Marry a female star at a bargain price

Chapter 252, Section 253: I love you, you are free.

Han Xixi suddenly launched into a tirade against her parents.

While the couple was still in a daze, Xixi pulled Lin Xiao to her feet and said playfully, "Today is Mom's birthday, so Lin Xiao and I won't stay here and be third wheels. We'll go sleep at the new house... Cherish your time together, because once your grandson is born, you won't have that chance anymore!"

In one sentence, he made the two worldly-wise leaders extremely embarrassed on the spot.

The South Korean navy officer awkwardly kept drinking tea.

Liu Liyun said, both amused and exasperated, "What nonsense are you spouting, child..."

As he spoke, he made a gesture as if to beat his own daughter, but a blush quietly crept across his resolute face.

They watched as Lin Xiao and Han Xixi left the house.

The couple stood on the balcony, watching the young couple drive away, their expressions changing drastically in a short period of time.

Liu Liyun turned to look at her husband.

The South Korean navy was terrified, realizing that he hadn't eaten enough oysters that night and was still not in good condition.

"Um... is it okay for them to go to the new house? Isn't it still airing out?" Han Haijun made conversation.

Are you worried?

"Nonsense, our daughter is pregnant!"

"I was worried that if you hadn't said anything earlier, who would you have told me after everyone left?"

Liu Liyun was annoyed.

Han Haijun was speechless, sitting on the sofa scratching his head.

Liu Liyun laughed and said, "Don't worry. The house was originally second-hand, but it's fully renovated and the smell is long gone. The reason it's been airing out for so long is because we bought new furniture... Actually, the ready-made furniture is fine, but your daughter is heavily pregnant, so it's better to be cautious, which is why we've been airing it out. But it's been four or five months now, so it'll definitely be fine!"

After hearing this, the South Korean Navy nodded in relief.

He looked rather forlorn.

Liu Liyun saw this and laughed.

"What's wrong? Are you upset that your daughter left with your husband?" she joked.

"Huh? Hi!"

Han Haijun laughed dismissively, "Xixi and Xiaolin have been married for a year and she's five months pregnant. I'm only now feeling unhappy. Aren't you being a bit too slow?"

Liu Liyun pursed her lips and laughed, "Who knows! Isn't it said that daughters are their fathers' little cotton-padded jackets? Now that your little cotton-padded jacket has run off with another man, are you happy about that?"

Han Haijun chuckled and blurted out, "It's autumn now, we're still wearing short sleeves during the day, no need for a cotton-padded coat!"

One sentence made Liu Liyun burst into laughter and punch her husband.

The couple hadn't had such a relaxing and peaceful time in a long time.

Both of them have been busy with work these past few years.

They barely have time to take care of their children, let alone sit down for a chat.

Later, Han Haijun was transferred to Yizhou. As a new officer, he was even busier and it was common for him to not be able to go home for a week or two.

The couple spent less and less time together, and even sitting down to talk became a luxury.

This scene today represents the most ordinary daily life for many families.

But for Liu Liyun, it was a rare and heartwarming time, the best birthday gift.

A hint of tenderness appeared in her eyes.

Han Haijun, however, was completely oblivious, his mind still on the previous topic, and said, "Besides, whether my daughter runs off with someone else depends on the person! If it's a capable, ambitious, family-oriented, and loving young man like Xiao Lin, then let him go. As long as my daughter is happy!"

Liu Liyun pursed her lips in disapproval.

"Look at you, all so majestic, now you're acting all cute!"

"What do you mean by 'playing innocent'? What are you saying!"

“You’ve got a great son-in-law. He’s taken over all the plans and schemes you had made for your daughter, and he’s even exceeded your expectations.”

Liu Liyun laughed, "This isn't your daughter being kidnapped, it's like a wonderful son fell from the sky for you. You should be secretly happy about this, instead of acting like a loving father... Isn't this just getting a good deal and then acting innocent?"

Han Haijun, having his secret exposed, didn't feel ashamed at all and burst into laughter.

Liu Liyun laughed along with her.

He then changed the subject, saying, "But just now at the dinner table, your daughter embarrassed you so much, weren't you angry?"

The South Korean navy officer kept smiling.

"Why are you angry? You're married now, it's only right that you defend your husband!"

Han Haijun's tone was somewhat sentimental, and his gaze towards his lover held a long-lost tenderness. "Just like back then, when your father arranged this and that for me, I didn't want to but couldn't say it outright. Wasn't it you who turned them all down for me?"

As he spoke, he naturally took his wife's hand and felt the roughness that came with the years.

