Chapter 255 - 104: The 60s Arts Troupe’s Top Star (43)
Chapter 255: Chapter 104: The 60s Arts Troupe’s Top Star (43)
Xia Zhaoyun nodded. "Saying she’d be eaten alive is an exaggeration, but she definitely won’t be able to stay on that stage for long."
She chuckled, stroking the fluffy heads of the two little ones, who were listening intently with wide eyes. "Ruyuan, Ruyi, you must remember that those who set out to harm others ultimately harm themselves. We should never have the heart to hurt anyone, but we must also guard against others trying to hurt us."
The little ones, only half-understanding, still nodded solemnly to show they had committed it to memory.
After sending the children out to play in the yard, Xia Zhaoyun pursed her lips and looked at He Qingran. "Sis, what’s going on with you and Brother Kun?"
Huo Tianhao was rushing to hand off his out-of-town assignments so they could be together for the long haul, so he hadn’t made it back in time to go to the play with her.
Besides, Xia Zhaoyun wasn’t particularly interested in that sort of thing, so she just gave the tickets to the two young ladies from Group Three.
She had taken her two kids out on the town for the day, tactfully avoiding being a third wheel for He Qingran.
But she’d been so busy lately that she hadn’t followed up on how things were progressing between the two of them.
At the mention of it, a rare blush crept onto He Qingran’s fair, pretty face. "It’s... you know."
"But what about you and Little Hero Huo? You two have your marriage certificate, but you’ve only met a handful of times. Aren’t you afraid someone will take advantage of his absence?"
Xia Zhaoyun smiled, her lips pursed. "If he’s mine, he won’t leave, no matter who schemes against us or covets him. If he’s not, I couldn’t keep him even if I begged and screamed."
"Sis, don’t try to change the subject. We were talking about you, so don’t drag me into this."
"Tomorrow’s the weekend, and I have a performance. Do you have any plans? I need to know so I can arrange for someone to watch the kids."
He Qingran shot her a playful glare. "You don’t have to. Um... Brother Kun is coming to watch your performance tomorrow, too. He said we should all get a meal together after you’re finished."
Xia Zhaoyun said nothing, simply looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
He Qingran grew a little bashful and fidgeted. "We just... went through the whole blind date process. We have good feelings for each other, and we’ve told our families."
"I make my own decisions when it comes to my life, so I’m having my younger brother come tomorrow, too. We’ll all eat together. It’ll count as Brother Kun meeting my family."
"If we’re both still on board after that, I’ll go with him to meet his family next weekend."
Xia Zhaoyun chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "Sis, are you really planning to settle down?"
He Qingran nodded, her eyes shining. "Yes, I’m ready to settle down. We’re very happy with each other. It’s not every day you meet someone you want to build a life with; I can’t let this chance pass me by."
Xia Zhaoyun hummed. "Ranran, have you told Brother Kun about your family situation?"
"Knowing your stepmother’s personality, I feel like she’ll definitely try to stir up trouble. Do you have a plan to handle that?"
He Qingran’s shoulders suddenly slumped, and she flopped onto the table.
"That’s what’s giving me a headache. Yunyun, you tell me... even though we’re in a new era, marriage is still a matter between two families. If she gives the Liu Family a bad impression of me, how am I supposed to face them?"
"To this day, my father still thinks my stepmother is a good person. He thinks I’m the one who’s willful and inconsiderate, that I can’t bring him any honor—that I’m the family’s disgrace! What if she makes the Liu Family think I’m an ungrateful, unreasonable, and immature brat?"
"My stepmother almost spoiled my younger brother into a good-for-nothing, too. Thank god he listens to me and just puts on an act for her. He actually loves to study, but because of our home life, he has to pretend he hates it."
"If my brother or I show the slightest bit of promise, she’s sure to make a move. My work performance has been excellent for the past two weeks, and she’s already tried to get me to come ’home’ for dinner several times."
Xia Zhaoyun tilted her head in thought. "Let’s not rush to a decision on this. Wait until after you’ve met his parents."
"If his parents are good-natured people, you might as well tell them about your family situation. Then you could ’act first and report later’—get your marriage certificate, and then pick a date for the banquet."
"Once you have that marriage license in hand, what else can happen?"
"Your families will live far apart, and the Liu Family won’t be a place where your stepmother can just stir up trouble whenever she wants. Things will get better. We have jobs and we’re capable. The days of having to rely on our elders are long gone."
He Qingran nodded. "You’re right. There are always more solutions than problems. If the worst comes to worst, I’ll just take her down with me!"
"She doesn’t want me to live a happy life, so why should I hold back? My brother and I have nothing to lose, but she has plenty. Let’s see who’s really afraid!"
Xia Zhaoyun hummed her agreement. "Exactly. ’He who is barefoot does not fear he who wears shoes.’ Ranran, wait until your father isn’t home and throw those words right in her face."
"Besides, she already won. She got her man, she had her own kid. She has no reason to be so fixated on you poor things that nobody dotes on. Not unless she’s truly willing to throw away the comfortable life she has now."