-up now, stop crying. Ruanruan and Shiyi will laugh at you if they see you like this. Besides, just because Big Bro and you aren’t related by blood, does that mean you’re not going to be on good terms with him anymore?"

Xue Xingjun pouted and didn’t say a word.

Xue Yue saw the kid was still upset, so she said to Xue Xingzhou, "Why don’t you let Xingjun stay here for the night? We’ll sort it out tomorrow."

Xue Xingzhou glanced at Xue Xingjun. "Alright. I’ll head back first, then."

After Xue Xingzhou closed the door and left, Xue Xingjun squatted down, his head lowered, looking wronged.

Xue Yue thought about how this boy had relied on her brother since childhood. He’d even run all this way to Beijing City to find him. To suddenly learn they weren’t biological brothers—anyone would find that hard to accept.

She squatted down beside him and gently patted Xue Xingjun on the back. "Don’t worry. Even if you and Big Bro aren’t related by blood, he’ll still look after you. So will I. Blood ties are important, but they aren’t everything. Think about it. Big Bro has known about his own origins for a long time, but hasn’t he always treated you just as well as before?"

Xue Xingjun suddenly mumbled, "But he has his own dad now. What about our dad? And his dad doesn’t like me either."

Xue Yue was surprised. "Did Uncle Zheng tell you himself that he doesn’t like you?"

Xue Xingjun shook his head. "He didn’t say it outright, but I could tell. When he heard I was Big Bro’s younger brother, his expression soured. He just doesn’t like me. I’m never going to his house again."

"Nonsense. Uncle Zheng is a very nice person. You just don’t know him. He doesn’t dislike you. He was probably just caught off guard."

Xue Xingjun turned his head away, a little angry. "Aren’t you my sister? How can you side with him? Anyway, I’m not going to his house anymore. I want to live with you. Can I?"

Xue Yue nodded. "Of course, you can. You can have your pick of the spare rooms, how about that?"

Only then did Xue Xingjun’s expression soften a little.

"Then don’t make me go home, okay? I don’t want to go back. I just want to stay here. I’ll do anything you ask."

Xue Yue sighed. "No one’s making you go back. I’m just worried Dad and your mom will be anxious with you here. If they agree, then of course I have no problem with it."

Xue Xingjun fell silent again.

’Alright, it really is hard to guess what’s on a kid’s mind.’

At dinner that evening, He Lang came home. When he saw Xue Xingjun, he raised an eyebrow.

"Who’d you come with?"

Xue Xingjun looked a little guilty and called out, "Brother-in-law, I came by myself."

"Whoa, getting bold, are we? Do your parents know?"

Xue Xingjun quickly looked to Xue Yue for help.

Xue Yue said to He Lang, "Alright, stop teasing him. He ran away from home all by himself. He was originally going to leave with my brother, but then he found out my brother isn’t his biological brother, so he got angry and came running to me."

He Lang paused for a moment, then said, "So he didn’t know? Besides, you all grew up together as siblings. What does it matter if you’re biologically related or not? Little brother-in-law, I’ve got to give you a piece of my mind. Your brother and sister are so good to you. So what if you’re not related by blood? There are plenty of biological brothers who end up as enemies. You should be grateful."

Xue Xingjun listened to He Lang speak, and after a moment, he said, "Brother-in-law, just call me by my name. ’Little brother-in-law’ sounds so old-fashioned and weird."

He Lang thought, ’Sigh, this kid completely missed the point.’

Then, Xue Xingjun remembered something and asked He Lang, "I heard that in Beijing City, they don’t hire minors. Is that true?"

He Lang looked at him. "You’re planning to stay in Beijing City and find a job? You’re not going back?"

Xue Xingjun nodded firmly.

"It’s true that employers don’t hire minors. But if you really want to work, it’s possible. I have a clothing store right now. If you want to go there, just say you’re my relative helping out. Other than that, I’ve got a big project on my hands right now—constructing a large building. Which one do you want to do?"

"I don’t know how to sell clothes, but I’m strong. I can help build the building. I can handle manual labor like moving bricks and tiles. I’m not afraid of hard work."

He Lang nodded. "Alright then. Finish your dinner, get to bed early, and get up early tomorrow to come with me."

A smile finally appeared on Xue Xingjun’s face. "Okay."

Xue Yue watched Xue Xingjun wolfing down his food and breathed a sigh of relief.

「The next morning, Xue Xingjun left with He Lang.」

Mr. and Mrs. He arrived in Beijing City. Little Chen and Ziqing took them home on the bus.

Because they hadn’t told the family their arrival time in advance, Xue Yue and the others didn’t go to pick them up.

"Dad, Mom, you’re back! Little Chen, I heard you’re building a house. How’s it going? Is it finished?"

"Third Aunt, it’s almost done. My mom and my uncles are working on the rest."

Xue Yue nodded. "That’s good. Ziqing, it’s been a while since you’ve visited. Are you busy with school?"

He Ziqing was indeed busy. "Yes, I’m on a research project with Professor Qi. I’m so busy every day I barely have time to eat."

"Is that the same Professor Qi we met at your school last time?"

Hearing his name made Xue Yue shudder. She was instantly reminded of the time He Lang got so angry that he didn’t sleep all night—and then pestered her all morning—just because she had praised another man.

He Ziqing nodded. "That’s him."

Hearing this, Mrs. He said to He Ziqing, "Studying is important, but your health is more important. You still need to eat on time."

"I know, Grandma. I’ll be careful."

He Ziqing and Little Chen left soon after.

One was in a hurry to get to their store, the other was heading back to school.

Only then did Mr. He ask Xue Yue, "Has He Lang found a location?"

Xue Yue nodded. "He’s already bought it. Now he’s preparing to build."

"He bought land? Then building the structure will take quite some time."

"Yes, it’s right in the city center. He Lang is already working on it."

"That’s good. I’ll go take a look tomorrow, too," Mr. He said.

Xue Xingzhou came by again in the afternoon, but Xue Xingjun was still out with He Lang and hadn’t come home yet.

"How’s the kid’s mood? Did he cry after I left?" Xue Xingzhou asked Xue Yue.

"He looked a little down, but he’s okay. He Lang talked to him for a while when he got back, and this morning he went with He Lang to the construction site to work. Kids get over things quickly; he’ll probably be fine soon."

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "When he gets back, tell him my dad has moved back to his old place. He’s not at the house, so tell Xingjun to come back and stay there."

Xue Yue said in surprise, "Why did Uncle Zheng suddenly decide to move back? Could it be because of Xue Xingjun?"

After all, Zheng Guofeng had been living with them ever since the later stages of Zhang Qian’s pregnancy, and he had never mentioned moving back.