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Chapter 84: Mother Jiang's Reasons
Chapter 84: Mother Jiang’s Reasons
Mother Jiang met Father Jiang’s dark, ink-like gaze and held it firmly. "I’m not against Xiaxia getting into college; I just don’t want her to go to a school too far from home. Do you remember how frail she was when she was born, like a tiny kitten? The doctors said she wouldn’t survive. We took such great care to raise her this far. She gets sick so easily, and I can’t bear the thought of her being so far away. She’s set on going to Jing University in the capital, and she won’t consider any other schools!"
Father Jiang was puzzled. "If she has dreams and the ability, isn’t it a good thing for her to go to Jing University? She’s healthy now, strong and well. Dongdong is also at Jing University, and they can look out for each other."
Mother Jiang hesitated, then said, "You’ve forgotten what the fortune-teller said about her..."
Father Jiang, who despised such superstition, cut her off sharply. "I’ve told you not to be superstitious! Don’t bring up these baseless things. I don’t believe in them! Don’t stand in the way of her future!"
Mother Jiang stood firm. "I don’t care. I won’t let her go far from me. I’ve raised her through so much hardship, and all I want is to see her live a peaceful life, have a family, and grow old safely. She’s already married. Why does she need to go to college? Didn’t you say that Zhou Chenglei is a reliable husband? What’s the point of her going to college? It’s better if she focuses on having a child and staying home to take care of it, rather than going to college and risking her marriage."
Father Jiang sighed, exasperated. "Those are two different things. Xiaxia can have her own dreams and ambitions even after getting married. The two don’t conflict, and Chenglei isn’t the kind of person who would hold her back. I never forced you to stay home and take care of the kids, did I? How do I even talk to you about this?"
Mother Jiang: "I don’t care. I won’t allow Xiaxia to go to college in the capital. It’s too far, and I won’t be at ease. I believe the fortune-teller, even if you don’t. Don’t argue with me!"
With that, Mother Jiang carried her clothes and went to take a shower.
Father Jiang: "…"
Her reasons didn’t persuade him, but he couldn’t think of any other reasons either. Mother Jiang wasn’t usually this stubborn, but when it came to her daughter’s college education, she was unreasonably extreme.
In another room,
Zhou Chenglei was leaning against a bookshelf, flipping through the books. Jiang Xia had a vast collection of books, ranging from various genres to original English texts. He picked up a couple of books at random and noticed that each one had notes, some in Father Jiang’s handwriting and others in Jiang Xia’s, indicating that she had read them.
Father Jiang, who had studied abroad and later joined the military, had recommended many of these books to her. Zhou Chenglei had also learned a lot from Father Jiang and had even attended university in the military with his help.
Zhou Chenglei asked Jiang Xia, "Are there any books you’d like to read? Do you want to take a few home?"
Jiang Xia, who was also browsing through the books the original owner had read, mentioned a few titles she hadn’t read yet. "Just these few. I’ve finished the others. Do you want to take any for yourself?"
Zhou Chenglei nodded. "Sure, I’ll pick a few."
"Alright," Jiang Xia replied casually. Mother Jiang had mentioned during dinner that she could take some of her things when she got married, so she didn’t need to buy new ones.
Jiang Xia glanced at the bookshelf, getting a general idea of what was there, then opened the original owner’s wardrobe to pick out some clothes to take home. The wardrobe was filled with many stylish and expensive dresses, but most were impractical for everyday wear in the village.
Zhou Chenglei noticed the stark contrast between the full wardrobe in front of him and the nearly empty one at home.
Jiang Xia picked out two new dresses, a few short-sleeved tops, and some long pants. The original owner loved wearing dresses, and these tops and pants seemed to have never been worn. She also chose a few sets of fall clothing and decided to come back for winter clothes later, as it wasn’t too far to travel every one or two months.
The contents of the wardrobe revealed that the original owner had lived a comfortable life at home, but Mother Jiang’s attitude toward her college education was peculiar. Jiang Xia felt that Mother Jiang’s control over her was stronger than it was over Jiang Dong.
But in reality, she had seen some controlling parents who insisted their children follow their demands—what university to attend, what major to pursue, what job to take, and even who to marry.
Was Jiang Xia's mother like that? After only a few hours of interaction, Jiang Xia couldn't make a definitive judgment.
Zhou Chenglei specifically chose original French books. Jiang Xia spoke French well, and Zhou Chenglei wanted to learn a foreign language too. He wanted to share a common interest with her and have her teach him.
"Why are there no French books?" Zhou Chenglei asked.
Jiang Xia was lost in thought about her mother, and it took her a moment to react.
Zhou Chenglei turned to look at her, noticing that she was distracted while folding clothes, her mind heavy with worry. Remembering what her mother had said during dinner, he guessed she was affected by it. Worried about her, he put down the book and walked over, embracing her from behind. "Thinking about what Mom said at dinner?"
Jiang Xia snapped back to reality. "Do you think my mom's attitude about me going to university in Jing City is a bit strange?"
"Kind of. You wanted to go to university in Jing City before, right? What was her attitude then?" Zhou Chenglei found it odd too.
Parents always hope their children will excel, whether in academics or in life.
Jing City has the best universities in the country, so why wouldn't Jiang Xia be allowed to go there?
And why could Jiang Xia not go, while Jiang Dong could?
Was it that Jiang Xia's mother didn't want her to go to university in Jing City, or didn't want her to go to university at all? Was this attitude before or after her marriage? These questions needed to be clarified first.
Jiang Xia, who had taken over the body of the original character, had no idea what the original's intentions were or what her mother's attitude used to be.
She said vaguely, "Forget it. It doesn't matter. I'm already married, so what can she do?"
She had already attended Jing University. This time, she wanted to attend Qing University, which was also in Jing City, but it was a bit far.
Jiang Xia turned to face him. If she went to Qing University, they would have to be apart for a few years.
She looked at him. "What do you think about me going to university in Jing City?"
Zhou Chenglei replied directly, "I support whatever university you want to attend. I have no objections."
Everyone has their own aspirations, especially when they're young.
He had once been filled with passion, defying his parents to join the battlefield.
Having been young, wild, and selfish himself, he had pursued and achieved his dreams, so he wouldn't stand in her way.
Jiang Xia asked, "If I really take the entrance exam for Qing University next year and get in, will you change your mind then?"
"No," Zhou Chenglei tightened his embrace, looking into her eyes with a solemn promise. "Jiang Xia, I and our marriage will never be an obstacle for you."
She had taken the college entrance exam three times and still refused to give up, clearly driven by a dream.
She was talented, quick to learn, and so smart and beautiful that she radiated confidence and brilliance. Marrying him shouldn't dim her light.
He was content to let her shine, and he would be there to support her.
Zhou Chenglei added, "I'm nine years older than you. I've already achieved what I wanted to do in my youth. Whatever you want to do in the future, go for it. I'll be there for you."
Their marriage had many issues from the start, but on the night he decided not to let her go, he had thought through everything—her desire to attend university, the job she wanted, whether they should have children, the opposition from their parents, and the possibility of a long-distance relationship.
Nine years older, he had already realized his youthful dreams, but he could spend the rest of his life helping her achieve hers, as long as they stayed together.
Jiang Xia looked back at him, seeing the serious and determined expression in his eyes, deep and vast like a pool that could encompass everything.
Moved, she couldn't resist tiptoeing to kiss him. Zhou Chenglei's body tensed for a moment, then he tightened his grip on her waist, responding quickly.
(End of Chapter)
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