perfect marriage

On the day of Zhong Wenhui's 36th birthday, Ye Xing was on a business trip in Shenzhen to negotiate a patent acquisition. This patent has been discussed for a long time and has entered a critical stage. He went there this time with the intention of finalizing the decision.

The night before his birthday, he called Wen Hui and said, "Mr. Yao is a technical geek and makes decisions very emotionally. Our talks are going pretty smoothly so far. I'm afraid that he will suddenly change his mind if I leave temporarily, so I won't be able to spend your birthday with you this year. But I will make it up to you as soon as possible and make it up to you."

Wen Hui said: "It doesn't matter, you can talk about it. Birthdays are just a ceremony. You can celebrate it no matter what."

She really didn't care. In the past, whether it was her birthday or her brother's birthday at home, her mother would give everyone a bowl of noodles with a poached egg on top. After going to college, she was surprised to find that some people actually took birthdays to be so important: they entertained friends, organized various entertainment programs, and received a bunch of gifts. Wenhui had attended several such birthday parties, and he had hosted them for her after she fell in love with Ye Xing. Although Wenhui didn't enjoy all the aspects, she was still grateful for Ye Xing's kindness.

On his birthday, Ye Xing sent a message to Wen Hui early in the morning. In addition to wishing his wife a happy birthday, he also prepared a gift. Ye Xing is three years older than Wen Hui, but Wen Hui always feels that he is far younger than her in mentality. He is almost 40 years old, but he is still passionate about rituals.

"I put the gift in the second drawer on the right side of the desk. Remember to collect it. I hope you like it!"

"Okay, I'll look at it when I get home from work." Wen Hui had already gone out when she received this message.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, Wen Hui finished her lecture and walked out of the teaching building of the School of Energy, University of D, carrying a large bag of gifts.

The gifts were all given by the students. She blamed her for spilling the beans in class last week, and the students were too enthusiastic. As soon as she entered the classroom today, she saw all kinds of snacks, dolls, and flowers piled all over the desk. She thanked the students, her eyes turned red, and received a lot of applause.

When she was twenty years old, Zhong Wenhui hoped that time would pass faster and that she would advance to a new stage where she could shine. Now she is thirty-six years old. Looking back, she has indeed entered a new stage of life. Her worries, worries, and anxieties have little overlap with those when she was young. Even if some remain, they are no longer the main contradiction.

She has every reason to be proud of who she is now. She came out of an ordinary family with no advantages, and through her own efforts and careful choices, she has reached the most fulfilling peak moment in her life.

A woman's thirty-six years old should be the most beautiful and gorgeous age.

On the way to the parking lot, Wenhui unexpectedly received a blessing message from Zhuang Xiachuan. "Wenhui, happy birthday!" touched her heartstrings far more than the mysterious gift prepared by her husband.

After her mood calmed down, Wen Hui replied "thank you" and thought that was the end. Unexpectedly, five minutes later, Zhuang Xiachuan sent another message.

"I have been on a business trip in Jiangchuan for the past week. If it is convenient, I would like to meet you. I have nothing to do, just catching up on old times."

This text message about the meeting made Wenhui's heart tremble. Although she was sure that Zhuang Xiachuan had no intention of interfering with her life, she had to consider it carefully.

She and Zhuang Xiachuan broke up in the summer when she was twenty-four years old, twelve years ago. In the past twelve years, Wenhui has experienced earth-shaking changes.

Career-wise, after successfully completing her Ph.D. in New Energy Science and Engineering, she was promoted to the youngest professor at the School of Energy at D University as she wished; family-wise, she married a handsome husband and had a son and a daughter. They have been married for nine years, and the couple is as loving as ever. Behind these scenes, there is a faint figure of her eye-catching entrepreneur father-in-law - Ye Xing's father Ye Guangyuan founded Jiacheng Technology 20 years ago. Its main business is to provide supporting equipment for photovoltaic products. Now it has become the industry leader and a well-known star enterprise in the city.

No matter which measure is used, Wen Hui's life has a dazzling aura and is perfect. However, she often felt anxious. We have reached the pinnacle of consummation. Will there be only a downhill path from now on?

Thinking like this, a chill crawled up my back for no reason.

