Zhao Xilie had a patriarchal streak in his nature, but living with his sister had instilled in him respect and understanding for women.

He clearly knew that Mu Xiaoqi’s willingness to invest time and effort in him and his sister stemmed from her affection.  For others, this kind of care would be hard to come by.

“Okay, that’s enough. Tell your sister that I’ll visit her when I’m free.” Thinking of Zhao Xilie’s sister, Mu Xiaoqi felt even more guilty.

In her past life, Zhao Baixue had been incredibly kind to her, never letting her do any housework, always unconditionally supporting her when others criticized her.  Yet Mu Xiaoqi, with her spoiled brat attitude, had wasted Zhao Baixue’s kindness.

Seeing Zhao Xilie off at the bus station, Mu Xiaoqi watched him longingly.

“I’ll miss you.”

Those five words were completely unexpected.  The stoic Zhao Xilie was actually saying something sweet!

It seemed she hadn’t understood Zhao Xilie at all in her past life.

“I haven’t told Grandma and my uncles about us yet,” Mu Xiaoqi explained. This relationship was orchestrated by Jiang Xueqin, and knowing her grandmother and uncles, Zhao Xilie might have difficulty getting their approval.

“It’s okay, I’m patient and confident.”  Zhao Xilie saw that the bus was about to leave and hurried towards the station.

He held the books Mu Xiaoqi had given him in his left hand and the gifts for his sister in his right.

He felt Mu Xiaoqi’s thoughtfulness and sincerity completely.

This was the first time in his life that someone had been so kind to him.

After seeing Zhao Xilie off, Mu Xiaoqi didn’t immediately return to her grandmother’s house. She had two choices: continue her studies or marry Zhao Xilie now, helping him avoid some detours in his career.

Yesterday, her second uncle had talked to her, hoping she would take the college entrance exam next year.

If she did that, she might go to college out of town a year later.  Just thinking about being separated from Zhao Xilie for four years made Mu Xiaoqi shake her head decisively.

Besides, she wasn’t particularly interested in studying.

Reliving her life, Mu Xiaoqi wanted to cherish the present. She knew Zhao Xilie had many entrepreneurial plans, and she wanted to help him when he needed it more than studying.

Having made up her mind, Mu Xiaoqi turned back home.

Currently, all three uncles’ children were attending universities out of town.  In this era, having so many college students in one family was a source of pride.  Therefore, although the Xu family wasn’t the wealthiest in Pinglexian County, they were a true scholarly family.

Mu Xiaoqi’s deceased grandfather was a businessman, and her grandmother was a former overseas student.

Their three sons and one daughter were all graduates of regular universities and were key figures in their respective fields with excellent achievements.

Mu Xiaoqi later heard from her uncles that everyone in the family had opposed her mother and father being together, but they had fallen in love.

The Xu family didn’t need to marry into the Mu family to achieve anything; their only concern was their daughter/younger sister’s happiness.

Mu Xiaoqi understood that she had been the only blemish on the Xu family in her past life, but none of her uncles or cousins had ever rejected her.  Remembering the foolish things she had done, Mu Xiaoqi smiled sadly.

“Third Uncle!” At the entrance of the Xu family’s house, Mu Xiaoqi saw a tall figure in a suit.

Xu Yingjun turned around, smiling.  There was weariness in his eyes, but when he saw his niece, he smiled affectionately.

“Ah, my Xiaoqi!”

Forty-two-year-old Xu Yingjun lived up to his name, with handsome features.  Many people mistook him for a man in his early thirties.

“Come on, let’s go home. I brought you a lot of things back; you’ll love them.” Xu Yingjun took his niece’s hand. His gaze fell on Mu Xiaoqi’s cheek, his eyes darkening.

His older brother was right; Mu Yuehui was a dog.

Xu Yingjun brought back a tea set for his mother, a watch each for his older and second brothers, and the rest of his luggage was for Mu Xiaoqi.

Mu Xiaoqi picked out two sets of skincare products—gifts for her eldest and second aunts.

Xu Yingjun had come back immediately after receiving his older brother’s call; his wife was still in Guangzhou on business.  Mu Xiaoqi thought of this famous businesswoman and silently gave her a thumbs-up.

Perhaps because she was so protected by her family, her mother had made a poor choice in her husband?

After all, the wives her three uncles had married were all excellent, wholeheartedly caring for her, even though she was a burden on the family.

That night, the Xu family had a lively dinner.  For the past three years, they had constantly worried about Mu Xiaoqi. The Xu family had never given up on Xiaoqi, despite the misunderstandings between them.

“I propose a toast! Let’s celebrate Xiaoqi’s return.”

In the eyes of the three uncles, Xiaoqi had always been a Xu family member; the Mu family was nothing!

“Cheers!”

After finishing her drink, Mu Xiaoqi stood up and bowed to her elders.

“Grandma, Uncles, Aunts, Xiaoqi has caused you worry.”

Tears glistened in the eyes of the three uncles.  Xiaoqi overlapped with their younger sister; they hadn’t done enough, causing their sister and niece to suffer.

“Xiaoqi, you’ve grown up!” The Xu family matriarch sighed sincerely.

After the lively dinner, the second uncle, Xu Yingcai, brought up the matter again.  Since everyone was there, they could help Xiaoqi analyze her situation.

“Second Uncle, I’ve decided,” Mu Xiaoqi said calmly, meeting everyone’s anticipation. “I don’t want to go to university.”

This answer was expected by her uncles.  It was fine if Xiaoqi didn’t go to university; she could do what she wanted. They had never intended to force her.