I was filled with emotion.

This sudden warmth left Liu Liyun somewhat surprised and bewildered.

She is also a career-oriented strong woman, and she rarely indulges in such tenderness and affection. Sometimes, when she sees her daughter and son-in-law laughing and joking sweetly, she can't help but feel sticky.

But now that her husband is holding her hand, that long-lost feeling instantly takes her back to her youth more than twenty years ago.

It made her feel both nostalgic for the past and cherish and enjoy the present.

"You're quite kind-hearted to still remember!" Liu Liyun's tone became coquettish.

"I remember, how could I not remember? I'll remember it for the rest of my life!"

As Han Haijun spoke, he leaned even closer to his wife.

A blush crept onto Liu Liyun's face; she was used to being strong and assertive and wasn't quite used to this kind of romantic feeling.

She quickly changed the subject, saying, "By the way! I think Xiaolin doesn't really want to be transferred to Ninghai. What do you think about this?"

Han Haijun's expression hardened, and he remained silent for a long while.

"Kobayashi...is a capable person!"

"nonsense!"

Liu Liyun found her husband's nonsensical remarks rather strange.

Han Haijun then added, "Capable people are often clear-headed, have firm beliefs, know what they want, and once they've made up their minds, others can't easily change them."

This analysis made Liu Liyun nod in agreement.

"So, although I suggested today that he consider transferring back to Ninghai, I didn't actually expect him to listen to me at all!"

"You didn't expect him to listen to you, so why say all that? It just makes everyone unhappy for no reason."

"Sigh, I still have to say it!"

Han Haijun said seriously, "No matter how capable Xiao Lin is, he's still young. What if he wants to be transferred back but hasn't thought that far ahead, or he's too embarrassed to bring it up with us? Wouldn't that be a waste of time? I'll just mention it, and if he agrees, great; if he doesn't, that's fine too. It won't affect anything."

"Besides, even if he doesn't agree, the thought will still linger in his mind. It's good for him to think about it more during this time! Moreover, even if he doesn't consider his own future, he has to consider his wife and children... Xiao Lin has a strong sense of responsibility, I reckon he'll compromise!"

Liu Liyun agreed with her husband's analysis, but frowned, feeling that this behavior carried a hint of moral blackmail.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it wasn't quite right, but there was nothing she could do about it.

"Sigh, it's pointless to say anything now. Your daughter has ruined all your good intentions!"

"..."

Han Haijun paused for a moment, then shook his head and smiled wryly, "Girls are naturally inclined to be outgoing, especially with an outgoing mother like you. No matter how you look at it, she's the kind of person who forgets her parents once she has a husband. I saw through that a long time ago, so let's just let things get out of hand!"

Liu Liyun was about to join her husband in the joke when she suddenly realized something was wrong.

"What do you mean by 'having an extroverted mother like you'? When did I forget my parents after I got a husband?"

"You didn't?"

Han Haijun smiled, put his arm around his wife's shoulder, and laughed like a young man.

Liu Liyun instantly understood her husband's implication, feeling surprised, curious, and subtly expectant.

"What? You think you're so capable now?"

"I've been sleeping okay these past couple of days... I can give it a try!"

"Who wants to try it with you, you old lecher!"

Liu Liyun feigned disgust, but the blush on her face betrayed her true feelings. After a couple of awkward moments, she went to the bathroom.

Han Haijun sat on the sofa, breathing heavily.

He thought to himself: "Old Han, you'd better live up to expectations on your wife's birthday! Whether you'll still have a say in this family in the future depends on today!!"
……

As Han Haijun and Liu Liyun rekindle their old romance.

Lin Xiao and Han Xixi had already gotten into a faster car and drove into Ninghai's enchanting night scene, where the streets were filled with dazzling and festive red.

Xixi was in a very good mood.

He hummed a little tune the whole way, and his smile never faded.

Influenced by her, Lin Xiao was in a very good mood, with a smile constantly on his face. While driving, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at his wife frequently, unable to get enough of her.

"Why are you so happy?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Of course I'm happy! I really got to hold my head high today!" Xixi said proudly.

"To hold one's head high and feel triumphant? What makes you say that!"

"Let's start from when we were kids!"

Xixi perked up, turned to the side, and said excitedly, "Brother, let me tell you, you have no idea how miserable my childhood was! Ever since I started elementary school and moved back from my grandparents' house, my good days were over. My parents were extremely strict with me about everything—my food, clothing, shelter, my behavior, my studies, my friends, and my entertainment..."

