Chapter 278 - 201

Words : 2228 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 278: Chapter 201 "SelfishnessThe taste of alcohol is not good, and it makes you feel terrible when you’re drunk, leaving a headache the next day. Han Yu really couldn’t understand why so many people liked drinking. He opened his eyes, and through the slightly ajar door, he faintly heard his mother-in-law talking with Sister Zhu outside. What time is it now, why haven’t they gone to work... Han Yu rubbed his temples and thought for a while, remembering that Sister Zhu hadn’t really taken any breaks in the past two years because she took a long vacation when he came back. Last night at the dinner table, Sister Zhu even joked with her about how her vacation was going, asking if it was almost like a honeymoon. As for why his mother-in-law didn’t go to work, it was because today was Sunday. Thinking of his mother-in-law, Han Yu felt a bit embarrassed. Although the Water Police Station had dormitories, he just took the key, and there was nothing inside, so he had been staying here since he returned. After his younger aunt and Liang Xiaojun eloped, a room became vacant here. Since they weren’t married, Sister Zhu moved into the room that was previously occupied by his younger aunt, and he stayed in Sister Zhu’s room. But every night, it wasn’t Sister Zhu sneaking over to find him, it was him unable to resist sneaking into Sister Zhu’s room like a thief. Even though they were very cautious, they still couldn’t hide from his father-in-law and mother-in-law, as they were all under the same roof. His father-in-law didn’t say anything and pretended to be oblivious. Although his mother-in-law also didn’t say anything, she took action. The afternoon of the day before yesterday, she quietly put a book about physiological knowledge and some medical items and supplies that girls would be embarrassed to buy at the hospital, under Sister Zhu’s pillow. At first, Sister Zhu felt very embarrassed, but upon further thought, she didn’t mind and even dragged him to study together. After studying, they even tried using the "gifts" her mom quietly gave. Such wonderful parents-in-law! His own father was not as understanding as them. Back then, when Zhang Jiangkun traveled a long distance from the army back home to visit his family, since he and Han Ning were not married at the time, he could only help with the work on the boat. Plus, with Han Shen and him being the third wheel, he barely had a chance to whisper sweet-nothings with Han Ning. It was even worse after dark. While navigating, he had to accompany his father to steer the boat, and when anchored, he could only squeeze in to sleep with Han Shen and himself, having no opportunity to be alone with Han Ning. As Han Yu was secretly sympathizing with his brother-in-law’s past experiences, his mother-in-law’s voice became clearer, only to hear her laugh and say, "I called Han Ning yesterday, and even Han Ning doesn’t know about the late marriage and late childbearing policy in Linghai. She’s more anxious about your marriage than I am, so she called Director Xu." Han Xiangning was somewhat embarrassed by this, but couldn’t help asking, "What did Director Xu say?" "Director Xu said that your situation is special, and the previous policies cannot be applied. If you really wait until San’er is of age for late marriage, wouldn’t you end up being an older mother! He has been very concerned about you and San’er’s affairs, and had already inquired at the bureau. The bureau further inquired with the family planning department, and they said that if the two of your ages combined reach forty-eight years, then it is considered a late marriage." "I’m twenty-three, and San’er is twenty-one; together we are forty-four, so by this calculation, we could get married in two years." "You need to wait two and a half years, they require it to be complete years." "Does it have to be a late marriage?" "Being an older girl is not easy to keep at home, are you thinking about getting married?" "Mom, I was just asking casually. Besides, getting married doesn’t mean leaving home. Even after I’m married, I’m still your daughter, still in this house." "I’m just teasing you." Xiang Fan smiled slightly, and while picking vegetables, patiently explained, "Both you and San’er are Party cadres, you need to lead by example in responding to the national call. Also, for the late marriage and childbirth policy, the superiors have assessments for all units. San’er’s leader takes good care of him, and your leaders treat you well too; you can’t make it difficult for your leaders." Han Xiangning chuckled and said, "I know. Besides, San’er is already back, whether the wedding is sooner or later doesn’t matter much, and I don’t want children so soon anyway." Whether their wedding is sooner or later indeed doesn’t matter much to them; after all, they have already been secretly sharing a bed. Thinking about his own past experiences, Xiang Fan smiled and said no more. Han Xiangning felt her mother’s smile was a bit odd, so she quickly changed the subject: "Mom, San’er still has two days of vacation left, and I can rest for three more days. I plan to wait for San’er to wake up and go to Changzhou together to see Mengmeng." "Why see her?" "She’s your daughter, just like a piece of flesh that fell from your body!" There are some things she previously did not dare to say, worried that it might upset her mother’s health. Now that her "child bridegroom" had returned, she was so happy that she couldn’t stop smiling all day, Han Xiangning thought this was an opportunity. She put down the vegetables she had picked, took her mother’s hand, and softly said: "I also used to think that Mengmeng was irresponsible, but now I think there’s nothing wrong with pursuing happiness, and it is not the old society anymore, we advocate for freedom of marriage." Thinking of her younger daughter, Xiang Fan felt a pang in her heart and covered her mouth to ask, "What exactly are you trying to say?" "Before, Liang Xiaojun’s mom always complained that Mengmeng was seducing her son, we didn’t like hearing that and felt Mengmeng was disobedient and brought shame to our family. But she and Liang Xiaojun are already together, now they are a legal married couple, I think I can’t choose face over my sister." "I’m just looking out for her..." "I know, but what’s done is done, now we can only make the best of it. Mom, if