Chapter 360 – Should We Make a Trip to Beijing?
As parents, what they most wanted to see was their children being safe, healthy, and happy, while also becoming successful.
So, upon hearing that Xu Jinning could not only graduate early and become a teacher but also intern at a national agency, Xu Aiguo and Zhang Ailian, as parents, were understandably very pleased.
Although it was his wife who answered the phone, Xu Aiguo was close enough to hear Xu Jinning’s words over the line.
Hearing these words from his daughter, Xu Aiguo, who was usually stern and rarely smiled, couldn’t help but break into a wide grin.
“Heh heh, I knew it. Our Ningning is the best. Ningning is truly impressive, living up to being my, Xu Aiguo’s, daughter.”
Xu Xiangdong and Xu Xiangbei were also very happy upon learning the news.
After all, she was their little sister.
“I knew our little sister was outstanding.” In Xu Xiangbei’s eyes, this little sister was the smartest in the family.
He now managed to do business and earn a lot of money, thanks to Ningning. Without her, he would probably be in a much worse situation now.
He couldn’t help but think of his so-called brother, Cui Zhiqiang.
Cui Zhiqiang had disappeared two years ago, and no one knew where he had gone. He was running away from something, and he had vanished completely.
If it hadn’t been for Ningning’s reminder back then, his current situation would have been much worse than Cui Zhiqiang’s.
Anyway, Xu Xiangbei decided that from now on, he would follow Ningning’s advice. Whatever Ningning said, he would do, as he trusted she would never lead him astray.
After finishing the call with Xu Jinning, Zhang Ailian and Xu Aiguo, seeing the eager and pitiful looks from Xu Xiangdong and Xu Xiangbei, they asked them to answer the phone for a while.
After finishing the call, the four of them felt an even deeper longing for Xu Jinning and Xu Fanghua.
“By the way, Abei, do you have any free time recently? Would you be willing to make a trip to Beijing? I’ve made some pickled vegetables and other foods that I’d like you to take to your sisters,” Zhang Ailian said when they got back home.
She had originally planned to find someone who was going to Beijing to take the items, but she couldn’t find anyone.
The eldest son was too busy, but perhaps the younger one could manage.
“Mom, why don’t you ask me?” Xu Xiangdong said, feeling aggrieved. He also wanted to visit his two sisters.
Zhang Ailian gave him a look. “Aren’t you busy planting fruit trees and handling work at home with the three kids? Are you planning to leave everything to Yulan?”
Xu Xiangdong: …Of course not.
Alright, he couldn’t leave right now.
“I can go,” Xu Xiangbei quickly offered, worried he might be replaced by his big brother.
“Well, what about your business in the county? Do you need me to help you keep an eye on it for a few days?”
“I can ask a friend to watch it for a few days; it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll just compensate him a bit. But if you’re free, you could also go and check it out.”
“The clothes I’m selling now are from Guangzhou and Haishi. When I get to Beijing, I might be able to find some local specialties to sell.”
Of course, the most important thing was to visit his two sisters.
He missed them a lot.
“Alright, then you should go. As a young man involved in business, it’s good for you to see more of the world,” Xu Aiguo agreed with Xu Xiangbei going.
“Alright then.”
With that, Xu Xiangbei’s trip to Beijing was decided, and he also garnered some envious and jealous looks from his big brother, Xu Xiangdong.
Xu Aiguo planned to contact Zhang Changzheng the next day to help buy a ticket for his youngest son.
Ignoring his big brother’s sour expression, Xu Xiangbei eagerly went to pack his things.
He had prepared a lot of clothes for his two sisters, and the baby in his big sister’s womb. He intended to bring them along. He also needed to get a haircut early the next day, as his hair was getting a bit long. A trim would help him look more refreshed.
He also planned to change into new clothes and wear new shoes to meet his two sisters. He didn’t want to embarrass himself or his sisters.
So, by the next day, Xu Xiangbei stood in front of Zhang Ailian and Xu Aiguo, sporting a new haircut, new clothes, and new shoes. They didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Xu Xiangdong gave him a sidelong glance and snorted, “Hmph, showing off.” He was clearly feeling particularly sour about not being able to go to Beijing while his younger brother could.
Zhang Ailian laughed and said, “If one didn’t know better, they’d think Abei was going on a date.”
Speaking of which, Ningning was 18 this year, and Abei was 20, two years older. At this age, others might be starting to date or develop romantic interests.
But Xu Xiangbei was busy either pampering his younger sister or making money through business, showing no interest in romance or dating.
Zhang Ailian thought to herself that her youngest son wasn’t bad-looking at all. He was tall and well-built, though not as robust as his elder brother, but still fit the description of broad shoulders and long legs that Ningning mentioned.
His facial features were handsome, and his smile was especially warm and endearing, the type that mothers-in-law preferred.
She wondered why, at his age, he still didn’t have a partner.
Xu Aiguo said, “To start dating, he needs to open up first. With his silly, cheerful demeanor, he clearly hasn’t opened up yet. I don’t know when he’ll finally bring a girl home.”
“Indeed.”
In fact, over the past two years, there had been plenty of matchmakers visiting, either to court Ningning or to court Xu Xiangbei.
However, after Xie Ting’an and Ningning were engaged, no more matchmakers came looking for Ningning.
But there were still many who came to find Xu Xiangbei.
Unfortunately, Xu Xiangbei had no interest in dating. Whenever asked, he would say he was focused on making money and even mentioned that dating and marriage would delay his earning.
When Xu Xiangbei said this, Zhang Ailian was almost infuriated enough to resort to violence.
But seeing her youngest son’s naive, clueless demeanor, she eventually had to relent.
Xu Xiangbei set off for Beijing on the third day after deciding to go, and he had informed his sisters, Xu Jinning and Xu Fanghua, in advance.
*
Xu Jinning checked the time and noted that her brother would arrive on Tuesday, when she didn’t have classes.
However…
Today was Monday.
The day before yesterday, Saturday, she had visited the National Translation Department with Professor Liang, met Mr. Zhou, and seen the work environment where she would be interning. Honestly, she quite liked it.
She had completed her entry procedures and agreed that if there were any work or tasks, she would be contacted.
Currently, there were no other matters.
She had classes all day today, and as it was her first time teaching, even though she had prepared thoroughly, she was still a bit nervous.
“Don’t be afraid. When the time comes, just face it as it comes. Follow your own pace,” Xu Jinning took a deep breath and encouraged herself.
With that, she grabbed her textbooks and headed toward the classroom.
