Chapter 15: Full of Energy

“Honestly, this design is great—it makes your legs look longer and slimmer. You even seem taller,” Lin Wei praised sincerely.

As Xia Ruanruan sat down at the table, Lin Wei couldn’t help but ask, “Ruanruan, since you have such a good sense of style, have you ever thought about studying it?”

Looking at the altered pants, Lin Wei felt that Xia Ruanruan had real talent.

If she pursued it, she could design her own clothing line in the future.

After all, girls should have their own careers.

Just then, Mrs. Chen brought over Xia Ruanruan’s breakfast.

Xia Ruanruan was about to pick up her spoon, but hearing her mother-in-law’s words, she immediately scooted closer to her.

Hadn’t she been wanting to find a school to attend? Since she was new here and unfamiliar with the area, she hadn’t figured it out yet.

Now that her mother-in-law had brought it up on her own, it was like a pillow being handed to someone who was already sleepy—a perfect opportunity!

Smiling brightly, Xia Ruanruan leaned against Lin Wei. “Mom, you know what? I really do want to study.”

Before Lin Wei could respond, Xia Ruanruan eagerly continued, “Back in my village, I didn’t think much about it. But after coming to the city, especially after marrying Beiqing and visiting the hospital a few times, I realized that girls should really focus on their education.”

“If you study well and have a job, your future will be more secure.”

“That’s why I’ve been thinking about enrolling in a school. I’m planning to take the college entrance exam tomorrow.” Xia Ruanruan spoke enthusiastically.

At first, Lin Wei was just as excited, but as she listened further, her excitement dimmed.

Studying was great, but taking the college entrance exam…

That meant if Xia Ruanruan passed, she would be going to university.

Going to university meant…

Lin Wei hesitated before finally saying, “Ruanruan, if you take the college entrance exam, you’ll have to go to university afterward.”

Xia Ruanruan nodded with a bright smile. “That’s right!”

Lin Wei: “……”

She looked at Xia Ruanruan, a young girl in the prime of her youth.

But her son was already 28.

After the new year, he would be 29.

He was almost 30. If he had to wait for his wife to finish four years of university…

Yet, seeing how much her daughter-in-law had changed—now optimistic and ambitious—Lin Wei found it hard to discourage her.

Going to university was a good thing!

Hadn’t she spent her life learning too? From being illiterate to now being able to read newspapers.

Could she really stop her daughter-in-law from learning?

Putting herself in Xia Ruanruan’s shoes, Lin Wei knew she couldn’t.

But still… Sitting there, she started doing the math.

If they timed it well, and Xia Ruanruan got pregnant now, by the time she went to university, the baby would already be born, and the postpartum period would be over.

In that case… going to school wouldn’t be a problem!

She could just take care of the child while Xia Ruanruan studied.

With that thought, Lin Wei said, “If you really want to continue your studies, I’ll take you to a school later. There’s one near our residential area, designed for family members and workers who want to continue their education.”

Xia Ruanruan was so happy to hear this that she immediately got up and hugged Lin Wei. “Thank you, Mom.”

Lin Wei was startled at first, but after realizing what had happened, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s there to thank me for? You and Beiqing are married now, so we’re family. You becoming better is the same as our family becoming better. There’s no need to thank me for that.”

Hearing this, Xia Ruanruan hugged her mother-in-law even tighter and snuggled against her. Her mother-in-law was so wonderful!

Suddenly, she didn’t feel like getting a divorce anymore. Her mother-in-law was just too understanding!

After letting go of Lin Wei, Xia Ruanruan quickly buried her head in breakfast. “Mom, I’ll go to the hospital to change my bandage first, and when I get back, we’ll go check out the school!”

Lin Wei nodded. “Alright, take your time on the road. There’s no rush.”

“Mhm, mhm!” Xia Ruanruan responded while stuffing the last bites of food into her mouth. She wiped her lips, then bolted outside. “Mom, I’m off! When I come back, we’ll go see the school!”

Lin Wei sat there, shaking her head with a smile. “This child is really full of energy.”

As she spoke, she suddenly imagined what it would be like if her future grandson inherited this personality…

By then, she would probably be chasing a little troublemaker all around the courtyard.

Just thinking about it brought a happy smile to Lin Wei’s face.

—

When Xia Ruanruan, dressed in her new outfit, appeared in Huo Beiqing’s office, he was momentarily stunned before getting up to fetch the disinfectant and bandages.

But as he turned back, his gaze involuntarily lingered on Xia Ruanruan.

He realized that his earlier thought had been right—this girl was like a sentient sunflower, and today, with her yellow sweater, she looked even more like one.

Warm, radiant, and full of life.

Yesterday, when he saw this sweater in the wardrobe, he had wondered what it would look like on her. Now that he saw it, he had to admit… it was quite—well, the girl was full of youthful energy, bright and delicate.

Yes, delicate.

Looking at Xia Ruanruan in her warm yellow sweater, that word surfaced in his mind instinctively.

A soft and delicate little girl.

Xia Ruanruan sat obediently in the chair, letting Huo Beiqing change her bandage.

But… why did it feel like he was taking longer than usual?

It was so long that she couldn’t help but ask, “Dr. Huo, do I need to come back again tomorrow for a change?”

“And… will this leave a scar on my forehead?”

She still had dreams of becoming an actress; she definitely didn’t want a scar.

Huo Beiqing examined the fully healed wound and, after a moment’s thought, nodded. “Come one more time. I’ll prepare a scar removal ointment for you tomorrow. If you take care of it properly, there won’t be a scar.”

The wound was shallow, after all.

If it had been deeper, a scar would’ve been unavoidable.

“Then do I need to come the day after tomorrow too?” Xia Ruanruan asked.

Even though there was a direct bus from the Huo family’s home to the hospital, traveling back and forth was still a hassle.

Besides, she was about to start looking for schools. She might even start attending classes the day after tomorrow.

She wanted to study hard and improve every day.

Naturally, she didn’t want to make unnecessary trips.

As Huo Beiqing taped the bandage to her forehead, he asked, “Do you have something planned?”

Xia Ruanruan originally wanted to brush it off, but after thinking about it, she decided to be honest. “I want to go back to school. Mom said she’d take me to find one.”

“If everything goes smoothly, I might start attending classes the day after tomorrow.” As she spoke, her clear, bright eyes sparkled with excitement.

Huo Beiqing’s fingers paused as he tore the medical tape. “You probably won’t need to come the day after tomorrow.”

Xia Ruanruan immediately flashed a victory sign. ✌

Seeing her like this, Huo Beiqing’s eyes softened with a faint smile.

Finally, the bandage change was done. As he packed up the supplies, he said, “Alright, you’re good to go.”

Xia Ruanruan got up, ready to leave, but Huo Beiqing stopped her. “Wait a moment.”

She paused.

Huo Beiqing walked over to his desk, sat down, bent over to open a drawer, and took out an envelope. Then he raised his hand, gesturing for her to take it.

Xia Ruanruan hesitated as she stepped forward and reached for it. “Is this for me?”

Huo Beiqing nodded.

She took it with both hands, then asked curiously, “What’s inside?” As she spoke, she opened the envelope.

Before she could look, Huo Beiqing answered her question. “My salary.”

“Your salary?”

“Mhm. Take it. If you need to buy anything, just handle it yourself.”