Chai Qianning: [Dad, you're dressed like you're going to meet some important client.]
Chai Renbo: [Your mom is dressed more formally than me, and she was so nervous last night about meeting you today that she couldn't sleep.]
Qingqing: [Don't do that, you're making me nervous too QAQ]
Chai Qianning: [Don't be like that, you're making me nervous too.]
Rather than feeling nervous, I was more excited and happy.
It is a very fortunate thing to have family members who accept and value the people you like.
Chai Renbo bought the house in the suburbs for peace and quiet. There was a small courtyard in front, but the green plants looked a bit cold in winter. It wasn't until he passed through the gate and reached the steps, where he saw several couplets and a large "double happiness" character pasted on the door, that he felt the atmosphere of the New Year.
Sheng Muxi gripped Chai Qianning's hand tightly.
Sensing the other person's movement, Chai Qianning turned around and gently pinched her fingertips back: "Are you nervous?"
“A little,” Sheng Muxi said. “It was more nerve-wracking than any previous home visit to a student’s home.”
"Do you get nervous when you visit students' homes?"
"I could do it when I first became a teacher, but I couldn't later."
"Then consider it a home visit."
Sheng Muxi's eyes gleamed with a sharp light: "That won't do. This is much more important than a home visit."
"Don't be nervous." Chai Qianning gently stroked the back of her hand with her fingertips. "My parents are probably even more nervous than you are."
"Besides, you all made me nervous too."
Sheng Muxi chuckled lightly: "Why are you so nervous when you go back to your own home?"
Chai Qianning said, "If you're all nervous and I'm not, I'll seem out of place."
.
The meeting went smoothly overall.
Sheng Muxi is indeed the type of person that elders tend to like.
In just one night, she had already won the hearts of the elders.
Chai Qianning's grandmother didn't quite understand this, but to be honest, putting everything else aside, Sheng Muxi had a good personality and was gentle and polite in her dealings with people. Just looking at her made people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze, and it was impossible for her to dislike her even if she wanted to.
Besides, she had always doted on Chai Qianning. When Chai Qianning made mistakes as a child, she would never have the heart to scold her. So since Chai Qianning was happy, she had no choice but to respect her granddaughter's decision. Seeing her granddaughter happy made her happy too.
After the meal, Sheng Muxi offered to help He Xiaoying.
After the meal, Sheng Muxi had successfully won over He Xiaoying's heart.
He Xiaoying would always mention Chai Qianning at this point, saying that she never took the initiative to do housework at home.
"Xiao Sheng, I see you two live together, so you must be the one doing all the housework. That brat is definitely lazy and doesn't want to do it. Don't do it next time, let her do it more."
Upon hearing this, Chai Qianning gave a thumbs up: "You really are my mother."
Sheng Muxi smiled gently: "She sometimes does housework too."
He Xiaoying held Sheng Muxi's hand affectionately, as if Sheng Muxi were her own daughter: "Don't protect her, I know all about her bad habits."
Everyone sat around the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala.
Sheng Muxi was much more relaxed than when they were eating, but she still sat elegantly and was able to chat with He Xiaoying and Chai Renbo quite naturally.
In contrast, Chai Qianning, standing to the side, was criticized by He Xiaoying for her poor posture, both standing and sitting.
Chai Qianning tossed the empty potato chip box into the trash can with precise aim: "Mom, you can praise someone, but why are you insulting me?"
"Did I wrong you? Look at how twisted your body is now, like a pretzel."
"I call this extraordinary bone structure."
The screen was playing songs and dances from the Spring Festival Gala, the coffee table was piled high with snacks, melon seeds, and nuts, and fireworks would occasionally rise outside the window, quickly blooming in the sky.
Chai Qianning always manages to exchange a few playful banter with He Xiaoying, which makes everyone burst into laughter.
This way of getting along was something Sheng Muxi had never seen before, but it must be said that the atmosphere at Chai Qianning's home was very good, and she gradually integrated into it.
And indeed, she rarely gets to gather with so many family members and chat so harmoniously, as she did tonight.
In the past, even when such moments occurred, she would merely observe from the sidelines, but tonight, she truly felt that she was part of it all. Moreover, she was a part of it, genuinely experiencing joy and feeling immensely fortunate.
—Fortunately, I met you when I was young.
They did not have the habit of keeping watch at night.
Grandma suggested that they clean up the room next to Chai Qianning's and give it to Sheng Muxi to live in.
He Xiaoying nudged her grandmother's arm: "Hey, Mom, what room are you tidying up?"
Grandma slapped her thigh: "Oh, oh, oh, look at me, I'm getting old, I didn't react for a moment." The old woman chuckled: "Shall I share a room with the girl? Shall I share a room with the girl?"
