Chapter 49: The Future Is Not Just About Marriage

“Bai An,” Lu Jin’an called softly.

Bai An was eating her food and responded vaguely, “What’s up?”

“Who was the boy at the bus station today?” As soon as Lu Jin’an said this, both Lu Demin and Wan Qing immediately stopped eating, pretending not to care but listening intently to their conversation.

Bai An casually replied, “He said he’s my classmate, so he should be my classmate.”

“Should be?” Lu Jin’an frowned, clearly displeased with Bai An’s answer. “Don’t you have any impression of him from school?”

The seriousness in Lu Jin’an’s tone made Bai An put down her chopsticks and seriously try to recall any information about the boy. However, she hadn’t even managed to remember all the people in her class, so how could she remember someone from another class?

Bai An nodded and replied seriously to Lu Jin’an, “I really don’t remember him. He might have mistaken me for someone else.”

“I don’t think he mistook you for anyone.”

Lu Jin’an looked at Bai An’s naive expression and thought about how the boy had looked at her at the bus station. It didn’t seem like a case of mistaking someone—there was clearly some ulterior motive behind that look.

Seeing that neither of the children were speaking, Lu Demin finally asked, “What boy are you talking about?”

Wan Qing also chimed in, “I’m curious too. Does Bai An have another good friend?”

Lu Jin’an remained silent, watching his parents gossip.

Bai An, however, casually said, “It was a boy who helped me carry my books when I came back today and even gave me his seat. He said he’s my classmate, but I don’t remember him.”

“Is that all?” Lu Demin placed some food into Bai An’s bowl and asked, “Anything else?”

“No, Dad.” Bai An smiled at Lu Demin’s curious look as he added food to her bowl. “Why does your expression seem off?”

Wan Qing laughed and tapped Lu Demin’s shoulder. “Bai An is still so young. What are you thinking?”

Lu Demin smiled and adjusted his round glasses. “People get married early in this village. I’m just worried.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin’an lifted his head to glance at Bai An. She was still eating, seemingly oblivious to everything around her, completely focused on her food.

Her face still had a hint of baby fat, and when she ate, her cheeks puffed out like a child. No matter where she was, anyone who saw her would undoubtedly praise her for her cuteness.

For some reason, the more Lu Jin’an looked at her, the more frustrated he felt. The thought of Bai An eventually getting married only made him feel more restless and anxious.

“I’m done eating.” Lu Jin’an put his bowl and chopsticks down on the table and walked away without looking back.

Bai An glanced at his back, feeling a little confused but didn’t think much of it.

“Oh, right,” Wan Qing whispered into Lu Demin’s ear. “Today, Lin Zhixia’s mother came to see me.”

Since that incident, their families hadn’t communicated much.

Lu Demin frowned, displeased, and asked, “What did she want?”

Wan Qing glanced at Bai An, who was still eating, and lowered her voice further. “She came to ask if Bai An has someone she’s interested in.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Demin understood what she meant. As he had said earlier, people in this village get married early. Even girls around Bai An’s age, like Cui Ju, were already going on blind dates.

“Don’t pay attention to her.” Lu Demin continued eating, saying, “I don’t think there’s anyone good in this village. Besides, are you really willing?”

Wan Qing looked at Bai An in front of her. Bai An noticed her gaze and looked up, smiling at her.

“Of course, I can’t bear it,” Wan Qing said softly, looking at Bai An.

Bai An, curious about what her parents were whispering about, leaned closer and asked quietly, “What are you talking about?”

Wan Qing tapped Bai An lightly on the head. “If you keep asking, I’ll make you wash the dishes later.”

Bai An laughed and covered her forehead. “Sure, why talk so quietly about it? You can just tell me directly.”

Watching Bai An finish her meal without a care in the world, Wan Qing thought for a moment and said, “How about we leave it up to Bai An? If she likes someone, then it’s fine.”

Lu Demin frowned and turned to Wan Qing, saying, “I don’t want Bai An to get married so early and get stuck in a lifetime of marriage. If she meets someone good, that’s fine, but I’m worried she might not. I want her to go out, see the world, and figure out what kind of life she really wants, not just settle for the limited choices she has now.”

Wan Qing nodded in agreement as she listened to Lu Demin’s words. She had lived in this village for so long that she was almost forgetting about the outside world. Both her body and mind had been confined here.

“De Min, do you think it was the right decision for us to come here?” Wan Qing asked.

Lu Demin comforted her, putting an arm around her shoulder. “We’ve come this far. There’s no need to think too much about it.”

Bai An had already walked to the outside of Lu Jin’an’s room. She gently knocked on the door. “Brother, can I come in?”

Lu Jin’an was sorting the books that Bai An had brought back. When he heard her voice, he casually answered, “Come in.”

After receiving Lu Jin’an’s consent, Bai An opened the door. Seeing that he was looking at the books she had brought, she eagerly walked up to him and said, “You have to pay close attention to these books. You’ll definitely need them in the future.”

Lu Jin’an nodded. He understood that the content in these books was important, but he didn’t quite understand their purpose.

He pointed to a book that had no cover and asked, “Do you know what this book is for?”

Bai An took the book from his hand and casually flipped through it. “This is a physics book, Brother. You should know what it is.”

Lu Jin’an naturally knew. It was a textbook for school.

“Brother, I think in the near future, the school might resume the college entrance examination. You must seize the opportunity. It’s very important,” Bai An said seriously.

Lu Jin’an looked at Bai An’s serious expression and nodded. “Since it’s so important, you should study with me and finish these.”

“Huh?” Bai An hesitated and said, “That’s not my goal.”

Bai An hadn’t forgotten the painful days leading up to the college entrance exam in her previous life. Even now, she would occasionally have nightmares about sitting in the exam hall doing math problems.

Lu Jin’an glanced at Bai An and asked, “If it’s not your goal, then what is?”

Bai An pointed to her head, walking out under Lu Jin’an’s gaze. “I haven’t figured it out yet.”

Once outside, Bai An saw that her mother was the only one still eating at the table. She walked over to her, picked up her chopsticks, and took a few more bites.

Wan Qing looked at Bai An and asked softly, “Didn’t you eat enough earlier?”

“I’m full,” Bai An said as she picked up some shredded potatoes. “I just wanted to eat a few more bites.”

Wan Qing laughed. “Well, once you’re done eating, go and play. I’ll wash the dishes.”

“No need, I’ll wash them,” Bai An said with a smile as she sat next to Wan Qing. “Washing dishes is simple. It won’t take long; I can handle it.”