Chapter 382 – Same Wavelength
“Whether you marry into their family or what surname the child takes, your father and I don’t care. We only want you to be happy and content.”
As Zhang Ailian spoke softly, her words deeply touched Xu Xiangbei’s heart.
His eyes instantly welled up with tears.
He knew that his parents had always been the best in the world. Whatever they did, it was always for their children, and they always sought their opinions first.
Xu Xiangbei suddenly felt that his desire to marry into another family was somewhat selfish.
While fulfilling Uncle Huang and Aunt Bai’s wishes might make them happier, it meant he would have to live with the Huang family in Beijing for an extended period. Xu Xiangbei didn’t feel ashamed about that, but it would greatly reduce his time with his own parents in Qinghe Village.
He looked at his mother, who now had some gray hair at her temples.
At that moment, he acutely realized that his parents were growing old.
As his parents aged, there were fewer children accompanying them.
While children who were studying or working could return occasionally, a married son-in-law who moved away might see his parents less and less. Yet, as parents aged, their greatest need was their children’s companionship.
If Yueyue’s parents needed him, so did his own.
Suddenly, Xu Xiangbei felt he understood something important.
He decided to reconsider his earlier plans.
“Mom, let me think about this some more.”
“Alright, your father and I are fine with whatever,” Zhang Ailian replied.
The fact that Xu Xiangbei wanted to enter another family didn’t bother Zhang Ailian. On the contrary, she was delighted that her son, who had been slow to understand things, had finally found someone he liked.
The trip to Beijing had been worthwhile.
“It really was worth it,” Xu Aiguo agreed when he returned home in the evening and heard from his wife about their son finding a girl he liked.
Of course, Zhang Ailian also mentioned Xu Xiangbei’s intention to enter another family. Xu Aiguo’s thoughts were the same as Zhang Ailian’s—he had no objections as long as Xu Xiangbei was happy.
Both Xu Aiguo and Zhang Ailian had always been open-minded and respectful of their children’s choices.
When Xu Xiangdong learned that his younger brother had found someone he liked, he was also pleased. He said that if Xu Xiangbei really wanted to marry into the girl’s family, it would be fine.
After all, he would be there at home, and their parents would have him, the eldest son.
Xu Xiangdong’s words made Xu Xiangbei even more determined in his decision.
After dinner, Xu Xiangbei hesitated for a moment, then went to the village committee office and used the only phone there to call Huang Minyue in Beijing.
“Brother Xiangbei, are you home?” Huang Minyue’s voice on the other end was bright and cheerful.
“Yes, I arrived this afternoon.”
“I’m glad you arrived safely.”
“Yueyue, I talked with my parents about us…”
“Ah, you mentioned it so soon? Then, what did Uncle and Aunt say…” Huang Minyue’s voice grew anxious and nervous.
“You don’t know how happy my parents were. My mom used to think I’d be a lifelong bachelor.”
“Yueyue, I showed my parents our photo together, and they really liked you. Especially my mom; she likes you very much.”
Hearing this, Huang Minyue let out a sigh of relief. The photo was one she had insisted on taking when they went out together. They took two pictures: one for her to keep and one for Xu Xiangbei, thinking that if their relationship progressed, he could show it to his parents.
Since she was studying in Beijing and couldn’t visit Qinghe Village anytime soon, she hoped the photo would help him remember her. Even if things didn’t work out, at least there would be a memento.
“By the way, Yueyue, do you want me to marry into your family?” In the end, Xu Xiangbei asked the question he had been leading up to.
This was the main reason he made the call.
Xu Xiangbei wanted to reach a consensus with Yueyue about this as soon as possible.
To be honest, he felt a bit anxious asking this question. Although he had already made up his mind, he felt a bit guilty about it.
At that moment, Huang Minyue’s response was completely unexpected.
“No,” she said.
“Brother Xiangbei, I don’t want you to become a door-to-door son-in-law.”
“If you become a door-to-door son-in-law, even if Uncle and Aunt agree, the fact is that you would inevitably visit home less often. I believe that as parents, everyone hopes their children will be by their side in their old age.”
“So, I can’t be selfish and bring you to live in Beijing.”
“Even though you have an elder brother, he is still an elder brother, and you are you. You can’t be replaced.”
“Filial piety is something that has to come from oneself.”
“Also, I know that many people view door-to-door son-in-laws with a certain prejudice. Even if our relationship is honest and simple, Brother Xiangbei, I don’t want you to face negative opinions from others.”
“So, if we are really going to be together, it should be a marriage, not you becoming a door-to-door son-in-law or me marrying into your family, but a real marriage.”
“We would create our own little family. As for our parents, we can spend six months with my parents and six months with yours. Of course, it’s not strictly six months, just a balance that allows both sets of parents to see us.”
“Brother Xiangbei, what do you think about this arrangement?”
Huang Minyue’s gentle, soft-spoken words eased Xu Xiangbei’s anxiety, melting his nervousness away.
Upon hearing Huang Minyue’s thoughts, Xu Xiangbei’s first feeling was: How wonderful Yueyue is.
His second feeling was: They were so in tune with each other.
Indeed, Xu Xiangbei had already decided on a similar approach before the call, wanting to ensure that both sets of parents were considered.
He had been anxious about how to communicate his decision to Yueyue, but it turned out they were on the same wavelength.
Xu Xiangbei thought: Perhaps it’s because they are a natural pair that they understand each other so well.
“Brother Xiangbei, what do you think about this arrangement?” Huang Minyue asked again, noticing Xu Xiangbei’s delay in responding.