Chai Qianning and Sheng Muxi exchanged a smile.
Midnight.
There are still people setting off fireworks outside.
Sheng Muxi stood in front of the window adorned with red paper-cuts, and when she turned around, she saw Chai Qianning's beaming face, just as joyful as the "囍" (double happiness) character pasted on the front door.
She then gently curled the corners of her lips into a smile: "Why are you so happy?"
Chai Qianning got off the bed and hugged her from behind: "Of course I'm happy to see that my family likes you so much. Are you happy, my teacher Sheng?"
"Happy." Sheng Muxi's eyes still held a smile as she held Chai Qianning's hands, which came around from behind.
She stared straight ahead.
As a cluster of fireworks rose into the sky, Chai Qianning whispered in her ear, "Happy New Year!"
Sheng Muxi glanced at her, meeting her gaze through the light of the fireworks, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc: "Happy New Year."
[End of text]
Chapter 52 Extra
"Many parts of northern China are experiencing their heaviest snowfall of the year..."
The host's voice on the television screen was drowned out by the overwhelming drowsiness, and by the time Chai Qianning could hear it, it was becoming increasingly difficult to hear.
Several cushions were scattered crookedly on the sofa.
Chai Qianning struggled to open her eyes and yawned at the window.
The door rang.
Chai Qianning stood up and dragged her feet to open the door.
"Hello, delivery, enjoy your meal."
She took the food from the delivery guy, said thank you, and then closed the door.
The biggest change our community made this year was finally allowing food delivery services to enter the community. This is incredibly convenient for many people who don't like to go out, as they no longer have to go to the community gate in their pajamas without brushing their teeth or washing their face to pick up their food.
The morning news was still being broadcast on television.
A few days ago, Sheng Muxi got sick and had a fever last night. Chai Qianning took her to the hospital and she was on an IV drip all night.
She turned on the TV to perk herself up, but the host's unchanging official tone made Chai Qianning even sleepier.
She picked up the remote, flipped to a channel, and found that it was almost entirely news, so she put the remote down and gave up. News it is.
It was cold outside, and the buns and porridge in the takeout were warm when it arrived, so she put them on separate plates and heated them up.
Go into the bedroom.
She placed her palm on Sheng Muxi's forehead.
It's not hot anymore, the fever has gone down.
The person in their sleep had their eyelashes flutter slightly, and then slowly opened their eyes.
"Are you feeling any better?" Chai Qianning knelt on one knee on the bed, her hands supporting her on the edge of the bed, looking at Sheng Muxi's face.
Sheng Muxi sat up sleepily, her long, messy hair falling across her collarbone and shoulders. She reached for Chai Qianning's hand, placing it in her palm. Her eyes, glistening with a thin, soft, watery light, rippled gently with each blink, captivating the heart.
"Mmm, much better." She raised her hand and ran her fingertips over Chai Qianning's eyes: "I didn't sleep much last night, probably because of me."
"It's nothing." Chai Qianning yawned again as she spoke, "I'll catch up on sleep during the day."
After washing up, Sheng Muxi looked much better.
The heated porridge was placed on the table. Chai Qianning placed the washed spoon next to the bowl and gently pushed it in front of Sheng Muxi: "Have some porridge."
As the television news broadcast played, Sheng Muxi finished a bowl of porridge.
Chai Qianning stayed with her at home to rest in the morning.
Sheng Muxi had taken the day off today, but by noon she felt pretty good. Apart from her voice being a little hoarse due to a cold, she felt fine otherwise.
She had two classes in the afternoon, and Sheng Muxi didn't want to miss too much, so she planned to go to school after lunch.
Chai Qianning had no choice but to shake her head: "Teacher Sheng is really too dedicated."
"I'm really fine now. You should take a nap this afternoon. Look at all those dark circles under your eyes." Sheng Muxi raised her hand and rubbed the corner of her eye.
"Okay, then if you feel unwell, you must not hold it in. You must tell me, okay?"
Sheng Muxi nodded.
Chai Qianning thought for a moment and then reminded her of something else: "Oh, right, talk less."
As a teacher, how could she possibly speak less during a lecture? Sheng Muxi smiled and tapped her nose with her fingertip: "I'll speak softly."
Seemingly finally realizing what was happening, Chai Qianning scratched her head, trying to smooth things over: "Speaking less means trying not to say anything unnecessary, and drinking more hot water."
Sheng Muxi raised an eyebrow: "Okay, I'll remember."
.
In the afternoon, after taking Sheng Muxi to school, Chai Qianning went home and started catching up on sleep.
I was very sleepy in the morning, but even when I went to sleep, I couldn't fall asleep.