Chapter 322

Perhaps it was because of winter, but the streets were mostly filled with elderly people; there were very few young people or children, as if only the elderly lived there. Yet, this place seemed to have a stronger sense of "home." A warm feeling she had never experienced before. Hua Xin's eyes flickered as she looked out the window at the gradually falling snowflakes, wondering why she felt this way. If it were any later, she would probably be completely covered in snowflakes. "I don't know if you like tea. Xia Yan and Xia Fen haven't come back yet, so we don't have any of the drinks that young people like to have at home." An old voice rang in her ears, bringing the girl, who had been lost in thought while looking at the snow outside the window, back to reality. She quickly waved her hand and took a cup of hot tea from her grandfather's hand. "No, no, I really like tea." As if realizing that her words might be a bit perfunctory, Hua Xin quickly added, "Hot tea is perfect for winter; it warms you up. Thank you, Grandpa." "You're welcome." Her grandfather also took a cup of tea and sat down opposite Hua Xin. Seeing her grandfather's ever-present smiling, kind face, Hua Xin felt a sense of relief, no longer the confused and nervous girl she had been. The barrage of questions she'd just received upon entering the house had nearly crashed her already slow-moving brain. She'd only calmed down a bit while Xia Yan was busy preparing dinner and her grandfather was making tea. But then again, she really had to thank Xia Yan for the "Hua Xin Transformation Plan." If Xia Yan hadn't insisted and strictly followed the plan, gradually helping her overcome her hatred of the world and her fear of strangers, how could she have worked at the cat cafe for so long? How could she have remembered to add a polite greeting just now? Fortunately, Xia Yan had modified some of the plan's standards at the last minute. Otherwise, Hua Xin felt she wouldn't have overcome her social anxiety; in fact, she might have become even more socially awkward, perhaps even worse than before. "You know Xia Fen too, right?" "Ah, yes! I know Xiao Fen too!" Sitting upright, Hua Xin seemed like the pitiful child facing a stern father-in-law and a vicious mother-in-law, whose boyfriend happened to be absent, and who could only answer "Here!" with a booming voice. "When Xiao Fen came to Shanghai for summer vacation, we worked in the same shop, and that's how we met!" She swallowed the "over" that was on the tip of her tongue, her heart pounding as she took a sip of tea, trying to appear less nervous. But inside, she was already screaming in despair. What was she doing...? This was Xia Yan's grandfather, not a jailer interrogating prisoner 9527! Her behavior would definitely lower his opinion of her; it wasn't the composed demeanor expected of someone who could be with Xia Yan. What if her grandfather didn't approve?! This abstract performance would make even a normal person think she was abnormal, right? The more she overthought things, the more flustered she became, completely forgetting the comforting words Xia Yan had said to her at the door. Hua Xin remained silent, only drinking her tea. However, the tea was too hot, so she could only sip it slowly, taking tiny sips each time. Within just a few minutes, Hua Xin had picked up her teacup more than thirty times. "Oh, I see... Xia Fen really didn't mention this to me, she only told me her brother was dating." "Pfft..." Hua Xin almost spat out her tea as she carefully took another sip. She quickly composed herself and asked, "Xiao Fen told you a long time ago?... Ahahaha, is that so...?" Although Hua Xin desperately wanted to cry, she had to pretend nothing was wrong. How to put it... it was like finally reaching adulthood and graduation after a long time of puppy love, only to find that the parents already knew everything when she went to meet them, and the carefully prepared first impression had already been formed long ago. [Hello Uncle, I'm a social elite, an excellent boyfriend, and a top university graduate.] [Oh, you, didn't you like to ride around on your electric scooter and dye your hair blonde when you were in high school? When did you dye your hair back to normal?]—This evoked a sense of déjà vu. But there wasn't anything particularly outrageous between her and Xia Yan that Xia Fen would know about, right? ... Hua Xin didn't think Xia Yan would tell Xia Fen about their relationship. Uh, even if it didn't really matter, it would still... be so embarrassing. "Don't be nervous, child." Grandpa leaned back in his chair, his previously energetic demeanor suddenly becoming somewhat somber and quiet. It was as if he was "tired." Hua Xin knew what this feeling was, and she knew what might happen next. She had seen it many times. She had this feeling. The girl's eyes also lowered. "I'm already very happy that you're with Xia Yan." "You're a good child." "And he, is a very complicated child." Grandpa's tone was somewhat melodious, his eyes, though looking at Hua Xin, seemed more like looking at Xia Yan from a long time ago. 246. Entrustment "Although I don't know how your generation's thoughts differ from ours... after all, times have changed." "I truly feel that." "But feelings are inherently unpredictable. Once you have the thought of wanting to grow old with this person, get married, and have children, then you must be responsible for your choice and your feelings." Grandpa paused, gently lifting his teacup to take a sip, but the weariness he exuded seemed to grow stronger. Hua Xin nodded gently in agreement, not interrupting his thoughts. She held the warm teacup between her legs; the cup's insulation was excellent, preventing burns and instead providing a gentle warmth to her slightly chilly hands. Compared to her previous nervous and bewildered state, she was now much calmer, simply listening attentively to the old man's words. Some people dislike talking to the elderly, believing that there's a generation gap between people from different eras. They think it's far better to talk to someone of their own age than to listen to tedious lectures and endless questions and worries. But Hua Xin loves this feeling. Perhaps before, when she was isolated in her Little Black, she only talked to herself occasionally, or sometimes to the computer. But after stepping into the outside world, she realized how joyful it is to be able to chat with someone she can truly connect with. Even a simple response brings immense happiness. "My son, Xia Yan's father," the grandfather said, a hint of regret in his eyes. "We share the same surname and the same blood, but our understanding of responsibility is completely different." Even after so much time, even long enough for Xia Yan to grow up, go to university, and have a wonderful girlfriend, more than a decade has passed since their happy family was broken.