Before his wife could finish speaking, Lin Xiao couldn't help but interrupt, "That's because your parents care about you, that's why they're so strict with you. Don't be ungrateful!"

Xixi replied, "I know they care about me! But think about it, I'm still a child. Children are naturally playful and mischievous, and it's impossible for them to follow a schedule planned by their parents every day—what time to get up, what time to eat, what time to study, what time to go to bed..."

"That's not all. The key point is that my parents are both leaders at their workplaces. You're a civil servant, so you know how talkative leaders are, right? Other parents can just say a few words to their disobedient children and that's it. But my parents don't just say a few words; they can launch into a speech over the smallest thing. And once they've finished talking about one thing, they'll start talking about another... Just imagine that scene, do you still think I'm being ungrateful or making a fuss over nothing?"

Lin Xiao looked embarrassed.

He had personally witnessed his father-in-law and mother-in-law's impressive demeanor at meetings, and he recalled the scenes of the two leaders holding meetings for the petite Han Xixi at home...

That's really scary!

"Didn't you resist?" he asked.

"Resist?!"

Xi Xi looked surprised, as if she didn't recognize the two words. "How could I be a match for the two of them? I can't win an argument, and I can't beat them in a fight... The key is that I grew up with my maternal grandparents when I was little. I'm not close to them, and I don't even know how to act cute. How am I supposed to fight back?"

Lin Xiao thought about it and realized that there was indeed no solution to this situation.

Xi Xi shook her head and sighed, then suddenly suppressed a laugh and said, "But I did try hard when I was little, and I even used a double agent on them... Guess what happened?"

Lin Xiao burst out laughing: "Your parents are both leaders, and they have such a good relationship. You want to sow discord between them? You probably got caught by those two shrewd people the moment you had that thought! This isn't resistance, it's suicide!"

"Yes or no!!"

Han Xixi looked at him with a sense of recognition, as if she had found a kindred spirit. "So tell me, wasn't my childhood miserable? Wasn't it?!"

Lin Xiao nodded in deep agreement.

However, although he outwardly agreed, he remained unmoved inwardly, even feeling that his wife was taking her blessings for granted!

Although my parents-in-law are strong-willed, their love for their daughter is undeniable.

This is the first time we've all become parents.

It's understandable that they lack experience.

They are already using their utmost patience and energy to raise and educate their daughter, planning her growth path so that she can avoid detours and suffer less harm.

In fact, judging from the results, Han Haijun and Liu Liyun's education was very successful.

Aside from being a bit introverted, Han Xixi's path to adulthood has been smooth.

The painful coming-of-age stories depicted in romance dramas never happened to her.

Given her appearance, it would be very difficult for her to grow up safely.

Without a privileged family background and powerful parents to support you.

So, harassment from blond-haired boys, same-sex exclusion, and even more disgusting things will follow you throughout your growing up process—which is precisely why there is a certain degree of rationality in those painful literatures.

Because a girl's beauty is considered a disaster when she comes to a poor family.

However, a woman's beauty appearing in a wealthy family would be a different kind of disaster.

Because girls who have won the genetic lottery grow up surrounded by the envy and praise of others, it's hard for them not to develop a spoiled, willful, and self-centered personality.

Han Xixi fits the latter situation.

But she didn't go astray at all. She was a good girl from childhood to adulthood, obedient and sensible. She didn't have early romances or rebel. Apart from secretly applying to Haicheng to study music behind her parents' backs, she never did anything out of line.

Such a perfect educational outcome shows how much effort Han Haijun and Liu Liyun put into her upbringing.

Even if, as Xixi said, the parents' discipline was a bit too strict.

But compared to most terrible parents in the world, they are the best of the best, the kind that deserves an award.

Lin Xiao found it difficult to empathize with Xi Xi's complaints. However, he understood that she was the one involved, and what she felt was real.

You can't ask her to compare herself to children who are unloved by their parents and then conclude that she is actually very happy.

That's not necessary!
"So you're so happy today because you just successfully retaliated against your parents and left them speechless for the first time?" Lin Xiao joked.

"Yes, I feel so accomplished!!"

Xi Xi smiled brightly, her excitement and joy genuine. "This is the first time! This is the first time I've successfully debated with my parents and convinced them both... I'm so happy!"

Lin Xiao couldn't help but smile when he saw his wife's childish behavior.

I suddenly felt like teasing her.

"Cough cough!"

He coughed suddenly, frowned, and said, "I thought that when you were so earnestly refuting your parents just now, you were genuinely trying to help your husband out of a difficult situation! I was actually quite happy and touched! Turns out, all that fuss was just you trying to save face for yourself. I was happy and touched for nothing!"

