The match took a bit longer for Cen Huai’an, and Chuxia could only watch his face without seeing the board.

He always looked serious and focused, making it impossible to gauge the game from his expression.

Chuxia gave up trying to figure out the outcome and decided to keep her mind calm, accepting that winning or losing was just part of gaining experience.

Suddenly, Cen Huai’an’s opponent stood up, looking at him with disbelief.

The staff and judges came over to announce Cen Huai’an’s victory.

His opponent glanced at Cen Huai’an with a look that seemed on the verge of tears.

As Cen Huai’an exited the competition area, his eyes sparkled as he looked at Chuxia. “Mom, I won!”

Although Cen Huai’an found the match challenging, he was very happy to have won.

Even if he lost in the future, Cen Huai’an wouldn’t be too disappointed because he met formidable opponents and found joy in the experience of the competition.

“Teacher, I like participating in competitions. I enjoy playing Go with different people.”

Every player has a different style and way of thinking, making it fun to play against others.

Guo Lin smiled and said, “The competition isn’t over yet. You’ll have the chance to play with others next week.”

Chuxia wiped the sweat from Cen Huai’an’s forehead with a handkerchief.

The tiny beads of sweat showed how hard he had worked to win this game.

On the way home, Cen Huai’an was still brimming with excitement.

His cheeks were flushed with joy, making him look especially delightful.

As the weather grew warmer, Cen Huai’an took off his thick cotton coat and started wearing just a sweater and a thick jacket.

When Chuxia saw him dressing in the morning, she noticed that his winter sweater seemed a bit small.

She measured Cen Huai’an’s height against the wall.

“An’an, have you grown taller?”

Cen Huai’an shook his head in confusion. “I don’t know.” He couldn’t really feel if he had grown taller.

Similarly, Chuxia, who lived with him, found it hard to notice such subtle changes unless there was a significant change, like a sudden weight gain.

Chuxia had Cen Huai’an stand against the wall while she marked a line.

Comparing it to a previous height mark, it was clear that he had grown a few centimeters.

Both Cen Huai’an and Chuxia were very pleased.

At dinner, Chuxia handed him an egg and said, “Eat more eggs, drink more milk, and eat more food. You’ll grow taller and taller.”

Cen Huai’an’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “Will I be as tall as Dad?”

Chuxia replied seriously, “You’ll be taller than your dad.”

Cen Huai’an enjoyed the egg even more.

He hesitated for a moment, not giving any to Heizi and Huangzi, as he wanted to grow taller quickly.

However, Chuxia gave some egg to the two puppies, making them surround her and whine again.

---

In the capital, Cen Zhengnian hadn’t had any rest since arriving at the research institute.

With the new project on a tight schedule, even Yan Heming was living in the staff quarters and hadn’t returned to his own home for a long time.

Others were equally cautious and did not dare to relax.

Ye Xingxiu, looking dispirited, walked with Cen Zhengnian back to the dormitory, muttering, “I thought Anzhou Research Institute was busy enough. I didn’t expect it to be even busier here in the capital. I regret it.”

Cen Zhengnian responded, “You can apply to transfer back.”

Ye Xingxiu replied, “I knew it. You always see me as a competitor. I won’t give you this chance and let you get all the recognition from the teacher!”

In the research institute, everyone referred to Yan Heming as “Teacher,” as he didn’t want to be called “Old Yan” because it made him feel old.

Cen Zhengnian ignored him and asked the gatekeeper if there were any packages for him.

He always asked this whenever he passed by, and Ye Xingxiu had gotten used to it.

“There’s never been any, so I don’t know why you ask…”

Before he could finish, the gatekeeper pulled out a package. “Here’s one for you, Cen Zhengnian.”

The packages Cen Zhengnian received were all sent to his grandfather’s home first, and then his uncle helped to forward them.

“Wow, there really is a package!” Ye Xingxiu looked at the package with envy. “Why don’t my parents send me anything?”

Cen Zhengnian was focused solely on the package.

Holding it, he walked towards the dormitory with a slightly quicker pace than usual.

Hearing Ye Xingxiu’s comment, he glanced at him and said, “This is from my wife and son.”

