You're my wife, don't doubt it!

"No need, sir. We'll get you a new pair." Seeing this, the waiter quickly ran over, stopped Xiao Yao from picking up the chopsticks, and handed him a new pair.

"Then...then let them come and arrest me." Watching the waiter walk away, Xiao Yao's voice trembled slightly: "Anyway, I'm upright and have nothing to fear, and the law of the country won't just listen to one side of the story."

“Why are you so excited? Kids are just impulsive. You should know what happens at school,” Yu Lihua softened her tone slightly, “It can be big or small, the scope is always very flexible, and it’s in the school’s hands.”

Xiao Yao remained silent, waiting to see what she was up to, but he had already guessed it.

“As long as the nature of the offense is related to cheating, it’s easy to handle. If the exams are similar, the only thing to do is cancel your grades and arrange for both of you to retake the exam. Whether or not to punish you depends entirely on the school’s mood—if it can be proven that you copied Yingying, then it’s fine to only give you a retake,” Yu Lihua said slowly. “Or to be simple and direct, we can cancel your grades and make you repeat the year, as originally planned.”

Xiao Yao remained silent, listening intently.

“But the problem still lies with your teacher, Mr. Song,” Yu Lihua sighed. “I don’t know how you offended him, but he seems to hate you to the core and is determined to kill you.”

"Expulsion, or imprisonment?" Xiao Yao asked to confirm.

“It’s not that serious, it’s just a matter of being advised to withdraw, but it’s not wrong to interpret it that way,” Yu Lihua said.

“I have a question,” Xiao Yao raised his hand and asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time: “Why is it that it wasn’t Song Haijian who came to me, or Director Lin, but you, Teacher Yu, who came to talk to me about these things?”

“The school should be coming to see you in a couple of days,” Yu Lihua told him. “I’m telling you this because I happened to—well, actually not exactly happened to—heard it and wanted to let you know first.”

"Thank you, Auntie," Xiao Yao said. "I guess you're telling me that you can help me or not."

Yu Lihua nodded slowly, slightly surprised: "It seems you're not as stupid as I thought."

“Actually, whether it’s booking a hotel room or something similar, it’s a matter that can be big or small. For someone like me, being expelled is fine, or nothing will happen. The key is in the hands of the principal, and Director Lin definitely has a lot of say,” Xiao Yao said, expressing his speculation. “And no matter what Song Haijian does, he’s just a newcomer. He doesn’t have the final say, and he can’t possibly control everything.”

“Not bad.” Yu Lihua looked at him with great interest and encouraged him to continue.

“The school should still give Song Haijian face, after all, he is a top-level teacher who was urgently recruited from Sujiang. So, if he insists, it is not impossible for him to really fire me.” Xiao Yao continued to analyze: “Of course, if Director Lin wants to protect me, Song Haijian can’t do anything about it. So the key is still with Director Lin, and Director Lin is very generous to you.”

“EXACTLY,” Yu Lihua continued, “I can plead for Director Lin on your behalf, but I haven’t figured out why yet, so I’m not sure if I should do it.”

“Auntie, if I may be so bold,” Xiao Yao said, still angry, “can I take this as a threat?”

“You can think whatever you want,” Yu Lihua said, not angry at all. Instead, she laughed, her smile somewhat resembling that of Yu Luying. “But if I were you, I would try to understand this issue from a more benevolent perspective.”

“Auntie, let’s get down to business,” Xiao Yao said, bowing slightly. “I’d like to know what you want.”

"I want to know how you plan to handle your relationship with my daughter," Yu Lihua revealed her true intentions.

Xiao Yao sighed: "Auntie, you've come all this way back, you don't just want to tell me 'stay away from my daughter' like before, do you?"

"For the past year, I've been trying to get you away from my daughter. I don't need to beat around the bush to say this," Yu Lihua said, her expression seemingly tinged with sadness.

"Yes, I know," Xiao Yao said apologetically.

“Later, it was Yingying who begged me, and I gradually came to my senses,” Yu Lihua recalled slowly. “Later, I agreed to let her give you a try—before I regretted it, she had already happily gone to your house.”

"what……"

"She came home crying that day. When I asked her what was wrong, she said you had someone else. Her name is Shen Jie, right?"

Hearing "she came back crying," Xiao Yao felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart with a watermelon knife.

“I really wanted to run to your house and stab you twice that day,” Yu Lihua’s fierce and hateful gaze sent a chill down Xiao Yao’s spine. He knew she wasn’t joking. “But after calming down and thinking about it, it’s for the best. It’s good that she gave up on that idea.”

"Auntie, I...I'm really...sorry."