In the parking lot, Wenhui found her car, a red Porsche, which was a 30th birthday gift from Ye Xing. Wenhui thought it was too eye-catching, but Ye Xing liked it and said the color of the car matched her very well.

After sitting in the car, Wen Hui took out her mobile phone and sent a reply to Zhuang Xiachuan.

"Sorry, I'm about to go on a business trip and won't be back until a week later. I'm afraid I won't have time this time. Let's see if we have another chance later, okay? I'm so sorry."

When driving past Merrill Lynch Plaza, Wen Hui glanced out the window. The long iron bench under the old ginkgo tree was empty, with a few yellow leaves falling on the rusty bench. It was exactly the same as it was fifteen years ago.

At that time, Wen Hui often sat on this bench and waited for Zhuang Xiachuan - every Saturday morning at five o'clock, she came here on time with a rice ball lunch box prepared by herself.

In less than five minutes, Zhuang Xiachuan would run to her in the twilight morning light, and the two of them would join hands to climb Changxia Mountain near the school, and eat rice balls while watching the sunrise at the top of the mountain. After it gets bright, we go down the mountain together and take the bus to the place where we work.

She felt guilty for rejecting Zhuang Xiachuan's appointment, but she had to ensure that her current life would not be ruined by any inadvertent mistake.

**

On the day of the move, Jiang Can took leave and got off work two hours early. At 3:30 in the afternoon, he returned to the Changping community where his old rental house was located.

The landlord, Aunt Feng, has an extremely regular schedule. At this time, she should be at the market buying dishes for dinner. But today, when Jiang Can took out the key and opened the door, intending to sneak into the room quietly to get the two suitcases he had packed last night, the opposite door suddenly opened, and Aunt Feng came out with a whoosh.

"Hey! Xiao Jiang, did you get off work so early today?"

Jiang Can was caught off guard and panicked, his face turned red with fright, "No! Aunt Feng, I, I'll come back to get something..."

Aunt Feng followed her into the house, not letting up at all, "Get something? Why are you going?"

"Business trip." Jiang Can replied nervously.

She stayed up half the night last night, preparing countermeasures for various situations that might arise today, including the situation she was facing now.

"Business trip?" Aunt Feng's eyes rolled, "Where are you going?"

"Beijing, with colleagues." Jiang Can gradually adapted to the lie, and his face was no longer red.

But Aunt Feng is not that easy to fool, especially the way Jiang Can's house was kept clean, and the two large boxes leaning side by side against the wall were really suspicious.

"That's not right, Xiao Jiang! You have to pack so many things on a business trip? Why did you collect all the sheets? Are you... moving?"

It was Aunt Feng's turn to blush, anxiously.

Jiang Can secretly complained in her heart. The scene she least expected to happen happened. Just because Aunt Feng was too difficult to deal with, she originally planned to sneak away quietly and call her to explain after the arrangements were made.

In fact, it doesn't matter if she just leaves. She has paid off her rent and doesn't plan to ask for a deposit, but Aunt Feng is special. Jiang Can has lived here for half a year and she takes good care of herself. It's a bit unreasonable not to say hello.

"Aunt Feng, I, I'm in a hurry, I'll talk to you another day, okay?"

Aunt Feng grabbed Jiang Can's hand, with anxiety in her eyes, "Xiao Jiang, what's going on with you? Tell Auntie clearly now. If you are dissatisfied, tell Auntie, and Auntie will definitely change it!"

Jiang Can was so embarrassed that she couldn't leave, and she couldn't explain clearly. Fortunately, she had arranged a backup plan——

"Jiang Can! Why don't you go downstairs? The taxi driver is waiting impatiently!" Zhuang Xiachuan shouted from the door with his hands on his hips.

Jiang Can was secretly happy, and when Aunt Feng was stunned, he quickly broke away from her control and complained to Zhuang Xiachuan in a wronged tone: "I have two boxes, I can't lift them!"

Zhuang Xiachuan didn't even look at Aunt Feng. He frowned and walked into the door. Without saying a word, he opened his bow from left to right and picked up a box in each hand. Seeing this, Jiang Can rushed up and said, "Oh, Manager Zhuang, how can you be so embarrassed! Give me one!"

Zhuang Xiachuan ignored her and just strode out. Jiang Can hurriedly followed.