His tone was casual, as if it were a very ordinary matter, but Ye Xingxiu could detect a hint of pride in his words.

“You have a wife? And a son?” Ye Xingxiu was shocked. “Aren’t you, like me, dedicating your life to research?”

Ye Xingxiu had avoided all matchmaking arranged by his family, saying his “wife” was his work, which almost led to a severed relationship with his mother.

Cen Zhengnian replied, “I used to be.”

Ye Xingxiu waited for him to continue, but Cen Zhengnian just accelerated his pace into the dormitory.

Ye Xingxiu, frustrated, stared at the closed door, wishing he could push it open to hear the rest of the conversation.

Talking in half-measures was really teasing!

Inside, Cen Zhengnian had already opened the package and pulled out the shirt and trousers.

He placed the clothes on the bed and opened the letter from Chuxia and Cen Huai’an.

The first line of the letter read: “Zhengnian, you should have seen the clothes by now.”

“When I saw this outfit at the tailor’s, I thought it would be perfect for you. I had it tailored to your measurements, so it should fit well. Unfortunately, An’an and I won’t be able to see you wear it.”

Seeing this, Cen Zhengnian felt a pang of longing.

He traced the letter with his fingers, visualizing Chuxia holding the clothes while discussing alterations with the tailor.

A smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

He continued reading.

An’an is going to participate in a Go competition?

Cen Zhengnian felt a tinge of regret.

His son was participating in his first competition, and he, as a father, wasn’t there to accompany him.

He wondered if An’an would be nervous or regret that his father wasn’t there.

Cen Zhengnian sighed and read on.

He saw about An’an’s performance, the dogs at home, and the difficulties Chuxia faced—such as finding a suitable rental house.

His emotions fluctuated with the content of the letter.

At times, his eyes would smile, and at other times, his brows would furrow.

He began to think about his connections in Liangzhou and whether he could help Chuxia find a rental.

But a thought kept resurfacing: If only Chuxia and An’an were in the capital, as the Cen family had a house here.

The house wasn’t like the apartment complex where he lived; it was a traditional two-entry courtyard.

Originally, it had three entries, but due to various historical issues, the back entry had been given to someone else by the time it came into his family’s possession.

The house had a large courtyard where the dogs could run around without disturbing the neighbors, solving Chuxia’s problem.

However, Cen Zhengnian pushed this thought aside and continued reading Cen Huai’an’s letter.

He saw more about the dogs and noticed that they had become Chuxia and An’an’s new pets.

Upon reading about Liu Tian’s situation, he frowned.

Gender equality had been a topic for many years, yet many people’s mindsets still hadn’t changed.

Fortunately, the young girl could continue her studies in the end, which eased Cen Zhengnian’s furrowed brow.

Finally, he reached the end of Cen Huai’an’s letter.

Chuxia would bring An’an to the capital after the college entrance exams?

Cen Zhengnian reread those few words repeatedly, confirming he wasn’t mistaken.

He stood up, walked around the dormitory a couple of times, and still couldn’t suppress his excitement.

He sat back down, holding the letter, and an idea kept surfacing: Chuxia and An’an could actually come to the capital now.

An’an’s school could be handled by his eldest uncle, who worked in the Ministry of Education.

Chuxia’s student registration could also be transferred, allowing her to take the college entrance exams in the capital.

Cen Zhengnian began to consider the possibility of Chuxia and An’an moving.

He wanted to call Chuxia immediately but restrained himself when he glanced at his watch.

It was too late, and Chuxia and An’an were likely already asleep.

If they came to the capital, he wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to care for Heizi and Huangzi as they grew up.

Cen Zhengnian started writing a letter.

He didn’t directly suggest that Chuxia and An’an come to the capital but instead shared his thoughts, leaving it to Chuxia to decide whether or not to come.

If she chose not to, Cen Zhengnian would help her find a rental house in Liangzhou, where he still had acquaintances.

After finishing the letter, Cen Zhengnian changed into the shirt and trousers.

Without a mirror in his room, he didn’t know how he looked, but the clothes fit well and were comfortable.

Although Chuxia had washed and ironed the clothes before sending them, they had become slightly wrinkled from being in the package.

