Two Years Later

As Xia Ji draws to a close, the early autumn weather is already getting a bit chilly at night.

This year's weather seems no different from previous years, but the environment around us has become much more challenging and requires more effort compared to the past.

"It's so late after you finished this trip... The bank has already closed for the day. Let me take you home first, Xia."

"Thank you for running around with me today."

"Brother Zhang, you're not tired. There's no such thing as a troublesome job."

"I'll have to trouble you to give me a ride."

Xia Yan, dressed very formally, loosened the black-blue tie at his collar and spoke softly to the middle-aged man sitting in the driver's seat beside him with a slight smile.

Xia Yan's gaze then paused, and the tie he was touching seemed to be the one that Hua Xin had personally tied and tidied for him before he left home that morning.

"You're too kind."

"However, men like us who have families should go home early."

Zhang Ming rolled up the car window and then chuckled softly at Xia Yan, who had a very young and handsome face.

The car started moving slowly, and the crane hanging from inside the car also vibrated along with it.

The item on it isn't some strange jade or a safety buckle, but rather a miniature family portrait.

"If those single people heard this, they'd probably wail again."

"Hahahaha... It's not like we don't allow office romances, it's just that they're all such cowards."

"You'll start to get anxious if you don't find a suitable peer around you in two years."

While laughing, Zhang Ming skillfully steered the car out of the narrow alley, merging into the traffic from the main lane and stopping in front of the red light lane.

"But..."

A look of worry appeared on Zhang Ming's face:

"Getting married is one thing, but having children is something you should really think about carefully."

Xia Yan chuckled softly, but it didn't sound like mockery; rather, it was more like a friendly joke.

"Not everyone can have three children like you, bank manager."

"It must be very lively at home, right?"

Zhang Ming took a sip of water with a hint of helplessness, as if Xia Yan had just hit the nail on the head. Looking at the traffic lights turning from red to green, he drove the car while earnestly sharing his experience as a middle-aged man:

"When your sister-in-law and I had Jia Mei, we were so happy. What first-time parent is not excited?"

"But afterwards, I couldn't sleep for nights on end, looking at the child..."

"It's much better with Jia Hui around, since she has experience."

"But for the third child, your sister-in-law wanted both a son and a daughter. Jia Ming, she gave birth to Jiaming safely without any danger. Recently, my mother came to help take care of the child, so she doesn't have to work and worry about the child at the same time."

"When I get home, several pairs of bright, sparkling eyes will be staring at me; it'll definitely be lively."

When he talked about this, even though he was a middle-aged man and his body was exhausted as he was about to go home from get off work, a look of happiness and pride still appeared in his eyes.

Xia Yan was slightly stunned, but then smiled as well.

Family...

Although his family isn't as lively and successful as Brother Zhang's, who is over forty and already married with two children, he still has a loved one he wants to see every day.

Of course, he was getting closer and closer to his goal.

Not only him, but Hua Xin is also working hard towards their shared goal.

As the saying goes, when husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break even metal...

He now fully understands what those words mean.

In reality, very few people have clear goals and will work hard to achieve them, especially since countless difficulties and thoughts of giving up will arise along the way.

But humans are social creatures.

When someone is with you, things don't seem so difficult, and you don't have so many thoughts of giving up.

Xia Yan looked at the street scenes flashing by outside the car window, still looking forward to going home and spending time with Hua Xin as always.

"Time to go home, time to go home..."

Hua Xin stretched, and the fatigue in her arms and waist immediately felt much better.

After kicking Chun Cha, who was meowing and scratching at her trouser leg, away, Hua Xin slowly took off her work clothes covered in cat hair, and her hair, which was tied into a ponytail below her shoulders, swung back and forth.

Compared to before, her hair is no longer almost waist-length, but it has a more dashing and beautiful style.

Just as he finished dressing and was about to run away, a familiar figure pushed open the glass door and entered.

Hua Xin looked at Sister Li Xue, who was carrying a small child, into the store with some surprise and walked over happily.

"Sister Li Xue ~"

"Oh right, and Tian Tian too."

Hua Xin reached out her finger and teased Tian Tian, who was still staring at Tian Tian with wide, curious eyes in Li Xue.

Sister Li Xue's child is now one year old. She takes Brother Shan Qing's surname and is named Shan Yuqing. Her nickname is Tian Tian.

"Have you been very tired lately, Xiaohua?"

Compared to before, Sister Li Xue now possesses a different quality that is easily distinguishable. In addition to her already cheerful, humorous, and easy-going nature, she has gained a touch of maternal warmth.

After having another child, Sister Li Xue's gaze was always incredibly gentle.

Hua Xin also really likes Tian Tian.

This treatment is reserved for adorable, quiet human infants. Otherwise, she would only want to tell those mischievous human infants who shout and yell in the subway and shops to shut up.

"Who told those two to neglect the shop so much, only caring about the kids and enjoying their time together?" Hua Xin sighed, then continued softly:

"I never would have dared to imagine that I would be the one training new employees."

After Brother Shan Qing and Sister Li Xue focused on raising their child, the store hired a few more people to handle the daily cashier duties, customer service, and kitchen work. Now, she became the store manager who didn't have to do anything but close the store at the end.

Sister Li Xue blinked and teased:

"People always grow up, right? The little girl Xiaohua from before is going to become a young woman..."

"By the way... have you two decided on a date yet?"

There would be no problem if she were talking about this with Xia Yan, but Hua Xin easily became shy when talking to others. She turned her head away, no longer looking at the curious gazes of the mother and daughter in front of her.

"Still under discussion... but it'll be done soon."

Because, without realizing it, two years have already passed.

Fresh out of university, Xia Yan landed a job at a bank and became a branch manager.

Time flew by, and neither of them wanted to delay any longer.

"Let's get our marriage certificate next week."

Hua Xin said softly, somewhat shyly.