He sighed repeatedly as he spoke.

Xi Xi, who was still immersed in joyful excitement, was suddenly stunned.

"Ah, no... that's not how it is!"

"Not like that?"

"It's not what you say!"

Xi Xi got a little anxious, and said seriously with a pinched face, "I argued with my parents not to get revenge for myself... but for you!"

Lin Xiao laughed and said, "Ms. Han Xixi, you just said that you rebelled against your parents because of your childhood self. It's not very believable that you've changed your story now."

Xi Xi said urgently, "I am rebelling, but it's really for you! If it were really for myself, I wouldn't dare to rebel at all. I haven't dared to rebel in all these years. How could I suddenly dare to do it today?"

This was a logic that Lin Xiao hadn't considered.

Can't help but be stunned.

"So everything you said was a lie?" he asked.

"Which?"

"You want to make a comeback after having a baby, and you want to stick to your career. We are both independent individuals... these things!"

"Hmm... it's not exactly fake, is it?"

"???"

Lin Xiao frowned, somewhat confused about the current situation.

This girl said that she argued with her parents to stand up for him, and that she meant what she said.

Which statement is true?
In Lin Xiao's view, these two statements are actually contradictory.

If it's purely to stand up for him.

That was her statement to her parents, which was a rebuttal for the sake of rebuttal, and the statement did not come from her true intention.

But if she really thought that way, then it was just a way of saying what was on her mind, and it had nothing to do with him, the son-in-law who was being pressured by his parents-in-law.

At this moment, Lin Xiao arrived at his destination—a very lively night market in the old town.

Xixi was very excited after leaving Jili Garden and suggested that she go for a walk.

Lin Xiao's original intention was that she had eaten a full meal that night and shouldn't eat anything else, especially since the doctor had said that she had gained weight too quickly recently and needed to control her diet.

It was clear his wife was so happy, and he hadn't spent time with her for several days.

I really couldn't bear to spoil the fun.

So he readily agreed and drove there.

"Wait a minute, let's sort this out!"

Lin Xiao stopped the car, but didn't get out immediately. "At your parents' house earlier, you said that I would be busier if I transferred to Ninghai, so you didn't want me to transfer back... Is that true?"

Xi Xi paused, then shook her head.

"no!"

"So you actually want me to be transferred back, but when your dad brought it up, you saw that I was a little unhappy, so you thought I didn't want to be transferred back, that's why you said that?"

"Um...no!"

Xi Xi shook her head again.

Lin Xiao was even more confused: "So what exactly do you think? Do you want me to be transferred back, or don't you?"

After a moment of contemplation, Xixi gave a calm and gentle smile.

"Whatever you want," she said.

"Follow me?!"

Lin Xiao was surprised; he really hadn't expected this answer.

Xi Xi said, "As for your job, you must have your own considerations and plans. No one can make decisions for you! The opportunity is right there, so many departments want you. If you want to transfer back, you will naturally choose the department you want to go to. If you don't want to transfer back, then you should refuse them all... It's your own decision!"

Xixi spoke casually.

Lin Xiao was stunned.

He carefully observed his wife's expression and saw that she indeed seemed indifferent, which made him feel somewhat strange.

“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll stay in the town forever and never come back?” he asked.

"What's the matter?"

Xi Xi didn't take it to heart, "You're just living in a rural town now, that's good enough, you haven't abandoned your wife and children and left me behind!"

Lin Xiao seemed to understand his wife's logic at this moment—her thoughts were too pure, while his own speculations and distractions were too numerous, so he failed to understand at first and instead misunderstood.

“But if I transfer back, I will definitely have more time to spend with you, instead of like now, where I have to work overtime even though it's the National Day holiday, and I won't be by your side for several days.”

"Oh...then we'll have to work overtime!"

Xi Xi remained unconcerned, saying, "Before I got pregnant, I was always traveling, spending even more time away from home than you are. And you didn't say anything!"

Lin Xiao smiled and nodded.

My wife is indeed a logic freak; she's frighteningly reasonable.

Normally, a man who marries such an understanding wife would probably be laughing in his sleep.

But Lin Xiao felt that something was off.

He was feeling uneasy, and then he became determined to prove that his wife loved him a lot more.

"But this is a special time for you, don't you want me to be with you every day?"

"Yes I do!"

"So when your dad suggested I transfer back, you still spoke up for me?"

"Because I can tell you don't want to. If you don't want to, what good will it do if my dad wants to or I want to!"

"..."

Lin Xiao was speechless, a bitter smile on his face, not knowing how to express himself.

