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Xie Zhiyu said, "I know."

"Don't worry, Auntie."

"That's good," Xie Liuzheng said.

Silence fell between them.

Xie Zhiyu spoke first. "Auntie, I haven't congratulated you on completing your world tour."

He looked at Xie Liuzheng and said solemnly, "Congratulations, Ms. Xie Liuzheng, an outstanding pianist of China."

Remembering what Shen Baili and the others had said about how their family struggled to express themselves, Xie Zhiyu pressed his lips together and steeled himself.

"I'm proud of you, Ms. Xie Liuzheng."

Xie Liuzheng's eyes widened slightly. She couldn't hide her surprise. "Zhiyu, you..."

She hugged her nephew. "It's all right if you want to cry."

Did her nephew like Sang Ya that much?

He must have been so hurt that even the way he acted had turned strange.

Angry and heartsick for him, Xie Liuzheng said, "How about... I introduce you to someone? The women in our orchestra are all wonderful... What kind of girl do you like?"

Xie Zhiyu's unusual behavior had made even the normally frosty Xie Liuzheng talkative.

Xie Liuzheng didn't believe the quickest way to heal a broken heart was to jump into another relationship.

But getting out and meeting new friends would do him good. He could use the chance to clear his head and get some proper rest.

Xie Zhiyu said, "...No, thanks."

He said helplessly, "I'm not heartbroken, Auntie."

Xie Liuzheng let go of him and looked him over carefully, making sure he wasn't forcing a smile.

"Then why are you acting so strangely?" she asked. "Do you have a cold?"

"I'm not sick." Xie Zhiyu decided to be honest. "I just wanted to compliment you. That's all."

Xie Liuzheng clearly didn't believe him.

"Something's off with you."

"Did you get into trouble? Do you want me to put in a good word for you?"

Xie Tingsi had done that plenty of times, but it would be unheard of for Xie Zhiyu.

"Sure." Xie Liuzheng agreed without even asking what he had done.

Xie Zhiyu fell silent.

"I haven't gotten into trouble."

Xie Liuzheng folded her arms. "Really? I don't believe you."

"..."

Xie Zhiyu rubbed his forehead. "Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you."

"I heard one of your students has a father who teaches chemistry at a university. I want to find a chemistry tutor for Sui... Bai Li. Could you give me his contact information?"

In fact, Xie Zhiyu had already found several chemistry tutors, but none had quite satisfied him.

"A chemistry teacher?" Xie Liuzheng asked.

Her feelings grew complicated. "You're personally looking for a chemistry tutor for a stepsister you've only just met?"

"Why not have your assistant handle something so minor?" Xie Liuzheng didn't understand.

She had only been abroad on tour for a few months, yet it felt as though she'd been gone ten years. The atmosphere at home had changed completely.

Xie Liuzheng couldn't tell whether that was good or bad. Was there something else important they were keeping from her?

"Besides the broken engagement, has anything else happened in the Xie Family?" Xie Liuzheng's expression turned grave.

"No," Xie Zhiyu said.

"Why do you ask?"

Xie Liuzheng smiled and shook her head. Realizing she wouldn't get an answer, she decided to observe things herself. "No reason."

"I'll send you his contact information later."

"Thank you, Auntie."

... On the way back, Xie Liuzheng couldn't help telling Duan Xing about it. After listening, he said, "Zhiyu has a strong sense of responsibility. His father is busy with work, so Zhiyu takes care of everything in the Xie Family."

"Still, he's quite good to Baili."

Xie Liuzheng agreed. "Honey, you seem to have a good impression of my stepniece too."

Duan Xing kept his eyes on the road. "She's fairly quiet."

To him, quiet meant she knew her place. She wouldn't covet things that weren't hers or meddle in other people's business.

"She is quiet," Xie Liuzheng said.

"I rather like her. She's pretty and sweet."

"I thought you preferred cheerful, lively girls," Duan Xing said, surprised.

Xie Liuzheng smiled, making no attempt to hide her weakness for a pretty face. "She's beautiful."

"I like all beautiful things. Just seeing them puts me in a good mood."

"And do you like me, my dear wife?" Duan Xing asked with a bright smile.

"I do," Xie Liuzheng replied without hesitation.

If Duan Xing hadn't been handsome and so good at making her feel loved, Xie Liuzheng would never have chosen him from among her many accomplished suitors.

"Then I'd better take good care of my face. I can't risk giving my dear wife a reason to stop liking me," Duan Xing teased.

Xie Liuzheng burst out laughing. "Then I'm counting on you to secure our future, honey."

Duan Xing met her gaze and smiled, his narrow eyes full of affection for her. "Leave it to me."

After a moment's thought, Xie Liuzheng suddenly said, "Honey, let's adopt a child."

Duan Xing had just parked in the underground garage. He turned sharply toward her. "Honey, what did you say?"

Xie Liuzheng turned to him, cupped his face in both hands, and gave it a squeeze. "I said I agree."

"Let's adopt a child from an orphanage."

"I'm sorry I've put you through so much." Xie Liuzheng looked downcast. She had wanted so badly to have a biological child with the man she loved.

But she had trouble conceiving. She had undergone IVF many times without becoming pregnant.

When Xie Liuzheng learned about her condition, she had talked seriously with Duan Xing. He cared more about her than about having a child.

Once Xie Liuzheng's career had stabilized, she wanted a child too. They tried for years without success, but Duan Xing comforted her and bore the pressure from his parents.

Duan Xing was his parents' only child. They were both civil servants with fairly traditional views, so the pressure he faced was easy to imagine.

Rankings

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Transmigration into a Book

Wish-Fulfillment

Rich CEO

Female Supporting Character Story

Transmigration and Rebirth Romance

Pumpkin Vine

Mind Reading

Beloved by Everyone