you can let go of your pride, you can win back a daughter, and gain a son-in-law too. If even we don’t want Mengmeng, then who else will want her, and who would care about her?" This is significant! Han Yu put on his pants, threw on a jacket, and gently pulled open the door: "Mom, it’s going to be New Year’s Day in a few days, and in just over a month, it’ll be the New Year. Every festival doubles the longing for family, Mengmeng and Liang Xiaojun must be very lonely. Mengmeng is your daughter, Mingming’s sister, my younger aunt, and also my sister; I think we should let her feel the warmth of this family." Which mother doesn’t feel pain for her child... Xiang Fan looked up at her son-in-law, hesitated for a moment, and said, "How could I not want her... I’m just worried about her bringing Liang Xiaojun back, and that Liang Xiaojun’s mother might come and make a scene again." "Mom, isn’t that what I am here for? I work in the police, and I’m not afraid of people causing trouble." "It’s hard for an official to settle domestic disputes, and you don’t know how unreasonable that woman can be." "Ningning has told me about his family’s situation. Liang Xiaojun is now avoiding her, and Uncle Liang is so angry that he wants to divorce her. She must be regretting it now and surely reflecting on her actions." Seeing her younger brother-in-law so supportive, Han Xiangning seized the opportunity to say, "Mom, if you’re still worried, we can move." Xiang Fan instinctively asked, "Move where?" Han Xiangning excitedly said, "We can move to San’er’s dormitory. It’s still home there, and many of San’er’s colleagues live there with their families. Plus, we can’t let the new house stay empty; otherwise, people will gossip." Han Yu chimed in, "Exactly, people’s words are dreadful. If we don’t move in, people will definitely gossip behind our backs saying I’m taking advantage of Director Xu, Director Zhou, and Political Commissioner Wang to occupy governmental housing." The son-in-law’s dormitory is right behind the Water Police Division. That unreasonable woman wouldn’t dare to cause a ruckus at the Police Bureau. And their daughter and son-in-law’s worries were not unreasonable; it was governmental housing, meant to be lived in. If it remained empty, the officers without houses would surely grumble. Xiang Fan thought it was a good idea but then shook her head, "It’s a two-bedroom place, how could so many of us live there?" "How can we not fit? You and dad in one room, and me and San’er..." Han Xiangning suddenly realized she had misspoken and quickly covered her mouth. Han Yu, surprised at how bold his senior was, quickly said, "Mom, you and dad move there, Ningning and I won’t. You and dad are worried about Liang Xiaojun’s mom causing trouble, but Ningning and I aren’t afraid." Her younger brother-in-law’s reaction was quick. What a great suggestion! Han Xiangning secretly rejoiced and quickly grabbed her mother’s hand, "Right, right, right, you and dad move, San’er and I won’t. It’s just a quarrel, who’s afraid of that? If she dares to get physical, I’ll have San’er take her to the Police Station!" These two kids were both kind-hearted and had their own motives. However, this selfish motive wasn’t self-centered, but rather "self" as in private matters. Thinking that her younger daughter had even secretly taken her household registration to get married, Xiang Fan finally let go and looked up at her son-in-law and then back at her daughter, and couldn’t help but chuckle, "That’s the Police Bureau’s dormitory. If San’er doesn’t move there, what’s the point of me and your dad moving there?" "Mom, what about me if you move?" "You and dad in one room, and you two in another, since you two are going to marry anyway." Xiang Fan looked meaningfully at her daughter and walked into the kitchen with the prepared vegetables. Han Xiangning was stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth and giggled. From now on, they could live together openly, almost like in a dream. Han Yu was overjoyed and hurriedly picked up a broom to help clean. Han Xiangning made a face at her doting younger brother-in-law and asked at the kitchen door, "Mom, so San’er and I will go to Changzhou later to find Mengmeng?" "It’s almost ten, go after dinner." "We have to visit Linghai in the afternoon." "What are you doing in Linghai?" "Director Xu’s son is returning from the military to visit his family, Director Xu and Sister Wei invited us for dinner, and also invited Xu Mingyuan and Sister Zhang Lan." Xu Sanye was not only the son-in-law’s superior but also the matchmaker for him and her daughter, and a benefactor in his life. His own son, an officer in the military, is returning home, and he invited the two disciples and their wives or girlfriends to have dinner. Xiang Fan immediately said without hesitation, "Then you must hurry, can’t go empty-handed." "I know, I’ve got it prepared." "What have you prepared?" "Two bottles of wine, two packs of cigarettes, and I’ll buy some fruit later." "That’s more like it. Drive slowly." "Got it." Han Yu finished washing up and dressing, placed the cigarettes in the light motorcycle’s small suitcase, and tied the two bottles of wine with a cloth to the basket at the front of the bike. Because he drank too much the previous night and his head was a bit sore, he couldn’t drive. He had to sit behind, hugging his senior as they used to. Han Xiangning couldn’t help but ask San’er, feeling like it was just like the first time he rode the light motorcycle to bring her back to Binjiang, "Happy?" "Happy!" "Happy about what?" "Our mom is really wonderful." Han Yu was filled with emotions and then, smiling, asked, "Ningning, mom agreed for us to stay in the same room, dad doesn’t know yet. Do you think he will agree?" "Our mom will surely talk to him. You know what kind of person my dad is. Even if mom doesn’t tell him, he won’t mind." Sёarch* The Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Han Xiangning giggled and then reminded, "But this is a family matter, we can’t let outsiders know." Cohabitation before marriage, if spread, could reflect poorly. If parents not only do not oppose it but also support it, it might imply there is something wrong with the family values. Han Yu could clearly understand the hidden meaning in his senior’s words and chuckled, "I know, I understand."

Chapter 278 - 201

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