This girl is really stubborn.

I rarely want to act cute, but I can't even do it!
Beside her, Xixi's eyes were fixed on the lively fireworks in front of her, and she was smelling the fragrance floating in the air. She had no interest in discussing the philosophy of life with this man.

Those words she just said were spoken unconsciously, and they were indeed her true feelings.

However, because she was absent-minded, her tone was a bit cold, making what was clearly a love confession sound like the words of a heartless woman.

Lin Xiao was speechless for a moment.

Xi Xi noticed that the air had suddenly become quiet, and belatedly realized the current situation.

Then it dawned on me: Uh... so my husband was just being affectionate, begging me to love him?

This discovery struck Han Xixi as hilarious, and she burst into carefree laughter.

The laughter was joyful, leaving Lin Xiao completely bewildered.

"Han Xixi, what are you laughing at..." he said irritably.

Before he could finish speaking, a kiss at 37 degrees Celsius suddenly appeared on his lips.

Lin Xiao was stunned and forgot to respond.

Xixi took a small bite and then pulled back, her smile growing even gentler, her eyes and cheeks glowing with the light of the moon.

"Honey, it's not that I'm indifferent to your work!"

Xi Xi smiled and said, "I just think that you are very opinionated, have a lot of ideas, and have a clear and specific plan for your career. So, although I sometimes feel that you spend a little less time with me and I may complain about you a little, it's only when I miss you."

“99% of the time, I fully support and trust you. I hope you have 100% say in your career, just like you have always supported my work!”

These words calmed Lin Xiao's heart, like an iron smoothing out all the wrinkles and frizz on his clothes.

"But I just suggested a while ago that you fade out of the entertainment industry!"

"You can say whatever you want, I don't have to listen!"

"Ok?"

Haha, just kidding!

Xi Xi smiled playfully and said, "Although you said that, you never forced me to make a decision. Actually, my current fame, popularity, and representative works are all thanks to you."

"You could have easily taken the position of someone in a higher position and demanded that I leave the entertainment industry, settle down to have and raise children, and become a housewife. But you didn't do that!"

With a sweet look in her eyes, Xi Xi naturally reached out and wrapped her arms around Lin Xiao's neck, looking into his eyes and saying, "I know you believe in me and support me because you love me. Even though you think the entertainment industry is not clean and don't want me to get too involved, you have never forced me to make a decision... You are so good, of course I want to learn from you and support you just like you supported me!"

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat.

Hearing these words and looking into his wife's gentle eyes, he felt an unprecedented sense of calm and security.

"Brother, I don't want you to make any decisions for me and the child! Because it's really unnecessary!"

Xi Xi continued, "Our economic level is already above that of most people. We have enough money to have and raise a child, plus the help from both sets of parents... You don't need to make any compromises at work to take care of me and the child, and I don't want you to be unhappy!"

She paused, her eyes gathering light.

"Brother, remember this—I love you, but you are free!"

The sudden remark startled Lin Xiao.

For a moment, he was at a loss, unsure of what to say.

Xi Xi noticed his embarrassment and smiled even more brightly: "Aren't you especially touched?"

"Hmm... a little!"

"A little?!"

"So many, so many... I'm so touched!"

Lin Xiao said seriously.

Xi Xi burst into laughter, continuing to lure him deeper: "Isn't your wife wonderful?"

"Okay, sure!" Lin Xiao nodded like a fool.

"Then do you love me?"

"Love!"

"Hehe, then... can I eat grilled squid?"

"Can't!"

"Hey!"

Xi Xi's expression changed immediately. She pulled her hands away from her husband's neck, her face darkening.

"Lin Xiao, how can you turn your back on me like this! What happened to 'you love me, and I am free'? Can't a free and beautiful girl like me even eat some grilled squid?"

"You said that, I didn't!"

"you!!"

Frustrated, Xixi started to act spoiled, "Lin Xiao, you don't love me at all!!!"

Lin Xiao didn't take the bait, and calmly smiled, "Of course I love you—but you're not free. You still have to listen to me!"

"you!!!"

Xi Xi stomped her feet and threw up, completely giving up. "Double standards! This is too much! I can't live like this anymore!!"

Lin Xiao: "..."

Looking at his wife throwing a tantrum and acting like a complete idiot, the sweet atmosphere from just moments ago vanished instantly.

He was a little dazed.

I can't figure out whether those sweet words the woman just said were from the heart or a scheme!
Indeed, women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with.

She is a woman, pregnant with a child, and has all her buffs stacked up!

That's terrifying!!
(End of this chapter)