“I didn’t expect that she would still be confused with you after that, and I really had a headache,” Yu Lihua sighed. “Later, Teacher Song called me. My first reaction was that if you really defiled my daughter like that, I would definitely go to great lengths to make you pay for your crimes in blood.”

Blood...blood debt...

Xiao Yao's right hand, which was wiping his forehead, trembled slightly.

“I never expected it to turn out like this,” Yu Lihua said, taking out a pretty flat tin box, opening it, pulling out a slender women’s cigarette, popping the flavor capsule, and putting it in her mouth. “It took me the whole night to figure it out. Oh, so that’s what it was all about.”

So Yu Luying didn't get to eat the hot pot at my birthday party, Xiao Yao thought regretfully.

"Excuse me, ma'am, smoking is not allowed here," a waiter approached and reminded her.

"So, it seems impossible for you to stay away from my daughter anymore." Yu Lihua put down her lighter, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and asked, "So I'll ask you one more time, how do you plan to handle your relationship with my daughter?"

"From the very first day we learned about symbiosis, we made a pact in front of Father Yu at the church," Xiao Yao told her. "It mainly concerned things on a practical level, such as hygiene, daily routines, dietary preferences and taboos, and..."

“Yingying and Yubo have already told me all this,” Yu Lihua said impatiently. “Tell me something else.”

"Oh, oh," Xiao Yao tried to think, his thoughts slightly stuck, "Just now in the car, we... no, what exactly do you want me to say?"

"What do you plan to do with my daughter? We didn't understand how symbiosis came about before, so let's put that aside for now." Yu Lihua's expression changed from serious and cold to playful and irreverent, leaving only a mother's endless worry for her daughter: "Now you and her... she is now in your hands, both in terms of her person and her reputation. What do you plan to do? I want to hear your thoughts, Xiao Yao, answer me."

What does it mean to have both her reputation and her person firmly in my grasp? Xiao Yao thought for a moment and said, "Auntie, I chatted with Yu Luying the whole way in the car. I promised to respect and protect her for the rest of my life, and to be her best friend for life..."

“That sounds nice,” Yu Lihua interrupted him. “I’ll just assume you’re young and think things are too simplistic.”

"So what do you mean?" Xiao Yao was somewhat puzzled. "Just tell me directly, whatever you want me to do, I'll do my best to comply—"

“Alright, then I’ll get straight to the point,” Yu Lihua nodded. “I demand that you sever all ties with that Shen Jie immediately. I don’t care how many women you’ve dated before, but your symbiotic relationship with Yu Luying is mutual. If you’re sure about this, then cut off all other relationships. If you two are doing well, I won’t interfere anymore. But if you insist on playing both sides and trying to use this to control my daughter, then—I’ll have to really put you in your place.”

"???" Xiao Yao exclaimed in surprise, "What do you mean by 'holding back'? How could this suddenly be—"

"Friends for life, friends who understand each other," Yu Lihua scoffed. "That's what Yingying told me too. How can you all be so naive?"

"This isn't a matter of being naive or not. I have a girlfriend now. Just because we have a symbiotic relationship, does that mean I should dump her and date your daughter? Something doesn't seem right."

“It’s not about dating my daughter, it’s about you two getting married.” Yu Lihua’s expression was very serious.

"what?!"

"Why talk about dating? Just act like husband and wife. I know you like her. You made it very clear to me last time. Have you already forgotten? She likes you too. Otherwise, even if you were to coexist, Yingying wouldn't be playing with you, given her personality."

Xiao Yao slumped in his seat, dumbfounded, his body stiff, unable to utter a single word.

"No... getting married... also depends on age, right?" After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out this sentence. Wait a minute, isn't that the point?

“You’re over 16, aren’t you? Yingying is already over 14, which meets the minimum marriage age limit under canon law. You spend six months going to Yu Bo’s place every weekend to study catechism, then get baptized. After that, I’ll have Yu Bo hold a private wedding ceremony for the two of you. Our two families will book a restaurant for a meal, and you can get your marriage certificate when you reach the legal age…” Yu Lihua’s expression made it impossible to tell whether she was serious or just teasing him.

"No, no, Auntie, wait a moment..." Xiao Yao grabbed his hair, a little out of breath.

Chapter 120 Dog, your sales are really good right now!

2023-02-25

"No, no, Auntie, wait a moment..." Upon hearing the request for marriage, Xiao Yao grabbed his hair, feeling a little breathless.

"What's wrong?" Yu Lihua raised her eyebrows: "You have the courage to say 'I love you,' and the guts to date, but you chicken out when it comes to taking responsibility?"

“It’s not about being responsible or not…” Xiao Yao said urgently, “I have a girlfriend! I can’t leave her!”