Cen Zhengnian thought about it and decided to change back, knocking on Ye Xingxiu’s door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Cen Zhengnian called from outside.

Ye Xingxiu, yawning, opened the door. “What’s going on at this hour?”

Seeing Cen Zhengnian, Ye Xingxiu’s frustration resurfaced, and he wasn’t very friendly.

Cen Zhengnian, seeming oblivious to Ye Xingxiu’s mood, calmly said, “I remember you have an iron. I’d like to borrow it.”

Ye Xingxiu’s eyes widened in surprise. “Iron clothes at this hour?”

Cen Zhengnian simply responded with an “mm-hmm.”

Ye Xingxiu handed him the iron, yawning again, and said, “I’m going to bed. Return it tomorrow.”

With that, he shut the door with a thud.

Cen Zhengnian took the iron back to his room, ironed the shirt and trousers, and hung them up before going to bed.

The next day, Cen Zhengnian wore the shirt and trousers.

As the weather wasn’t quite hot yet, he put on the coat Chuxia had sent.

When he returned the iron to Ye Xingxiu, Ye Xingxiu was washing his face.

He told Cen Zhengnian to just leave it on the table.

Cen Zhengnian placed the iron and didn’t leave immediately.

Waiting for Ye Xingxiu to finish washing his face, he asked naturally, “How do you think I look in this outfit?”

Ye Xingxiu, confused, squinted at him and said, “It looks the same as before. What’s up?”

Cen Zhengnian thought Ye Xingxiu had no sense of style and decided not to ask for his opinion anymore.

He just added, “Nothing special. This is a gift from my wife. She wanted to know what it looks like on me.”

So, he came to ask.

Ye Xingxiu couldn’t believe what he heard. Just because his wife mentioned something, he had come all the way to ask him what he thought of the clothes?

Wasn’t this just a blatant show-off? Showcasing his good wife? And even sending him clothes!

Damn it!

As soon as Cen Zhengnian left, Ye Xingxiu angrily threw the towel onto the rack and swore.

No, he also needed to write a letter to his mother.

He was willing to consider matchmaking; he wanted a considerate wife and children too!

At work, Cen Zhengnian didn’t say much about the clothes he was wearing.

However, Yan Hemin noticed right away that he was dressed up and smiled, saying, “Zhengnian, you look particularly energetic today! Your clothes are very neat. I haven’t seen you wear this outfit before?”

Cen Zhengnian’s lips curled up slightly as he replied, “Yes. This outfit was just sent to me by my wife.”

Yan Hemin immediately laughed, “No wonder you look different today. You have a good wife! Actually, all my clothes are also managed by my wife.”

Yan Hemin talked a little about his wife, showing the deep affection they shared.

Cen Zhengnian thought that he and Chu Xia would be like this in the future.

But this was just a small side note outside of their research work.

Once they started working, everyone forgot about these things, busy with calculations and solving various problems in their research.

That evening, back in the dormitory, Cen Zhengnian continued writing a letter to Chu Xia, describing the reactions of his colleagues when he wore the new clothes.

He specifically mentioned Yan Hemin’s comment: “The teacher said I looked neat and spirited, and I think that’s how I appear.”

He expressed his liking for the clothes Chu Xia had bought, but regretted that he couldn’t take a photo of himself in them to send to her and Huai’an, so he described it as best as he could.

In the letter to Cen Huai’an, Cen Zhengnian mostly praised him and shared some life advice and experiences.

He also asked about the Go competition and apologized for not being able to attend it with him.

After finishing both letters, Cen Zhengnian sent them off together with his salary remittance the next day.

---

In Liangzhou, Cen Huai’an’s second match was in full swing.

By chance, he drew the same number as Xu Lingling.

Even Guo Lin was surprised: “I didn’t expect my two students to face each other.”

Guo Lin referred to Xu Lingling as his student in public, not mentioning that she was his niece.

Chu Xia, knowing Guo Lin was most familiar with Cen Huai’an and Xu Lingling’s levels, couldn’t help but ask, “Teacher Guo, who do you think will win between Huai’an and Lingling?”