Aunt Feng came to her senses, chased after her and asked, "Where on earth are you going on a business trip and you have to bring so many things?"

Zhuang Xiachuan stopped at the door, turned around and glared at Aunt Feng, "Who are you? Do you care?"

He was tall and tall, and his arms looked bulging and powerful. Coupled with his unreasonable expression, Aunt Feng was choked. She only dared to whisper in a low voice, "Let me ask what's wrong?"

"It's okay, don't ask blindly!" Zhuang Xiachuan said in an angry voice and continued to walk out.

Jiang Can followed him with a well-behaved look, then turned his head when he left the door, as if he was afraid of disturbing Zhuang Xiachuan, and explained to Aunt Feng in a low voice, "This is our leader who went to Beijing with me - goodbye, Aunt Feng!"

There was indeed a taxi waiting for them downstairs. After Zhuang Xiachuan stuffed the two boxes into the trunk, he and Jiang Can got into the car.

"Master, you can go!" Jiang Can shouted to his brother.

"Okay!"

The taxi started moving immediately.

Jiang Can turned his head and looked at Zhuang Xiachuan, and the two suddenly burst into laughter.

"How's it going? I'm doing okay in my acting?" Zhuang Xiachuan asked with a bit of pride.

Jiang Can quickly gave him a thumbs up, "That's great! You shouted so loudly that I was almost stunned! I thought the master had been in the underworld for a few years! Hey, why didn't I realize that your acting skills were so good before!"

Zhuang Xiachuan had a simple and honest smile, completely different from the one in the rental house. He shook his head modestly and said: "It's really just improvisation - this landlady is not as tough as you described! Are you usually too talkative?"

Jiang Can stuck out his tongue, "She's either tough or too enthusiastic! Me, I'm particularly not used to outsiders being nice to me, especially those who meet by chance..."

"Is it really that simple? Is there no other reason?"

Jiang Can hesitated for a while before confessing, "She wants to introduce her son to me."

Zhuang Xiachuan smiled and said: "I guessed it right! Look at this aunt's age and anxious appearance, she should have a son who is waiting for marriage. Why, her son is very good? Do you not like him?"

"He's not a dishonest guy, he's quite a gentleman. He just listens to what he says."

"Ha! What's wrong with that? He obeys his mother's words, and his mother is very enthusiastic about you. From now on, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will not be a problem."

Jiang Can's face twisted up in embarrassment.

"Master, you are too realistic! I have to like the other person, right? And the atmosphere in their family makes me really breathless. For example, when Aunt Feng bought peaches, she insisted on asking me to pick two, so I took two of them. She immediately took them back and gave me the other two, saying that the ones I picked were not as good as hers. How can I put it, she likes to put her kindness to others on the bright side, lest others can't see it..."

Jiang Can poured out his bitterness for a while, and Zhuang Xiachuan also shook his head, "It's really tiring to be so close to such a landlord."

"Otherwise I can run away!"

"What's going on between you and Li Mao? We were talking and suddenly nothing happened?" Zhuang Xiachuan turned to look at Jiang Can, "Can I ask this question? If you don't want to say anything, you can just ignore it."

"I have nothing to be sorry for you." Jiang Can scratched his head, "It's my problem. I can't seem to deal with what he has. It can't be considered a shortcoming. It just pretends not to see the discomfort that makes me uncomfortable, and then..."

She spread her hands with a helpless expression, "Am I difficult to maintain?"

"I don't think so! You see, you have been working for several years, and you have a good reputation everywhere, and you are popular... But, work and love are two different things. What about being friends? The closer the distance between the two people, the more opportunities for contact, and the more places you can find fault with. So you must have a tolerant attitude, otherwise you will not be able to talk, and no one is perfect!"

Jiang Can sighed, "I understand the truth, but I can't force myself. Now I have figured out that a person like me with emotional mysophobia is suitable for living alone."

"Don't rush to label yourself! How old are you? Are you 28 this year?"

"I'm going to be 29 soon! Master, you don't understand me. Every time I break up with someone, I never regret it. I just feel relieved. I feel like I'm hopeless! Hahaha!"

Zhuang Xiachuan also laughed and stopped trying to persuade him.