"What?" Yu Lihua looked surprised. "You had a boyfriend in high school, and he even went to book a wedding photoshoot with you. You thought that was the end result?"

That sentence was dripping with sarcasm, and Xiao Yao shut his mouth tightly, clenching his fists under the table. He wanted to stand up and storm out, but reason forced him back into his chair.

“I’ve heard about your girlfriend’s situation,” Yu Lihua’s tone softened a bit, but with a hint of weariness, as she earnestly advised, “It’s true that young girls don’t think realistically and just get together with you if they feel right. It’s very innocent and beautiful, but have you ever thought about how you and she will end up together? How do you plan to get past her family and parents?”

These words struck a chord with Xiao Yao. He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment: "If our family circumstances are too different, I can... I can..."

He initially wanted to say, "I can be a live-in son-in-law," but then he thought that he had a time portal and might be able to do something to make a fortune, so he stuck out his neck and said, "I can also work hard to make money!"

Yu Lihua shook her head: "Crossing social class is easier said than done. Money is hard to earn, and life is tough. In your situation, I wonder if anyone would even want a son-in-law who lives with you?"

"Well, as far as I know, their family should want it," Xiao Yao couldn't help but spoil for her.

"You...you really were planning this?" Yu Lihua's eyes were full of disdain. "I originally thought you were after her, but it turns out you're after her family fortune? Why would her only daughter take in a husband to live off her family's wealth? And even if she did, why would she choose you?"

"No, Auntie, no!" Xiao Yao felt deeply insulted. He stood up abruptly, his hands gripping the edge of the table, leaning forward. "It's because I truly love her! I love Shen Jie! That's why I want to marry her, at any cost!"

The noise was quite loud in the teahouse, and many customers turned around to look in their direction. Only one short man, dressed in all black and wearing a hat, sat in the corner with his back to Xiao Yao. He didn't turn around, but his shoulders trembled imperceptibly.

“Alright,” Yu Lihua said wearily, making a pressing motion with both hands that teachers often use. “I won’t blame you if you don’t want to let Shen Jie down. After all, I don’t think swaying with the wind is a commendable quality.”

Yu Lihua spoke very softly, and Xiao Yao also thanked her softly, saying, "Thank you, Auntie."

“But have you ever thought about this?” Yu Lihua’s voice continued, very softly: “These are things I shouldn’t be saying—if you refuse to marry Yingying, how will she get married in the future? Just because you are of noble character, she can’t be forced to spend her whole life in a nunnery, can she? Is that fair?”

Xiao Yao opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

"Think about it, after she marries someone else, when she has sex with her husband, can you accept it? As for my daughter, when you have sex with your wife, can she accept it? Aren't you two being scoundrels?"

Xiao Yao was dumbfounded.

"I've said my piece. Now, Mr. Xiao Yao, please answer me: how do you, in your noble spirit, resolve these practical problems?"

Then I won't be with other women anymore... or even marry them... No, that would mean the end of Tianyun... So, just once? The success rate might not be that high. Or maybe I'll greet you every time... No, no, that's all too far-fetched.

He couldn't bring himself to say a single word, but thankfully Yu Lihua couldn't read his mind.

Xiao Yao's reaction made Yu Lihua feel that he was beginning to waver, so she pressed on while the iron was hot, saying, "Don't worry, although our family is not as rich as the Shen family, we still have some income, resources, and savings. In the future, when our area is demolished, you will have a house to live in after your marriage. Although our family is not rich, as an elder, I will definitely do my best to provide you with help and support."

"Auntie, please stop talking. It's not about that...it's not about the money."

"Okay, I won't say anything. Think about it." Yu Lihua brewed herself another cup of tea, leaned back in her chair, shook her head, and blew on it.

Xiao Yao recalled his dream when he was 12 years old and in his first year of junior high school.

He married the girl he liked in his class, and they went to school and class hand in hand every day. After school, they walked home hand in hand amidst the envious gazes of others.

Their home is a quiet little house on a street corner, with blue exterior walls and milky white interior walls and lights, very cozy—no, it's not some 7 Days Inn at all—they would cook and eat together in this little house, then do their homework together, and discuss any questions they didn't understand in their homework or in class that day.

After finishing his heavy homework, he and his wife would clean up, wash each other's feet, and then fall asleep in each other's arms, preparing for school the next day.

Xiao Yao knew, of course, that this was impossible; it was merely a fantasy or wishful thinking on his part.

Now, the possibility of fantasy becoming reality is laid bare before us, as tempting as a bright red Fuji apple.

No matter how absurd it may seem, as long as you nod your head, you can have the "life you yearn for" in your pocket.