In the next room, Wang Hui Fang looked at He Nan and said with some embarrassment, "He Nan, I’m so sorry. My older sister can be harsh. Please don’t take what she said to heart."

He Nan shook his head. "I’m not bothered by it. Besides, my situation is what it is. I can’t compare to them."

Wang Hui Fang’s older sister and brother-in-law were self-employed, running a small business. They must have made a lot of money in the last couple of years, because they’d suddenly started looking down on people. She knew He Nan was divorced with two kids and worked a job with a fixed salary, so her words were unpleasant, and the ridicule in her tone was obvious to everyone.

Wang Hui Fang took He Nan’s hand. "We might not make as much as someone who’s self-employed, but we have enough to get by. I’m already very content with the life we have now. No matter how much money you have, it’s all just for living."

He Nan smiled. "As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters."

Wang Hui Fang said with a smile, "I’ll go make dinner in a bit. The two kids definitely didn’t eat enough at lunch, and I noticed you barely ate anything either."

He Nan nodded. "The kids were a little reserved. I’m fine." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Why don’t you go check on the kids? I think Xiao Nian seems a little down."

He Nan stood up. "Alright, I’ll go check on them."

When He Nan came over, Xiao Nian was still pestering his sister, trying to get more information out of her. Seeing his dad walk in, he immediately quieted down.

He Nan looked at them. "Aunt Wang said you didn’t eat much for lunch. What would you like for dinner? She’ll make it for you."

He Ziqing said, "Anything is fine."

Xiao Nian said in a low voice, "Dad, can we not go to these kinds of events in the future? It was so awkward. They’re all strangers, and the way they were sizing us up... I really can’t stand it."

He Nan sat down next to them.

"Okay, I won’t take you again in the future. This year, your aunt’s parents wanted to meet you."

Xiao Nian pouted. "Why do they want to meet us? We’re not their real grandkids. When you two have your own kid, you can just take them."

He Ziqing nudged Xiao Nian with her elbow.

He Nan looked at Xiao Nian. "It was my fault this time for not considering your feelings. If you’re uncomfortable next time, you can tell me."

Xiao Nian didn’t say anything.

He Ziqing said, "Dad, we understand. Xiao Nian is just talking. He doesn’t mean anything by it."

He Nan smiled. "We’re family, you don’t have to be so cautious when you talk to me. Don’t I know you two? But I can tell you this: I only have you two, and I won’t be having any more children."

Xiao Nian’s eyes flickered as he looked at his father.

He Ziqing also paused for a moment, then said, "Dad, that’s not what we meant—"

He Nan raised a hand. "I know. There are some things I originally didn’t want to tell you, but I’m afraid you’ll overthink things, so I’ll just say it now. Your Aunt Wang can’t have children. In fact, that’s why she got divorced. She knew I had you two when she married me, and she told me she’s very fond of you both. So even if you can’t think of her as your real mother, please don’t think badly of her."

"Also, I’m telling you this to put your minds at ease, but I hope you won’t tell anyone else."

He Ziqing nodded. "Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone."

Xiao Nian nodded too. He probably hadn’t expected this, and he still seemed a little dazed.

He Nan patted his shoulder. "Don’t overthink it. We’ll live our lives just like we always have. Alright, you two talk. I’m going to step out."

After He Nan left and closed the door behind him, Xiao Nian finally let out a huge sigh of relief.

Then his head drooped again.

"I can’t believe it. I was so worried that if Dad had another kid, he wouldn’t love us anymore."

He Ziqing said with a smile, "Feeling better now?"

Xiao Nian turned his face to the side. "I guess. But... it’s kind of sad that she can’t have kids, isn’t it? I used to hear the villagers say that a woman who can’t have children is like a hen that can’t lay eggs—sooner or later, she’ll get butchered. See? Isn’t that why her ex-husband’s family divorced her?"

He Ziqing said to Xiao Nian, "Don’t ever say that again. Remember what Dad told us—don’t repeat it to anyone. Xiao Nian, what the villagers say is wrong. A woman’s worth isn’t just about having children. We can study, we can work. Even if we have different roles in a family, we’re still indispensable."

"I know, Sis. By the way, when Dad was here just now, why didn’t you tell him about your boyfriend?"

He Ziqing bit her lip. "I haven’t figured out how to tell him yet."

"I’m getting tired just thinking about it for you. What’s so hard to say? How about I go tell him for you?"

"Don’t! Just stay out of it."

Just as He Ziqing was agonizing over it, Qi Mingyang suddenly showed up at their door.

The moment she saw Qi Mingyang, He Ziqing felt like her heart was about to stop.

"You— What are you doing here?"

After speaking, she quickly glanced at her father.

Qi Mingyang was carrying several gifts. He said with a smile, "I came to wish Uncle and Aunt a happy new year."

Qi Mingyang took a step forward and bowed slightly to He Nan.

"Hello, Uncle. My name is Qi Mingyang. I’m a friend of He Ziqing’s. I’m sorry for showing up unannounced and disturbing you."

He Nan was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Oh, so you’re a friend of Ziqing’s. Please, come in. Have you eaten? We were just about to have dinner."

Qi Mingyang said with a smile, "Not yet. Thank you, Uncle."

He Ziqing could only watch, wide-eyed, as Qi Mingyang followed her father into the house.

Xiao Nian looked inside, then back at his sister.

"Sis, that’s not... your boyfriend you were talking about, is it?"

He Ziqing closed the courtyard gate with a blank expression. "What do you think?"

Xiao Nian nodded. "Looks like it. He’s pretty good-looking. Good enough for you."

He Ziqing shot Xiao Nian a look and went into the house as well.

When she reached the doorway, she saw that Qi Mingyang was already seated at the dinner table.

Wang Hui Fang was even setting out a bowl and chopsticks for him.

Her father was already asking Qi Mingyang his age, what he did for a living, and about his family.

He Ziqing’s steps faltered. She didn’t know if she should go in.

He Nan saw her and waved her over. "Ziqing, hurry and come in. Your friend is here, why aren’t you entertaining him?"

He Ziqing looked at the perfectly composed Qi Mingyang and sighed.

’This guy is as thick-skinned as a fortress wall. I’m completely outmatched.’

’He’s already shown up at my door, and I haven’t even told Dad yet.’

Wang Hui Fang kept putting food on Qi Mingyang’s plate.

"We haven’t eaten yet either. This is your first time visiting, so we weren’t prepared. It’s just some simple home cooking."

Qi Mingyang glanced at the food. "This is already wonderful. Thank you, Aunt."

Wang Hui Fang worked in a cafeteria, so her cooking was indeed quite good.

Xiao Nian kept staring at Qi Mingyang. When Qi Mingyang glanced up at him, Xiao Nian quickly lowered his head again.

Qi Mingyang raised an eyebrow.

After dinner, He Nan offered to let him stay the night.

"No, thank you. I just came to wish you and Aunt a happy new year. I’ve already booked a hotel room, and I’ll be heading back tomorrow."